Organizer Spotlight: Tracey Kuennen
When a family moved into their newly built dream home in San Diego's Blossom Valley, the last thing they wanted to do was figure out pantry logistics from scratch. For Tracey Kuennen and the NEAT Method San Diego team, this project was about creating a system that matched both the family's organized lifestyle and the elevated aesthetic of their beautiful new space.
Starting With What Works
The family of four (two kids, two adults, and one dog) was already organized. They knew they could maintain systems if someone set them up right. What they needed was a thoughtful plan that would work seamlessly with their daily routines: busy mornings, frequent hosting, kids grabbing their own snacks, and a pantry visible from both the entryway and kitchen.
"They totally trusted us to create a system and they would keep it up, so we just needed one that would work for their processes and needs," Tracey explains. The challenge wasn't fixing problems but designing something that honored how this family actually lives while complementing the stunning space they'd built.
Function Meets the Front Entry
The pantry's visibility from the entryway meant aesthetics mattered as much as function. Tracey's team approached it strategically: breakfast items near the entrance for efficient mornings, snacks on bottom shelves where kids could reach independently, and candy jars displayed on the top shelf, requiring the ladder and creating a sweet shop moment every time someone climbed up.
The system balanced accessibility with visual appeal, using Perforated Acacia Baskets in Black to create uniformity without hiding contents completely. The perforated design was opaque enough to give the space a uniform clean feel without looking cluttered, while still allowing visibility of contents. The felt-covered bottoms protected the shelves while making it easy to slide bins in and out.
The Detail That Made It
When asked about the client's favorite feature, the answer was easy: candy jars. The family had envisioned big glass canisters displayed like a sweet shop, complete with a ladder for access. They got exactly that with glass canisters with lids, turning functional storage into a design moment.
Organizing the Already Organized
"Since this family is already very organized, they knew they could keep up what we made them," Tracey reflects. "We appreciated them trusting us with this space."
The project took eight hours with two organizers, proving that even organized families benefit from professional setup when moving into new homes. It's not about fixing dysfunction. It's about creating infrastructure that supports how you want to live from day one.
For this Blossom Valley family, that meant a pantry ready for busy mornings, spontaneous baking sessions, hosting friends, and yes, climbing the ladder for candy, all without ever wondering where anything is.
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