Diggory Lifestyle

De-clutter your garage with a Bike Rack

2011-10-26T02:27:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite tasks I love to complete for my clients is to de-clutter their garages. I often find that the garages have become the dumping ground for a lot of items such as, old mattresses, used paint pots, broken electrical equipment, DIY left-overs and so it goes on.

Then of course you have the items that need to be in the garage, but there is little room for them, such as the families’ bikes. These by design take up a lot of room and because there is no allocated space for them, they usually end up thrown together in a heap on the garage floor, with peddles caught in bike spokes and handle bars caught in bike frames. Pulling them apart and sorting them out is not exactly the best way to start a stress free family bike ride.

However there is a solution, if the ceiling in your garage is up to 12 feet you can easily attach bike racks. Past designs of ceiling racks have been complicated and frustrating to access, and did little to encourage you to want to get them down and go for a bike ride.

But this new bike rack and ladder lift, which is made from solid steel construction, is easy to assemble and the bikes are simple to retrieve; and they are a great way to safely and easily access additional space. The unique rope locking mechanism prevents accidental release and the design allows lightening of the load for easy lifting.

Happy trails...

Children's clutter bags

2011-10-26T01:14:00.000-07:00

These bags are a super way for your children to keep their toys tidy and easily transportable. How many times have you reached for a carrier bag to collect a few toys for your child to take on a play date?

Plastic bags and children are never a good combination; so these generously sized thick fabric storage bags with handy rope handles will have your little one arrive in style, with their toys contained and not spilling out all over the place.

They are Danish and are sold by A Place for Everything. There's a choice of fabric including a lovely traditional Swedish Dala Horse pattern fabric or a traditional cowboy scene...yeeHa!

And for the home, what about this Giant Clutter-bag that is perfect for storing away toys. It has a huge zip so your little ones can easily open it to get to their precious toys.

Tidy away with clutter bags...

Children's clutter boxes

2011-10-26T00:48:00.000-07:00

All little pirates and princesses need a place to keep their toys safe and tidy, and these clutter-swallowing themed toy storage boxes made in Denmark and sold by A Place for Everything are perfect and very reasonably priced.

We all know how challenging it can be to encourage children to put away their toys at the end of the day, it can be the tipping point for bad behaviour as everyone is getting a bit tired and it can ruin an otherwise wonderful day.

That is especially why I love these clutter-tidy's as each lidded box has four different characters moulded within the plastic on each side aimed at creating a bit of fun as they mix and match heads, bodies and legs - a definite motivator for children to tidy-up their toys.

Each toy clutter-box has clips to secure the lids in place and are easily mobile as the base box comes on wheels.

Tidy toys in clutter-boxes...

Sleep-over beds for children

2011-10-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

I am more and more aware of how quickly children are growing up these days, they are so confident, it is a little unnerving. If I compare myself at thirteen to those of today, well, let's just say I don't see many thirteen year olds running around in wellies and climbing trees!

I grew up on a farm with my siblings and we were really independent, gone from dawn till dusk, helping the farmers shepherd the sheep and bring in the harvest. But that was physical independence, children today have less physical independence, but have increased mental and emotional independence, they have strong opinions on most aspect of their lives, things that never mattered to me as a child, such as fashion and my bedroom.

I never cared what I wore; and a bedroom was just for sleeping in, but not so for the child of today because what they wear and how they live is integral to how they are perceived by their peers; and the need for acceptance is strong.

There has always been peer pressure, but the children of today have to contend with so much more than my generation, such as social media; Twitter and Face Book, and children can be cruel.

I believe if they have a place to call their own, a place where they can have their friends over and laugh and just have fun it will give them the space to deal with any rotten apples in their life.

These beds from ASPACE have a pull out truckle and are perfect for children to have their friends over for sleepovers.

And for little boys, there is the Charterhouse bed, which is a full adult size bed, with integral truckle bed ideal for sleepovers. Made from solid pine plus composites and finished in fabulous Prussian Blue.

Happy sleepovers...

Organise your babies nursery

2011-10-25T03:18:00.000-07:00

Chic Shack, offer some wonderful designs to address storage in the nursery, practical furniture purposefully designed for the role it plays. From wardrobes and bookcases, to chest of drawers and coat hooks.

Chic Shack offers innovative and exciting collections of Painted Furniture, inspired by French and Swedish 18th century designs, with the idea that classic, beautiful pieces of furniture never date and can be harmoniously and smartly mixed with new simple lines of furniture, from American East coast to Contemporary styles.

The furniture is built by cabinetmakers and craftsmen, who have dedicated a lifetime to their trade, with skills that have passed from generation to generation, gives them the know-how, that we need to ensure to our customers that we offer good quality furniture.

Storage solutions that will last forever...

Shelf by Cox & Cox

2011-10-25T02:34:00.000-07:00

This decorative shelf by Cox and Cox is particularly lovely and is both practical and pretty. It’s lined with blue and green printed damask paper to portray shabby chic, and has a carved decoration and a slightly distressed paint finish which would only get better with time.

I love the creative way they have put the damask paper on the back of the shelving, very French looking. It would look lovely in a kitchen, a child's bedroom or even the living room. This shelving appeared in House Beautiful Magazine have a look at how it looks in one owner's kitchen, you get a good sense of the size.

I have seen other companies attempt this type of shelving, but the results have been poor, they usually make them too small, so it serves no practical purpose and the finish sub-standard.

This shelf is certainly the best I have seen for the price and the style; and it seems everyone agrees as it is one of their best sellers.

Lovely blue shelves...

Memories in a Box

2011-10-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

When a client who has been recently bereaved engages my services, I help them sort through their loved ones personal possessions and support them in making the sensitive decisions as to what to keep and what to let go.

Sorting through these treasured items, there are certain pieces, unique to the lost loved one, that have the power to trigger wonderful memories of that person and the times spent together. It could be a watch, a photo, a theatre ticket, a wedding ring, a piece of fabric from a favourite dressing gown, glasses, birth or wedding certificates, it could be anything.

Often these pieces are put in a box, it's certainly one way to keep them safe; but I encourage my clients to put them in a scrap book or a piece of memory art such as this one by Sentiment so you can see it every day and remember them, which can bring great comfort.

Sentiment can also put together a Tribute Book to create a memento of that person’s life. Each family member and friend would have their own story, emails, photos, funny times and jokes that they’d like to share.

You can include:

Photos (from 100 to 10,000)!
Stories (including chapters), and captions to photos
Old letters, cards, post-it notes, scrap paper notes
Drawings and children’s paintings
Tickets (concert, travel)
Old passports and work passes
Certificates (marriage, birth, education, awards)
Old emails
A story you have written or a transcript from an interview

This could be a wonderful; and potentially therapeutic, way to come together as a family and create a tribute book in your loved ones memory.

Cherish those memories...

Tall Stories from the Ptolomeo Metal Bookcase

2011-10-24T01:07:00.000-07:00

The Ptolomeo metal bookcase, which won the Compasso d’Oro in 2004 designed by Italian designer, Bruno Rainaldi, who recently died in February 2011.

The bookcase is like a column of stacked books, which make the metal support pieces disappear, conveying the impression of a chaotic stack created in an absolutely free way.

Here similar sized hard backed books are stacked on the shelving; but were you to stack hard and soft backed books of different sizes and a myriad of colours, and use the shelves set at 'jounty' angles, but keep the average width of each book the effect would be even more impressive.

Bruno Rainaldi wrote: “Stacks of books on studio tables, so many that you have to dust around them. Stacks of books on tables in the home, that have to be moved to set the table for dining. A pile on the bedside table or on the floor beside the bed. Books inserted in the free spaces on top of other books, confusing the order of shelving. Piles that are hard to manage, in form and content.

In all the houses where books are considered nourishment, an indispensable part of life. To observe the stacks, to be fascinated by imagining them growing to a height that defies stability. To translate this fantasy image into a real object. Ptolomeo act one."

These book shelves naturally have a practical functionality not only for storage and economy of space, but they are also beautiful pieces of art.

Stacked with style...

Library cum-staircase by Levitate Architects

2011-10-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

This ingenious library-cum-staircase, designed by Levitate Architecture and Design Studio, is completely lined with books on three sides and can house up to 2,000 books.

The staircase is lit by an overhead skylight, and the English oak treads and shelves are wide enough to sit on, a perfect spot to stop and browse your collection.

The stair structure was designed as an upside down 'sedan chair' structure that carries all the weight of the stair and books back to the main structural walls of the building.

This staircase was designed for a top floor apartment in London, joining the apartment to the attic space above. It just goes to show you even if you have limited space, with the right minds working on the design you can achieve the impossible.

Function and design...

Store it with Bookhou

2011-10-21T06:24:00.000-07:00

As a professional de-clutterer I am always on the look out for innovative storage solutions that I can share with my clients.

Theses storage cubes are stylish as well as being functional; hand printed original drawing of flowers on natural linen with sturdy canvas lining - great for storing small books, your mail, files, toys and even makes a great bread basket.

They are by designers John Booth and Arounna Khounnoraj co-founders of Bookhou based in Toronto. As well as working in textile they also work in wood I particularly love this alphabet.

Storage can be chic and stylish...

Furniture by Leporello

2011-10-21T05:37:00.000-07:00

Charles Kimpton, the owner and designer of Leporello furniture has designed a wonderful collection of beautifully hand-crafted painted befurniture for children and adults alike.

Whenever a Diggory client asks me for recommendations for furniture that has creative storage solutions, the first on my list for style, quality and originality of design is always Leporello.

Leporello has created a niche market over the last ten years for bespoke hand crafted painted furniture designed and made in England producing furniture with refined proportions and details suitable for the English house and taste and painted in colours that suit our light.

Leporello also make furniture for grown-ups, whether it's for the bedroom or the living room, with the various finishes of colour and design, you can be assured of a beautiful unique piece of furniture.

Furniture that will delight...

Love Angel with Fairbourn

2011-10-21T02:06:00.000-07:00

Whilst looking for unique pieces for a child's bedroom for one of Diggory's clients, I came across this wonderful company Fairbourn.

The Yorkshire based artist, Sarah Watkins, has been a furniture designer many years and started making children's furniture after her son was born when she struggle to find affordable quality furniture that Fairbourn was born.

Here is her charming fairy story...

'One day she set out on a quest to find some furniture for her young son Sam, something solid that would last for years and survive bashes, slams and smelly socks.

But all she could see in the shops – even the posh ones – were droopy drawers and wobbly wardrobes all made from MDF – that pretend “wood” made of fibreboard and formaldehyde.

“Aghhhhhh! I hate flimsy fakes. What happened to proper wood, where are the dovetail joints, hand-turned knobs and the lovely twiddly bits?” she shouted angrily.'

Then there was a twinkle followed by a bright idea. If she couldn’t find what she wanted, she would make it herself. Her little house was soon filled with wood, tools, paint pots and very noisy machines.

She became a dab hand at sanding, painting and carving and helped by some clever carpenters, she even learned how to operate a CNC machine.

The Furniture Queen
Her hand-crafted children’s furniture was truly beautiful and made from real eco-friendly wood, with knobs by a local wood turner. She made some gorgeous accessories to match. Everyone who saw her work loved it, which was great, but they all wanted some and her semi was bursting at the seams. Her kitchen table was a workbench and Sam and his dad were fed up eating dinner off their knees.

The Friendly Dragon
Then she met Simon. He knew about wood, he knew about business, he loved her idea, adored her designs and wanted to be part of the story. So he gave her some money – just like the Dragons do in Dragons’ Den. She called their company Fairbourn Children’s Furniture.

The Happy Ending…
Word spread far and wide about Fairbourn’s hand-crafted furniture and accessories. Sarah, who gave up her old job, now has her very own workshop and showroom.

She is very busy and has happy customers from all over the world, including some very famous ones – like rock stars and actors (and no, she can’t say who they are!)

The End......

Bookworm bookshelf by Ron Arad

2011-10-21T01:39:00.000-07:00

When functionality and design meet - this is what you get, a beautiful piece of art that compels you to look at it - for me it has an hypnotic effect that induces a feeling of total relaxation.

It's by designer and architect Ron Arad and is called the 'bookworm'. This magnificent piece pictured, is made from tempered sprung steel and patinated steel and is custom made to order.

Combining playful forms and experiments with advanced technologies, RON ARAD (1951-) has emerged as one of the most influential designers of our time. Born in Tel Aviv, he moved to London in 1973 to study architecture and made his name in the early 1980s as a self-taught designer-maker of sculptural furniture. He now works across both design and architecture.

Should you not feel the need to have a bookworm custom made from steel; you can purchase a bookworm made from plastic they come is five different colours and three different lengths and are totally flexible so you can create any shape you wish.

The bookends can support around 10kg each when the bookshelf is wall mounted. For an amazing piece with guaranteed wow factor, whether in steel or plastic - this is a beautiful piece of art for your home, whether you favour traditional or contemporary.

Unlimited shapes, limited only by personal creativity...

Designing is child's play

2011-10-21T01:27:00.000-07:00

Whatever I am creating, whether it's decorating a room or designing elements of the garden, I always look to external sources for inspiration.

One of my absolute highlights of each month is to trawl through the pages of Home and Garden and Homes and Garden. I sit curled up on the sofa with the dogs at my feet, enjoying a mug of freshly made coffee, hungrily flicking through the pages looking for ideas that would work in our home.

I actually have a large selection of scrap-books which I lovingly add to each month; Nick, my partner calls it 'the sticking's'. I have scrap books for every room - nothing beautiful escapes my eye - it all goes in the books.

There are of course other forms of inspiration one of those being the Internet, which I spend a lot of time on, looking for great finds to Blog; and also for ideas for Diggory's clients.

Last week I came upon a company called House to Home, who have lots of design ideas for decorating and furnishing your child's bedroom, including storage solutions and putting together a themed room, from modern, traditional or country and have wonderful ideas for storage.

Sometimes a little bit of inspiration is all you need to get you going - so if it something you are planning to do - have a look at this website - it may be all you need to set you on your way to designing a beautiful room for your child.

Let loose your inner designer...

Cupboard Love

2011-10-20T05:48:00.000-07:00

At Diggory we are all about reducing clutter and this toy cupboard by Thomas and Thomas does it in style.

You can make putting away the toys at the end of the day a fun adventure, putting the teddies to bed and parking the cars!

You can keep the little ones toys at the bottom and the older children's toys at the top - no more, "mummy he's playing with my toys again!"

Also they have 100 colours to choose from, so if you don't like yellow there are 99 other colours to choose from.

Revolving bookcase

2011-10-20T05:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a wonderfully practical example of storage efficiency for the bedroom or indeed the living room. It is called a Revolving Bookcase as it swivels the full 360° and features 42 fixed cubbies in five different sizes.

It is stylish as it is practical, everything is easily accessible, and would suit both a traditional or contemporary home.

It measures 69.5" high and as such is probably more suited to the bedroom of an older child or a teenager, as I imagine the younger ones would be climbing up the shelving!

It is made from kiln-dried hardwood frame and is hand finished in black or white.

Give it a twirl...

How to orgainse your home life

2011-10-20T00:24:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, you have made the first step, you have identified you are failing to manage your paperwork efficiently, perhaps you have missed a birthday or forgotten a school trip or perhaps you are struggling to lay your hands on a particular piece of information. Whether in business or at home, I have the proven solution to get you organised.

The American's call it a 'Tickler System'; we more commonly refer to it as a 'Bring-Forward System', whatever you call it, this is what I recommend you need to bring some much needed order.

Here’s how you do it:

Select the drawer you will use for your Tickler System, perhaps designate a drawer in your study.
Label the drawer clearly in bold letters 'Tickler System' or if you prefer Bring-Forward System
You need forty-three folders, thirty-one daily files labelled 1 through to 31 and twelve more labelled with the names of the months of the year
The months go at the back of the drawer on the right with the exception of the current month which is to the front on the right and in-front of it are the remaining days of that month
Stagger the numbers across the drawer, the system is now ready to use
You are now ready to file all your papers, reminders and cards
Check the system each evening so you are aware what the day will bring tomorrow - which will allow you to properly plan your day.

I do find it most amusing that the desperately cluttered often defend their disarray with barely credible excuses. The mosaic of mess is an intellectual process giving them food for thought. Or it adds a creative nuance to the process of office management. For many, it is just the way they were born and there’s nothing to be done.

The truth is far more straightforward - if you want to operate effectively, you must have your home operationally sound and effectively organised. It’s much easier to function in a clean and neat environment.

Tip: I buy all my friends and families birthday cards at the beginning of each year and put each one in the appropriate month, with their name on it and their birth date, so all I have to do when the month comes around is to put it in the system 7 days before the birthday date so I can send it in good time.

I am sinking under a storm of emails, I need an umbrella…!

2011-10-19T23:58:00.000-07:00

For those of you in business who are struggling to cope with the number of emails you receive, I have some simple rules to implement and follow:

Firstly, stop the influx. Instruct each of your direct reports to speak to the people they manage and tell them not to send emails directly to you, nor to c.c. or b.c.c. you. In future all communication should go via your directs and if they deem it is something you need to know about they should bring it up in your weekly catch-up meetings.

If it needs escalating your directs should bring it to you personally. Your PA should monitor this and if any emails make it through to your inbox, she/he should forward the email to the senders’ manager instructing them to reinforce the message.

Secondly, stop external junk mail you receive. Be proactive, don't just assign them to your 'blocked senders' list. If the email is from a company you trust, but no longer wish to receive emails from, use the unsubscribe link in the email to ensure you no longer receive their messages. Be careful though, spammers sometimes use a fake unsubscribe link to verify you are reading their junk messages.

Thirdly, remove yourself from internal mailing lists. Instruct your PA to map the meetings you attend and for all those you no longer attend but still receive the Agenda or Minutes, send an email to the organiser instructing them to remove you from the mailing list.

Fourthly, spend some time to work out exactly what you need to be informed about, and then work out which communications cover this data in the most efficient way, and then subscribe.

Tip: Turn off your email alert function as it only serves to distract you from the task in hand.

By putting the work in now, you will realise a great deal more time...

I need motivation!

2011-10-19T23:09:00.000-07:00

Whenever we face a seemingly daunting task, we often feel overwhelmed and quite quickly come up with some very creative reasons as to why it can’t be done. You need to break the job down, if you haven’t see the movie or read the book, Touching the Void, I suggest you do, as it illustrates perfectly how to achieve something that seems impossible.

My top two suggestions are:

Have a plan, have structure and process and set realistic goals. Ensure you have all the required tools to complete the task and start with one room and when completely organised, start on the second room and so on.

Don’t attempt the task on your own, it is too easy for you to find reasons why not to do it. You need a ‘buddy’ a colleague, your partner or a friend. Agree what the goal is and commit to each other that if one starts to loose enthusiasm for the task or starts to disappear for periods, the other person reminds them of their agreed goals and re-motivates them.

This is partly the role I play for my clients, in some cases, just being there is enough to keep the motivation going.
Focus is the key...