Jean McIndoe and Jude Kellett are the professional organisers behind Keep Calm All Sorted, a tailored organising and decluttering service that tackles the clutter in homes, styling a house for sale, downsizing, managing a bereavement, and more.

With over 100 house moves under their belt, the Keep Calm All Sorted team understands the stresses involved. They are experts in decluttering, packing, unpacking and setting up new homes, with years of experience in handling precious items. They create detailed catalogues of each box’s contents, meaning you’ll know exactly where everything is.

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WILLIAMS MEDIA spoke to Jean and Jude about the business and their partnership with Kay & Burton Concierge, a referral service covering all property-related needs.

What was the inspiration to start Keep Calm All Sorted?

Jude was selling her home in Armadale and the Agent called in a stylist to style the home for sale. We met for a cup of coffee after Pilates and decided it would be fun to do the pre-sale declutter ourselves. The stylist was blown away with what we had done and asked if we would be interested in working for her. We decided then that we could start our own. 

Over the years, we have re-located both domestically and internationally with our families, so have become expert in the art of decluttering, sorting, styling and organising homes. As our children were nearing the end of school we were keen to rejoin the workforce and wanted to reinvent ourselves. This was the perfect opportunity.

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Where in Melbourne do you work?

We work all over Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula and the Bellarine Peninsula.

No job is too big or small, though we have a four hour minimum for any job. One of our smallest jobs was when we were approached by a charity who were organising a Charity Ball, we donated a four hour kitchen organisation and declutter as an auction item. We took everything out of the winner's cupboards and pantry and rearranged the entire kitchen, disposing of any expired food, chipped plates and the hundreds of mismatched plastic containers without the lids! 

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One of our largest assignments was a beautiful home a family had lived in for 35 years. It was time to downsize after their children had moved out. We were called in to declutter and style for the sales campaign. After the house was sold we organised the pack up, removal company, cleaners and rubbish removal and the set up of their new home. 

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What is the most terrifying brief you’ve been given by a client?

A client whose elderly mother had lived in her home for over 45 years was moving into a smaller flat and needed her mother's home packed and decluttered in three days for photographs.

Did you take it on?

Yes we did despite being very last minute. It was made more difficult as the mother was very resistant to the home being sold, but our team completed it quickly and efficiently. Our client was very happy and we still keep in contact with her.

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What attracted you to join Kay & Burton Concierge’s team of trusted referral partners?

Kay & Burton are leaders in the premium real estate market in Melbourne and operate in a market that appreciates the value of premium service. They understand the importance of our work and how it adds value to a sale. The Concierge team with their experience and professionalism provide us with many opportunities through their large contact base. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone about de-cluttering?

People always underestimate the time it takes and stress involved in decluttering and preparing your house for sale. It is very important as it adds value to your home. Decluttering makes the rooms look larger and more open. A potential buyer needs to be able to imagine themselves living in the space.

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What is the nicest comment you’ve had from a client?

‘I’ve used Jude and Jean twice now. Once for a declutter and again for a house move. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough. They are friends, organisers, packers and interior stylists all rolled into one fabulous package. They both have kids and they just understand how a busy house needs to be organised and how best to achieve that. They are brilliant.’

How do you persuade clients to declutter?

Throwing stuff away is always difficult. Even as veterans of the decluttering game, we know how soul destroying it can be to say goodbye to your once 'favourite' pair of jeans. We have a few tricks up our sleeve to help people ‘let go’ and move past the initial heart break.

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1. Start with less personal objects to ease into it. Decluttering is not dissimilar to ripping off a bandage. While the prospect of ripping half your body hair off may seem daunting, it is best approached with a swift and calm tug. After that first item is chucked, the bandage is off and it only gets easier.
2. Ask questions. Sometimes all it takes is a few practical questions to uncover that there is nothing special about that favourite pair of jeans, other than they’ve sat at the back of the wardrobe for the past decade and are old enough to be called vintage. Remember, (in the words of Marie Kondo) if it doesn’t bring you joy, chuck it!
3. Speaking of vintage, throwing away can be sustainable. There’s a huge market of people who would kill for that flared pair of vintage jeans, not all your items need to end up in land fill. We always prioritise donating or selling items before disposing of them.
4. Perhaps the most important trick of all - a decluttered home means a decluttered mind. No matter how daunting it may feel initially, people always appreciate the sense of freedom they discover with a clean and tidy house, where they can actually see every pair of jeans!

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What do you do in your spare time?

Jude - In my free time, I enjoy socialising with friends and exercising, particularly Pilates, walking and skiing. Where I live, I am fortunate to be surrounded by great restaurants, fabulous food markets and beautiful parks, making it easy to live a healthy and active lifestyle. We are lucky to do something we genuinely love and enjoy every day, making others’ lives more organised and stress-free.

Jean - I am very lucky to have started a business with a great friend, it is something we enjoy and lends itself to our strengths. I love travelling and have a daughter living in London so am looking forward to being able to see her soon. My two dogs enjoy taking me for walks and I love unwinding with a good Netflix binge.

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