So, um, some of you might know that I get a little bit of wood anytime decluttering or organizing is brought up in common conversation. If you ask me to come to your place and help you weed through a closet, I’m likely to tongue-kiss you while our children watch.
In fact, if you read this post, I alluded to the possibility of opening up a side-business, decluttering professionally. My neighbourhood is begging for one, with the lack of space most of us have, combined with Downtown Vancouver’s ability to convince us to buy, collect and figure out where it’ll all fit later.
Don’t believe me that my neighbourhood might be cramped? This is my apartment (click for bigger):
All of those photos were taken from entrances; the living room, from the front door; the two of the bedroom from its door. Directly to the left of the first picture is my bathroom; the right, the kitchen.
400 square feet of bliss, yo. (Please ignore the cigarette pack on the window sill in the living room, as well as the passed-out semi-naked child in the bedroom. We’re really classier than that.)
For the past few days, I’ve been reading and scanning and raising my right eyebrow at every image in every bit of text I can find about organization, decluttering and downsizing for smaller spaces. Consider it research.
It’s really like porn, to me – I get all hot and bothered seeing row after row of ceiling-height, bright white bookcases, with hard-backed books aligned finger-tip-deep from the edges. A living room with a conversation area and an entertainment centre with closed storage? Makes me a little weak and my thighs turn to jello. Don’t even get me talking about home office armoires.
Last night, I decided to take the advice of one book (and Dooce), and check out Flor. Which led to Ikea. And a few other sites that offer modular furniture and organization solutions.
Two hours past midnight, I had to log off, before my wrist got too tired. You know, I think I could get to like this whole “do what you love” thing.
In the mean time, I’ve built up a list of must-haves in order to make this space more functional, aesthetically appealing and best of all, clutter free. In August, I’ll start (after the addition of Isobel’s big-girl bed) to slowly procure one bit at a time of storage, seating and entertainment combinations.
Because I? Like pretty things, that unfortunately don’t come for free.
