Always on the move, Rachel grew up between Paris and San Francisco where she learned to recognize what matters and how to create cozy homes with what she had. She earned her master’s degree in interior design in Paris and spent over a decade crafting interiors blending purpose with style. For her next act, Rachel teamed up with her mother and for the next ten years, she opened and ran Le Garage in Brooklyn, turning a raw space into a functional and warm French restaurant filled with their love of food and shared story. Now married and based in New York, Rachel naturally gravitates toward harmony. She finds joy in the small details that bring ease to everyday life. A natural multitasker, she believes that peace lives in the little things. When your space works for you, life flows more freely! Rachel also volunteers at a homeless shelter (The Bowery Mission), bringing the same care and love to service. Her favorite escape: a book in hand, lying in the sun by the Mediterranean Sea.
Tara’s knack for transforming spaces began in childhood, moving frequently across the U.S. and Europe with her chemical engineer dad, stay at home mom and five sibilings. With each move, whether transitioning between large homes or cozy apartments, Tara was amazed by her mother’s ability to create organized and welcoming spaces in just a matter of days. Her mother’s mantra, “Pack one box and take only what you love,” instilled in Tara a profound appreciation for meaningful belongings and the art of decluttering. After earning a degree in history and fine arts from SMU, Tara’s journey led her from San Francisco to Boston and, finally, to New York, where she pursued a rewarding career in education. Known for her meticulously organized classrooms, Tara soon became the go-to person for helping colleagues revamp their spaces. With her three kids now in college, Tara is thrilled to focus on helping clients create welcoming, beautifully functional homes. In her downtime, she loves visiting her family around the globe with her husband and their spirited Labrador, Bear.
Sharon was born in the US and moved to France as a child, becoming fluent in French. After her formative years in Europe, her family settled in New Canaan, CT. Sharon attended Providence College and discovered her passion for marketing, leading to roles in London, Paris, Frankfurt, and the US.
After earning her MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, Sharon and her husband, Tom, moved to New Canaan, CT where they raised their two children. She has organized her home, her children's rooms, dorms, and apartments. She has a unique talent for re-imagining spaces and witnessing the positive impact of these transformations. Even in her volunteer activities, Sharon brings her organizational skills to Planet New Canaan's Swap Shop, making it easy for customers to find what they need.
Professionally, Sharon has managed complex marketing campaigns and led projects requiring meticulous organization. From marketing plans to family vacations, there's not much that intimidates Sharon. Her diverse experiences and dedication make her a force in both her professional and personal life!
Ulrike was born & raised just outside Hamburg, Germany, in a small town where her father was a doctor and her mother commanded a household of six. Her parents both came from large families and her childhood was filled with visits to grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
In college, she studied History, French and Design from 1988-1992 at the University of Augsburg and the Fachhochschule Hildesheim where she received a Fulbright Scholarship for Design. From 1994-1996 Ulrike worked as Art Director at The Lacey Group, Minneapolis, MN and she worked as Art Director at Pluzynski & Associates, Inc. from 1997-1999.
After years of dealing with tight deadlines, she decided to focus on her 3 children full-time. Her husband’s career in the Museum World was blossoming and it was a true gift for her to be able to stay at home. Ulrike's oldest son finished college in May 2022, her middle son goes to "The New School" for Classical Music and her daughter is a Freshman in High School. Her passion is Real Estate Investments: She had the privilege of renovating/flipping small Real Estate Investment since arriving in NYC and she considers it a blessing even though it comes with its highs & lows.
Who knew that she would end up raising true New Yorkers, coming from a small town near Hamburg, Germany - all because of her wanderlust and staying open to the unexpected and to embrace the twists and turns along the road.
I started my career as a style editor at Condé Nast, and moved on to be President of a gallery and photo studio in Chelsea.
Most recently, I’ve collaborated with my partner in real estate development and design. We’ve worked on townhouses in Brooklyn, a farm in upstate New York, and multiple beach homes in New Jersey.
As much as I love to work outside the home, the most rewarding and challenging aspect of my life is raising my four children. They’ve patiently moved with us on many projects and tolerated living in multiple construction sites!
I’m thrilled to be part of the Done & Done and to watch the company grow and prosper!
The living room is my favorite space because we have an open floor plan that overlooks Brooklyn Bridge Park and the NYC Bridges. It’s the perfect room to entertain family and friends because while I’m cooking, we can all hang out together and enjoy the view.
People might have guessed that Stephanie would eventually become an organizer. In high school, she kept a record of every outfit that she wore on a piece of paper in her closet! Fast forward several years to when Stephanie met her husband Dan – set up by their respective Croatian families. Six homes, three children + one dog later, Stephanie lives in Connecticut with her husband and their three children. Stephanie keeps busy organizing their two college boys and high school daughter. When not working, she enjoys swimming, rowing, biking, gardening and volunteering with Meals on Wheels, the New Canaan Garden Club, the Congregational Church of New Canaan and Waveny Care Center. Stephanie is very thankful for team members Lise and Louise for helping to bring her on board!
As a young girl growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, OH Judy would marvel at her grandmother, who every time she visited, would clean out and reorganize her parent’s refrigerator. She inherited the organizing gene and enjoyed cleaning out and reorganizing her bedroom in between school terms. Much to the delight of friends and family she has carried on the tradition of her grandmother by leaving them with the gift of a reorganized linen closet or pantry after her stay.
Judy graduated from Miami University in Oxford, OH with a B.A. in International Relations with a concentration in Political Science and History. She immediately moved to Washington, DC where she lived for several years before moving to NYC with her husband. She had a career in politics and marketing before becoming a stay at home mom after the birth of their triplets. Over the years she has worked as a small business consultant and fundraiser at her children’s schools.
Judy enjoys working with clients in finding homes for their special things and helping them realize a more organized home. She is looking forward to transforming her own family apartment into a adult family living space now that her children are college bound. Judy lives in Prospect Heights Brooklyn and near Hudson, NY with her husband.
Born and raised in Montreal, Gail embodies the character traits of a true Canadian, nice, helpful, with a sense of humor. As a young girl, Gail would organize her grandmother’s dresser drawers during visits to her apartment. Gail loved their interactions as she worked. Making improvements to someone’s space and listening to the stories of their life proved to be a meaningful experience.
Many years later, Gail chose to study Architecture and got her degree at McGill University. In New York, Gail learned the ropes working for an Architect, designing and project managing high-end residential projects in Manhattan.
Gail delights in collaborating with others to re-imagine a space and then witness the impact of the transformation on someone’s life. She brings her architectural skills of space-planning and visioning, and her enjoyment of brainstorming with clients and a team, to her work with Done and Done. Gail currently volunteers at the Brooklyn Public Library, assisting the Curator of Visual Art Programming on rotating exhibition projects. She lives in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn with her husband, also an architectural designer, and daughter, who is almost off to college. There is always an improvement project to work on at home.
Jeanne was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri but also frequently visited her dad and new family in Northern California. All that traveling for parental visits had its many perks, as Jeanne quickly learned how to master the art of packing the essentials into a suitcase and make a nest fit for any bird.
Jeanne earned her BFA from Syracuse University and later moved to NYC where she worked for artist Kris Ruhs making jewelry for Bergdorff Goodman, Corso Como 10 and private clients. She also started her own accessories business making eye-glass chains which sold in Henri Bendel’s, Robert Marc Opticians in NYC and Rodeo Drive in LA.
Jeanne attended the School of Visual Arts post baccalaureate in Art education and went on to teach art to children ranging from preschoolers to 8th graders until she married her husband Fred. Jeanne has extensive experience with all aspects of the home, from purchasing, selling, designing and renovating. She has designed and renovated many projects in her own home while also helping friends declutter, organize, and make decorating decisions. Jeanne also had a 12 year real estate venture in Red Hook, Brooklyn. It also doesn’t hurt that according to astrology, her birth chart has 6 houses in Virgo, making her exceedingly detail oriented!
Originally from the South and educated in the Midwest, Louise moved to New York after college. With a can-do attitude and lots of energy, she worked in sales for clothing manufacturers selling to everyone from major department stores to golf pro shops. Eventually Louise left the city for Connecticut and raised/managed/organized four children, one husband, countless pets, moves and renovations. These days she still volunteers in town (Meals on Wheels, National Charity League and the New Canaan Garden Club) but has found as her children have grown, she has much more free time. Louise is now thrilled to be able to bring her organizational and management skills, positive attitude and high energy to work at Done and Done.
Born and raised in Denmark, Lise came to the United States for a six month visit in the 1980s in order to improve her English. She met the man who would become her husband within two months of arriving and lucky for Done and Done, she stayed. After graduating from UConn with a degree in Design and Resource Management with minors in Psychology and French, she eventually settled in New Canaan where she raised her two children. After years of homemaking and extensive volunteer work (Red Cross, National Charity League, Girl Scouts and NC Garden Club) Lise’s friend, Macky Hennessy, suggested she reach out to Ann and Kate and bring her organizing talents to Done and Done. Lise did her training hours in record time and very quickly became an invaluable member of the team.
Macky Henesey was born and raised in Seal Beach, California. She grew up playing competitive tennis, swimming, running and was a recruited field hockey player at UC Davis. When the beaches beckoned she returned to southern California to graduate with a degree in Psychology from Cal State Long Beach. She then ventured east to begin a career in public relations and advertising in Washington, DC. She met her husband Mike there and they moved shortly thereafter to New Canaan, CT where they’ve lived and raised their three children over the last 25 years. Macky has organized her home, her three kids rooms (repeatedly!), countless dorm rooms and parts of many friend’s homes. Macky has volunteered extensively and her work has spanned from the New Canaan Garden Club to the Waveny Care Center to National Charity League. Professionally she’s taken on the reorganization of a filing system in a law firm’s Westchester County office. Having organized everything from lace to lawsuits there’s not much that intimidates this one!
We didn’t have to search far when we were looking for someone to start up our marketing department. Meg Koett comes to us by way of family; sister to Ann and aunt to Kate, her hire was a no-brainer. We needed someone who knew us well enough to represent our brand and who better than a woman who has literally been there since day one?
Meg is a graduate of Ripon College, but decided early on to work from home while raising her two children. The co-founder of Jam Custom Handbags, Meg learned how to work with clients, how to advertise a brand and how to sell products online. After a successful run of five years, Jam closed their doors and Meg was available to put her knowledge to work for Done & Done.
Favorite space: My favorite space in my home is my exercise room. It’s very small but it has a ton of natural light so I always feel better after spending some time in there working out and getting my thoughts together!
Emilie Barrientos is a born and bred New Yorker. With close ties to the Eastern end of Long Island, Emilie has an appreciation for both city and country living. With an early love for organizing in her closet-sized NYC bedroom, Emilie never tires of the satisfaction of decluttering one's life, both physically and metaphorically. Emilie received her Bachelor's degree from Connecticut College where she pursued her love of dance. This took her to lead the marketing department at Dance Magazine prior to joining the Done & Done Team. Though Emilie needs only one winter coat and one set of pans, she values the importance of those sentimental silk scarves from grandparents and those gosh darn hand written letters. Emilie lives in Manhattan with her husband and their dog Max, and is poised to continue to delve deeper into the power of human connection and building community.
With a background in event management and hospitality, Lauren recently transitioned from planning and executing corporate meetings and special events to professional home organization. Lauren uses her trademark skills of problem solving, creativity, and flexibility to help Done & Done clients. She excels at logistics and operations, and her attention to detail means that projects go smoothly from concept to completion.
Good at wearing multiple hats, Lauren is adept at responding quickly to changing circumstances, always maintaining an upbeat, can-do attitude. As the Client Experience Manager, she specializes in customer service that nurtures positive, productive relationships with both clients and suppliers.
With a degree in Art History, Lauren has also had the opportunity to work onsite at various cultural institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (Pafa).
Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College and a certificate in meeting planning from Temple University. Lauren, her husband and her two young daughters recently moved and she is excited to renovate, decorate and apply what she is learning at Done & Done to create a more organized home.
Meri was born and raised in New Jersey. After graduating from Lafayette College with a BA in English Literature, Meri began her career working in ad sales in New York City. She then ventured to the West Coast to explore all that San Francisco had to offer. Meri built her career in the Bay Area and spent over 12 years working for a large tech company in advertising sales, business operations, and client services, where she also met her husband Darby. After many years in San Francisco, they purchased their first home in Oakland which is when Meri realized her passion for home interiors and her desire to create functional and beautiful spaces. As their family grew, she tackled many remodels and design projects in their 1920’s East Bay home. When Meri and her husband decided to move back East to be closer to family, Meri de-cluttered, packed and staged their home which expedited the sale and increased the value. She is currently (and slowly) remodeling their NJ home one room at a time.
Meri has always enjoyed helping friends and family problem solve, organize and brainstorm ideas, and brings to Done & Done her expertise of project management, attention to detail and love of organization!
For over a decade, DDH (Done & Done Home) has been the trusted choice for organizing solutions, starting with New Yorkers throughout the tri-state area and now helping families across the United States transform their homes.
Whether you’re frustrated with cluttered common areas that don’t serve their intended purpose or you’re ready to create welcoming spaces for both guests and daily family activities, this guide will provide you with the tools and techniques that our professional organizers have refined through years of real-world experience in homes just like yours.
Why Your Gathering Spaces Matter More Than You Think
Your living room, family room, and dining room serve as the heart of your home. These spaces witness everything from quiet family moments to bustling holiday celebrations. Yet they’re often the most cluttered, dysfunctional areas in the house.
When gathering spaces are disorganized, the ripple effects touch every aspect of family life. Children can’t find their games, remotes disappear into couch cushions, and entertaining becomes stressful rather than enjoyable. You avoid having guests over because the living room feels chaotic, and family time gets overshadowed by the constant search for lost items.
Organized gathering spaces create calm environments that encourage connection, reduce daily stress, and make your home feel welcoming to both family and friends.
Understanding the Gathering Spaces Challenge
Unlike bedrooms or offices, gathering spaces must accommodate multiple family members with different needs. These rooms face unique organizational challenges:
Challenge
Solution
Multi-Purpose Demands
Modern gathering spaces serve as entertainment centers, homework stations, reading nooks, and social hubs all at once
High Traffic Volume
These areas experience constant use throughout the day, making them prone to clutter accumulation
Conflicting Storage Needs
Board games, electronics, books, toys, and seasonal decor all compete for the same storage space
Family Member Dynamics
Different ages and personalities mean varying organizational styles and maintenance abilities
Common Gathering Space Frustrations
Visual clutter from too many items on surfaces
Storage overflow in entertainment centers and built-ins
Constantly misplaced remotes, chargers, and frequently used items
Seasonal decorations are taking over living spaces
Board games with missing pieces and tangled electronics cords
Organizational systems that work initially but fall apart within weeks
The DDH Methodology for Gathering Spaces
At DDH (Done & Done Home), we’ve developed a systematic approach that addresses both immediate chaos and long-term maintenance challenges.
The Five-Step DDH Process
At DDH, we understand that a lasting organization requires more than just a quick tidy-up. Our proven five-step process provides a clear, practical path to transforming gathering spaces, addressing clutter, storage, and daily routines, so your rooms stay organized in the long term.
Here’s how our approach helps families create spaces that truly work for everyday life:
Step 1: Comprehensive Assessment
We evaluate how your family actually uses these areas, observing traffic patterns and identifying storage pain points.
Step 2: Strategic Planning
We create a customized organizational plan that considers your family’s specific needs, existing furniture, and storage limitations.
Step 3: Systematic Decluttering
Using proven techniques, we help families part with items that no longer serve their gathering space goals, coordinating donations and responsible disposal.
Step 4: Functional Organization
We organize remaining items with both visual appeal and practical functionality, assigning every item a designated home that suits your family’s lifestyle.
Step 5: Maintenance Training
We teach families simple daily and weekly routines that prevent clutter from returning.
Room-by-Room Solutions
Every gathering space has its own set of challenges and opportunities. To help you create order that truly lasts, we’ve broken down our best strategies by room, so that you can address the unique needs of your living room, family room, and dining room with confidence. Use these targeted solutions to make each space more functional, welcoming, and easy to maintain.
Living Room Organization Strategies
Focus Area
Strategy
Entertainment Center
Active Zone: Current gaming systems, frequently used remotes, and charging cablesMedia Storage: Movies, games, and accessories in labeled containersElectronics Graveyard Prevention: Remove outdated cables and unused devices
Surface Management
Coffee Table: Keep only current reading materials and one decorative elementSide Tables: Dedicate each to specific functions like remote storage or reading lights
Seating Area Storage
Ottoman Storage: Ottomans with hidden storage for blankets and gamesBehind-Couch Solutions: Narrow console tables for books and decor
Family Room Organization Techniques
Focus Area
Strategy
Toy and Game Management
Active Toy Zone: Large bins for building blocks and sports equipmentBoard Game Library: Vertical storage systems that keep games visible and accessiblePuzzle Station: Dedicated space with puzzle mats that can be rolled up mid-project
Technology and Charging Station
Charging Drawer: Built-in charging station with multiple ports and cord managementDevice Parking: Designated spots for tablets, phones, and gaming devices
Dining Room Organization Excellence
Entertaining Equipment Management
Seasonal Serving Ware: High shelving for holiday-only itemsDaily Dining Essentials: Easy-access storage for everyday placemats and serving pieces
Multi-Purpose Functionality
Mobile Supply Cart: Homework supplies that can be easily moved when the table is needed for diningSeasonal Decor Rotation: Labeled bins organized by season with a rotation schedule
Maintenance Systems That Actually Work
Maintaining your gathering spaces for the long haul comes down to simple, consistent habits. Here are the daily and weekly maintenance routines that make the organization last:
Frequency
Focus Area
Tasks & Questions
Daily: The 10-Minute Pick-Up
Gathering space reset
• Return items to designated homes• Clear all surfaces except display items• Quick vacuum or sweep if needed• Prepare space for the next day
Weekly: Maintenance Tasks
Organization review
• Check that items are returning to their homes• Identify emerging clutter hot spots• Adjust systems that aren’t working
Surface and storage cleaning
• Clean all surfaces thoroughly• Organize inside containers and drawers• Vacuum items that don’t move daily
Monthly: Adjustments
Room function evaluation
• Are systems meeting your family’s needs?• Have activities changed, requiring new organization?• Do storage solutions need adjustment or replacement?
Daily Maintenance: The 10-Minute Pick-Up
Implement a daily gathering space reset:
Return items to designated homesClear all surfaces except designated display itemsQuick vacuum or sweep if neededPrepare space for the next day’s activities
Weekly Maintenance Tasks
Organization Review
Check that items are returning to their designated homesIdentify emerging clutter hot spotsAdjust systems that aren’t working effectively
Surface and Storage Cleaning
Clean all surfaces thoroughlyOrganize inside storage containers and drawersVacuum items that don’t move daily
Monthly Adjustments
Room Function Evaluation
Are current systems meeting your family’s needs?Have schedules or activities changed, requiring a different organization?Do storage solutions need adjustment or replacement?
Creating Functional Zones
Rather than treating gathering spaces as single-purpose rooms, create distinct zones:
Active Zones
Areas for games and high-energy activities with durable surfaces
Quiet Zones
Spaces for reading and homework with appropriate lighting
Social Zones
Seating optimized for conversation with easy access to games
Technology Zones
Designated areas for electronics and charging with organized cords
When to Call Professional Help
While many families can tackle organizing gathering spaces on their own, there are times when the challenges feel unmanageable or repeated efforts never seem to “stick.” In those cases, it may be time to consider professional help. Consider professional assistance when:
Systems consistently break down despite multiple attempts
Family members feel overwhelmed by the current organizational system
Multiple failed attempts have created family frustration
Professional organizers provide objective assessment, experience with long-term solutions, efficient implementation, and training in maintenance systems.
Transform Your Home with DDH
Organizing gathering spaces effectively requires understanding both your family’s unique needs and proven organizational principles. DDH (Done & Done Home) has spent over a decade helping families throughout the tri-state area transform their gathering spaces into functional, beautiful places that support both daily life and special occasions.
The difference between temporary organization and lasting change lies in creating systems that support how your family actually lives while remaining simple enough for daily maintenance. When gathering spaces work correctly, they become the heart of your home, places where family members naturally gather and guests feel immediately welcome.
Ready to transform your gathering spaces into organized, functional areas your family will love? Contact DDH (Done & Done Home) today for a free consultation to discuss how our proven methodology can work for your home.
