Whenever I walk into a client’s home and see one of those large floral boxes of tissues in the living room, I ask, “Do you really need to have those out on the coffee table/end table/media cabinet?”

I realize that I sound like a la-di-da decorator but why oh why does anyone require a big unattractive rectangular dispenser? Even when one has a cold or allergies, aren’t the small square boutique size boxes sufficient?  Does it make sense to keep a giant size box (which requires more paper production and takes up twice the space of the smaller ones) in the bathroom, the smallest room in the house? I don’t think so. While I’m at it, why don’t tissues come in plain white boxes? In 2010, paper boxes manufactured with colored dyes and printing and faux designs are so unnecessary and un-eco-conscious. And, hasn’t Kimberly Clark heard that everyone is trying to go green, downsize and declutter?

Therefore, may I propose that we all save trees and resources by using only small sized boxes and that we put good-looking covers over each one – perhaps made of metal or wood – so that they coordinate with our rooms’ decor? If we do, the boxes and our homes will look more elegant and cohesive. Sigh… just thinking about it brings tears of joy to my eyes. Would you mind passing the you-know-whats?