Happy spring (officially!). You know what? It's time to shake off the winter slumber. It's time to embrace the revitalization of springtime, and I'm talking about your houses kids. Decluttering! Cleaning! Skipping! It's on. Let's review the essentials needed to get your spleaning party on: 1. Cleaning arsenal Ensure you have all the cleaning products you'll need, the essential household cleaning kit would be about it. 2. Bags & such This is the one and only case in ...

TV is a semi-wondrous invention that seems less so when it's turned off. Sitting there. A big, black, square. Right in the middle of your Live Simply, drat. What's a meticulously detail-oriented, design conscious person to do? 1. The old TV gallery wall trick  If ever there was a clever design tactic, it would be this: camouflage your television set among a gallery wall assemblage. This is one of those forehead smackingly obvious why-didn't-I-think-of-that ideas. All ...

My client and I were recently discussing his home office that's soon to be, and specifically, the necessity for a new filing cabinet. We immediately agreed that the one he had had to go; metal, clanky, black, with sharp edges and an propensity to tip over when too many drawers are open at once, you know the kind. Not to mention this thing was colossal-six drawers and at least as tall as me. And then ...

I recently met with a personal chef who wowed me with the explanation of the service she provides to her clients. Think cooking fairy and you'd be on the right track. After quizzing her about her favorite knife (Hammer Stahl, for the record), I remarked that she must eat amazingly well, able as she is to whip up such delicious meals. She shrugged and sort of chuckled. "I mean, I cook way better for my ...

If the name Jillian Harris sounds familiar, it's because you watched her on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette or both (who can remember such things). You may have rooted for her and the (literal) comeback kid, Ed, and then felt a momentary pang of sadness at hearing the news that two people whom you don't know in the slightest split up, and you may have officially divorced the program in light of that whole Emily and Jef ...