We’re all staying home to avoid the novel coronavirus COVID-19, and while we’re probably getting some much-needed time on the sectional, mainly I think we’re alternating among feelings of anxiety, boredom and frustration. I am grateful to the health professionals, educators, scientists, and everyone else who is working to protect and preserve our society in this pandemic. Thank you.

Every one of us endures the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic differently. Silly as it may sound, some of us feel the urge to freshen up our homes, tidy up, clean out our closets and feel productive. It’s a small way to exert control over our lives.

In between managing my business and the little ones at home, I’ve started rearranging my vignettes and bookcases so things seem fresh. After you pass by the same arrangement over and over, you become blind to it. It becomes really boring, and you are going to be home for a while. Better not get bored. When you’re too busy to work on a tablescape or vignette you can stop, come back to it, and play around with the arrangement until you are satisfied. Just think— it will be ready for when guests come over again!

The best part about re-styling your home is that there’s no need to go shopping. As you go through your closets and drawers, you’ll find items you like but forgot about. You probably have plenty of objects already in your home to display on your bookcases, consoles and dressers. I guarantee, if I were to stop by your home, I could pull out all kinds of objects suitable for display. You can cull them from your kitchen, your garden, your library and probably even your attic. Anything you want to fill in the blanks can come from online shopping or craft time with your children. Now’s the time to learn oragami, watercolor painting, and woodworking, right?

Minimalists, hear me out. You can embrace this task because the most vital step is EDITING, not adding to the clutter. I would much rather see one beautiful white vase on a shelf than 52 little tchotckes.

I’ve been working on grouping items I love, which also have a connection to one another. Here are some pictures of what I’ve started:

The top photo is of a modest malachite collection. I started buying pieces slowly, over time, but initially they were in different rooms. However, if you group similar items together, they have more visual presence than if they were separated.

The bottom photo shows some vintage green lowball glasses I found on Chairish.com. Find some books to prop up decorative object and showcase your interests. Books also contribute color to the composition, vary the height of the objects to keep the eye moving, and take up empty space you don’t otherwise know what to do with. Peeking out at the bottom of the photo is a pretty white platter I found in my kitchen.

If you are able to shop in-store for groceries, and your store carries plants, pick up an orchid or succulent to add to the mix. Find some candles, candlesticks, bowls and other items. Go online for inspiration.

We will get through this. Focus on all the fun you will have in your house when we can all get together with each other again. Be well and think positive.