Home is more than four walls and roof. Home is a door opening to you, your family, your pets, your lifestyle, your neighborhood, your community, your city. It’s all encompassing on so many levels.
Making Room
Amanda Scudder is the Owner and a Certified Professional Organizer in Richmond, VA.
It was a very sunny morning when I met up with Amanda Scudder, Owner and Certified Professional Organizer of Sprucely, Home and Lifestyle Solutions. This one woman show drives this passion project to helping those organize their homes so they can have space for themselves and others, inside and out.
As Fat Rabbit morsels filled space in our bellies, I took some time to discover that organizing goes beyond purging one’s closet, but can become a healthy and liberating habit. I don’t know about you, but I cannot work in a cluttered space for too long. I also cannot deal with the overwhelming sensation of sentimental disposal. I tend to want to keep everything from wine corks to scribble filled napkins. It is the complete opposite of a close friend whose monthly firepit hang ends in the remnants of old love poems and greeting cards.
Amanda began her career with a Masters in Social Work and was all too familiar with implementing effective systems as part of her work. She is also a very kind and gentle person. So while she did her stint in Social Work, including working for United Way, she felt like something was unfulfilled in her. The Universe, my friends, is a powerful ally. It wasn’t until she randomly went to a retreat and met someone needing assistance with organizing her home, that the switch flipped. She had found the missing piece. Sprucely was born out of that passion after doing her time learning and getting certified at the Institute of Challenging Disorganization®.
Doing the unstuck is hard. Where do you start? How do start? Why do you need it? I know when I am doing a thorough clean and organizing things in my home, the energy shifts. I’m able to be more productive, my mood is lifted—of course til I mess it all up again! Many people have a hard time—putting things away, making space for what’s important, or parting with things that have meaningful significance. Amanda is able to facilitate and support those who are ready to take that leap, but she does so without creating resistance. She allows her clients space to be ready for such a task, but also gives them motivations to ponder.
Amanda is also quite certified in not only being a professional organizer, but is also one if not the only local Organizer that is a practicing CPO-CD (Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization®). This required her to evaluate case studies, medical histories, and work with a mentor. She has also completed intensive studies in helping those with such disorders as ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Hoarding Disorder, PTSD, TBI and those with individuals suffering from OCD. Her interest lies in the “why” rather than the “what”. A lot of her job is helping those maintain a healthy routine of ‘putting things back where they belong’.
As Realtors®, we help our clients facilitate moving in and moving out of houses, Amanda helps them in both those transitions giving them a real brand new start. She helps clients get rid of the clutter before a move and shows them how to create efficient and good organizational habits to begin their new homes. But it is what Amanda does with clients who are in a life transition that I find dear. She helps clients find a meaningful and resourceful place for those items they part with so that they are beneficial to someone else in need. For example, someone who adheres to lots of books that they don’t necessarily need, could contribute to a library or bookshare. She shows others that the significance in that item could be meaningful to someone else, therefore releasing them, but never pushes them.
I have a box in my home that I will never get rid of. My ‘history’ if you will, can be found easily and within reach, but I tend to have lots of clutter around me. I have lots of clutter in my life as well. I think about how it makes me feel to transform that clutter into an inviting space for me to create and be tranquil in, and it is a desire of mine. Both Amanda and I agree that there is not set “way” to organize—every individual is different with various challenges. Some people need auditory cues while others need the visual, there just isn’t a set method to it all. You have to do what works for you and in the time it works for you. Sometimes we just need a little help seeing the trees through the clutter, while some of us just want to create a roadmap to organizational bliss.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, Sprucely can help! If you’d like to have a consultation with Amanda to figure out how to make space in your life, click below and schedule and appointment.
Harvesting the Porch Hang
As the weather gets crispier, our porches become less frequented, but here are a few tips to enjoy it even during the colder months.
I grew up in the deep southern suburban residences of Louisiana. As a child, I recall my walks home from school and to Miss Sweeney’s candy shop up the road. Every day there was a Mister or a Miss “So & So” on their front porch primed and ready for countless waves, ‘hey shas’, or an invite for iced tea or lemonade. That’s just how it is there. A home without a porch in the South is like Ted Lasso without a ‘stache or the Arctic without glaciers, it just doesn’t feel the same.
Wrap arounds and full frontal country porches are never overlooked on my personal home searches. It gives me an added bonus of being social without having to go out out. It allows me to say hello and chat with my neighbors in the fresh air. Lastly, let’s not forget how badly most of us want to shout our personal style and seasonal decor creations off the front stoop. All you Cottagecore people, kudos to you and the time it’s taking to get that perfect Farmhouse Fall look. I’m literally thinking on how much pumpkin and gourd sales have gone up in the last 10 years.
Although I spend a majority of my eves and morns on the front porch all year round, I have grown to love the Fall hang the best. I take this outdoor nook hangage seriously, and with lots of comfort, saying hello to passerby as the whiskey leaves my lips, knees pressed up to my chest, fuzzy blanket wrapped around me — ah, my favorite time of year has arrived.
There are some things that are required for this type of porch hang. Sure, mums and pumpkins all damn day long, but I’m talking about the other things. For instance, a good porch for hanging out on in the Fall is going to have good seating, warm lighting and a place to put your blankets. I suggest having some sort of table as well, because there needs to be some nosh. So, of course I gathered some ideas on how to make your porch more inviting.
Lighting
Lighting is everything especially in an outdoor setting. Give it a little mood swing into the season by adding your traditional string lights to railings and ceilings or give a touch of character with lighted birdcages or floor lanterns. Put some in your front trees for added effect or add a table lantern for those late night reads. Also, consider putting some soft lighting under your stairs that will make it easier for you and your guests to find their way home.
Seating
You can go traditional and have a nice chair set out there with the warm colors of fall (reds, oranges, yellows) or you can really get comfortable with a day bed swing adorned with warm knitted blankets and pillows or if you have a smaller porch, single swings and blanket draped rocking chairs are cozy. Adding an outdoor rug with large seating pillows can give you a loungey outdoor effect as well. Invest in some seat warmers! Just make sure it’s comfortable.
Added Touches
An old trunk is ideal for storing and protecting your blankets in addition to using it as a table. Add a ladder to place blankets on for a decorative look. A small fire pit or small heater will bring some nice warmth to your portico. Get some nice fall themed curtains to add some insulation and create a dramatic effect.
Don’t forget to make your favorite warm cocktails and beverages to complete your Fall/Winter porch hangs! Purchase a small bluetooth speaker or break out the acoustic to provide some great holiday or seasonal tunes to mix.
The significance of the porch in American culture runs deep:
Time to Shine
With just an inkling of rising temperatures, it’s the time when we emerge from our cocoons and start giving the outside of our homes the attention it deserves…
I do believe we will be spending another Spring / Summer in limited social capacity. Yes, I too am over it. While some of you will take the chance to leap onto greener pastures through travel or masked frolicking, others will now start to plan their warmer weathered activities.
As I stare at the dead plants upon which I adorn my stoop and porch with, I can fairly say my gardening skills are less than stellar. Cutting grass for me is quite enjoyable as I see it taking the place of my wasted gym membership (which I’m still paying for by the way). We broke down and forked out a stimulus check to get a pool worth wading in while basking in the Summer heat. It got a little messy in our backyard to say the least. This year, I want to create an inviting, pest free space. A space that doesn’t denote the hint of unemployed and overfilled recycling bins, one that says, “Hello, welcome to our Summer bubble, won’t you come in and enjoy this lavender flavored iced tea.”
All that being romanticized, we have a large yard. Last year I broke down and got my own landscaper who mulches, weeds, and takes care of anything that will put us in the “trashy” category. I also recalled last year’s heavily booked schedules for landscapers, painters, gutter cleaners, powerwashers and roofers. So here’s your little reminder for all those wanting that luxurious looking curb appeal to get on the books now! Here are a few I’ve used who provide excellent service. I recommend one that provides a membership-like schedule.
Landscapers
Arborists
PowerWashers
Gutters
Handy Repairs
In addition to yard primping, Spring cleaning should be on the list as well. Think about how long you’ve been inside, living, working, playing in your home. Also, a great Mother’s Day gift *wink *wink. A good deep clean will refresh your home for the new season and what better way to eliminate any wandering virus potentials. These cleaners are Covid safe and will give your home that sun shiny clean it’s been waiting for!
In addition to yard primping, Spring cleaning should be on the list as well. Think about how long you’ve been inside, living, working, playing in your home. Also, a great Mother’s Day gift *wink *wink. A good deep clean will refresh your home for the new season and what better way to eliminate any wandering virus potentials. These cleaners are Covid safe and will give your home that sun shiny clean it’s been waiting for!
My Best Cleaners
Some other improvements/refreshes to make during this time:
Resealing/Painting of Decks
Painting the Front Door a New Color
Updating your Roof if Needed
Ordering Maintenance for Your HVAC Units
Buy your Above Ground Pool NOW
Get New Cushions for Your Outdoor Furniture
Paint your Fences
Call Me to Do a Walkthrough for Listing Your Home!
Let the beautification begin! For any all recommendations visit:
Quarantine Chronicles: 13 Tips for Seasonal Home Prep
Tis the season for seasonal home prep. The weather is going to get crispier out there and now is the time to get those home improvement projects under your belt…
Yes, I see that yard filling up with the leaves. I also see the gutters overflowing. October is the perfect time to start prepping your home for the colder months OR for a possible listing. Here are few things to do to make that happen and increase not only curb appeal, but also add value to your home!
Get those gutters cleaned and schedule any roof repair needed.
Get those last mowings done and start protecting your plants and gardens.
Go around and see what seals on your home need to be repaired or replaced. Include repairing any leaks that your home might have as well.
Replace any old insulation.
Get your fireplaces cleaned and make sure they are in working order. This includes your furnaces and heating units. Get covers for your AC units to aid them in lasting longer and not getting damaged through the winter months.
Plant some grass seed for any patches in your yard or where the swimming pool was this summer.
Build your deck or repair it, it’s a great time for this and will lead to some nice outdoor space during those crisp evenings.
Build your firepits and get some nice blankets for guests who come over.
Paint your front doors and add some nice Fall decor to the mix, your home will feel refreshed and pop on the street.
Clean out your closets! Whether you are purging or alternating into your winter wardrobe, time to organize!
Get wood for the fireplace and fire pits! Everyone is going to be scrambling since most of us will be holed up at home depending on Covid, so be prepared! Get your wood now!
Power wash the exterior of the house. This is a must if you plan on selling. it will brighten and make your home look like new!
Consider cleaning any carpets in the house. Sure, we’ve been quarantined and left in our homes a lot more, but this will increase as the weather gets colder. Humidity is dissipating and cooler temperatures will allow for windows can be opened making drying easier.