My tastes are changing and have been for some time. I have repeatedly mentioned that I am interested in a sparse look, less clutter. So what do I do with all this stuff?
Mom's area is now the dining room, larger than our original small room. I am tired of dusting chairs in a room we don't use, tired of looking at the clutter, so the old dining room will be cleaned out. If we have a large party (when hell freezes over), a simple adjustment can accommodate more guests here. As an example, this is what I am trying to accomplish - less items, focus on pieces, calm and peaceful.
Before - Bowls and stitching and dookies and loaded cupboards.
After - A door will be made to close the cupboard but until then, the baskets stand out as they should, not a bunch of smalls that the eye just flits over. A writing and stitching table with plenty of light and little clutter. A chandelier pulled out of the way (I want to sell this one). When the doors close the cupboard, you will notice the samplers on the wall. It's not as it will be when finished, but closer.
Now where do I put the chairs? And the monster bowl that is too large to set anywhere? It's always something.
********************
16 comments:
Beautiful changes. As a writer, I really think your update looks very inviting!
Love the cleaner look .. simplify.
I'd put that huge bowl right back up on the table and use it to reflect the different seasons... especially the one that is coming Autumn. Filling it with small pumpkins and gourds would add a hint of seasonal colour without being overpowering.
Less clutter is wonderful and your table is beautiful but inspiration can be found in the shades of Nature in the form of that bowl full of Fall harvests that you may be inspired to include in the threads of your lovely samplers.
Susan
great changes, especially the cupboard with the baskets...I'm slowly marching towards my version of minimalism...
Love the way the cupboard looks now. The question about the bowl is do you want to keep it? Think you'll want to put it out next year? Or ebay?
I remember when you bought the bowl and loved it so much. It looks like it belongs on your table. I agree that it needs to be filled with everything "Autumn".
I hope your weather is as nice as it is here in Va.
Charlotte in Va.
Based on the amount of things I have, I think old dining room was pretty sparse...lol! I don't think I will ever subscribe to the philosophy "less is more".
Both looks are great. Do what makes you happy.
Happy Saturday :)
Lauren
Now this is going to go against most here, but I do have an answer for you on what to do with all your stuff. I have not even mentioned this on my blog, but I have been busy purging "stuff". We are downsizing. We have been selling our stuff or giving it away. My big dough bowl, I sold. Hard choices I have never made before, I am making.
We downsized from 5 bedrooms/4 baths to a temporary 2 bed/2baths apt. Last month. Next weekend we are off to Vermont to look at smaller homes. I reveled in the downsizing and don't miss the big house a bit. Like you, my tastes are changing and I am embracing the simpler look. Unlike you, I'll be embracing full-on winter. Bring the snow! I think your dining room looks great either way, but I agree with bringing back the big bowl with seasonal stuff.
It's amazing what difference a few small changes can make. The room looks really great! I've been working on decluttering as well. It's a huge job, but I'd rather do it now when I can take my time, than later when I might be under a time constraint. I just painted my kitchen (not a fun job!) and am going to take my time putting things back on the walls until I'm sure I want everything. One room at a time!
I'm really thinning out too, Marly. Selling and giving things away. I don't want a house full of stuff when I'm too old to take care of it. Better to sell now and enjoy the money! I like your dining room both ways...your samplers are beautiful!
I enjoy these interior design posts every bit as much as the needlework ones. You've got a great "eye". Mouse.
I love what you did with your dining room. I am trying to get rid of alot of stuff, too. I finally gave in and rented a small climate-controlled storage unit and put alot of stuff in there. We are going to put our home up for sale, so I didn't really want to get rid of anything that I treasure until we build our new home. Not sure if you would want to do something like this. Anyway, it has helped our home look so much less cluttered. It feels good, too, doesn't it? I so enjoy your blog.
Hi Marly: I have been de-cluttering myself, it is hard at times but needs to be done for me.
Love them bowls so beautiful.
Love the desk and chair so classy.
Catherine
Perfect! Just my style, prim, simple, minimal. Enjoy.
Love the update but don't put a door on that cupboard! There is already a beautiful tie in with the sampler on the top shelf and those on the wall - think you would lose that with a door on the cupboard. I see a little bit of a simple bench on the left in hte picture. What about pulling it out from the wall just a bit and putting your lovely large bowl on the bench? Anything you place in the bowl (like those pumpkins!) will be visible without having to bolster them up on 5 bags of dried beans!
Post a Comment