Sep 3, 20144 min read

The Butler Family: Planning a New Home

Maeve swings through Georgia to plan The Butlers new home. #organizing

Before Maeve's Method

Jacquie and Daniel Butler recently moved into a new home to accommodate their growing family, including active toddler twins their latest addition, a new baby girl. The house was beautiful but the space was less open and more difficult to navigate than their old home, which Maeve helped them to organize a few years prior. They called Maeve back to help them plan the space and create a seamless transition into the new home, especially for the twins. When Maeve arrived, Maeve and Jacquie toured the house, discussing the layouts and needs for each room, with a special focus on creating comfortable space for the #spaceplanning #twins.

The Session

One of Jacquie’s main concerns was that the twins weren’t playing in their room at all. Instead they would linger in the living room or hover wherever she was. This made sense to Maeve, as the living room was a central space for play in their former home, and the twins were likely recreating that experience.

Maeve suggested making their room cozier, moving the beds away from the open layout with frames pushed again walls, and bringing them closer together so they could hang out and communicate. And, adding a soft plush rug in the middle to help them play. She also suggested placing their chairs at the end of the beds, to anchor the space, and to encourage shared reading in that area. As Maeve told Jacquie, "The transition to a new home can be a challenge for little ones, so for the moment, create as many cozy nooks and spaces as you can. This will allow them to feel secure on their level, until they get bigger and can more fully embrace the house." #cozyhome

Maeve suggested making their room cozier, moving beds away from walls, and bringing them closer together so they could communicate. #communication

She also suggested adding a soft plush rug in the middle to help them play, and placing their chairs at the end of the beds, to anchor the space, and to encourage shared reading in that area. #spaceplanning

They also chatted about creating a pathway for the twins from their bedroom to the bathroom, to help them feel comfortable getting ready for bed. Maeve suggested adding stickers or twinkle lights along the wall, to help mark the path. Jacquie had star stickers at-the-ready. These were a hit with the kids, and they delighted in finding the few in the hallway that showed the path back to their bedroom.

Maeve suggested adding stickers or twinkle lights along the wall, to help mark the path. #storeitwithstyle

Before leaving, Maeve and Jacquie addressed the front hall and #kitchen. The front hall held a tiny table, and between diapers and the baby bag there was no room for the kids' things. Maeve suggested a long, low cabinet, table, or cube shelving to anchor the space. "Cube shelving is ideal", Maeve told Jacquie, as mom and dad could then create 'cubbies for kids' that they could use independently to grab and put away their things. #shelving

The front hall held a tiny table... with no room for the kids' things.

"Cube shelving is ideal", Maeve told Jacquie, as mom and dad could then create 'cubbies for kids'. Jacquie put this in place as part of her Next Steps plan. #cubbiesforkids

Jacquie said that creating independence for the twins was key, so Maeve added one final suggestion -- a self help drawer or cart in the kitchen for the twins. With mom's hands full with baby, creating an easy way for the twins to help themselves would greatly simplify breakfast and lunch routines. Jacquie introduced a RASHULT utility cart from IKEA, and together they taught the twins that they were free to get, and even put away, their own cups, plates and bowls at mealtime. The twins loved learning that 'everything has a home' and Jacquie later reported that this small change became a big kitchen helper.

Maeve added one final suggestion -- a self help drawer or cart in the kitchen for the twins. #kidpower

Next Steps

They wrapped the session with a giant Maeve's Method 'Next Steps' list, and a few months later Maeve and Jacquie had their check-in call where Jacquie reported to Maeve that the changes they'd made in the house across the board were great. Each and every one had helped to create a home that was welcoming and flowed well. #systems #routines

They wrapped the session with a giant Maeve's Method 'Next Steps' list. #NextSteps

The Twins Get a First Look at Their New Digs!

Maeve saw potential in my home that I could not see. The kids love their new room, their new cubbies and the friendly new bathroom --- we now create cozy nooks wherever we can!

– Jacquie Daigle Butler, Decatur, GA