Simple Subtraction

A professional organizer shows us how to make her disciplined, less-is-more philosophy work at home.

-  LAURA FENTON

When you imagine an organizer's home, you might expect perfect stacks of labeled bins, all neatly ordered, but the home of organizing expert and author Shira Gill is a little more laid back. The 1916 house, which she shares with her husband and their two daughters, is uncluttered yet layered and lived-in, a style Shira calls "warm minimalism."

Her devotion to keeping what's essential and stripping away the excess has resulted in a space that feels sophisticated and looks spacious, despite its relatively modest 1,200 square feet.

She knows how a cluttered environment can impact someone's mental outlook, so Shira chooses quiet colors and natural fibers to bring a sense of calm to her rooms. Art, mementos, and everyday objects are beautifully displayed, and the rest is kept tucked behind closed doors and within bins. She says maintaining order creates beauty.