“I enthusiastically recommend Lucy Kelly and Joyful Surroundings. She is a true partner in decluttering and organizing: she worked alongside me to tackle the most challenging spaces in my house. I particularly loved getting my closet streamlined…and discovering beautiful clothes I had forgotten about. Best of all, Lucy took my excess clutter to the thrift store for me. What a relief! Thanks so much, Lucy!”
Linda T., Boulder
“Working with Lucy was exactly what I needed! I had a oddball, problematic closet in my home that continually bugged me, because I didn’t know how to make sense of the mess and work with the shelves and space I had.
Beth H., Louisville
My clothes were a total mess in the ‘before’ photos – but a few sessions with Lucy helped me transform the closet into a neatly organized spot that I look forward to opening every morning when I get dressed. And Lucy’s an absolute delight to work with…she actually makes organizing fun!”
“I think what made all the difference for me was having a separate pile for the girls to try on. We had a ‘keep’ pile for me, a ‘donate’ pile, and pile to give to the young girls pile and that third pile made all the difference in the world for getting rid of the things that I loved and still had attachment to but most likely am never going to wear again. The beauty of having given those clothes to the girls was seeing them post glam pictures on Instagram with all of them trying on the clothes and looking so good.
When we looked at my mom’s nightgowns, I felt that I wanted to avoid dealing with them, but when we did, it felt wonderful – out, out, out!! I didn’t think this was possible! We have floor space. This is incredible! I can walk to the back of my closet. I can’t wait to finish this project next time!”
Jean B., Boulder
“You’re really good at this. I’ve walked past that stuff for two decades. I just couldn’t pick it up. But today we did it.”
L.G.
“I kept going this morning and had a few more donations, found orphan sock partners, and have another small pile to hang/ fold before having a completely clear space. I can’t believe how much we accomplished and how much less the burden of the “project” felt after our time ended.”
Marilyn P., Longmont
“Lucy’s approach to decluttering just makes sense to me. She focuses on the individual, and is well aware that what works for one person might not for another. She has a unique combination of kindness and clarity of thought.”
Sarah G., Louisville
“I especially appreciated how Lucy did not judge or make us embarrassed about anything. It was really a pleasure to organize, something I would have thought impossible before!”
Sarah C., Boulder
“Your friendly and goal-oriented approach helped me stay on task.” Read Jessica’s full review on Yelp.
Jessica H., Boulder
“Thank you for making it so incredibly easy to finally clear out my study mess! We have been getting a ton of use out of the study – thank you for making it possible for us to enjoy the room again!”
A.G., Boulder
“I am so struck by my increasing sense that this goal of mine is possible. Rather than feeling intimidated, I’m feeling more playful and easy about it, even enthusiastic.
Amber O’H., Boulder
Thank you so much for guiding me in this process! Having a handle on the stuff that my home consists of has been key to achieving this increased ease and confidence.”
“You have such an easy way of keeping me on track, of asking all the right questions, of respecting my choices, and providing a way to make organization work!”
Evanne B., Boulder
“The first time I used Lucy’s service was when I wanted to create a special work space in our little home. I didn’t quite know where to begin, felt *stuck* and was thrilled when Lucy came in, and knew exactly where to start.
Colette N., Longmont
Lucy was able to see the possibilities, where I was just bogged down by my stuff. I appreciated her gentle non-judgmental spirit.
Another plus was Lucy left with the stack of things I wanted to get rid of, so I didn’t have another task to add to my *to do* list.”
“What a wonderful gift you gave me. The bedroom feels like a completely different place. You are amazing–you helped me do things I could never do by myself. It was wonderful to see that trunkful of stuff just drive away. I love how the little iron bookshelf looks in the living room. I almost feel like I could have people over or something!
My sisters were astonished at how nice my house looked after your amazing work! They think you are a miracle worker. The house feels wonderful.”
Camille I.
I tell clients that if I can reorganize a high school library, I can handle whatever size project they want to bring me. I spearheaded a transition from a traditional library to a more practical bookstore model for this large high school library’s nonfiction collection of over 6,000 books.
Beatrice G., Louisville
The number of books checked out increased dramatically. After a year the library was buzzing with energy. Students and teachers loved it with both saying the library was far more accessible than ever before.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Lucy here on our project at Monarch High School. She brings tons of creativity to her work, and sees things in a way I couldn’t have imagined initially. Everything she touches feels fresher and brighter. I’m so grateful to work with her.”
“What a delight! Lucy’s work and support was empowering, respectful and so very helpful. I used to be a librarian, so getting rid of things like magazines was a little hard for me. The thing is, there were SO many magazines. I reached out to Lucy. We talked. She came over.
At the beginning of the project, I started with 436 magazines. When Lucy came over and we got to work, she helped me get the magazines organized, keeping a few, recycling some, and giving away a good many of them.
I liked her strategy – very logical while respecting what I wanted and needed. When we were done, it felt light, fresh, pleasant. I feel good about the work we did together. It’s so nice to go back into my bedroom and see areas neater and more open because the magazine clutter is gone.
I would definitely recommend Joyful Surroundings to others. Lucy not only helped me sort through the items but she took a picture of the pile we were donating – gratifying. She brought them out to her car (FABULOUS idea, many people tend to keep the new piles around the house just in different places I think). She also brought them to the local library and put them on the donation table for others to be able to look at and maybe enjoy a magazine or two (laughs). I hope no one took home my 300+ mags! Probably not. She sent me a picture of that table too and although it initially gave me a pang to see them there, I felt lighter and happier ultimately too. I like sharing things with other people, especially books and magazines. You know, it’s a librarian thing…
Lucy also helped me with a smaller project – weeding out clean, old towels and sheets from a hallway linen closet. No need to have SO many extra, unmatched and unused items. Rolling towels to make them accessible and pretty, who knew? Not me, until Lucy.
I found the whole thing quite empowering and I was proud of the work we did together. As I said to her after we were done, well, look at THAT, my bookshelves, my hallway closets now all can BREATHE!! Fabulous. So much nicer. After she left, I went upstairs, turned some soft music on and read one nice travel magazine pulled from the slim stack of magazines on my little bookshelf in the comfort of my newly organized reading area in my room. Woo hoo! To more space in my closets and bookshelves! To more air between objects! To being able to see clean surfaces in so many areas of my house! It feels glorious.”
Lisa K., Louisville
“I think I’ve always wanted a “normal” home – one that was neat and clean. Not “show-room” perfect, but one where you could have company over and not be ashamed.
Chip S., Longmont
When my wife and I separated and moved out of our home of 18 years, there were boxes stacked shoulder and head high with pathways to get around. And, yes, there were coupons that had expired 7 or 8 years earlier. And old newspapers.
I went through this scenario when I moved to my present home as well. I felt overwhelmed by all of the stuff. I no longer had the mechanisms in place to deal with it. I had lost the ability to deal with it, and it just piled up.
Someone said there are people that could help me with all of the clutter. I looked on the internet and Google came up with a category of “Professional Organizer”. YES! Just what I needed! I read the web pages for several organizers in the area and Lucy Kelly seemed to be just what I was looking for!
I called and set up a meeting with her. I had always told myself that I didn’t mind letting go of some of the stuff as long as it went to a good home. She found places that wanted things and encouraged me to find places on my own.
Lucy has done wonders with me! I’m still a work in progress, but I’m learning the skills to manage things on my own and, hopefully, can hone those skills in other areas as it becomes necessary. We’ve set up a wonderful filing system that I can manage on my own – and can extend to a filing system for my hobby stuff.
Lucy has been a Godsend for me. I now have the confidence to tackle some of these projects on my own. I’m not perfect, but my girlfriend and my daughters have all commented on how wonderful my home looks now. And it is! Thank you Lucy!”
“Our session was helpful not only in clearing out the things we cleared out; it also prompted me to think about what else I can let go of. It got the wheels turning! With a bit more time and effort on my part, I will have trimmed the excess that I want to trim.”
Amy P., Erie