Organizer Spotlight: Windy Dehem
In the heart of Georgia, our NEAT Method Macon team, led by Windy Dehem, recently took on an exciting project: transforming a spacious Butler's Pantry in a family's new home. This space, beautifully captured by Meredith Deal was a labor of love that unfolded over 8 hours, blending functionality with charm.
The Family's Challenge: A New Beginning with Organizational Hurdles
Our client, a dedicated wife and mother of two teenagers, found herself navigating the complexities of settling into a new home while managing interior renovations. The Butler's Pantry in her new kitchen presented a unique challenge: how to effectively organize its expansive space, deciding the placement of items across drawers, cabinets, and open shelving.
Our Plan: Tailoring the Space to the Family's Lifestyle
After chatting through the family's everyday needs and their vision for their new home, we developed a mood board that mirrored the pantry's intended aesthetic. Our strategy was to divide the pantry into distinct zones, each reflecting a specific aspect of the family's life, complete with thoughtful decanting.
Addressing the Needs of Every Family Member
We set out to create a space plan that catered to the individual preferences of each family member: the mother's request for both beauty and capacity, the father's need for easy access to his morning coffee and cherished bourbons, and the daughter's passion for gluten-free baking. Our goal was to blend these diverse needs into a cohesive and functional design.
Creative Solutions: Establishing Zones for Harmony and Accessibility
We found our rhythm in creating a kid-friendly snack zone in the cabinetry closest to the pantry entrance, ensuring easy access for the teenagers and their friends. This approach of 'starting with what we know' allowed us to effectively plan out the rest of the pantry, ensuring each zone was as functional as it was aesthetically pleasing.
The Highlight for Our Client: A Symphony of Style and Practicality
The client was particularly enchanted by the open shelving, which we adorned with a blend of her personal items and select new additions. The lower shelves were a practical paradise of clearly decanted baking ingredients and staples, each labeled with QR codes for effortless prep instruction reference and inventory management. Our strategic placement of labels on the canister lids rather than in the forefront maintained the desired clean and modern aesthetic.
The Game-Changer: Turntables Transforming Accessibility
The unsung heroes of our project were the Acacia Turntables. They revolutionized the storage of canned goods, especially for our petite client who preferred lower shelf accessibility. The turntables ensured every item was within easy reach and that nothing would get lost at the back of shelves.
A Project Close to Our Hearts: A Touch of Calm Amid Chaos
This project in Perry, GA, holds a special place in our hearts. Witnessing our client's emotional response—a mix of relief and joy—to the completed pantry was so rewarding. In the midst of relocation upheaval, we were able to provide a sanctuary of order and calmness in the heart of her home.
Our Reflection: A Testament to Thoughtful Organization
Our endeavor in Macon is a testament to our dedication to creating spaces that are not just organized, but that resonate with the people who call them home. It's a demonstration of how our expertise in professional organizing can transform a space into a tranquil and efficient haven, perfectly tailored to a family's unique way of life.
GET THE LOOK
Spice Jar Set
Acacia Riser
Glass Jars
Acacia Turntable
xx,
the NEAT team
