Clutter Is a Sign of a Life Well Lived, Says This Virginia-Born Collector

Biophilic decluttering combines the popular trends of decluttering and biophilic design to create a more organized and relaxing home environment. This approach focuses on streamlining belongings and replacing conventional plastic storage solutions with nature-inspired alternatives, such as wicker baskets, rattan, linen, and wood. The core idea is that a natural aesthetic in a space discourages the accumulation of clutter, fostering a sense of calm and openness. Professional organizer Ben Soreff of House to Home Organizing explains that this method views the home's environment as a potential cause of clutter. The goal is to fill spaces with storage solutions made from natural fibers and wood, moving away from plastic bins. This "return to nature mandate" aims to make a home feel more open and tranquil, consequently reducing clutter build-up. Chloe Barrow, an interior expert at Laura James, further elaborates that biophilic decluttering prioritizes creating a connection with nature through natural, airy spaces. She suggests swapping synthetic materials for stone, bamboo, linen, and mango wood to cultivate a fresher, more harmonious home that is easier to keep clutter-free. The concept of biophilic design, derived from Greek words meaning "love of life," involves incorporating elements that mimic the natural world into architecture, interior design, and organization to enhance well-being and promote a calm atmosphere. This can extend to choices in storage, paint colors, and even specific design styles like biophilic bathroom designs. Di Ter Avest, a professional organizer and founder of Diisorganized, highlights that nature's inherent ability to relax individuals makes biophilic decluttering highly effective. By replacing clutter with natural elements, homes feel lighter, fresher, and less overwhelming. She notes that this method is beneficial for anyone seeking a calmer, more grounded home, particularly busy individuals or those feeling overwhelmed by clutter. It can be applied to any room but is especially potent in spaces dedicated to relaxation, such as bedrooms, living rooms, or home offices. Even minor changes can significantly impact creating a home that supports well-being. However, Ben Soreff cautions that biophilic decluttering should not override fundamental decluttering principles. It is crucial to first review and purge items, establishing a system where belongings reside based on their frequency of use, rather than simply swapping storage containers. Storage solutions, regardless of their material, should always be the final step in the organizing process. The article further suggests practical applications, such as placing a plant on a kitchen countertop after decluttering, serving as a visual reminder to maintain tidiness. Studies indicate that exposure to plants and natural materials can reduce stress, elevate mood, and improve focus, transforming a home into a personal retreat. Incorporating houseplants, some of which can even help banish condensation, can contribute to a healthier living environment while simultaneously integrating natural aesthetics. #BiophilicDecluttering #HomeOrganization #NaturalDecor #MindfulLiving #InteriorDesign #ClutterFreeHome #WellnessDesign #SustainableLiving #StressReduction

This article explores how three Westchester homeowners master the art of chic collecting, blending formidable treasures and flawless taste to create truly livable homes rather than museum-like spaces. Each homeowner or couple showcases a unique approach to integrating extensive and diverse art collections into their personal residences. Karen Schlansky's Chappaqua home, which also functions as a gallery for her business, Rose Court Asian Antiques, exemplifies how Asian art can be seamlessly integrated into various decors. Her 1987-built "country barn" style home, characterized by wide-planked pine floors and exposed-beam ceilings, eclectic furnishings, and diverse collections. Schlansky's collection includes Tang Dynasty pottery sculptures, a third-century pottery lokapala, and Ming Dynasty musicians, which she skillfully mixes with contemporary furniture and art from other cultures like African masks and Southwestern paper collages. Her journey into antique dealing began with a passion for Chinese history and culture during her travels, leading her to establish Rose Court Asian Antiques in 1997. Initially, her gallery was in the lower level of her home, but she later moved it to the first floor to better demonstrate how the pieces would look in a living space. While most of her pieces are for sale, a cherished Qing Dynasty lacquered leather box, representing her family's leather business, remains a permanent fixture, symbolizing her past, present, and future. Dr. Lewis Shapiro and Linda Swanson, after downsizing from a rustic Briarcliff Manor home to a two-bedroom condominium in Trump Tower at City Center, faced the challenge of displaying their extensive global art collection. Their collection, which began in 1985 after Swanson acquired African art from Sotheby's, includes 20th-century wooden masks from Western Africa, thousand-year-old Casas Grandes pottery from Mexico, and antique Chinese snuff bottles. They enlisted Scarsdale interior designer Linda Blair of Blair Interiors Group, Ltd., who, as a collector herself, understood their desire to integrate art into their living space rather than merely displaying it. Blair designed the apartment with a neutral color palette of cream, beige, and caramel to highlight the art and used traditional yet comfortable furniture. Custom cabinetry in the living room showcases a range of their prized pieces, such as a painted gold Ashanti staff finial, a Kuba cub, and a Dan chimpanzee mask. A concrete pillar was transformed into a display for intricately carved Yoruba twins, and an illuminated niche in the entry foyer highlights ancient Roman artifacts, flanked by 16th-century French church columns. The entrance also features framed illuminated miniatures from Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, holding both artistic and sentimental value for Swanson. Blair's goal was to unify and organize their diverse collection, creating a livable space that avoided feeling like a museum. Marc and Denyse Ginzberg, homeowners in Rye, have transitioned from collecting African art to focusing on Ethiopian crosses. Their sleek, modern home, designed by Charles Forberg in 1993, offers spectacular water views and features custom-made shelves, antique armoires, and chests to display their collections. Initially, their collection included world-class African art such as ceremonial combs, hairpins, hats, sword handles, spoons, clubs, and whistles. After collecting for over 35 years and amassing an impressive collection of authentic African masks and sculptures, the Ginzbergs decided to sell their figurative works due to rising prices. They then shifted their focus to non-figural, abstract objects of use, known as "forms," which were featured in Marc's book, African Forms. After auctioning off a significant portion of this collection at Sotheby's Paris, breaking records for non-figurative African art, the Ginzbergs have now turned their attention to intricately designed Ethiopian crosses from the 12th to 19th centuries, composed of bronze, iron, wood, and silver. This new passion reflects their continuous engagement with collecting and their ability to identify emerging areas of interest in the art world, often ahead of museums and other collectors. #ArtCollection #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #AsianAntiques #AfricanArt #EthiopianCrosses #ArtCollecting #DecorativeArts #HomeDecor