I'm still in China but I got an e-mail from Midwest Mainer a couple of weeks ago which I haven't had time to answer until now, here at the hotel on my last night. She had some interesting question and I thought I'd answer them in a post in case any of you were wondering the same things.
She writes:
What do you do with...
1. ...the stuff you aren't displaying at the moment but want to keep?
I have a stash of vases and nicknacks that I switch around to change the color schemes in different areas araound the house. They are stored in the cabinet in the dining area. Cushions to match are stored in a vintage cabinet in the boat room. Other things we're keeping are stored in boxes in the storage room off the garage workshop.
2. ... the stuff you aren't displaying at the moment but don't want to keep?
Get rid of it, no regrets!
3. ...stuff you see that is irrisistible, a very, very good deal or value (can't pass it up!!)
I try not to get it right away and instead think about it for a couple of days and usually either forget about it completely or do remember but realise it's not that irresistible after all. If I still really, really want it I get it!
4. ...stuff that you've purchased, found, inherited in some way that needs more- cleaning, painting, fixing, etc. you know just what to do but don't have time at the moment, or maybe plan to get to it on a day off or weekend.
I keep a to-do list and add it on to there. If I get something I'm usually really excited about it so it will probably get done before a lot of the less exciting things on the list. The items themselves if they are small go onto the worktop in my craft space or if big into the garage workshop . These are the places where I usually do my crafts and fixing.
5. ...holiday decor
I keep most of it in white storage boxes in the storage room. Three with Christmas items and one each with Halloween and Easter. I'll tell you more about the Christmas paraphenalia later on when we approach the holidays.
6. ...if applicable, the extra household items that can sometimes go in storage (blankets, off season clothing, humidifier)
Bulky things like the snow shovel in summer and boat related items in winter go into the storage room, extra blankets and pillows are kept in a top cabinet in Wille's room and out of season clothing are rotated in the wardrobe and heavy jackets and coats and sportsgear is stored under the stairs.
7. How do you say no to bringing something into your home? I don't mean stray dogs with fleas.....cute little this and that.... I specifically mean, how do you arrive at the discipline and what do you tell yourself to enforce it until it became a habit or part of you?
I like to not have a huge amount of stuff, at least not out in the open. I constantly edit our belongings, open cabinet doors and see if there's anything we haven't used in a while and then consider giving it away. This enables us to get some new things if we want them badly.
I really believe that if you get something "new" (new is not really new usually, it's mostly second hand, but new to us), you need to get rid of something old. I've tought Wille that too from a very early age. We have regular weed-outs when we sit on the floor in his room and toss things in three containers. One to throw in trash (when he was younger the plastic toys from Mc Donalds usually ended up there), one to recycle by giving to younger cousins or neighbors or charity shops and one with beloved but outgrown things to take downstairs to store in the storage room.
8. How can you not have a ton of supplies, books, magazines, etc.???
Again we edit. I keep the pretty pens and ask Martin to bring the rest to work where they will be used by people who are not into "pretty" pens like I am and I make goody bags with craft supplies for friends. Martin keeps a lot of non fictional books and I love my interior design books but we hardly keep any novels, just our absolute faves. The rest go to the charity shop after being read or we borrow them at the library in the first place. I tear magazines and keep the tear out's in files.
9. What item of stuff is your biggest weakness? Meaning, despite common sense, no transportation, no money, no home, etc. you'd still find a way to get it or keep it!!
I love stationery, gift wrapping items, notebooks and office supplies. I have realised though that I will never be able to use it all so I've forbidden myself to get more cards and envelopes, patterned gift wrap (solids still allowed), ribbons, gift cards and stickers, and little note books. Can't help myself sometimes though...
Also I probably don't need any more small white storage containers but I find theses really hard to resist. I do try to think of where to put them and what to put in them before I buy. Often this helps and I realise I have more than enough already. I'm still allowed to get bigger containers though :)
10. Do you believe that a person is influenced/affected by design or lack of in their home? For example, if I lived with a friend who decorated in a teddy bear, hearts, and cats type of way that is disgusting to me, would it affect me in any way and if so, how? Just a question about what you think- you don't need footnotes or quote sources! I'm just curious how you feel about it.
All I can say is I know it would affect me. I can't relax in a too fussy place. It's ok for a short stay of course but if I had to permanently live in a "non me" environment I think I'd feel uncomfortable and a little unhappy. The same probably applies to someone who likes to have a lot of stuff around and wouldn't feel comfortable in a more sleek environment and would miss her things.
My mom and I have completely different tastes and although she has a lovely home in many ways all her nick nacks drive me nuts. She on the other hand can't understand that I can leave a wall completely empty with nothing on it AND not have any proper curtains.
I hope that answers some of your queries. There will be no post tomorrow as I'm at the fair all day and then continue on the to the airport and the long flight home. I'm back at home on Monday morning. Yay, can't wait!!!
