Well, I know things have been a bit quiet here on my blog recently. The truth of the matter is I have been taking stock of all my "stuff" and decided that a big declutter was in order! Now I've never been prone to the tendencies that lead some people to be featured on shows such as "Hoarders" but having watched a few episodes I could see how it may have started out for some of those poor folk, "oh I'll just hang on to all my magazines even though I've read them to death", "hmmm there's still a few mls in the bottom of this tube I may squeeze out some day" and "so what if I don't have a record player anymore, I've been collecting these LPs for years, they're MINE and I'm keeping them"...
Anyway, it did get me thinking of a "less is more" way of collecting. Rather than having a huge stash of vintage bowls, plates, casseroles and cookware why not pick out my favourites and let them shine, let them be used instead of stuffed away behind other stuff"? So I have dedicated a few spaces to my vintage kitchenware collections, a few kitchen cupboards and the sideboard in the dining room. The other cupboards in my kitchen have been pared back to leave the day to day stuff I use accessible.
This has made a huge difference to how I use my kitchen and serve up food. I have bought some lovely new crystal glassware by Royal Doulton which contrasts nicely with my vintage glasses and have bought a lovely duck egg blue dinner service by Royal Doulton which looks pretty mixed in with my vintage plates and cake stands. I have sold off or donated a lot of my less favourite Pyrex pieces and am now limiting my collection to certain shapes and patterns (the Cinderella bowls in my recent post are STAYING). I have also cleared out ALL of my home decor magazines and made enough from selling them on eBay to buy a few gorgeous new quality pieces for my kitchen (I know, I know, more "stuff" but quality over quantity right?)
Anyway, the decluttering is an ongoing project, it's harder to clear out toys because I'm so sentimentally attached to them but my boys are getting bigger now (my baby will be FIVE next month) and the cutesy vintage puzzles and wall hangings are gradually being replaced with Darth Vader, Spiderman and Lego decor (still trying to keep it sweet and tasteful though as long as I have a say in it ;-)
I have enjoyed this process immensely, most of my cupboards are neat and tidy, I know where everything is, I still have a large collection of vintage items, but the ones I have kept are of a higher quality than some of the "junk".
This is not to say I will be staying away from markets or op shops from now on. NO WAY!!! I love vintage, I love retro and I have no intention of stopping my little hobby, I think I will just be a bit more discerning from now, just because I see something fab at a good price doesn't man I have to buy it - it has to fall into one of the following categories before I do, be useful as well as gorgeous, be resellable on eBay for a good profit or be able to displayed in the space I have available NOW rather than tucked away in a cupboard for the future.
So, sorry about rambling on so long and for a pictureless post (very boring I know). Ironically I do have lots of fab stuff to show you and will do so the very second I get a chance!!!
The First week of December
1 week ago
6 comments:
Good for you! I feel the need to start prioritizing things too?,
Inspiring stuff - I really need to do the same (especially the outgrown toys). When are you free to come over and declutter my place?! Kidding. I would never subject anyone to that torture.
Well done, you! I watched an episode of "Hoarders" which made my ears burn! I can see how easily it can happen, and I'm looking at much of my Pyrex in a different light, i.e. it looks pretty, but not being used from one year to the next. I have bought things just because they are a bargain, not because I need them. You can do it, so can I! In future I will think of you when I'm tempted by bargain prices in Op Shops, and ask myself if I really need it and will I use it. I think clearing the clutter goes a long way towards clearing the head, too. Hoping to take your lead so I can things with more clarity from now on.
A daunting task indeed! I bet it feels so reinvigorating. I know we've struggled to find the balance between "amazing finds at the thrifts" and "now can't find it in our own kitchen!" But I think narrowing down those items that you REALLY love makes finding pieces that add to a more limited collection all that more exciting.
I always go into a frenzied cleaning and decluttering mode when I watch 'Hoarders'. Its so easy to get carried away :)
Girls, I can highly recommend it! I have lots of cupboard space now, the stuff I really love is accessible and I have room for all the new stuff I'll probably end up buying ;-)
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