Special offer for knowitall.ch readers (see conditions below)
The biggest problem with your own mess is taking the leap to let someone else see it! Some people are naturally tidy, clutter-less, and organized. Some are overwhelmed by other happenings in their life, so much so that they don't see the build-up of items around them. Shoved behind closed doors, hidden under beds, objects inserted in every nook and cranny... they know it isn't good to have so much stuff... but where to start?
Virginie Dor, founder of Space of Mine, offers a professional organizing service designed to help individuals without judgement, without criticism, without pointing fingers or blame. Virginie holds a degree in psychology and is the vice-president of the Swiss Association of Professional Organizers (Swiss-APO) and is a Golden Member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). She not only is an expert in clutter control, work flow, space planning, and time management, but she also uses proven organizing principles to make the process as painless as possible.
The award-winning interior designer, Stephanie Kasel, is offering knowitall.ch readers a generous 5% discount on all services booked through her before the end of May 2018.
Given the glowing recommendation that we have just received about her services, and the fact that Stephanie has recently received an award in the Interior Design Private Residence category of the prestigious 2017-2018 European Property Awards, this is a wonderful opportunity for anyone seeking inspiration for an upcoming home renovation project.
Recent client, Gaby Cissé, was so impressed with her work that she wrote to us and said, “I usually don't do this but I am so pleased with her work on our house I wanted to see if I could recommend our interior decorator based in Geneva and Nyon to Know-it-all. She's English speaking and just a pillar of efficiency and taste!”
© Jeff Danziger. Global Geneva Magazine: Off the Wall: Donald Trump’s Global Reset
Since the publication of its 76-page pilot issue last December, 2016, the new Global Geneva Magazine has now come out with its April-May, 2017, print and e-edition.
The editorially-independent English-language publication, which comes out six times a year and focuses on quality reporting with insight on ‘international Geneva’ themes, also provides regular articles online. While the majority of its content draws on its world-wide network of over 2,000 journalists, photographers, cartoonists, film-makers, producers and specialists, Global Geneva also serves as an ‘oped’ platform for members of the Global Geneva Support Community to contribute articles that are non-promotional and meet the magazine’s editorial standards.
“The purpose of Global Geneva is to offer critical reporting with good writing that is compelling and not politically correct,” maintains Swiss-American editor, Edward Girardet. “Our aim is to provoke open debate of key issues in the public interest, such as the potential impact of Trump’s policies on international Geneva and the world or the manner with which France is allowing uncontrolled property developers to destroy local cultural heritage and dictate urban division in the Lake Geneva region. These are issues that concern us all, but which need better and more consistent reporting. We’re trying to support a return to quality journalism.”
If you are looking to buy a property in the French Alps, or indeed you have a property to sell, it can be quite a daunting process if your French is not great, or you don’t know the region well.
If you only speak English, it is tempting to use one of the UK-based firms to manage the process for you, but if they don’t have local people “on the ground”, then you are potentially missing out on a wealth of information, which can make or break a deal, and result in you buying a far from perfect mountain getaway.
Likewise, if you insist on using a local French-speaking agency to search for your ideal property, you risk overlooking the small details – either the agents don’t understand what you are searching for, or you totally misunderstand the small print on the contract!
Clearly the ideal solution is to deal with a company that has agents who live in the region and understand the market like a local, but who appreciate some of the finer points that matter to international buyers, and can take you through the entire process of buying a property from initial search through to signing of contracts – in your own language!
One company, which has been doing this for nearly 20 years, but which has only recently been brought to our attention, is Alpine Property. A web-based, French-registered estate agency, Alpine Property currently has 17 bilingual agents, who live and work in the Haute Savoie region of France.
If you’re considering embarking on a home or garden renovation project this year, then you should take a look at what the Swiss-registered English-speaking building company, PURE BUILD, can offer you.
Working since 2006 and rebranded as 'PURE BUILD' in 2012, Greg Brown will manage the entire project for you, from initial concept and sourcing architects, through to interior design and/or planting trees.
The branding PURE BUILD reflects the aim to be as sustainable and environmentally conscious as possible, using sustainable materials, responsible waste management and efficient transport and work ethics.
PURE BUILD specializes in two main fields: Home Renovations including carpentry, masonry and decoration; and Garden Landscaping, which includes terraces, earth works, masonry, carpentry and plant science.
