Christa Wagner

Before

Back in March we had a contest called Vancouver’s Ugliest Office Contest.  I partnered with Suze Interiors and we “made over” the Ugliest Office in Vancouver.  Our winner, Elyssa McKee lives in a two bedroom apartment with her husband Ryan.  They have lived in their home for four years and Elyssa uses her home for work and study.  Elyssa was great to work with and Ryan was amazing as he helped us while Elyssa was out of town at the end of the trip.   The photos speak for themselves……

Suze and I met with the client and assessed the situation, developed goals and prioritized.   Elyssa’s overall goal was an office that could be used for working, studying and reading.  She also wanted a calm, yet motivating space that she wanted to use.   Before the makeover, she didn’t even want to enter the room so she certainly wasn’t using it.  I went in with a team of three organizers and we started by sorting the contents of the room.  There was so much stuff and box by box we sorted like items together.  Once we had everything sorted, we went through each pile and Elyssa released anything she no longer used, needed or loved.  This was tough for her as it can be for most people.  But with our help, she let go of anything that did not have a purpose in the office.  Then we decided where things would go in the new office.

From there Suze went in and talked furniture, color and accessories.  The client’s budget was $1,000.  Until this point the couple had really made due with what they had and it was time for a major furniture face lift.  So Suze and I went shopping and pulled it all together.   We purchased a desk, a file cabinet, a bookshelf, a rug, baskets and containers, closet organizing tools, hanging file folders and a FreedomFiler.  You can see the results were amazing and the client is thrilled.

So what can you learn from all this?

• Elyssa and Ryan had plenty of space, but it was not being used effectively.
• They had too much stuff in one room that was supporting the needs of that room.
• They were holding onto things they no longer had a use for.
• They had old broken furniture that was hurting, not helping
• The room had gotten so out of control, it was too overwhelming to manage on their own.
• They need to get back to basic organizing principles; one in, one out, for example.

Good thing Suze and I had the contest.  Learn from Elyssa and Ryan and make a change in your home today or contact us to help you turn your ugliest room into a relaxing, practical and gorgeous space.

It’s late Friday evening and Suze McCart and I just finished up for the day.  We were working with the winner of our Ugliest Office Contest.  We are too tired to write too much, but look at these photos.  Nothing more needs to be said…..

We are ready for more home make-overs.  This was a fun one!

Before

Nearly Finished

Before

Nearly Finished

Before Savvy Solutions

A week ago, we had our first organizing session with Ugliest Office Contest Winner Elyssa McKee.  Elyssa won our contest as she has a home office that was in desperate need of a face lift.  Some of her challenges were:

• The office had become a dumping ground
• She had too much stuff that did not belong in her office space
• She had never taken the time to create zones and miscellaneous stuff was everywhere
• Nothing had a home and clothes were on the floor, paper all over the desk(and seeping into the living room)
• She was using furniture that was broken or not adequate for her needs
• She was not taking the time each day to stay on top of her organizing. Just 5 minutes each day makes a huge difference. 

In Progress

So the Savvy Solutions team went it and made a world of difference in just 4 1/2 hours.  We took Elyssa through the first two steps of our organizing process and in the end she was left with organized piles
that are ready for the next steps.  We took away a lot of recycling, donated many good items and left her with some homework to complete prior to the next appointment.  But in the end, she could see her floor and new all the contents of her home office.

Now its time for Suze McCart of Suze Interiors to do her magic.  The goal for Elyssa’s office is to be inspiring, yet relaxing.  She wants to be able to work and study without distraction.

For the last four weeks we (Suze Interiors and Savvy Solutions) have been talking about our Ugliest Office Contest and we are so excited to announce our winner.  Not only did our winner submit an application, but her husband also did on her behalf.  He recorded a video that showed us exactly what was going on their home office and we could see exactly why they needed our help. 

And the winner is…..  Elyssa McKee.  Elyssa and her husband live in a two bedroom suite.  The second room is her office and she “feels it’s so disorganized and cluttered she can’t even use it.”   Elyssa says “If my office was organized, I would gain my sanity back and my husband could breathe again!”  Elyssa is an Intervention Team Supervisor and she contracts to agencies and families providing behavior intervention for children who have autism.  Additionally, she is starting a masters program in September and desires a quiet, non-anxiety provoking space to work.  We wanted Elyssa to have a motivated and inspiring environment to do this important work.

Thank you Elyssa for submitting your office and thanks to all those who submitted their offices to the contest.   Now, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get started.

Organize Your Ugly Office

We are amidst our Ugliest Office Contest with partner Suze Interiors and we are still searching for the ugliest one.  We’ve had some doozies come in, but you never know and you could have the ugliest office in Vancouver.  Some people have told us they are working in garages, in their kitchen, their kids playroom, etc.  Send them all.  We can’t wait to see them and help you. 

The winner will receive a one-hour decorating and organizing assessment and an 8-hour decorating and 8-hour organizing session with owners Suze McCart and Christa Wagner. The winner has the opportunity to create a comfortable, functional, organized and attractive workspace to be proud of. 

Click here for contest details. 

Is This Your Office?

If you’re like most people, you spend a great deal of time in the office. Your workspace should support your needs and work for you, not against you. The person with the ugliest office in Vancouver will win a decorating and Organizing Office Makeover from Suze Interiors and Savvy Solutions. The winner will receive a one-hour decorating and organizing assessment and an 8-hour decorating and 8-hour organizing session with owners Suze McCart and Christa Wagner. The winner has the opportunity to create a comfortable, functional, organized and attractive workspace to be proud of. 

Here is what you need to know….

(more…)