For busy families and seniors, downsizing and getting ready for a move, or a transition to independent or assisted living, can be overwhelming.
Tina Stephens focuses on five areas – declutter, downsize, organize, unpack and decorate – through her business, Cool Interiors LLC. She strives to help people fall in love with their own things again by presenting them in a new way.
Thirteen years ago Stephens’ friend, a realtor, admired the way she styled and decorated her home. The friend hired her to do home staging consultations that involved decluttering, restyling and organizing – something Stephens says comes naturally to her.
“I would tell [the homeowner] the items that needed to be pre-packed,” she says. “I’d restyle their bookshelves and borrow artwork from one room to place in another. Over the years I’ve downsized three times. I had to learn to let go of things and keep what was most important, and utilize the space that I was in efficiently.”
Stephens’ services focus on helping people choose what they’ll take with them during a move, and she recommends hiring some help to get organized beforehand, to assist with a smooth transition.
She knows the process can be overwhelming, and brings support and order to each client she serves through tweaking, purging, organizing and pre-packing.
“My services benefit more people than just those that are selling their home,” she says. “It’s families that are relocating or downsizing, blended families merging households, or soon-to-be parents making room for a baby. We can make a plan to get organized in a way that you can maintain peace and order in your new or current abode.”
Two years ago a realtor told Stephens about a senior who had trouble downsizing as she moved into an independent-living setting. With no spouse or nearby relatives, this individual enlisted help from Stephens, to assist the family. That relationship still continues today.
Stephens also helps clients unpack, decorate and organize their new space. Using her background in staging, she is able to enter the space and make items easy to see, access and use.
“I help make sense in the space by syncing things via placement and position,” Stephens says. “I do what I do because it matters. It’s the difference between a cluttered, chaotic, stressful environment, and a peaceful, sound and safe one. The tranquility for you and your family is well worth it. Let’s get organized together!”
