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I can’t pretend things aren’t different. It’s summer and I’ve been going for regular walks in nature, eating al fresco in the garden, Joni Mitchell’s Hissing of Summer Lawns. But. But. Well you know. Everything is different. I’ve found blogging a little tougher with the juggle and decided to concentrate on craft last month as it seemed the kind of distraction we all needed. But I’m slowly easing back into interiors content and today wanted to share something I’ve gained from lockdown – the chance to really reassess the objects I surround myself with in the home. Not in a Marie Kondo sparking-joy kind of way, but harking for something in the same ball-park; calm and simplicity.
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One-Item-a-Week Rule;
Instead of going for wholsesale reform with a shock and awe approach I’ve been implementing small changes incrementally, setting myself the challenge of removing one item a week. The two rooms I’ve been concentrating on to start with are the bedroom and living room since they are both spaces that were beginning to feel cluttered and where I felt I was loosing a grip on the overall equilibrium. Removing one item at a time gives you space to see if you actually miss an item. It also allows space to rearrange with each removal making use of extra negative space you’ve gained. I love to be surrounded by inspiration but there is definitely a line where inspiration can blur into confusion.
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De-cluttering without removing personality. Editing in line with who you are.
Knowing your interior style and what inspires you in a space will save you (and the environment) from a lot of waste. But with so many incredibly seductive and polished interiors shots encompassing a smorgasbord of styles, finding your own fit can be a dilemma. So many lovely looks, the pressure to conform as algorithms and majority taste dominates, it can be hard not to get swayed at times by zeitgeist looks and accidentally amass objects that aren’t quite right for you. I have worked in interiors for five years now and I would still struggle to find words that incapsulate or reduce my style. Soft is one word, relaxed another, imperfect, Scandinavian with a twist, colour that doesn’t dominate, vintage but not contrived. You see what I mean? That’s a rough draft and it isn’t pithy is it?!
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The living room before, the mantelpiece was beginning to burgeon, and three trays on our small coffee table was excessive.
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When thinking about decluttering I’m keen not to reduce items with meaning. The things that are interesting are the things that tell your story, they may be chipped, not perfect, but you will want a selected synopsis of your life, though not full chapter and verse. The reason for this is that rooms need negative space to allow your eyes to focus in on the parts you want to highlight. I have definitely been guilty of over-cramming. It’s so easily done, but as we all become more aware of the quantities we consume (at no time has this been more highlighted to me than during lockdown) I hope you can see the difference in the before and after shots of the spaces I’ve tackled. I’ve removed items, re-homed others and have a large pile for charity. The space feels more able to breath with what I’ve removed, it’s hard to overestimate the difference I think it’s made.
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Streamlined not Sterile
I am never going to be a minimalist, but a well edited home is my aspiration. The objects that we choose to display which tell a story about us are vital, and very few of us would thrive in a completely sterile space. I don’t have an immense amount of stuff I don’t love, and I’m definitely not a hoarder with drawers full of rainy day items, but when you like all that you have it can make editing more tricky. No-one wants to throw away great stacks of items with lots of life left in them, even if you are sending to charity. And whilst it can be fun to clear a space out, shop your home and rearrange, if you are starting to fill the volume and not the arrangement will start to stifle. My one item trick doesn’t feel overwhelming and really allows you time to assess your decisions building up to a sparser space over time.
I’m so glad I’ve reassessed these spaces. Next up is the study which houses many items that need editing.I leave you with a corner of the dining room, this is the space I most feel I’ve got the balance right with and I’m yet to feel any dissatisfaction in here, I think if I start editing this space it will be a warning light I’ve gone too far! I’d love to know your tricks for de-cluttering that feels easy and implementable.
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