The Big Sort!

Ahh, there's nothing like a well organized drawer!!!

Over the past couple of years, Mr. J and I have accumulated more STUFF than we’ve ever had before, and now we’re faced with the fact that we’re going to have to pare down, or else.  I’ve always been a real stickler about only keeping what you love in your home. Otherwise, before you know it, you're surrounded by useless clutter that bogs you down, makes you unhappy, and totally cramps your style. So, we've had to get serious about unloading some of the crap we’ve been toting around. 

As a bonus, three of the thirty things on my to do list revolve around getting rid of crap, so this "Big Sort" has helped me check off all three.  Score. Getting rid of stuff you don't use can be thrilling, and addicting...so watch out!  There are zillions of articles with tips, tricks and the how tos of the super organized--check out Real Simple if you're clueless about this kind of stuff--so I won't bore you with all that.  The bottom line is, you gotta do what works for you.  My personal checklist for whether or not to get rid of an item is:

1. Do I love it? If the answer is no, or even maybe, it has to go.
2. Do I have a place for it?  Again, if the answer is no, out it goes.  This seriously will eliminate half the crap in your house.
3. Do I use it?  Out goes the other half of the crap.  Works like a charm for me!

Anyway, we have been sorting through our great sea of unused stuff, deciding what to keep, toss, donate and sell.  We recently posted and sold quite a few things on Craigslist, and I must say, I consider myself a pro at the fine art of Craigslist.  Seriously, I can move old stuff on that site faster than you'd even imagine!  So, I thought I’d  leave you with some of my top tips for Craigslist success. 

First, think about what items you want to sell. I'd say Craigslist is best for less valuable furniture items, household goods and appliances, and gently used event and party supplies (bulk candles, lanterns, lighting, vases, etc).  If you have multiple items to sell, create a post for each, and think about whether someone could really use the item you're considering before you post. There are other ways to get rid of your stuff, and if it's just a pile of junk, that's all it is, so toss it or donate it and dedicate your time to something else.

Second, think about how you’d search for an item, and be as descriptive as possible. Is it a dresser? Maybe.  But, it could also be an end table, an entry way table, or a nightstand. No one will find your post if you limit your description. It’s all about the keywords, so make sure to include as many relevant terms as possible in the copy of your post. Just because you'd use it one way doesn’t mean it wouldn’t suit someone else’s purpose.  We’re not all copy writers, but you've gotta take a crack at it. Try out something chock full of adjectives: “Sturdy, solid wood three-drawer dresser with dovetail joints. Medium tone wood finish with black painted top.” If there’s a brand name, include that as well—especially if it’s a popular one like Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, etc. Again, it's all about the keywords and getting your piece in front of the right set of eyeballs!

Third, take some good photos. There are actually a couple key points here.  The first is, make sure your photos are good quality. Again, we’re not all pros, but there are some basics that should help things along. Shoot in the daytime, turn all the lights on in your room, and take a bunch of different shots from all sorts of different angles. Zoom in on features you want to highlight (dovetail joints, hardware, even a detail of any damage to the piece).  The second point here is to stage the hell out of your piece. Grab a few of the decorative accessories you have laying around: some books, a plant, a smaller piece of artwork, a pillow, a throw, whatever. Just channel your inner catalog photo shoot styler and stage away. Nothing will ensure your item doesn’t sell like bad photos.

Finally, be realistic about the price you’re asking. Many people search and filter listings by price alone.  What would you be willing to pay if you were looking for a similar piece? Forget what you originally paid for the item, you won’t get close to that amount, unless it’s brand new and in perfect condition. Even then, the mere fact that it’s spent time in your home has devalued it. So be reasonable. Also, don’t forget to pad the price by an extra little margin so when your buyer inevitably bargains the price down, you’ll still be happy with the final selling price. Like I said, it’s kind of an art form—don’t go too high, but don't go too low, either!

Happy Decluttering!

And P.S. Yes, I baked bread and yes it was awesome. Photos soon!

Image via Real Simple

Before and After: Paint a Frame

Way back in November, I partook in one of our great family traditions. Every year after the turkey has been carved and the food fest is complete, my mom and I head down one of St. George, Utah’s finest establishments, Urban Renewal, to peruse their latest offerings. The shop offers a quirky mix of new items (think textiles, Asian influenced casegoods, bath products, candles, gifts and home décor accessories) as well as vintage items on consignment (wonderful artwork, furniture, home décor accessories, jewelry and clothing). This trip I picked up an original (I think) drawing of peacocks. The best part? It was under $15. And check this out. I told you how I’m all full of Scottish pride, well, as a card carrying member of Clan MacFarlane, I was surprised to see this little tag on the back of the frame:

Fate, right? Anyway, the painting was lovely, but the frame was…not so. Seeing as this was a cheapie find, I decided that rather than reframing it, I should just paint the frame. The easy choice would have been to remove the painting from the frame, paint and then put it all back together. But since it had been framed professionally and had a sealed back, I decide to tape the front of the glass with painter’s tape and go for it with a small craft brush rather than ripping the whole thing apart. Last weekend I (finally) picked up some champagne colored acrylic craft paint and off I went. (Thank you, thank you dear Mr. J for accompanying me to Michael’s. In the suburbs. You are a good man.) I did two quick coats, pulled off the tape, used a razor blade to scrape the one tiny spot where paint got on the glass and VOILA! The whole thing probably took half an hour.  Check out the befores:

And the afters:

Paint. A great way to class up those cheap-o thrift store finds, no? Just call me Martha.

How to Get Started Decorating Your Home

When faced with four blank walls, a tiny budget and one million questions, the prospect of decorating your home can seem overwhelming. I’m by no means an expert, but I’ve been what you might call a “dabbler” for the past couple of years. After years of renting, I’m hoping that my husband Mr. J and I will soon be able to pull the trigger on a place of our own. You already know I’ve been stockpiling design inspiration. I simply need an outlet for all my wonderful ideas!

That being said, I know how hard it is to take a gander through the Pottery Barn catalog and feel utterly lost:

Image via Pottery Barn

Downtrodden:

Image via Pottery Barn

And near despondent:

Image via Pottery Barn

Hmm. Moving on!

There’s something about the prospect of getting started on your own humble abode that can leave you paralyzed with fear. You think: “What if I make a mistake??” And I’m here to tell you this: YOU WILL. (Um…hello, I once purchased a matching set of blonde wood mid-century modern inspired accent chairs from West Elm—barf. Sooo not my thing). But here’s the best part: MISTAKES ARE OK! There’s always Craigslist, and you can always repaint. Nothing is forever!

As I start to think about how we’re going to move forward with decorating our home, I’m forced to recall some of the mistakes I’ve made in the past, as well as some of the best advice I’ve read and heard. I’ve distilled it here for you (and me) so we can have a handy record of all my décor resolutions, promises and pledges. And since I do love a good dos and don'ts list, without further ado:

My Top 10 Dos and Don’ts for Decorating Your Humble Abode:

1. Don’t buy it just because you can afford it. You can talk yourself into a lot of things just because they’re in your price range, but trust me, just because it’s only $129 (with free shipping!!) doesn’t mean it should come home with you. You gotta love what you bring into your home. And yes, you should also be able to afford it, but do make sure it’s exactly what you want. A perfect price tag is a bonus.

2. Don’t buy it just because it matches. The couch matches the chair, the matching end tables match the coffee table, there are a pair of lamps, and there are a matching set of framed prints above the couch. Yawn. I’m not saying matching is always wrong, but some of the most interesting rooms I’ve been in have that unique quality of seeming like they were collected over time (Oh this? I picked it up on my vacation to Bali!), not in one fell swoop at the furniture store.

3. Don’t be impatient. Good design evolves, and you’re never really done. Even if you've done it perfectly the first time, your taste will change and your life will change (Puppy? Baby?). Rare is the individual who can pick a page out of the PB catalog, point, click and be done decorating. Elegant, personal spaces are well thought out and layered over time. Check out this super reassuring post on Apartment Therapy if you don’t believe me.

4. Don’t be a victim of trends. Just like the advice your dear old ma gave you: Be yourself. You can buy a capiz shell lantern and a “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster if that’s really what floats your boat (and accessories ARE the easiest part of a room to update and change), but for goodness sake, don’t spend a mint on a trendy little thing…you may really regret it later on.

5. Don’t be afraid of the thrift store (and Craigslist). Seriously people. Have you seen what the folks over at Young House Love are capable of uncovering at the thrift store and Craigslist? One caveat: I would be afraid of certain things from the thrift store. Like mattresses, and linens, and, well, pretty much anything with upholstery on it (that you don’t plan to rip off). Stick to hard, wipe-able things. Things that you can clean. With lots of soap. And maybe even use a power sander on. At any rate, they're great resources, so just give it a shot!

6. Do try to make your space comfortable and livable. Think comfy furnishings that you can really settle into, and soft, cozy fabrics, throws and pillows. Personalize it all with photos of your friends, family and loved ones. Put art and photos on the walls that remind you of a wonderful trip you took (or would like to take!). How do you envision your family and friends spending time together in your home? Do you see long dinners and lots of wine in the dining room? You better have comfy chairs. What about lazy Sundays on the couch watching movies? You better be able to sink into your sofa. Have those goals in mind, and design your room around them.

7. Do invest in high quality. The big pieces in your home are quite likely the ones you’ll have forever. And they’re a big commitment. Think long and hard about what you really want before you commit, and be prepared to make an investment. Feel free to spend less on accessories and smaller accent furniture (Yay Target! Yay Ikea!!). That stuff is relatively easy to change (and later dispose of on Craigslist). But trust me, if you spend $300 on a cheap sofa, you will very likely regret spending that money if it turns out to be uncomfortable and doesn’t hold up to everyday use.

8. Do look for neutrals. You don’t have to dress your house entirely in beige, but be forewarned: it’s much easier to go bold with color if it’s not the biggest and most expensive thing in the room. Wouldn’t you rather have the freedom to change your décor if you want to, rather than be burned by an expensive purple couch you’ve grown tired of? For investment pieces especially, you may want to stick to a neutral color palette that you can spice up lots of different ways.

9. Do keep your options open. We all change our minds from time to time, and we get bored of the same old same old. Thank goodness for slip covers for couches, dining chairs and ottomans! The same goes for pillows. Look for high quality pillow inserts and scout out less expensive pillow covers (on SALE or even make your own!). You could also buy a beautiful centerpiece bowl that you fill with different objects as the seasons change. Switching side chairs, lamps, accessories and artwork from room to room is another great way to freshen up your space. Keep an open mind and look for pieces that give you versatility.

10. Do have a plan. Take a good look at your room and make a list of what you think you need. Find photos of furniture arrangements and color schemes that inspire you. Sketch out your floor plan and "test out" different furniture arrangements. If you start your shopping trip thinking, "I’m looking for two smaller scale armchairs to place by the fireplace," you’re less likely to get distracted and overwhelmed by all the other goodies in the shop. If you have a budget in mind, write that down and see how what you want reconciles with what you have to spend, then pioritize (big things first, accessories are the fun part!). Your plan can always change, but sketching out the steps you need to take will really help you get to your goal.

The moral of the story is this: buy what you love, take your time, think about what you need and how you use your space, and don’t be afraid. Decorating is fun!

What about you all? What are your biggest decorating hang ups? What mistakes have you made—and more importantly—what have you learned from them?