Design Meets Function

As a designer who lives in a tidy, nicely-decorated and minimalist home, the number one question I get is “How on earth do you have four children and have a house that looks like this?” Oh, and did I mention I have a dog as well?

I am not going to say it’s easy because it’s not. We work at it. My children and my husband work at it. I am a self-proclaimed neat freak and have taken the time to teach my children the value of “a place for everything and everything in its place”. We are lucky in that we were recently able to renovate our home to incorporate vital storage and organizational tools and can confidently say it has changed our lives. The children put their shoes in their own basket. Sweat-shirts get hung on their respective hooks. They make their beds almost every morning. We have storage for crafts, books, toys for which the children understand their place.

I work full-time, have four children, run regularly, and volunteer coach my daughter’s soccer team. I take my son to hockey and my other daughter to gymnastics. My point is that if they would like to continue to go to activities and play-dates, they need to help make time…and time comes from being organized and prepared. We are a team.

Storage is vital when it comes to organization. When planning the kitchen I dedicated an entire pantry to crafts and colouring. The media unit in the family room has big drawers for not only movies but baby toys and books. In the basement I kept the closet under the stairs for toy storage, it is packed, but at least it is hidden! Laundry goes in the hamper at the top of the stairs. If I find clothing on the floor, I take it and put it away for a week. You may think I am too strict but in a family of six we all need to do our part.

I also invested the time in planning the house vis a vis its inhabitants.

I chose hardwood floors with a light grey wash which doesn’t show the dirt and is easier to keep clean than carpets. I have porcelain tile in all of the bathrooms and foyer which is more durable than natural stone which can crack with heavy use. The fabrics are durable and natural so are easy to clean…think wool or cotton. The dining-room chairs are acrylic which couldn’t be easier to clean. The countertops are man-made to look like granite but are heat-resistant, scratch-proof and again, easy to clean. In fact, my 4 year old loves to be in charge of spraying and wiping the counters.

I wanted a house that was modern but warm, friendly and comfortable. There is a consistent theme of white and grey throughout the space which are great neutral backdrops for punchy, bold accessories. The space is fun, not stuffy and very clean. No clutter allowed. The end result is a family friendly home that is functional, comfortable and large enough for a family of six (You can see our renovated kitchen and family room in the House and Home Makeovers edition on newsstands now.)

So that, in a nutshell, is how I do it. I plan, organize and delegate. I also rid our home of un-used toys, books and general clutter twice a year. The less there is to keep tidy the better!