Home Design with Kevin Sharkey

1 From here, my living room looks quite crisp and clean. However, upon closer inspection, you can see all of the work that needs to be done.

2 My pillows show signs of some champagne spills.

3 Here's another unfortunate stain.

4 Oops.

5 Let's start by looking at my pillows...

6 Silk is beautiful but quite risky for a living room seating area. Time is of the essence when treating silk fabric stains: After applying the cleaning solution, dry quickly and make sure there is no adverse reaction.

7 I love my dining room chairs, but the velvet requires maintenance.

8 Here's a mark on one of my living room side chairs.

9 There are a couple more on the front of the arm.

10 Another small subtle stain on the seat.

11 The ribs on the fabric on my living room sofa disguise a lot. But if you look at it from the certain angle, you can see all of the marks.

12 Now onto my carpets. I pray they can get out this stain.

13 Remember this stain on my bedroom carpet?

14 This stain is a result of a vase leaking on the top of my armoire.

15 I called in the professionals -- Costikyan to the rescue!

16 Both the owner Phillip Costikyan and Zavar Megeredichian (Head Conservator) came to personally make sure everything was done just right.

17 A member of the crew.

18 They set up a staging area in my hall and got to work.

19 They came well equipped with all the right tools.

20 Unloading the big cleaning guns.

21 A serious looking vacuum.

22 That looks like it pick up some severe spills.

23 I kind of love seeing all of my pillows lined up like this. They are all waiting to be cleaned.

24 Everything had to be moved so that they could get to individual spots.

25 Here is Cesar hard at work.

26 Zavar inspects each pillow.

27 The pillows are silk velvet so special dry-cleaning solvent is applied to remove the stains.

28 Ready to receive its spot treatment.

29 The cleaner is always applied to the rag -- not the pillow itself.

30 Gently dabbing the stains.

31 A special industrial blow dryer is used to dry the fabric after the solvent has been applied so that no damage occurs.

32 The Costikyan crew were so neat and careful and made sure to paper the floors.

33 Here is Phillip inspecting the work.

34 Moving the long vacuum.

35 This is a hand extraction tool which is a small steam cleaner designed for upholstery. My sofa has a cotton linen fabric so the crew used a water-based cleaner.

36 Stains are steamed out and then quickly dried.

37 It looks like a blow dryer.

38 You can see all of the water spots were stains once were.

39 Working on the seat area.

40 Almost dry!

41 After the initial drying, they hand blot any last damp areas.

42 Don't forget the seat cushions.

43 Dirt is there -- even if you don't immediately see it!

44 Spraying some more.

45 The proof of past stains.

46 Finishing up in the bedroom. I was told my wool carpet stains are easiest to clean because the fiber is amenable to a stronger detergent.

1 Clutter accumulates quickly so staying on top of it regularly is a top priority for me both at home and at work.

2 Take an inventory of what you have and sort out items you no longer need. Set up bins and label them to sort belongings. Make it a project for the entire family.

3 If you're short on space, designate a tote bag or basket and keep it in a closet so that unwanted items can go right inside.

4 If you have the space in the basement or garage, set up a system for sorting items year round. Once a bin is full, donate it.

5 It's helpful for donation centers if you separate clothing from other household goods.

6 Make donations regularly. A good rule is when something new comes in, some old goes out.

7 Organizing a tag sale takes a little planning, but it's another great way to declutter.

8 Online auctions are a fun way to purge.

9 After the auction, pack up your goods and ship them out to the highest bidder.

10 Consignment shops are another alternative for getting rid of your unwanted stuff. Check before you haul though since they often specialize in a narrow range of merchandise.

11 The entry is one of the areas that can get out of control quickly. These rolling bins tucked under a bench keep belongings looking neat.

12 Hooks are another must in an entry. Great for jackets, keys and pet leashes. Hang a few baskets on them too for sorting mail.

13 A message board in an entry or mudroom keeps everyone organized and in the loop.

14 A roller shade installed above makes a perfect cover.

15 A tray in an entryway keeps boots and shoes neat and contained. In the spring, add some river rocks to help the water drain off and evaporate.

16 An entry should always include a landing place for keys, mail and other everyday essentials. A low console gives a modern look.

17 A marble shelf with carved brackets is the perfect fit for this formal entry.

18 As you change out clothes for the season, be sure to edit out clothing you haven't worn or anything that doesn't fit.

19 Changing out the hangers in your closet to one kind will make it look more orderly.

20 Desks are other places that accumulate clutter easily. A small picture ledge hung above is perfect for keeping accessories in reach and off your work surface.

21 Replace a desk blotter calendar with a more graphic wall calendar made with chalkboard paint.

22 Flip front kitchen cabinets work well in a home office to conceal supplies.

23 Accordion folders keep papers ordered and organized so that they can be found easily. No file cabinet needed.

24 The cubbies in this drop-down desk keep small items organized.

25 To keep small papers and notes from getting lost, use a cafe curtain rod and clips to hold them.

26 A curtain is a great way to close off an office space in from another space in a multipurpose room.

27 The desk in my bedroom has plenty of drawer space to keep supplies.

28 I use caviar tins that I've collected over the years to contain push pins, paper clips, rubber bands, etc.

29 Martha's office supply drawer in her kitchen stays organized with metal drawer dividers. Don't even think about removing the label maker.

30 These chunky, stacked shelves hold toiletries as an alternative to a medicine cabinet.

31 To maximize space in a traditional medicine cabinet, line the inside back of the cabinet and door with sheet metal, then use magnetic containers and hooks to hold supplies.

32 I keep my bathroom supplies on a silver tray on a shelf below my sink.

33 Built-in nooks around tubs and showers are made for holding soaps, shampoo and conditioner. I like them much better that shower caddies.

34 Martha's kitchen in Bedford is always the picture of organization.

35 Pin-up boards installed in this family's kitchen organize kids' art work and school papers.

36 Wall mounted bins labeled with family members' names keep things from getting misplaced.

37 Cleaning up as you cook instead of allowing pots and dishes to pile up makes clean-up after a meal much easier.

38 Opaque glass in cabinet doors gives the kitchen a light feeling while still concealing cabinet contents.

39 The risers in my cabinets keep my dishes and glassware in perfect order.

40 A simple cake stand on a kitchen counter can keep everyday essentials neat and within easy reach.

41 A junk drawer doesn't need to look junky. Wood organizers separate items to help you find what you need.

42 Get in the habit of sorting the mail as soon as you bring it inside. Doing it each day will only take a few minutes.

43 A made bed makes the entire bedroom seem more orderly.

44 Making your bed everyday will make you less likely to let other things pile up around it.

45 Sharkey loves to take naps on freshly made beds.

46 The slip-on cover for my bed makes it easy for me to make my bed up in no time every morning.

47 Wiping up spills while they're fresh makes them easier to remove.

48 Bar mop cloths are better than paper towels. More absorbent and reusable.

49 Sweeping the kitchen floor after dinner each night will keep dirt and grime from building up and make weekly mopping much easier.

50 Now that you've decluttered and cleaned up your home for spring, open the windows and sit back and enjoy it's sweet smells.