' "Organizing is not about shuffling things around; it’s taking an honest look at what you have, keeping what you need, letting go of the rest, and organizing what’s left."
Laura Leist, Eliminate Chaos

Simplified Living at Work:

  Client List:
WVEC Hampton Roads
WAVY TV/Fox 43
NASA Langley
Dr. Tanya Brown, DDS
The Williams School
The Frieden Agency
Mary Kay Cosmetics
McMahon Creative
Virginia Beach Public Library System
MOPS of Hampton Roads
WHRO public radio


In 2005, my husband and I purchased a house in a beautiful tree-lined neighborhood. The house had great bones but needed to be updated. Before we closed we started lining up contractors to come in and do renovations to make this house our home. Two years later, we made it through all the renovations while living in the home. Now we had to tackle a product of two + years of renovations – all the boxes we accumulated as well as boxes that never were unpacked because the renovations started so soon after we moved into the house. All this was caused by us packing and shifting boxes from room to room until we had so many boxes we didn’t even know what was in all of them. Most of the time we just closed off the doors where the boxes were being stored (you know, out of sight, out of mind). It was a daunting task and both of us were so wore out due to the renovations, we didn’t even know where to begin. ENTER the fabulous owner of Simplified Living, Amy Volk. We chatted on the phone and I liked her immediately. She had such an amazing personality along with mass amounts of energy that matched my own. She also made me feel so at ease and assured me that I had nothing to be embarrassed about concerning the mass clutter my husband and I had accumulated through our renovations. She came in and did an assessment and within one hour, assured me that she and her team could assist us in making our house into a home we could be proud of for years to come. Since we were both so over all the clutter we accumulated, it was easy for us to work with her team and clear out what felt like to us, enough stuff that would fit in the back of an 18-wheeler semi truck. Of course Amy assured us that was not the case. It took her team only 4 days what would have taken us weeks.

We were able to donate a lot items to some amazing charities. We took great pride in all that we were able to donate. We are extremely grateful to Amy and her team of wonder women, Julie and Princess – because they gave us back our home. It is beautifully organized and we can now see all the beautiful renovations that were done these past 3 years. “THANKS so much” doesn’t adequately describe how grateful we are to Simplified Living.
- D. Godek

After inheriting all items from my grandmother's house and my mother's house within twelve months, my house was packed with boxes and piles of "stuff." Most rooms looked like the opening scenes from an episode on HGTV. Cleaning was disappointing, because I couldn't tell where the stuff and dirt lines began and ended. I'm still not certain what was in the pantry! Finally, I called Amy. With Amy's help, my home is now livable; rooms have function and beauty! Even my husband, Mr. Skeptic, is thrilled with the outcome; we look around and realize how much space we really have and love it! We didn't need a bigger house, we needed an organized home! Bottom line: I should have called Amy a year earlier.
- Abie Tremblay

When I called Amy Volk from Simplified Living to ask for information about her organizing business, I liked her immediately. I like that during our phone conversation, she offered suggestions and a book and no pressure whatsoever to hire her. I liked that she is a mom herself and used to be an Intensive Care Unit nurse, a smart and caring person. Still, thinking I should be able to organize the house on my own, I put the idea of hiring a professional organizer on a back burner; however, I found myself overwhelmed, lacking the know-how to get my house truly organized.

A month later, I called her back to set up an appointment to come and work on the kitchen and the kids' rooms. I decided to start with the children's rooms because I want them to learn the skills to create a peaceful space for themselves, skills that I'm learning now as an adult. She and another gifted organizer, Princess, came and worked their magic over three half-days at my house. My daughter's and son's rooms went from overstuffed, cluttered storehouses for old toys, books, and clothes to fun, neatly organized rooms that reflect their individual personalities. They love their rooms now and take such pride in them. When they need to clean up, they know the home for every item in their room.

Amy and Princess next organized my kitchen, including the pantry and "The Pile." That would be the pile of mail, school projects, and bills that constantly occupied a space on my counter. Fast forward two half-days: We have established systems for each member of the family to take care of assignments and paperwork, my counters are cleared, and cooking is more efficient and fun with my newly arranged pantry and cabinets.

As I look around my house now, I find I'm still surprised sometimes by the calm and peace. Having my house organized has freed me up to enjoy my life more fully, without the distraction of clutter waiting to be handled. For me, Simplified Living has been a gift that I'm glad I finally gave to myself.
- Melissa Deutsch