Renew the Heart of Your Home with a Cookware Revamp

As the cooler weather approaches, it beckons warm, home-cooked meals! Let's talk about some fresh perspectives on those kitchen staples, pots and pans, and how we can create organizational longevity this season.

The Organized Home

Display Those Babies:

Maybe you've always admired kitchens where pots and pans are openly displayed, creating a sense of accessibility and charm. The good news is that this won't break the bank! Simply designate a space for open display, grab a rod, and some S-hooks, and make it happen. Here are a few options on our Amazon Storefront to DIY your perfect display! Hanging your pots and pans not only adds an artistic vibe to your kitchen but also transforms your gear into instruments of creativity and novelty. With this open displayed system, you'll stay organized, as you can easily wash and immediately put your cookware on display again. No more rummaging through low-lying cabinets—this is a win-win! 

Make Your Space Work for You:

If you love the idea of hanging pots and pans but lack cabinet space for this organizational method, fear not! You can still enjoy the ease of accessibility with a pull-out hanging potholder. We love how the lids effortlessly slide onto the handles of the pans—talk about staying organized in style! This guide from Family Handyman takes you through step-by-step to create this for yourself.

Family Handyman

Southern Living

Stack 'Em Up:

Take a moment to assess your kitchen. How many pots and pans do you have? How many do you actually use on a weekly basis? It might be time to declutter and make your space more functional. Consider whether all your cookware still has value or if some pieces are worn out and need replacing.

Are they neatly organized, or do they seem to spill out of cabinets and drawers? Organization can greatly impact your cooking experience. Take a critical look at the assortment of pots and pans you've accumulated over the years. Are there duplicates or similar pieces that could be consolidated? Streamlining your collection can not only free up precious storage space but also simplify decision-making when it comes to meal preparation.

Consider the functionality of your cookware. Are there specialized items you bought for a specific purpose but rarely use? Perhaps that oversized stockpot or novelty-shaped pan seemed like a great idea at the time, but they've since become dust collectors. Re-evaluate whether these items serve a practical purpose in your kitchen or if it's time to pass them on to someone who might make better use of them.

While assessing your pots and pans, don't forget to check their condition! Over time, cookware can show signs of wear and tear. Handles may become loose, non-stick coatings may peel, or stainless steel might lose its shine. Such wear and tear not only affect the quality of your cooking but can also pose safety hazards. If you find any damaged or deteriorating pieces, consider replacing them to maintain a safe and enjoyable cooking environment.

If you’re in the market for a beautiful new addition to your collection, Le Creuset has some great deals as a part of the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days event happening October 10-11th.

Check out the official Help You Dwell Amazon Storefront for all of our top picks!

Le Creuset - Shallot

So, which method do you want to bring to life in your space this autumn? Whether you choose to display your pots and pans openly, opt for a pull-out hanging potholder, or embark on a decluttering journey, these kitchen organizational tips will not only make your life easier but also add a touch of creativity to your home. Embrace the change of the season and create a kitchen that's not only warm but wonderfully organized!

If the thought of decluttering and organizing your kitchen seems overwhelming, remember that you don’t have to to it alone! At Help You Dwell, we specialize in professional organization services that transform your home’s most loved spaces. Contact us to schedule a consultation and take the first steps towards a clutter-free, functional home for you and your family! 

CALL US AT 865.245.9080 OR BOOK OUR SERVICES HERE!

Please note that when you use our Amazon storefront affiliate links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. Your support helps us continue providing valuable content. Thank you!

A Mid Century Love Nest

As the saying goes, "You can't judge a book by it's cover", and that is exactly the sentiment behind today’s home tour. When you pull up to SK and Kevin's south Knoxville apartment building, it doesn't look much different than any other apartment you may find in Knoxville--- however, when the door to their unit opens it feels like you've been transported into the mid-century flat of your dreams.

Full of character, well picked vintage furniture and decor, and with an all-encompassing sense of coziness, SK and Kevin have transformed a cookie cutter apartment into a magical home. They've somehow managed to create a cozy, sultry, low key party vibe in the sense that it's easy to imagine that it's often filled with friends, fancy cocktails, and jazz music. Everything feels thought out and intentional.

There's a love story involved- and you can feel that in the house. SK and Kevin met at the beginning of the pandemic and fell fast. It's apparent that SK and Kevin think the world of each other and inhabit their space in a way that honors the desires and preferences of each of them. They make a great team, and while SK is the mastermind behind the decor, Kevin certainly has an eye for flair as well.

With a desire for everyone that enters to feel welcomed and invited, they've styled the space with a nod towards comfort and moveability. There is a natural flow between rooms in part due to paint colors and blips of black and white spread throughout the colorful prints and patterns.

SK, originally from Asheville, grew up treasure hunting with her mom. She's quick to point out that her style is pretty different than the style of the home she grew up in but that she's always had an appreciation for beautiful spaces. While her childhood home was more formal and antique heavy, she’s always gravitated towards more modern, minimal, vintage pieces and decor.

Painting by Cindy Walton

One of the first things I noticed in their home was all of the incredible art. SK is a big proponent for supporting collegiate artists- (if you’ve never been to one of the UT College of Art and Design sales, you are missing out) and noted that she bought several pieces from friends in her former undergraduate art program. As I continued to ask about art, I found out that SK is quite the artist herself! With paintings, sketches, and photographs of her own adorning the walls as well, SK brings creativity and beauty wherever she goes.

Aside from the design and decor elements that make up a home, there are practical things to think about as well. One of the things that HYD strives to help clients figure out is how to make each person’s home work best for them specifically. SK knows herself well and knows that in order to feel peaceful and really enjoy and feel at ease in her home, she needs and loves order. She created drop zones for things like keys, wallets, papers and mail etc. Having a bin and a specific spot for these items reduces the visual clutter that inevitably ends up on a coffee table or countertop when there isn’t a designated home for an item. She’s quick to note that having systems in a small space can make all of the difference.

One of the biggest challenges in a small space is storage. SK and Kevin are pretty mindful about the items they bring into their home. They always ask themselves before a purchase, where will this item live? Am I willing to give something else up in order to have this? etc. She’s also learned to get creative about holding on to really special pieces. If she doesn’t have space for something that she’s not ready to let go of, she will often loan it out to a friend until it works in her space again. Being smart about multi-purpose furniture is super helpful when you don’t have a lot of closet space. She has touches of black and white in every room and notes that having a neutral color that connects everything helps things feel more cohesive. If she’s a collector of anything, it’s mid-century bar and glassware. She’s sold or parted ways with the bulk of her collection over the years but it’s her weakness when it comes to treasure hunting.

Painting by SK

Another great use of space- this drop leaf table can quickly be expanded for a proper meal.

Tips for customizing an apartment? SK recommends talking with your landlord to see what the limits are. She gave their kitchen a major upgrade by painting the cabinets, switching blinds for curtains, and adding in her decor and art. Any time you can swap a light fixture, change cabinet hardware, faucets, shower heads, paint, or add to the property value in general it’s always a win. Make sure to keep the old fixtures so you can take yours with you when you move out.

On finding your style: Not everyone has a strong sense of personal style, but if you want one, pay attention to what you resonate with. SK started collecting furniture when she was still in college and living at her parents’ house. Her style hasn’t changed with the trends because she’s always bought what she loves- so it always stays relevant to her.

Having grown up in Asheville, some of SK’s favorite places to shop for furniture and decor are Regeneration Station, Screen Door, Atomic Furnishings, and WNC Bridge Estate Sales.

Kevin, Bruno, and SK. SK recently painted the modular black and white mural on the wall.

Thanks so much SK and Kevin for inviting us into your beautiful home!

bringing plants indoors

Have you ever felt like a room in your home was missing something? That it is completely decorated, filled with your favorite things but isn't quite right? It may be time to add in some green - with a plant of course! Today we've laid out a few ways to use plants inside + indoor plants that help filter your air, keeping your space looking and feeling fresh!

Photo Credit: Adam Ford

Photo Credit: Life Simplified

Photo Credit: CONVIVAL

Photo Credit: Ashley Lauren Design Studio

Photo Credit: Kirsten Grove

Wheather you go big with a ficus or keep it small with baby succulents, adding plants into your home is the perfect way to melt the winter blues away and bring life into your space! Below, HYD has picked six different plants that not only look pretty, but also filter your air. (that's a win-win in our books!)

Images: 1/2/3/4/5/6

With spring right around the corner be sure to pick up your favorites at the local nursery! 

welcome cassandra....

1.5 years ago this small town mid-west girl up and moved her life to East Tennessee for a job. I currently work at Blackberry Farm as a Junior Interior Designer, but that is only where the story begins. 

Image by Texture Photo

I started chasing this dream with one goal in mind: to get out of Kansas. I had no idea I would  fall so in love with Knoxville, TN and the people it has brought into my life.

My love for design became more than a hobby when I was in college. It wasn't until I was three years in and crying my way through pre-med classes that I knew something had to give. With a little help from a best friend, I switched majors and never looked back. I graduated with a small group of girls with a Bachelor degree in Interior Design and a minor in Construction Management. Space planning, simple, yet functional spaces, and tiny houses are where my true love for design soars.

I always thought the west part of the country was where I'd land, but the second I got the call to move to East Tennessee I knew God had much bigger plans for me than I could have ever imagined. When I stumbled across HYD I knew this was it. This was my passion, my goals, dreams, the whole reason I got into design; to help others. To help the everyday person find comfort, ease, and happiness within their home with a bit of rearranging, re-purposing, and overall function of their space. 

In my free time, you can find me trying to save my plants from dying, adventuring into the Smoky Mountains, or more than likely, cleaning up dog hair from my two husky pups.

I can not thank the #girlbosses of HYD enough for helping me pursue this dream alongside them. I hope you will too! 

sidenote: I have to give a shout-out to my husband. Not only did he follow me across the country but within the last year we have purchased a house, gotten married & enjoyed every minute of life together in our new home. ah, life is good.