Getting a peek inside the home of Kim (Mayo) Carter can quickly dispel the myth that creativity and organization are always mutually exclusive.

The Carter home décor includes keepsakes, framed photos, repurposed craft projects, motivational sayings, vacation reminders and bargains.

She describes her decorating style as sentimental.

Despite that sentiment and her predilection for holding on to keepsakes, the three bedroom, two-bath home self-contracted by Kim and her husband Chris in 2008, looks more spacious than 1,960 square feet.

This is a home with a place for everything, and everything was in its place on the day of the interview. She admits she did not have to clean or straighten for the interview. Friends have commented on her obsessive compulsiveness.

“That’s not an official diagnosis though,” she said, laughing.

Carter makes the trait work for her. She helps others get – and stay – organized.

“I believe that it is possible for anyone to have a beautiful life,” she said. “However, being organized helps us live a more productive and efficient life, which leaves us more time to enjoy our beautiful life.”

Carter’s current handcrafted projects include using wood pallets for wall decor and making decorative bowls from vinyl records. Ten-year-old son Keagan helps. .

Carter hangs onto family heirlooms including the smallest of mementos given to her by family, for instance a vintage mug from an aunt and marbles and thimbles from her grandmother.

She still has items from her own childhood, including a mint-condition BeeGees record player.

“Keagan and I just used it the other day to listen to some Chet Atkins records,” she said.

The 39-year-old is a music fan of various genres. Her parents have always been involved in music. Carter didn’t carry on the same singing and guitar-playing tradition. However, she does decorate with records and other musical memorabilia.

Souvenirs from family vacations dot various vignettes, including purchased seashells and found treasures like a small rusty boat propeller. Carter still has the dime necklace from a childhood vacation to the Denver mint.

She frequents second-hand shops and flea markets for home décor and most of her clothing. She considers the world globe and stand she bought during an anniversary getaway a stellar find at $25.

“Chris says I’m addicted to Goodwill and Care Help,” Carter said, beaming a toothy smile. “I’m at Goodwill so much on 50-cent Friday, people think I work there.”

The Carter home may be able to hold more memorabilia, crafts and bargain clothing not only because of Carter’s penchant for order but because of the planning that went into the design of the home. The Carters decided on lifestyle and storage needs and incorporated those ideas into a loose, hand-drawn floor plan.

“With the price of building being what it is, we wanted to feel that we had the room we needed, but we didn’t want any wasted space,” Carter said.

Carter positioned her laundry near the front door, rather than the back where most of her guests enter. The laundry room is spacious and beautiful because Carter knew she would be spending a lot of time there.

“It’s where I start and finish my day,” she said.

Closets aren’t overly big, but shelves were included in each bedroom closet.

Builders objected to her kitchen pantry size, saying it was too large in comparison to the kitchen size. She stuck to her guns. She also had to stand her ground on paint color choices. The painters resisted using more than just a couple of paint colors and using more than one color in a single area.

Floors are stained concrete even though others suggested carpet would feel better. The Carters knew they had made the right decision after appliances caused flooding in the home on two occasions.

In addition to Carter’s need for order and planning the space to accommodate the family’s storage and lifestyle, Carter also keeps the house fresh by changing out and rearranging displays.

“If you come next week, everything may look different,” she said.

“Our home isn’t fancy or formal or typical,” Carter said. “The decorations were not chosen by interior decorators or ordered from prestigious companies.”

In Carter’s house the décor evokes great memories.

“We each have chosen things we find special or unique,” she said. “While most of our belongings possess little to no value, the memories behind them are priceless….It’s the unique expression of our style, along with the sentimental value that makes it home.”

Kim Carter uses affordable see-through containers that are well-labeled in a well-lighted and decorated laundry room. (Rita LeBleu / American Press)