The unstructured summer days are winding down. With cooler temperatures on the way, it’s time to relax and enjoy some outdoor entertaining with family and friends. I’ve found that it is much easier to transition into the fall schedule when I am organized. There are many relatively small projects that get pushed aside when we are busy, but these small jobs add up over time. Completing a few projects can make a big difference in how we feel about our surroundings. Sometimes freshening up a room can be achieved with minor paint touch-ups or by adding some concealed storage. A complete room makeover is not always warranted or feasible. I’ve compiled several lists of home projects that can be tackled without a huge time commitment. I recommend completing just a couple of chores at a time for a mini home makeover that will make an impact.
Inside
• Do paint touch-ups on interior trim.
• Wipe down walls and use a Magic Eraser on tough-to-clean spots.
• Clean out cabinets, drawers and closets. Clean carpets and upholstery and treat for stain protection.
• Dust light fixtures, chandeliers and fans.
• Dust window treatments and hardware.
• Clean tile grout in the kitchen and bathroom. Apply stain-resistant protection.
• Invest in energy-saving light bulbs.
• Rotate area rugs, or, flip over if possible to prevent uneven wear.
Outside
• Invest in decorative planters or urns to put next to your entry doors (front, back, garage). Seasonal foliage can be added as a welcome décor accent.
• Move tired and small welcome mats and replace with larger mats. For a more formal look, invest in a mat that spans the width of your door to create a unified look. A fun monogrammed version provides a polished look.
• Clean glass exterior light fixtures.
• Power wash entryway, porch overhangs, trim and shutters to get rid of dust, pollen, mold and cobwebs. A thorough cleaning will brighten up these areas.
• Wash windows.
To stay organized
• Set up a family calendar for keeping track of sports schedules, school vacations, business trips and holiday travel. French bulletin boards are great for displaying important family business. If space is limited, a decorative blotter-style calendar can work beautifully.
• Clear refrigerator magnets and discard old contact information.
• Reorganize the mudroom by adding cubbies for shoes, hooks for coats and shelving for bins to hold seasonal clothes and sports equipment. Shelving to hold bins can even be installed above doors, so keep an eye out for those hidden pockets of space.
• Clear out your home office and file old paperwork as needed. Clean out file cabinets and invest in colorful countertop organizers and bins for decorative storage.
Entertaining details
• Check your inventory of table linens, placemats and napkins. Look for spots and signs of wear. Dry clean or replace items as needed. • Replace chipped glassware. • Polish silver service and serving pieces. • Invest in interesting place-card holders, which are great for dinner parties, buffets and wine-tasting gatherings.
• Check your inventory of dripless, unscented candles. I simply could not get through the holiday season without ivory, black and my signature green candles. Keep a variety of sizes, including small votives and large pillar styles, to create the right ambiance for any occasion.
• Clean your large-capacity coffeemaker, an essential for any party or gathering where alcohol is served. Your coffeemaker can double as a great mulled cider receptacle in the fall.
• Assess your stock of flower vases, glass urns and centerpiece containers. Creating interesting tablescapes and centerpieces is a snap using clear glass containers of varied sizes and shapes. Simple glass containers are frequently on sale and make creating stunning flower arrangements easy. Flowers offer a great way to create instant impact to any table. • Consider bringing your music outside with exterior speakers. Music is a great backdrop to any gathering, whether a family dinner or cocktails. Once you’ve completed a job, it helps to set up a system for maintenance. When jobs don’t need to be performed every week, most people have a tendency to put the work off for a while. With a system in place, you will not be faced with a seemingly endless list of chores to complete to get your house ready when you want to entertain.
Jessica Dauray is owner of Elements of Style Interiors, a full-service interior design firm with offices in Greensboro and Wilmington. Visit her Web site at www.elementsofstyleinteriors.com. Have questions for Jessica? E-mail her at jessicaofeos@bellsouth.net.