Best decorating tips to create a functional family home
Photo by Sian Richards
Karyn Gordon: Order in the house
The time-managment guru
You’d never guess one of our own expert advice columnists, Karyn Gordon, celebrated therapist, speaker, founder of DK Leadership (a career and life coaching agency) and a regular face on Cityline and Good Morning America, pretty much flipped a coin to decide her future. Her other option? Design school.
But after 12 years of studying all there is to know about counselling, she still couldn’t shut off her love of sewing, colour palettes and custom storage. So she bought her passion home — literally. The small house in Toronto’s east end that she shares with her handy husband, Brent, and twin boys is the outlet that allowed her to combine her personal and professional aptitudes.
The couple bought the three-storey detached house from flippers, who’d done a rush reno that cut many corners. When it came time to move in, Brent and Karyn made the most of the narrow frame and devised their own solutions to suit the space, beginning with a sketch on a napkin and a trip to a lumberyard (yes, he really is that handy). Their plan was to build as much storage as they could and figure out where things went later.
Now, at 9 p.m. on any given weeknight you’re likely to find Karyn playing tennis down the street or curled up on her tidy living room sofa with a glass of wine — not picking up toys, stepping over discarded fish crackers, trying to find misplaced mail or arguing over who’s on dish duty. How does she do it?
Her organizing system is key, and it’s all about routine. She has cleverly figured out how to make putting things away and finishing chores part of her family’s behaviour with a “work first, play later” mentality.
“We’re all so energy and time deprived that most people live in chaos and then wonder why they can’t get things done. Figure out the stuff you know needs to happen,” says Karyn. “Determine who does laundry, takes out the garbage, gets groceries. All of that boring stuff wastes time and energy.” Assign it once. No further discussion is required; everyone just does their jobs. “Create habits that become automatic,” she says, subscribing to the theory that you have only X amount of mental energy per day. If you use it all up on stressful or chaotic situations, you end up with nothing left for activities that are enjoyable and recharging. And that — the reward — is the heart of her system.
Accustomed to the “But how do you do it?” question from friends and clients, she has a prescription but stresses that you need to embrace the “work first, play later” philosophy. “Being able to play, hang out, read, visit friends or watch TV without feeling like you should be doing something else is what gets you hooked. You’ll get your whole family on board once they realize how enjoyable and energizing downtime is.” Cheers to that!
Add pops of colour with throw pillows
Karyn chose a black-and-white palette for her entire house because she finds it clean and calming. It’s the perfect backdrop for changing it up by adding colour and pattern.
Threshold yellow-and-white chair, $170, Floral pillow, $25, Throw, $25, Nate Berkus ottoman, $50, Room Essentials yellow-and-white pillow, $17, Target.
Convert a tiny space into a laundry room
Take a cue from Karyn and turn an underused bedroom into an upstairs laundry room. Suddenly, a chore becomes a treat. Bonus: No more schlepping dirty clothes to the basement!
Nate Berkus basket, $30, Target.
Display your treasures (hide your essentials)
One of the couple’s DIY projects was constructing a wall of built-ins in the living room to house the TV and library. Remotes, manuals and other necessities are concealed in the lower cabinets while family photos and favourite mementoes are framed in the open shelving, making them part of the decor.
Threshold throw, $25, Swirled glass bowl, $23, swirled glass vase, $18, Nate Berkus beaded frame, $15, Target.
Label everything
One gadget Karyn can’t live without is a label maker. Behind every cupboard door is a dedicated spot for dishes and pantry essentials; every shelf in the fridge is labelled too. “Not knowing where things are is exhausting and wastes time,” she says.
Threshold stoneware pitcher, $20, Nate Berkus rattan tray, $15, Target.
Pair a vintage table with modern chairs (or vise versa)
This antique dining table was destined for a friend’s garbage, but Karyn rescued it and paired it with mismatched white chairs that continue her colour theme and cleverly disguise high chairs. The family eats together in the dining room, and they all pitch in to clean up immediately after, so they have the rest of the evening free.
Nate Berkus tray, $25, Threshold vases, $15- 18, Cocktail napkins, $7, Target.
Use symmetry to inspire order
Create balance in a small master bedroom with similar items on opposite nightstands.
“There are a number of personality types, and half of them get energized by organizing; the other half are the opposite. They tend to be attracted to each other,” says Karyn. However, most people tend to prefer a clean space even if they don’t want to do the work. “Figure out who is wired this way and make them the leader. It’s a shared role, but someone has to keep the motivation and inspiration going.”
Threshold lamp bases, $40 each, Shades, $25 each, Vase, $7, Room Essentials patterned pillow, $17, Nate Berkus basket, $40, Target.
"Double" your space with mirrors
The reflection in a large framed mirror over the bathtub creates the illusion of more space. A pretty basket is perfect for keeping extra towels and toiletries.
Nate Berkus towel, $13, basket, $20, Target.
Give kids their own place to play... to create ... to let loose!
The basement was renovated after they moved in, and the boys were old enough to have accumulated several bins of toys. They turned an awkward nook into a shelf and puppet theatre (behind the drapes) to store them all. The boys helped create and label the places where everything goes. As Karyn says, “Kids thrive in organized spaces. Having less stuff that is more tidy is better for creative play.”
Nate Berkus red bath mat (as area rug), $25, Target.
Go vertical in smaller rooms
The twins share a small bedroom, so bunk beds make the most of the limited floor space. Brent repurposed a jam cupboard found at a garage sale to provide extra storage for bedding and off-season clothes. Stuffed animals are easily stowed under the lid of the storage ottoman.
Nate Berkus red bath mat (as area rug), $25, Threshold ottoman, $60, Target.
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