The Rural Voice, 1997-01, Page 43Home Decorating
A place for everything, everything in its place
BY PATTI ROBERTSON
1997 ... Here we come! What an
opportune time to set some goals
towards banishing the clutter and
built up accumulation throughout our
homes – shoes, coats, mitts, sports
equipment, school books, projects
and hobbies, brief cases,
newspapers,
etc. etc. etc. All
"stuff' which
hides the decor
of our homes.
(Or should I
say substitutes
for our home's
decor.)
Sometimes a
body comes to
believe that the
only reason we
bought a house
was to have a
place to keep
our "stuff!
Most often our
"stuff' accumulates into such clutter
we can hardly see the carpet, let
alone know what colour it is. We
need to gain control and have
restraint: a place for everything and
everything in its place, so to speak.
In order to get family members to
co-operate we may need to turn this
into a game ... setting goals with
bonus or demerit points for the
participants. Be imaginative!
Storage and maintenance will
need to be easy and convenient — as
in, when I come in the door, I know
this is my colour coded hanger, coat
hook, etc. My boots go on the top
rack, to the left hand side and my
mitts belong on the drying rack etc.
(Yah! I know ... good luck!)
Now, you're thinking she
couldn't have kids! Well, say hello
to a mom with two daughters, who
are actually becoming "neatnicks"
but it's taken the better part of 20
years.
Anyway, back to my fantasy. It's
best to keep family outer apparel
stored away from formal areas of the
house, as in the laundry room off the
rear entrance. Supplying a "Hockey
Clothes Tree" for drying and
convenient storage, and placed
perhaps in the furnace room or
another inconspicuous room that is
warm and well ventilated makes for
easier maintenance.
Walk around your home and look
for space to work as storage areas:
under sofas, beds, stairways,
hutches, buffets, etc. The extra
boards to my dining table are
inconspicuous behind the sofa! Add
shelves, shelves, shelves, and then
box, stack and label to the limit! In
noticeable areas, colour co-ordinate
containers to blend with your decor.
Suitcases store with ease under beds.
Consider stashing some blankets into
each case. For several years now,
Ward and I have stored the
Christmas Tree enclosed in plastic,
and hung from the rafters in our
storage shed. Skis also fit well up in
the open rafters!
Practice not buying anything new
until you have found the best
"home" within your home to place
your purchase, be it an ornament or a
new stereo unit. This really makes
one think twice and tends to avoid
the "Gift Shop Look" wherein there
is such a build up of knick-knacks
that a body is never sure whether this
is the owner's passion or that you are
welcome to purchase whatever to
add to your "stuff'.
Tour your home, scope out the
problem areas. Family room?
Games, books, school work, crafts,
etc. – every family member will
benefit from having their own
container in which to stash the
valuables. When I'm done knitting
for the day, into my container it
goes.
Consider the true value of the
items you are collecting. If it does
not add up to much more than clutter
you are shuffling from area to area,
then perhaps it's time to recycle it,
rather than dusting it yet again.
Closet organizers work wonders
in all spaces, providing shelves and
bins to contain personal items.
Closet organizers are available at
building supply stores, or you can
hire personal consultants to assist
with "making the most of your
space". Kids of course, need shelves,
galore.
In the home office, practice
putting everything into three
categories:
a) top priority, open, read, attend to
now.
b) of interest, would like to spend
some time reading this — keep, one
week, if still unread either move to
priority list or recycle it.
c) junk mail, of no interest, recycle
immediately.
You will find this helps you
maintain organization and become
Less likely to being buried in clutter.
Try the same idea in and around your
home. Ask yourself, "when did we
use this last?"
a) Is it beautiful?
b) Is it useful?
c) Is it of sentimental value?
If you answer "yes" to any of
these questions then keep your
treasure and work it into your
lifestyle, but if the answer is "no"
banish it to the next yard sale and
don't look back!
Rotate, going through the various
rooms and areas of' your home where
clutter accumulates and take control!
Play music you enjoy, indulge in
your favourite beverage, get
involved.
Clutter is never ending, but once
in control, you'll appreciate the
esthetic beauty of your home and
possessions and take pride in a job
well done.
Rome was not built in one day, so
patience will go a long way.0
Patti Robertson operates Classic
Interiors in Wingham.
JANUARY 1997 39