Connecticut, we have a new NEAT girl!
As if the East Coast can’t get any NEATer! It’s no secret that the East Coast loves NEAT and we sure do love them as well! So much so that we are happy to announce we are expanding to the Fairfield/Westchester county area. Please meet Britt Dignan. She’s a doll and we can’t wait to see what she does in this new market! Take a peek at this interview to see why Britt is the perfect addition to the team!
NM :: Hi Britt! We’re so excited to have you on the team! Let’s dive in and chat about Westchester and Fairfield Connecticut. Why NEAT in this location?
BD :: Westchester/Fairfield have more beautiful houses than you can imagine. It's the perfect place to match beautifully organized spaces with curb appeal with interior design. Plus, everybody here is so ambitious that accessible, tidy spaces help them focus on achieving their dreams.
NM :: It sounds like NEAT + Connecticut is going to be a great fit! What were you up to before you ran NEAT?
BD :: I've been a mommy to my four-year-old son, Huxley since he was born. Before that, I ran operations for a company that helped creatives organize both their digital and work lives.
NM :: Sounds like a lot of those skills will come in handy with your NEAT clients. Tell us more about Connecticut! What makes this area unique?
BD :: Westchester and Fairfield counties are both so wonderful because they offer sweet, small-town vibes, but are a hop, skip, and a jump from New York City. So, you can spend your weekends relaxing at the beach, hiking beautiful trails, or visiting wonderful farms, and then hop on the train and have dinner in the big city. It really offers the best of all worlds. We moved to Westchester in 2011, and spent a few years in the northern area. Two years ago, we moved to White Plains, and absolutely love the vibrancy and accessibility.
NM :: Sounds like a dream! What are your favorite places to shop in your city?
BD :: I obviously spend way more time at the Container Store than most normal human beings. I also love window shopping on Greenwich Ave. (that Restoration Hardware!). Plum Plums in Pound Ridge is a foodie's dream, and the home goods and plants at Terrain are beyond lovely. Old New House in Katonah has a kaleidoscope of beautiful vintage rugs that I literally dream about. I'm also a sucker for a good bookstore; Elm Street Books in New Canaan is a delight.
NM :: We’re definitely going to have to plan a visit stat! Tell us more! What are you favorite places to eat in your city?
BD:: Oh, boy, where to begin? Gyu-Kaku in White Plains and Q BBQ in Port Chester (their cakes from Kneaded Bread are my absolute downfall) are family favorites. My husband and I are frequent visitors to the Kee Oyster House in White Plains for happy hour. Locali in New Canaan has the best meatballs I've ever tasted (and the pizza is beyond amazing). The Inn at Pound Ridge and Moderne Barn are great for a nice dinner with friends. And of course, Blue Hill at Stone Barns is my happy place.
NM :: Ok let’s chat organizing…. What is the most organized space in your home?
BD :: I'm a sucker for canisters. I've been evolving my kitchen spaces for years, and finally arrived here. Decanting is one of my biggest tips for making a space look super NEAT.
NM :: Those looks incredible! That spice drawer – swoon! Ok now it can’t all be that amazing. What is your least organized space?
BD :: As of now, this is my son's bathroom. He locked himself in there for 20 minutes, and emerged so, so proud that he had "organized." It may not be how I'd have done it, but everything's subjective, right?
NM :: That’s adorable! Nice work Huxley! What are you looking forward to as you bring NEAT to Connecticut?
BD :: I am so excited to help Westchesterites and Fairfieldians bring the beautiful design of their homes to every nook and cranny of their houses. There's nothing more satisfying than opening a closet door or pantry and having the space look every bit as elegant (with functionality, to boot!) as a grand dining room.
NM :: What can people expect when they hire you to organize their home?
BD :: I promise to bring an open mind and aesthetic eye to every project that I work on. Each space and each client is so different, and I approach each with a blank slate. Some clients love to minimize a ton before going through the organizing process, while others don't want to discard a thing. Some homes call for natural baskets, and others mesh. It's all unique! But, every finished product will be equally stunning.
NM :: What is one of your favorite organizing products?
BD:: The Anchor Hocking Glass Cracker Jars are my go-to for so many organizing needs. I keep everything from spirulina, laundry detergent, and Legos in these babies (obviously in different spaces, though!). That said, I think the Tosca Basket is ridiculously beautiful, and find excuses to use it frequently.
NM :: LOVE those! Ok so what blog do you think we NEED to follow now and why?
BD :: When I'm feeling particularly inspired to cook (or my son's in a messy mood), we peruse for Smitten Kitchen a wealth of tasty recipes. I haven't found a bad one yet. Design*Sponge is visual inspiration for my home that won't quit. My husband always knows when I've gone on a D*S binge, because I start dreaming up ways to redesign our whole house. And A Cup of Jo is all-around wonderful. I love that it's a one-stop-shop for advice on everything from educational models for children to pretty jewelry to add to your summer wardrobe.
NM :: Last question and it’s one of our favorites to ask. Do you have any hidden talents that we should know about?
BD :: Hm. Other than being able to whip up a batch of pancakes in under 3 minutes on 4 hours of sleep? That's about it. Haha.
NM :: Umm that IS definitely a talent! Anything else you think we need to know?
BD :: I am insanely excited to be a part of the NEAT Method team. Organizing makes me so happy, and I can't wait to share that joy with others!
We’re thrilled to have YOU on the team, Britt! Friends, and Followers, if you know of anyone that needs organizing in the area or that wants to be considered for Britt's team, please do not hesitate to reach out!
the NEAT girls
We are Ashley and Molly, the founders of Neat Method.
Lets face it – we obviously love to organize and are a little…or maybe we should say a lot type-A. This perfect storm created The Neat Life. Welcome! We’ve seen it all, heard it all, organized it all, and are always obsessed with seeing a perfectly NEAT space. Even if a clutter free space doesn’t tickle your fancy as much as ours, we guarantee you will be entertained by our antics and drive to make the world a NEAT-er place!
