Decor finds from around the globe

Organize This

JULIE CARLSON AND MARGOT GURALNICK, AUTHORS OF REMODELISTA: THE ORGANIZED HOME, SHARE THEIR INSIDER TIPS ON HOW TO SORT THROUGH LAUNDRY ROOM CHAOS.

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For a stepby-step guide to cleaning the laundry room, visit realsimple .com/laundry. 1 1 KEEP IT NATURAL Wherever possible, avoid plastic. Woven or cloth baskets allow air to flow through, preventing moisture and odors from becoming trapped. Place one basket per family member (or bedroom) in the laundry room to transport clean clothes come laundry day.

2 CONTROL OVERFLOW Store laundry soap and stain removers on a tray orjelly-roll pan to contain drips and spills. For auniform look that will instantly elevate this work space,decant dry detergent into a metal canister. TO BUY: Brimfield & May metal galvanized canisters, $35 for 3; houzz.com.

3 AIR-DRY Take advantage of unused overhead space with a drying rack—either a hanging rod (shown) or a rack on a pulley. Wall-mounted retractable clotheslines work well in smaller laundry rooms. TO BUY: Hanging Drying Rack, $255; georgeandwilly.com.

4 CREATE A CATCHALL Keep a jar near the dryer to collect small items left in pockets or buttons that come loose during cleaning.

5 HANG IT UP Install a peg rail (not shown) to stash useful tools, such as scissors, a clothes brush, rags, and a stepladder, within easy reach. TO BUY: Maple Shaker Peg Rack, from $10; containerstore.com.

A BetterWayto BuyClothes

PERSONAL STYLING IS NO LONGER JUST FOR OSCAR NIGHT. WHETHER YOU PREFER

TO HAVE AN EXPERT COME TO YOU, HIT THE STORES, OR DO IT ALL ONLINE, WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU FIND PIECES YOU’LL WEAR OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND...

By Rebecca Daly

Expert Assistance

What is it?

The concept of a “personal stylist” may sound like an out-there luxury, but having someone help with the everyday tasks of putting together outfits and keeping your closet in check sure sounds good, whatever your lifestyle (we all wear clothes, right?). If you like face-to-face communication and the convenience of having someone come to your home, personal shoppers and stylists can bring years of fashion-industry experience to the table. They’ll help edit and organize your wardrobe, pick out new pieces, and create outfits that work for your life.

Who should do it?

Anyone who wants to look and feel pulled together but doesn’t have the time (or the inclination) to shop much or keep up with trends. “It used to be that only celebrities had stylists,” says Alyssa Dineen, a New York City–based personal stylist. “But in the past few years, my client roster has switched over to busy working moms who want to look good but have other, bigger priorities.” What to try

STYLE OVERHAUL

The biggest bang for your buck (and also the biggest investment) is hiring a pro like Dineen to provide a complete style overhaul. This entails first fine-tuning what you already own— figuring out what you love and weeding out the things you never wear. Then she’ll help you assess your personal style and what looks good on you. The best part: a one-on-one shopping trip where she’ll pick out pieces, help you get them tailored, and match them with things you already own. Websites likeThumbTack.comprovide quotes and reviews for services. Expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on your location and the stylist’sexperience.

CLOSET CONSULTATION

Most personal shoppers also offer a sort of à la carte menu. If you enjoy shopping for fun, for example, you can opt for just the closet consultation, where your personal stylist will help you organize your wardrobe and restyle your own pieces in new ways.

PHONE A FRIEND

Taking a DIY approach to the same process can also work wonders. “Style is such a personal thing, it’s hard to be objective about it,” says Dineen. “Just having another opinion can help make sense of the noise.” She suggests bringing in your most fashionableandforthright friend, pouring a glass ofwine,andmakinganevening of it. Try on anything you’re unsure about and get their honest opinion. Then sort your newly pared-down wardrobe by category (work, casual, going out) and type (pants, tops, dresses). This will clearly show you any holes and any excess—who knew it was possible to own so many black pencil skirts?— so you can keep this in mind on your next shopping expedition.