By: Natalie Weinstein, Allied ASID
Dear Natalie;
Q.) We are moving and it is right before the holidays. Do you have any tips as to the move and trying to get ready for the holidays? What takes priority? Which are the most important rooms to finish? I don’t know where to start.
Tracy R.
A.) 1. The first tip is breathe! Then try to stay positive about your new home and how lovely it will be when it will be all done (not tomorrow). The first suggestion has to do with packing in your old home. Take nothing but what you really want or need. Do not throw everything in the mix and think that will ease your pain. It will only prolong the agony!
2. Next – label every box by room and be specific. Place the boxes in the rooms and attack them in order of priority – kitchen and bathrooms first, of course, when you arrive.
3. If you’ve made a floor plan in advance, you’ll know where your existing furniture will go. Put it there with your movers. Decide if something is coming along as a “place holder” until you’re ready to buy new, or think about “living empty.”
4. If you have a enough lead time to paint and do your floors in advance of your move, you’ve solved a great deal of your problem and avoided much inconvenience as well as stress.
5. Trot over to Home Depot or Lowes for paper shades for privacy until you decide on your window treatments and that will buy you a little time and avoid the “gold fish bowl” syndrome.
6. Segregate the boxes with holiday items and set them aside for ready access. Once you have furniture set up they can now be showcased. Perhaps this year’s display isn’t as full as you’d like, but setting the dining room table, decorating the fire place mantle, a staircase or front door or porch may be all you can manage. Don’t beat yourself up – celebrate the holiday by being grateful that you’ve accomplished your move successfully, and that your family is healthy and happy in your new home.
7. If company is planning to “stay over” for the holidays make sure you can handle it. If not, put them up elsewhere with family or at a nearby hotel. If cooking for the usual large crowd is another mountain to navigate, plan a “bring a dish” or restaurant celebration.
Remember, keep the holiday spirit and look forward to 2014 to finish what you started this year.
Dear Natalie;
Q.) We are moving and it is right before the holidays. Do you have any tips as to the move and trying to get ready for the holidays? What takes priority? Which are the most important rooms to finish? I don’t know where to start.
Tracy R.
A.) 1. The first tip is breathe! Then try to stay positive about your new home and how lovely it will be when it will be all done (not tomorrow). The first suggestion has to do with packing in your old home. Take nothing but what you really want or need. Do not throw everything in the mix and think that will ease your pain. It will only prolong the agony!
2. Next – label every box by room and be specific. Place the boxes in the rooms and attack them in order of priority – kitchen and bathrooms first, of course, when you arrive.
3. If you’ve made a floor plan in advance, you’ll know where your existing furniture will go. Put it there with your movers. Decide if something is coming along as a “place holder” until you’re ready to buy new, or think about “living empty.”
4. If you have a enough lead time to paint and do your floors in advance of your move, you’ve solved a great deal of your problem and avoided much inconvenience as well as stress.
5. Trot over to Home Depot or Lowes for paper shades for privacy until you decide on your window treatments and that will buy you a little time and avoid the “gold fish bowl” syndrome.
6. Segregate the boxes with holiday items and set them aside for ready access. Once you have furniture set up they can now be showcased. Perhaps this year’s display isn’t as full as you’d like, but setting the dining room table, decorating the fire place mantle, a staircase or front door or porch may be all you can manage. Don’t beat yourself up – celebrate the holiday by being grateful that you’ve accomplished your move successfully, and that your family is healthy and happy in your new home.
7. If company is planning to “stay over” for the holidays make sure you can handle it. If not, put them up elsewhere with family or at a nearby hotel. If cooking for the usual large crowd is another mountain to navigate, plan a “bring a dish” or restaurant celebration.
Remember, keep the holiday spirit and look forward to 2014 to finish what you started this year.