We know that in graphic design, more white space increases the power of our message. Protecting 'creative void' in any area of our life will re-claim lost power. But it never comes naturally. It takes strength to hold open that vaccuum of emptiness, or at least an ally you trust, and it changes everything. Something that still thrills me is when I do a home Declutter and Reset design, and people say they need a bigger fridge. I surprise them by saying 'Take out a shelf and

There's a pest trap called the Cockroach Hotel. The slogan was pretty cute: ‘They check in, but they sure don’t check out. ‘ I've noticed many creative, wholesome-living people have this attraction to baskets. They echo past cultures their lives in harmony with nature, all for a few dollars. One minute you have a tangle of confusion, but pop everything in a pretty basket, and ‘problem solved’. Except that it isn’t. Homes get filled with these mini-homes of pesky objects tha

"Nothing opposes you, distracts you, or lets you down." That was my goal for Remi and her house, and we did it. I'm so impressed. For three years, Remi has been the powerhouse behind 'Giftivist' Kai Sawyer, creator of Tokyo Urban Permaculture and its recent beautiful books. She did this producer work as her gift to Kai-san, and the world. Next I was the one to get lucky, as hosted me and created a dream-world of permacutlure opportunities and events from her lovely Kamakura

Change. People don't like it, and dig their heels in if you try to make them do it. However, if you can find the pre-existing wonderfulness inside them, and show it to them, the undesirables drop away. This always works. The Postcard method is how I begin all my decluttering sessions with a new client. You can do it now, without even being my client, and amaze yourself. You just get your camera, and take ten photos. Ten pictures of combinations of things in the room you