The latest special issue of Martha Stewart Living is all about organizing. It is on newsstands now and contains a vast collection of organizing and clutter-cutting techniques for any household. Its release is strategically timed to coincide with the debut of Martha's new organizing products at Staples: a wide array of folders, binders, labels and storage units for your home office.
The booklet is free of advertising, like all of Martha's special supplement magazines, and is printed on thick, high-gloss paper. It's quite beautiful. It begins with an introduction from Martha, followed by an overview of organizing basics called Organizing 101: cut the clutter, store it where you use it, etc. Then, it heads through the house, room by room, starting with the entryway, providing the best solutions for keeping the space clean and organized. Even kids rooms are included. Each of these chapters then concludes with a series of "Good Things" for organizing that particular room: little tips and ideas to help you keep everything in its place. There is also a six-page spread devoted to Martha's houses and how she keeps her busiest rooms organized.
I consider myself a very organized person but this magazine is still useful to me. It's a refresher course and a reminder that without organizing there can be no real enjoyment of a space. How can you decorate a space if it is not organized? How can you function in a space if it is governed by chaos and mismanagement? Organizing really is the first step to keeping a home functional and enjoyable. You shouldn't stress about organization, but you should realize that disorganization is the result of stress and only continues to feed stress. Organization is Zen! Organization is peace of mind! Get Organizing! Do you have any organizing tips to share?
Gael Towey, Chief Creative Officer for Martha Stewart Living, has a gorgeous kitchen. The magazine takes you 'behind closed doors' to reveal how she keeps everything in its place.
Pegboard is used in this sunny bathroom to keep soaps and bath toys corralled. The linen closet beyond reveals basket storage and shelves with neatly-folded towels.
A boy's room, on the left, features a storage unit with large bags made of sturdy oilcloth that hold his toys. On the right, magazines and supplies in this home office are kept supremely organized in labeled storage units.
Oh, dear, now is there is no excuse - again. Living in an RV (with storage at a nearby airport hangar - which now doubles as an art studio) is a challenge to the order-impaired. Looking forward to more inspiration.
ReplyDeleteTwo things I learned long ago: 1. Start in one corner of a room and keep going, and 2. When you pick up something put it in its correct place then and there.
Very good principles, Frederic. One of the best tips for avoiding clutter is to get rid of one item for each new item you bring into the home: Two new books? Get rid of two old ones.
ReplyDeleteoooh! will have to look out for this on the magazine shelf. i just wish they had an answer for all those bottles of shower gel i get at Christmas, and all my baking equipment!
ReplyDeleteFrederic that sounds intriguing living in an RV. I have a '68 Airstream and often think about traveling the country and living in the wilderness. Do you have a blog?
ReplyDeleteThey've got the baking equipment covered, Pru! You'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThis comment doesn't have to be posted, but I've been reading online that the New York Post is reporting that Marie Osmond will replace Martha Stewart on Hallmark Channel? Would be great to hear any updates you know. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt hasn't been confirmed, but they're in talks with her to develop her own talk show, which would supposedly air in the slot that used to belong to Martha.
ReplyDeleteNow here's a thought--everyone fell in love with the early Martha can we revisit the early martha the martha that was so hands on ?? now we have Staff members homes to look at --do we want to see how a staffer does it --we want to see how early Martha did it. Those soft focused images with the dream like qualities- the discovery that we alone were on to something -- those weekly episodes that left us wanting more in the early days-- now a daily show on MS overload?? have we become desensitized to MS I can't get excited anymore-- is it low testosterone levels??? my 35 dollar tag sale erwin-lambeth wing chairs with the worn pipiing suit me fine, I am so pleased. The tag sale is -- Martha's legacy -- it is what I find thrilling -- the hunt to find something when I passed up the huge carved jade centerpiece bonsi tree if I had seen it in MSL magazine would the article have made me buy it It was beautiful and no doubt a steal at 68 dollars-- it was big and beautiful as was the hand blown chandeleir in the million dollar home ok it was an estate sale. Do we need a rest? Do you have access to early Living copies to share?
ReplyDeleteI believe i have found my porn!! I just love this bookazine! It is perfection!
ReplyDeleteHaha, Kate! Yes, indeed, it is lovely!
ReplyDeleteGael's kitchen is perfection!
ReplyDeleteHow can I get a copy of this? I googled but came up with nothing. :-( I am decluttering right now and want to see her suggestions!
ReplyDeleteThanks in advance,
D
It's on newsstands now in most magazine shops and grocery stores in North America, but you can also call 1-800-950-7110 to have it sent to you.
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