In Harmony with Your Home
Organizing ~ Decluttering
Packing ~ Unpack/Put Away
Holiday & All-Occasion Decorating
Tao
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(pronounced dow)
Taoism is an ancient Eastern philosophy
meaning 'The Way'. It is the principle of being in harmony with the natural order of things. I firmly believe that an organized, functional and lovely dwelling means the way to a sharper, clearer mind, and an energized, inspired and harmonized YOU!
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Services & Rates
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Below is a brief example of my services.
I am happy to discuss more in depth about your individual needs, whether it be organizing kitchen cupboards, creating an efficient office space, making sense of a hall closet or helping to declutter a garage from a lifetime accumulation of 'stuff'. I am also an experienced packer and my creative outlet is to decorate, curate and stage. Let's chat!
Organizing
Decluttering
Packing ~ Unpack/Put Away
Holiday & All-Occasion Decorating
Rates & Fees
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My hourly rate starts at $40 and ranges up to $60 depending on the particulars.
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I have a 4 hour minimum per day
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If requested, I will do text/phone/video consultations at the determined rate
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For a commute over 10 miles I charge a standard reimbursement rate (.70 cents per mile for 2025)
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I request a 24 hour cancellation notice.
Any notice less than 24 hours will incur a charge of half of my 4 hour minimum fee
About
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Ciao+Tao=Tciao!
(Just riffing on my Sicilian heritage and my love of language, but I digress...)
Ciao! I'm Marti Jo Pennisi, owner and CHO (chief harmony operator) of
The Tao of Dwelling
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I'm a Southern California native through and through. I was born in a southland suburb, raised and schooled in San Diego, lived and worked on the Central Coast, moved to Los Angeles in 1997 and eventually landed in Glendale with my partner Arturo in 2013.
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I have been a professional stage actress/singer/dancer, a bartender at a popular German tavern, a yoga instructor of 14 years and an Inclusion Assistant at a charter high school, helping students with disabilities. That said, home is where my heart is and where my creativity gets ignited.
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Since 2016 I've been helping clients in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Louis Obispo counties simplify and slough what they no longer need, create order from the everyday chaos of living, stage, curate and arrange furnishings and, pack/unpack when moving.
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I take great pride and comfort in my own dwelling and want to help others achieve the same in theirs. Transforming a space motivates and inspires me and I am truly delighted when I can help my clients meet or exceed their expectations. AND, maybe more importantly, I provide the moral support needed for what can often be a daunting and overwhelming venture.
Reviews
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Words From My Clients
Hire MJ!!!
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She is super smart, takes initiative, hard-working, fun...there aren't enough words. PLUS, she can read your mind as to what you need done! I had a two bedroom apartment that doubled as my office space in addition to a three story home and she tackled both single-handedly!
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Dawn Simon
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Marti was a godsend!
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She walked into our stress, took a leadership role and immediately had our confidence! She is competent, a self-starter and she handled our heirlooms and belongings with as much care as we have for them. She is trustworthy, efficient, methodical, and is one of the warmest, kindest people who was a joy to be around. She became a good friend in the process.
Linda Kane & Grace Hitchcock
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MJ's work literally changed my life!
Sounds corny, but it's true. During the pandemic I let a lot of crap build up. It was really depressing me. MJ went way above and beyond what I expected. Her attention to detail is amazing! Plus she's a really nice person who's enjoyable to talk with. She's really awesome.
Peter Johansen
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I had the good fortune to find Marti!
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Moving across country at the age of 88, after 30 years in Los Angeles, was a challenge and I needed expert help. I had a large, treasured collection of artwork, sculpture and paintings that Marti treated as if they were her own! Everything arrived unscathed and intact. I highly recommend her.
Neil Vipond
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Marti's work is transformational!
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She worked hard to help me purge my garage and beautify my house in a way that I could not have done myself. Nothing short of miraculous!
Deborah Wagner
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For lovely results...call Marti!
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If you want to downsize, declutter or organize and you know what you want, but haven't started, she will help you to implement a plan. If you don't have a clue (like me), she enthusiastically guides you to make it happen.
Elisabeth Lee
Marti Jo is a genius!
If you're entirely exhausted by the clutter you've amassed over time, then MJ truly has a 'Matrix'-like ability to see through it all and get you organized and/or packed... even the most daunting of tasks! We had both small and large projects and she handled them equally well. If you're staring at what you have in front of you and feel like crying,
CALL HER NOW!
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Vanessa McGrady & Richard Tatum
I enjoyed working with MJ!
I assisted her in packing up an abundant three story home. Marti oversaw all of the remaining work after the client had partially moved at an earlier date. It was overwhelming and I doubted it could be done in the given time, but I was impressed with Marti Jo's 'pressure under fire' work ethic, efficient strategy and keen sense of supervision which made it all possible.
Felicia Diaz
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Contact
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Thanks for reaching out. I'd be happy to help you.
Please don’t hesitate to email, call or text me.
323 497-4915
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
-Lao Tzu