The Big Reveal // Our 2024 Decorators' Showhouse Designs

We are honored to be part of the 2024 Decorators’ Showhouse & Gardens presented by the St. Margaret’s Guild, benefiting Eskenazi Health’s mental health initiatives.

The St. Margaret’s Guild Decorators’ Showhouse is the longest running showhouse of its kind in the entire country. When we were approached in 2021 to be a part of the event, it was a true pinch me moment. I’ve spent a gorgeous Sunday (and a few rainy ones) touring past showhouses with my husband’s stepmother since I moved here in 2006. The designers that participate have huge hearts donating their time, talents and effort to transform a home into a true work of art, all in a matter of months. To be among them is something I’m incredibly proud of.

Year One I partnered with Erin Moore with California Closets to turn a primary closet into a space we affectionately called “Brass Monkey.” Last year, I took over a teeny tiny telephone room transforming it into a retreat for mom. Now that’s what I want for Mother’s Day!

Organized | SPACESMaria BaerApril 24, 2024The Baer Minimalistshowhouse, Design Comments

Brass Monkey | Decorators' Show House Recap

For the past 6 years, the St. Margaret’s Guild has produced the country’s longest running Decorators’ Show House & Gardens Event. It has been an annual tradition for my husband’s stepmom and me to walk through the doors and celebrate design within the Indianapolis community.

So imagine my delight when I was asked to participate this year, collaborating with Erin Moore from California Closets.

The Ultimate Guide to Organize + Stylize Your Dorm Room

Now that the littles are back in school, it’s time to prep for sending your older ones off to college! Whether this is their first year leaving the nest, or they’re returning for yet another fun year on campus, these tried + true tips are sure to help get them started off on the right foot!

With Maria as a professional organizer, and myself as a recent college grad, we have put our heads together to compile what we deem the ultimate guide to organize + stylize your dorm room. Here are a few tips from the pros…

How to Have a Healthy Relationship with Your Possessions

Have you ever been so close to donating something, and are suddenly overwhelmed with guilt? Maybe you tell yourself, “This was a gift from so and so - I can’t get rid of it!” Or maybe it was an heirloom passed down from your grandmother? Or an item you spent a little too much money on so you feel that you have to hang on to it? If you’ve ever experienced any of this, you are not alone!

A few months back I had the honor of doing an interview with Indy Maven on this exact topic, so I thought I’d give you a glimpse into the article with some of my extended answers!

Organized | LIFE, Organized | SPACESMaria BaerJuly 16, 2021The Baer MinimalistDonation Resources, DonateComment

5 Tips for Keeping Your Organized Space Looking Fab + Fresh

Alright, you’ve tidied your space and donated items that you no longer need...now what? You may be thinking, “Maria, this is the part where we pop the bubbly and relax, right?” By all means, yes! However, there’s still one more thing to tackle...how do you keep it this way?

This may sound daunting, but trust me! It’s not that hard, especially after we’ve taken the time to put a customized system in place, and will actually make your life much easier. I’ve laid out five tips for keeping your organized space, well...organized!

How in the Heck Do I Organize My...Kid's Toys

Mamas, I see you…staring at the mess of toys all over the house at the end of the day (or in our current times, all throughout the day). And I’m right there with you. But I’ve found some great storage solutions that allow me to pick up the house in five minutes or less and get on with my evening (whether that is cracking open a book, pouring a glass of wine or just crawling into bed a few minutes earlier).

Kids toys can be a whirlwind of clutter & chaos...strewn about your home in a matter of minutes. But is there a method to the madness? In my opinion, of course! I have a few tips to help keep those kids toys tidy & save you a few (ok, a lot) of headaches.

Kids toys are just one of those unavoidable things that seem to collect faster than the dust bunnies under your couch. It’s a birthday here, a holiday there & before you know it...piles of toys E V E R Y W H E R E.

Organized | LIFE, Organized | SPACESMaria BaerMarch 17, 2020The Baer Minimalist, LLCKids Space, ToysComment

2019 Highlight Reel

This year takes the cake for being my favorite yet!

On a personal level, our not so little Pair of Baers have totally transformed our lives! Our house is louder, messier and happier than we ever could have imagined. Their laughter, smiles and snuggles bring us so. much. joy.

On a professional level, after taking time off to settle into motherhood, I came back to organizing with so much renewed energy and excitement. I mean I’m always excited to help clients feel like they’ve got it together, but I felt like I could relate on a new level after becoming a mother myself.

A few of my favorite moments of the year are:

PROJECT // A Not-So Neutral Twin Nursery

Let me introduce you to my new favorite room in our house…our twin’s nursery! We are less than two weeks away from our due date and this room has been such a labor of love. We still do not know the gender of our babies, but that didn’t mean that I had to keep this room neutral, did it?

I have never been one to shy away from color when it comes to decorating my home, so our nursery was no exception! The biggest design challenge was taking this relatively small space and making it work for not one, but two babies. That second crib really threw us for a loop.

I knew I wanted to have an element of whimsy in the space and wanted to bring that in with wallpaper. I searched and searched for a statement print that I could base the rest of the room around and landed on Hunt Slonem’s bunny wallpaper. When I saw this paper up at Drapery Street in the Design Center, I knew I had to have at least a touch of it in the nursery.

This was also the first time I have ever painted walls white in my home, so I pulled in my signature stamp of color for the furniture and added a dark chair rail to break up several of the walls.

Without any further ado, here is our not-so-neutral twin nursery.

2018 Highlight Reel

Wow! 2018 was a HUGE year (my first full year in business) for The Baer Minimalist! So many exciting transformations for clients, collaborations with realtors, countless cups of coffee shared with businesses and individuals making waves in Indianapolis, and tons of drop-offs to charities in need!

What better way to say goodbye to this last trip around the sun than by highlighting my top 10 for 2018.

Organized | LIFE, Organized | SPACESMaria BaerDecember 31, 2018The Baer Minimalist, LLCIndianapolis OrganizerComment

Hacking Your Way to a Chic + Organized Holiday | Part 2

We’re back with Part 2 of our guide to hacking your way to a Chic + Organized Holiday Season. If you missed last week’s ideas, hop on over to learn the importance of a Holiday Checklist, best practices for hosting and attending events first.

These ideas are the brainchild of Caryn O’Sullivan, CEO of Drapery Street, and myself and were presented to an amazing crowd at the Indiana Design Center on November 8.

Hacking Your Way to a Chic + Organized Holiday | Part 1

Raise your hand if you are in charge of shopping for gifts each holiday season?

How about prepping the meals?

Planning out outfits for family photos? Not to mention scheduling them?

My guess is everyone has three hands raised, so we don’t even need to mention wrapping the gifts, booking flights for distant celebrations, hand addressing the holiday cards, decorating the house. I mean the list is LONG, and can certainly be a major stress during the most magical time of the year.

So when the Indiana Design Center reached out to see if I’d be open to sharing best practices and tips for a chic + organized holiday season, I jumped at the chance. I partnered with Caryn O’Sullivan, CEO of Drapery Street, and last Thursday we presented to a full house.

But I couldn’t leave you out of it, so without further ado, here are a few tried and true holiday hacks to add some joy back into your season.

Styling Your Wardrobe | An Interview with Nicole Busch

I am so excited to introduce you to Nicole Busch, aka Nicole Blair Wear, a personal brand + style expert right here in our own backyard. I met Nicole for coffee a few months back and I couldn't get enough of her infectious personality (and amazing outfit).

Nicole helps ladies look their best by weeding through their overstuffed closets to create outfits that make them feel like the best version of themselves. Seriously, how amazing is that?

On top of that, she recently collaborated with a local jewelry designer to launch her very own collection: NBW + Nicole Jewelry. Launching on June 22, 2018, they created a line that is sophisticated, edgy and sexy designed for the everyday woman. You can wear these pieces with jeans and a tee or pair with a gown. Come join in the celebratation at the official launch party on June 22 at Pure Concepts Salon in Carmel: http://evite.me/hzgnQbBPKz

I just love seeing fellow female entrepreneurs bring their dreams to life as much as I love an edited closet filled with only the very best pieces. So without further ado, let's all get to know Nicole!

The Baer Minimalist® Blog -- Tips, Tricks and Hacks on living a more ORGANIZED + STYLIZED Life