About Tidyish

Hi! I’m Keely.

Looking for a consult or just a li’l more on a household project? Got you here! (I travel to the greater Chicagoland area- or, if you want to fly me somewhere, I’ll cheerfully pack a bag.)

I can’t wait to work with you!

So, I’m neither a minimalist nor the keeper of a particularly pristine household. What I am, however, is a writer, Chicago homeowner, and arts columnist who really, really likes it when things are where they’re supposed to be.

This doesn’t always happen.

(Especially not with three young kids who bring “treasures” home from the playground. And a husband who leaves a pocket-emptying trail of possessions that even Hansel & Gretel could follow. And then there’s me, who’s never met vintage stemware, miniature glass animals, or vinyl records she didn’t want to take in like strays.)

Tidyish came out of the idea that, even if things aren’t clean or, well, tidy right now, there are a gazillion quick fixes and– if I may be so lofty– infrastructure tips to make getting back to a pleasant space incredibly doable.

Unless you live in a museum (and, in that case, can I visit?), a daily workload plus kids/pets/coaster-averse people and crazy forward motion will keep your home from looking like a magazine cover 24/7. (<—This is okay. This is, in fact, called “a really nice life.”)

And I’ll never tell you to only have one color scheme or get rid of all your stuff. I love your stuff. And while I may– gently– suggest that we occasionally declutter, it’s all in the name of repurposing, reviving, and refocusing attention on the stuff you really want surrounding you. I’ve got great ideas for household storage, fixing the flow of each room, and creating neato spaces– without breaking the bank or your brain.

Make sure to follow me on YouTube for my #SpeedClean series (because who doesn’t love a good, fast-paced cleaning montage?) and connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram! (Especially since that’s where I’ll be giving away gift cards for those times when you play along for crazy- and profitable- challenges.)

I’m so glad you’re here.

Keely

(p.s. If you want to see what else I’m up to, check out Lollygag Blog for tales of Chicago, parenthood, fixing up a falling-down house, the arts, and so much talk of napping.)