photos

 

studio/game room

 

art studio & closets

“When my school job ended for the summer, I knew I had to finally tackle my messy basement and closets—things I’d put off for several years. Every time I attempted to tackle them on my own, I quickly became overwhelmed and depressed. Every little item required decisions: whether to keep it or not, and what to do with it if I kept it. It was just too much!

Lisa made the decision-making task so much easier by brainstorming the categorizing and storage of ‘keeper’ items with me. She came up with ideas and emailed me between sessions to point out options. She also gave me a few easy ‘homework’ tasks between sessions which have helped flesh out the systems I now have.

I was able to start my school job this fall without a load of guilt over having let ANOTHER summer go by without cleaning my closets and basement. And I can actually find things I need! Thank you, Lisa!”

– Occupational therapist in West Seattle

 

home offices & living room

“I started working with Lisa about a month ago following a recommendation from a friend.  She has changed my views, for the much better, about what is possible in organizing my home and aspects of my life.

Lisa listened carefully to my issues and concerns related to organizing and collaborated with me in developing a plan to tackle the many projects at a pace I could manage. She helped me to develop a clear vision about what I really love aesthetically as well as functionally.  She helped me to feel good about my own tastes, and did not impose her own; she was very non-judgmental about my choices.

Lisa, with much enthusiasm and energy, willingly does as much or as little of the actual tasks of organizing as I want: sorting, discarding, donating, moving. She has many bits of practical advice and ‘tricks’ for all those activities. Lisa is fun and easy to be with (important when you spend hours together going through your life’s detritus) but remains focused and ‘on task’ throughout.

I’ve seen lots of progress in our basement reorganization.  We are in the process of changing four rooms of chaos into two offices, a storage room, and an exercise / sports equipment room – meeting a variety of family needs and tastes.

I very highly recommend Lisa for any organizing tasks – from the small to the overwhelming.  Who would have thought organizing could be fun and rewarding?”

– Educator in Fremont

 

garage

“It’s a little intimidating to have someone from outside the family advise you on your home, especially if you pride yourself on your design creds. But Lisa approached it with such kindness and vision that it made the difficult work of ‘letting go’ almost a pleasure.

Due to Lisa’s ability to ride with your resistance to change, and her compassion and gentle humor, we were soon completely aboard with the multiple changes she suggested.

In addition to her design savvy and gentle approach, she also works incredibly fast and is a very hard worker.  As a result, the garage was completely transformed. It is now a space I revel in, as nice as the rest of the house.”  (Process notes on garage re-org here.)

– Social worker in Mount Baker

 

 

closet

“My life is full of stuff and short on time. I have a closet that has intimidated me for 14 years with piles of accumulated clothes, random art supplies, paperwork and odd stuff. I really sort of thought it couldn’t be tamed, but Lisa’s gentle persistence and indefatigable energy helped me persevere and find lightness in the process and a beautiful space that sings of the things I love in the end.”  (Process notes on closet re-org here.)

-Non-profit executive director, West Seattle

 

whole house

“I’ve worked with Lisa to organize every single drawer, shelf, closet, and room in my 4,000 square foot home — including my email, task list, and filing systems — and also our garage, storage room, garden shed, and earthquake preparedness kits.

Each day, I have been absolutely, unreservedly, ecstatic with the results.

Before each work session, I felt resistant, worried I’d regret getting rid of things I had for years. But the clutter in my closets and drawers had become metaphors for indecision and clinging to the past. I knew I needed to get free of this stuff.

Knowing Lisa to be a person of great integrity, I pushed ahead, confident that I could trust her to guide me through the tougher decisions.

Lisa arrives on time. Her method is to empty out a space completely, sort the items, then – as she deep cleans the space that she just emptied and clears away unwanted items – she has me select what I’d like to keep. It’s hard work, and she does the bulk of it.

When I have difficulty making decisions about an item, she asks well-timed questions to help me see either that I no longer need or use it, or that I really cherish and need to keep it. She finds clever ways to display treasured items, and my clothes closet now looks like a boutique.

She also suggests where to responsibly recycle, donate, consign and sell items I no longer need. I’ve sold more than $1,000 worth of items to date. To top it off, Lisa found an uncashed check for $250 stuck between drawers. (How did she do that? It’s that deep cleaning she does!)

As a result, I feel so much lighter and more focused now that my house is in order. Finally, Lisa helped me put simple systems in place so that I can keep that order going forward. I wholeheartedly recommend Lisa as a professional who can coach you through this uplifting experience.”  (Process notes on closet re-org here, kitchen re-org here.)

-Consultant in Madison Park

 

 

kid’s room & home office

“Lisa Holtby is, by far, the best home organizer I have ever worked with, hands down.

I had collected so much stuff over the 9 years since I had my daughter and was stretched so thin with work, activities, school and life in general to ever manage to get on top of it. I knew I needed help.

Lisa helps you get organized and then empowers you to keep organized. This really is her superpower and her work ethic is unparalleled. She works hard to sort and stage your belongings, then keeps you on-task and accountable in the most gentle and supportive way possible. I am so thankful!”  (Process notes on home office re-org here.)

– Attorney in Beacon Hill

 

 

living room

“I cannot recommend home organizer Lisa Holtby more highly. She respects my lifestyle, and sees what already works. She made a formerly cluttered but, well, okay room into beautiful room and it’s still my room with my beloved books and art in it.

Lisa is a wizard at coming up with solutions, knows how to simplify and beautify, and has a superb color sense.  She’s conversant with economical sources of fabrics, rugs, furniture, etc. Finally, Lisa is pleasant and kind and insightful, a pleasure to spend a few hours with.”  (Process notes on living room re-org here.)

– Writer in Wallingford

 

a space of her own

“Working with Lisa is easy. She finds out what’s important to you and what feeds your soul. I didn’t have a space in the house just for me, filled with special things, so we created a wonderful little nook for me. I so love my space!” (Process notes on creating ‘a space of her own’ here.)

– Director of IT operations in Ballard