OrganizingLA Blog

Wall Street Journal Provides 5 Takes on Space Planning In a Difficult Closet

It may be November, but Real Estate Journal (The Wall Street Journal's guide to property) decided to squeeze in an interesting article on closet organizing before the holiday season.

Journalist Eileen Gunn scribbed a tester's experiences with a difficult closet configueration-- a jam-packed closet 18" deep instead of the traditional 24"--- the necessary size so coats don't pull with the door opening and closing.  They shopped around using a variety of sources.

A California Closets in-home consultant, a Container Store in-store employee, an interior design student from a local college, a Professional Organizer, and a local carpenter provided expertise and ideas to improve the situation.  They liked everyon's ideas, but who won the job?  Check out the article and related table for the results.

What's our take?  Sounds like the closet was designed exclusively for linens (the average comfortor needs about 18" of space...) so in short, we'd add a combination of straight adjustible shelving and slatwall, if they want to hold clothes and NOT rebuild the closet wall.  We couldn't find a picture of a closet using slatwall, so here is an example of it's usefulness in the garage-- same theory.

Black Friday - What Treasures Did You Snag?

This is John-- shortly before joining the crowds on Black Friday-- the busiest shopping day of the year in Los Angeles, and the part (traditionally) where merchant's accounting books turn from red to black.

We'd love to know what you bought on Friday.  Nothing much for us-- gift wrapping tape, cleaning supplies, and a couple dozen suit hangers from the local Burbank IKEA.  This was all on the way to a friend's nephew's Birthday party at Chucky Cheese.  As Chucky says, "Remember Kids-- the FUN is always free!"

Compulsive Hoarding Syndrome Helped with Paxil

Just recently, UPI broke groundbreaking research aimed at treating patients with compulsive hoarding syndrome, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (known as OCD.)

According to Dr. Sanjaya Saxena, director of the obsessive-compulsive disorders program at UCSD, compulsive hoarding patients exhibit three core features:

1. Failure to discard objects due to severe anxiety related to discarding what most might regard as inconsequential objects
2. Excessive acquisition, sometimes resulting in buying sprees
3. Excessive clutter to the point where home and work spaces can no longer be used

Saxena's study compared hoarding and non-hoarding OCD patients, showing nearly identical responses to paroxetine -- commonly known as Paxil. The symptoms exhibited by patients in both groups improved significantly with treatment.  The director was quoted:

"The syndrome is driven by obsessional fears of not having items you might need, or of losing something valuable, as well as overly sentimental attachments to objects."

While our professional organizing company does not specialize in working with this condition, we do have a ongoing relationship with Ron Alford's Disaster Masters in New York City and have worked with their clients, in a team setting, here in SoCal (look at Ron's website for startling before/after pictures).  Ron has even taken me on a personal visit to the "dump," a dismal trash site their company utilizes by Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens.

2007 Los Angeles Organizing Awards - Voting Procedures Announced

Voting procedures have been announced for the 2007 Los Angeles Organizing Awards.  Can you participate?

The 2nd annual event celebrates the contributions of individuals, retailers, authors, corporations and media who promote the advancement of the professional organizing industry.

50,000th Guest Visits the OrganizingLA Blog

 

We rented the historic Hollywood Sign this week to thank our loyal readers and announce a milestone:  Sometime this week, our 50,000th guest will log on to the OrganizingLA Blog.

We officially opened shop July, 2005 but our stat counter started one year ago.  With Thanksgiving coming up on Thursday, we've got lots to be thankful for.

• 50,000 visitors
• 111,000 page views
• 150 Feedblitz Readers
• 250-275 Feedburner Readers
• 270 posts

We thank you for visiting our Blog, reading the posts, suggesting topics and submitting comments.  If you're not subscribing, click here to sign-up.  It's easy and 100% opt-in/opt-out.

What are you thankful for this coming Thanksgiving?

Greg Pitts - The "Office Space" Cult Actor is a Neatnik

Greg Pitts, star of the 1999 cult classic film Office Space, feels that a clutter-free existence has made him succcessful in his career as an actor.

"...his friends describe him as a neatnik who keeps a spotless home -- Pitts also salutes "[Clear] Your Clutter With Feng Shui" author Karen Kingston. "Just because your house is neat and clean," he says, "doesn't mean you don't have things you need to get rid of."

"Looking back, I realized I was sabotaging every audition I went to because I was so intent on 'I've got to have this job' and I was trying too hard. After reading the book, it occurred to me that I had this old datebook lying around that reminded me that I didn't get this job or I didn't get that job. But it's not healthy to keep reminding yourself of where you fell short. So I threw [the old datebook] out."

• Read Billy Cox's interview with Greg Pitt in Monday's Southwestern Florida Herald-Tribune
• Buy Karen Kingston's book, Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui, and support our site

So readers, what have you gotten rid of that seemed tough at the moment, but later realized the "loss" was for the best?

Beverly Hills Antique Stores - You'd Be Surprised at the Bargains

What "finds" are lurking in your local antique store?

I've been sourcing some Mission-style storage furniture for an organizing client here in Los Angeles.  I have to admit, there are some antique stores I've completed avoided for years, because they looked too expensive, or too highbrow for my professional organizing business.  Well, I admit I was wrong.

What I found last Thursday, were smart pieces, smart service and very fair prices.  Not to mention someone spent a great deal of time lovingly restoring these treasures.

I love this Martha-green mid-century desk, complete with plenty of drawers, copper hardware and a beautiful bead-board file cabinet, perfect for your family's hot files.  $500 at The Collection, on Third Street and Robertson.

Not on the cheap side was this majestic vintage mail holder also at the Collection.  I can't remember what period it's from.  But the price wasn't that bad at around $1000.  Use it for stationery, small containers for your checkbook, stamps and office supplies.  Label each section with a vintage font or even a calligraphy pen.  I especially love the smart use of vertical space.

While not so close to Beverly Hills, Wertz Bros. on Santa Monica Boulevard in West L.A. had incredible (used) pine pieces sure to add clever storage to any dining or living space.  This entertainment center (right) was about $700!  If you're a visual person, they had an open shelving cabinet almost 8 feet long-- perfect for magazine files, art boxes, CD binders and some decor.  I had difficulty taking pictures of some items, the miles of aisles were crammed with wonderful "bargains."

So-- venture out.  Get of of your comfort zone and try some new places.  Bring your camera and your measuring tape.  Getting organized is like a game, do your homework and shop smart for quality.  Think of it as chic recycling.  Surrounding yourself with vintage pieces may actually motivate you to get-- and stay-- organized.  And I am all for that.

Angie's List - How to Organize the Bathroom

You too can celebrate World Toilet Day on November 19th with Altech's iCarta iPod docking station bundled with a bathroom tissue roll dispenser.

Bravo to the new print version of Angie's List Los Angeles for dedicating an entire first issue to all things latrine-related, including this hot invention.

Angie's List is a word-of-mouth network for consumers, showcasing homeowners' real-life experiences with local service companies.  Rather than digging through the phone book, folks check Angie's List to find out what consumers in their area are saying about the companies they've hired.  Great idea!

• Read the November Angie's List Magazine.
• Check out Altech's iCarta bathroom must-have.

Readers-- what ways do you save space in the bathroom?

Best Buy Offering Holiday Organizational Tips November 15

If you need to get organized, throw on your Pradas and fall to the seductive trappings of consumer excess.

Best Buy is teaming with Real Simple Magazine for a short evening of demos and one-on-one Best Buy shopping assistance at their Holiday Happy Hour November 15, 5-7pm, at selected stores.  They're featuring organizational tips, gift-giving and technology.

We need a new camera to take client befores-and-afters (have you noticed a lack thereof lately?)  So we plan on driving across town for the Pasadena event.

But what 10 cities are participating you ask?

Real Simple Magazine and Home Depot - "Home Organized Home" Sweepstakes

Real Simple Magazine and Home Depot are sponsoring a Sweepstakes to Get You Organized.  Hurry, contest appears to end November 6th, just in time for Holiday decorating and de-cluttering.  Make sure you read the end of this post for some important advise should you win.

One winner will have a Real Simple organizing expert revamp his or her home, "from top to bottom, so that every space is used efficiently."