About My Feathered Hat
Who We Are and Why We Get It
We are two lifelong friends whose personal experiences led us to embrace this work. We both are children of refugee parents who held onto whatever precious items they could take with them. Collectively we’ve moved/downsized our own families six times, each time needing to consider feelings, time, other family members, money and space. Eventually extended family, friends and colleagues started asking us to do this work for them and a business was born.
A Compassionate Approach
We know that things are not "just things" — they're memories, pieces of our past, our heritage. When you're in the midst of a major life change like a move, downsizing, getting ready for new addition, etc. figuring out what to do with everything can feel overwhelming. But we've found that paring down can not only be freeing, it often makes for more comfortable living spaces, can contribute to society, and be financially helpful. My Feathered Hat promises empathetic, efficient and stress-free solutions. We look forward to making your life and home better.
Our Soup-to-Nut Services
Concierge Move Management
We will manage your entire move. As much or as little as you need — from helping you decide what not to take, packing up, creating a floor plan for your new home, negotiating with and overseeing moving companies and building management, to unpacking and getting your new digs move-in ready. (We'll even stock your pantry or get the wifi installed for you if you choose.)
Senior Transitions
Moving your parents from their lifelong home to a facility or smaller space? Or just want to make their current place safe to age in? Don't let the logistics stress you out. We've got you, your loved ones and family treasures covered.
Estate and Clear-Outs
We've got decades of experience with sales, consignment, up-cycling, dispersal and donation of items big and small. We will work with you to create a plan for your unwanted items based on your goals, including space needs, finances, design choices and more. We will catalog and photograph your belongings, pack up and drop off items for charitable donation, arrange for junk removal and oversee every step of the sale process. Our network of appraisers, auction houses, dealers, online sellers and charitable organizations is broad and deep, (Recent jobs have included Golden Globe statues, beanie babies, and vintage Lionel train sets.)
Decluttering and Home Organization
Whether you are empty nesters reimagining your space, grandparents in need of a fun, safe play area, or just sick of not being able to find things, we can help you repurpose and transform your existing space. We assist in all aspects of decluttering from closets to kitchens to storage facilities. Decluttering may seem daunting but we promise your home will feel more livable, more beautiful and a whole less stressful.
Cool Extra Stuff
The team can also help you and your family with staging and preparing your home for sale,
creating a digital household inventory (important for insurance purposes), and even video storytelling to memorialize your family's legacy and treasures.
Recent Projects
Man of Letters
- Rare books were not the only valuables unearthed while clearing out the jam-packed office, townhouse and country home of a nonagenarian academic.
- A 20-year correspondence with playwright Samuel Beckett, rare European coins, modern artworks by Paul Jenkins, Christo, Francoise Gilot and others were among the items sold through Christies, Doyle and Swann auction houses.
- A collection of books were also donated to New York University.
Hollywood Legacy
- The estate liquidation of an Academy Award winning screenwriter needed the right outlets for the treasure trove of Hollywood memorabilia.
- Original annotated screenplays, rare books, film props, posters, ephemera and more were sold privately and through Julien's Auction house.
- We also negotiated with the New York Public Library's reknowned Billy Rose Collection to acquire a substantial donation.
Five-Story Townhouse to Normal-Sized Apartment
Five-Story Townhouse to Normal-Sized Apartment
- We helped our friend's father downsize from a sprawling Upper West Side town house where he had lived for over 50 years to more modest two bedroom apartment,
- Paring down was an emotional process but along the way, we heard many stories of travels with his wife, family life and business triumphs.
- We donated a ton to the Opera Thrift Shop but kept the important stuff like his bobblehead collection and mugs from all the grandkids. Now he's happily ensconced in his new bachelor pad and doesn't miss a thing.
Meet the Team
Claudia Strauss
Claudia Strauss
Claudia Strauss
Claudia began her career in the antiques, collectibles and auction space prior to pursuing her MBA. Then she built and managed large, award winning marketing teams as CEO of a global creative agency. Claudia never gave up her love for antiques and collectibles and continues to be an ardent student of trends, prices and the overall market globally. Bringing her passion and management skills to My Feathered Hat to truly make a difference in people's lives has been an honor and a joy.
Kathy Bishop
Claudia Strauss
Claudia Strauss
In her first chapter, Kathy was an award-winning content executive at top media companies. She was Editor in Chief of several national magazines including Mode and Access TV. From the jump on the start-up team of Elle magazine, she learned the value of "less is more", Kathy brings the art of curation and editing to each project with My Feathered Hat. She believes an uncluttered page has much in common with an uncluttered home — both allow the important things to shine.