If you get home from a busy working day or a hectic school run and wonder whose messy house you’ve actually stepped into, it’s probably time you gave your home some TLC and discovered what your carpet really looks like under all that Lego. But just how do you go about Marie Kondo-ing your home here in the UAE? Gina Positano is one of Home Club ME’s approved vendors, offering professional home organisation and interior decorating services through her company Gina Positano Designs, based in Dubai. Read on to find out how Gina’s passion and talent helps clients discover the power of a clutter-free home, transforming their houses into tidy, beautifully decorated havens…

Tell us more about Gina Positano…

I am a passionate and energetic woman, originally from Chicago. I am also a mother to two absolutely amazing girls. I have lived in several countries and this is my second stint in the United Arab Emirates. The first time I lived in Dubai it was for 2.5 years, and this time it has been 19 months already.

 Tell us how your passion for interior decorating started and how you turned it into a career…

When I was last living in Chicago a few years ago, a new neighbour moved into the house behind me and we had a few neighbourly chats. During one such meeting, it came up that his new home was a bit of a mess and he had not thought about his décor. So we met professionally for a consultation, he hired me and I totally transformed his place into a home he loved to be in. From that job my passion for interior decorating really took off. I also started a Professional Organising business in the USA in 2012.

Can you explain what the difference is between interior design and interior decoration?

Interior designers work closely with architects to design the interior space and have a high level of experience within the construction field. Interior decorating involves furnishing a space with beautiful décor to improve the functionality and aesthetic appeal of that space. In a country like the UAE where many expats rent, interior decorating services are very popular as it is cosmetic and doesn’t involve deep renovations, which is the forte of interior design. I absolutely love interior decorating and I am currently studying for my Interior Designer Diploma at a school here in Dubai.

Tell us about your first project in the UAE…  

After getting to know my neighbour across the street, she ended up hiring me for my Professional Organising services, to declutter her closet and kitchen. During our consultation sessions, she told me that her mother had passed many things down to her and she found herself doing this with her own daughter. As a result, her closets and cabinets were packed full of items that she never used. She loved the effect that my work had on her closets and kitchen, so she employed me further to declutter and reorganise her entire house and I also helped her with interior decorating. 

Can you explain the concept of the home organising and decluttering services you offer?

People are often so busy and their home is the last thing they tend to take care of. Work and looking after the children takes priority and the house can be left looking cluttered and a bit messy. I work with my clients to discover how they want to feel in their home, and we go through the items they have collected over the years and help them to declutter what they no longer need or use. I then arrange the sale of such items or donate them to a local charity. After the clutter has gone, I implement more efficient home organisational systems which are also very easy for the client to maintain. In the end, the client’s home is clutter-free which helps them live in a simpler and more functional space, making them feel a lot happier and at peace when they are home.

Talk us through the service your clients can expect to receive when hiring you…

To start with, I offer a free consultation to determine the client’s needs concerning their home, for both interior decorating and professional organising. If it is predominantly interior decorating services that the client requires, I provide mood boards to give them an idea of my vision. After the concept is agreed, I source and shop for all the items needed, and arrange for them to be delivered and set up in their home. I also sell any old or unused items that the client wants to get rid of to make room for the new items. If the project focuses more on organising, then the process is as mentioned previously: consultation, decluttering and implementing new home organisational systems. Either way, when I am finished, my clients’ houses are transformed into beautiful, stylish and clutter-free homes.

Let us talk interior trends; do you have a distinct style?

My personal style is modern and I really love colour. As far as trends go, I have always just gone with what makes me feel alive and whatever I adore, not what a magazine tells me is trendy and I should have. In terms of colour, I love light grey as it is always a good base colour when decorating and it complements a lot of other bolder colours.

 What inspires you? 

Travelling, for sure! This is an absolute passion of mine. I travelled around Spain last summer and I was really drawn to the décor in many of the restaurants and hotels I visited; they oozed relaxation and style. I am also inspired by my kids, colour and art, and I have a guilty pleasure of watching far too many home renovation shows; my favourite show is Property Brothers.

What are your top three tips for someone embarking on their first DIY interior room makeover? 

Sit down and ask yourself: “How does my room make me feel? How do I want to feel in this room? What interior styles inspire me the most?” Then, call me! By asking yourself these questions, you’ll have a clearer idea of what you want from the space, and a more defined brief to give me, should you call me for help transforming your home.

 What’s next for Gina Positano Designs?

I have recently started painting and crafting small home décor items, and I have already added a couple of my paintings into different clients’ homes which I am so incredibly thrilled to have done. I am also looking into taking woodworking classes to build bigger items, and — of course — I want to continue helping people transform their space so it can be a place of peace, where they can feel comfort and ease at the end of the day. 

If you’d like to find out more about Gina Positano Designs, head to Gina’s profile page on Home Club ME’s approved vendor list. For more tips on decluttering, head to our dedicated page all about home organisation and storage or check out inspiring DIY and interior décor ideas.