Monday, January 25, 2016

Less is More, more or less

Stack of moving boxes.

I have been thinking a lot lately about how we spend the first half of our lives accumulating things and then spend the latter half trying to off load things - at least in my family that seems to be the case. My mother, now in her mid 80's  has spent the last 30 years giving away many of her possessions to her children. I used to be thrilled to receive these bits and bobs, but I seem to have now entered a new phase in my life - I want to declutter, pare down, off-load, but my children aren't really at a stage that they want any of it.

This approach is even extending to my clothes and accessories. There used to be a time when a wardrobe like this would have sent my heart racing....
 

 ...but now I am more drawn to something simple like these below...


  I have been reading about the concept of a capsule wardrobe and how when women have downsized their wardrobes to just a few basic items, they have found that it saves them both time and money and is so much easier to get dressed for the day - this is something that men have probably known for ages - but have been keeping to themselves! While I would like to drastically simplify my wardrobe, it is a process and a  commitment and will require a bit of mental adjustment  so will probably be the subject of another blogpost down the track.

 

In today's post I thought I would talk about bedrooms and how important I think it is to have this space be as calm, peaceful and uncluttered as possible. I believe that a cluttered environment leads to a cluttered mind and how can one have a good night's sleep with a cluttered mind! I also believe that so many of the illnesses suffered by our generation are stress related and surely, going to sleep or waking up in an environment that is overfilled with stuff adds to our stress. I'm not talking about going minimalist here - I am not and will never be a minimalist - but just the idea that your bedroom furniture could be limited to a bed, bedside table and perhaps a chair or chest of drawers and on your bedside table, you might only need 3 items instead of a surface cluttered with things  So here are some bedrooms that have inspired me and will hopefully inspire you to create a peaceful haven for your nightly rest.....


 













I feel more relaxed just looking at these. And did you notice that they are all decorated in subtle, muted shades, no bright colours here to jar the senses. I think I will sign off now because I feel I a little nap coming on. I will leave you with a quote....


Till next time

x Sharon


Sunday, January 5, 2014

"Undecorating"


I love a new year. I love that feeling of renewed hope, both for myself and the world in general. I have stopped making resolutions that I don't or can't keep, but I do feel that 2014 has the potential to be a fabulous year for all of us.

To quote Einstein " Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."

To my readers all over the world, a heartfelt thank you for your continued support of my blog and wishing you a New Year filled with possibilities!



On to today's post.... as much as I love decorating for Christmas, I think I prefer the "undecorating" after the event.


You might find it hard to believe, but I think I might be a closet minimalist.


When all the decorations are down and packed away, my home looks very bare and uncluttered and I love it.


The furniture seems to have more room to breath without being adorned with accessories.....



The art on the walls doesn't have to compete for attention....


...the light fittings become more noticeable....


....the air flows through the rooms...


...and the few decorative items that are displayed make more of a statement.


But, alas, it doesn't last!


I like beautiful things...


....and I like displaying beautiful things....


 ....and I probably have too many beautiful things....


....so they slowly, but surely creep back out of the cupboards and onto a table here or a dresser there....


...and before I know it, the minimalist look is gone.



Do you suffer from the same malaise?



What I should do, is keep many of my things packed away....


....and when I want to take something out to display, force myself to remove something else...a sort of rotation basis...


I have a friend who is like that with her wardrobe....every time she buys a new item of clothing, she forces herself to throw an existing item out!


Sadly, I don't think I have that kind of discipline....


...and I am quite attached to many of my things....


So I just have to rely on Christmas coming every year (luckily, so far, its been very reliable)


...and then I can make a fresh start after the "undecorating".



Till next time
x Sharon


Image source: 1. Cote de Texas 2. Sweet Montana 3. Cote de Texas 4.  Decorare  13. Cote de Texas 18.  From Greenwich 19.  Rik Storms 20. Christophe Living.com 21.  Under Spanish Moss.  All other pictures from Tumblr and Pinterest