As I mentioned the other day, I have been hanging artwork from my travels along the wall that goes up the stairs in my house. I thought I’d share some shots of that!
Map of Roma
Christmas card from Prague
One of three prints from San Francisco
Two of three prints from San Francisco
Three of three prints from San Francisco
A print from Paris
Finally! I managed to get some shots of the closet today. I didn’t exactly take a before and after picture, but because I only painted one closet, you can get the idea of what it looks like:
Better, right?
It’s amazing too, that the white doors make the room brighter because they reflect the light when it’s on at night. It’s great.
The thing that’s a bit strange is that the trim on the right hand closet seems to lean to the right towards the bottom (of the middle piece). It’s not that it looks that way in the picture so much as it looks that way in person, and there’s a gap at the bottom of the door.
I need to rehang the doors a bit better, but after moving the rollers on the one door, it occurred to me that it was more a two person job.
For some other shots…
Here you can see that I painted the inside of the closet a nice light grey. I think it offers a nice contrast to the white, and makes the inside of the closet seem so clean and crisp.
I should point out that you don’t want to be fooled by how clean this closet is. I left the doors on the left closet closed for a reason – that’s where all of my clothes are. This closet is kept mostly empty so that there’s room for a man’s clothes (at some point – all about making room, right?).
I’ve got a nice basket to hold the pillows that are on my bed when it’s made (admittedly, that’s rare these days).
And here’s a closeup of the design I stenciled on the door. I used a smaller one than in the guest room because I didn’t want to be too matchy-matchy. Plus, I don’t want the room to feel too feminine, so I thought the small touch would be nicer. You can see here that it bled a little behind the stencil, but I think I made it work.
And here’s the other side of the closet. Originally, I was storing this print in here – it had been above my bed, but I found a painting of a couple walking in the rain in Paris that I just fell in love with. So off to the closet it was with this one. I didn’t want to just chuck everything back in the closet, but this actually worked rather nicely atop the small set of drawers in there, so I went with it. And yes, I know there are approximately four pants hangers in here and nothing else, but I’m hoping to go through my closet and change that!
Another of my projects ended up being this piece of wall in between the two closets – the screw anchor I’d used here to secure the hook to the wall had fallen out, and was creating a general mess (the hook kept falling out of the wall, and it just looked bad). So I patched it up with a little bit of drywall spackle, and painted over the whole thing with the original color to match it (I even had the forethought to paint the edge of the trim on the other closet so that I won’t have to repeat the process when I paint that one).
I rehung the hook in a different spot and voila – I like this hat here for two reasons – the first is that it obviously keeps the hat in good shape (I love this hat, though I’ve yet to wear it out actually) and the second is that the original feel of the room that I was going for was a British colonial one, with the dark walls, dark wood and white shutter-type doors, along with my bamboo shades. So this hat really lends itself to that theme nicely.
You can also see here the off-white color of the original trim, and how dark the original closet doors look in comparison to the painted ones. I can’t wait to finish the rest of the trim in the room and the doors!
Despite my best intentions, I didn’t get around to taking shots of my painted closet today! Tomorrow instead!
I was tired tonight, but I have big plans for cleaning the house this week after work because I have a friend visiting this weekend. After using my panini maker for the first time (yum – cheese and ham, toasted, FTW), I futzed around in the kitchen for a bit, wiping counters and straightening up. I managed to motivate myself enough to clean out the fridge and freezer, and I’m embarrassed to say there was more than one expired item in there.
But that was some positive de-cluttering for the night, which made me realize that I can incorporate it into my nightly routine (when I stick to it, which hasn’t been very much lately!). The kitchen is now spotless (minus the floor, but with the dogs, I like to wait as long as possible to get that clean!). I also dusted the rest of the first floor, cleaning up spots of Barney-drool as I went – gross, but a fact of life with some bassets.
I also used my new vacuum, with a fancy pet attachment that it came with, to clean the couch. I’d left the cover off all week, so it had gotten a bit of hair on it, and the friend who’s visiting is unfortunately allergic to dogs. She takes some allergy meds when she comes, but this will be her first visit with two dogs, so I’m trying to get it as clean as I can. So I got as much hair as I could see off the couch and put the clean slip cover back on – I also plan to wash it again towards the end of the week.
I vacuumed the two chairs in the room – the pups never used to sit on them, but Barney has taken to sitting in the one in the corner, because it gives him a different vantage point of the cul-de-sac for his “patrolling.” You haven’t lived until you’ve watched a basset hound growl ferociously…while he lays his head on the arm of the chair. It’s obviously very intimidating…um, not so much.
At any rate, I also did another de-cluttering job that I’ve been putting off – going through the boys’ toys. It’s a little ridiculous how many toys they have, and it’s been a little while since I’ve washed them and thrown out the ones that Barney has ripped open. So I did that tonight, which should also cut down a bit on the doggy-ness of the house. Unfortunately, Ollie has also managed to destroy the toy basket, one of my favorite baskets in the house, by chewing a handle off, and part of the side, so I’ll have to pick up a new one…probably a smaller one, to keep me from spoiling the pups too much!
I was also excited to hang up a map of Rome that I found – I had framed it a while ago, and then put it up in the attic because I didn’t have anywhere to hang it. I decided a few months ago to hang postcards or prints from my travels on the wall leading up the stairs, after I found a beautiful print that looks like a pencil drawing of the Eiffel Tower, while I was in Charles de Gaulle airport. Since then, I’ve added three cards I picked up in San Francisco (also in the airport), a Christmas card one of our clients sent us for Christmas from Prague, and now the map of Rome, which we actually used while we were there – my dad’s notes are even on it. Since Rome is one of my favorite cities, it will be nice to see that every time I come up or go down the stairs. I’ll have to post a photo of that tomorrow too.
All in all, a rather productive night, surprisingly. This is a rather mundane post, I know, but I promised to write daily, and there are a lot of mundane days for us handy homeowners! But despite it being mundane, I must say it’s nice to sit down on the couch with the washing machine going, the dishwasher loaded, and everything clean and straightened.
The last two days have been a wee bit crazy. I didn’t forget to post last night, but I (for some reason) decided I would start painting my closet at 5pm. I thought it wouldn’t take too long because I was being reasonable, I thought, and not attempting both closets.
Fast forward to 2am.
Yes, seriously. That’s when I finished up – I had one closet done, two walls of trim, and one window trim. Also, the wall paint touchups that I’ve been meaning to do FOREVER.
So it was some good work, but man, was I tired. And my whole body is sore today – I mean, that was a solid nine hours of painting, moving furniture and closet doors, etc.
I promise to post pictures tomorrow. I planned to take them today, but the day got away from me.
I slept late (mercifully, my pups have been super lazy on weekend mornings like their mama!) had some breakfast and coffee, FaceTimed with my parents and niece, and then got distracted by scanning, filing and shredding some files.
In between, I managed to color my hair, start some laundry, and think that somehow I would be able to run over to my parents’ to throw in some laundry (they have the big washer, I have the little stackable – not great for comforters!), run to the grocery store, run to Walmart (since my Giants tee shirt has gone missing), and still have time to make and decorate football-themed cupcakes.
I thought I’d put off the room pictures until tomorrow, because I’d be taking cupcake pictures.
But no.
I fortunately came to my senses and instead picked up a superbowl-themed cake at the supermarket. Much more sensible.
Then I raced home, fed the dogs early so that we’d have time for them to go out before I left, and took them on a very brisk walk – poor Barney was excited because normally I’m not so anxious and crazy unless we’re leaving the house to drive up to my parents’, so he was happy to get his leash on and go out the door…until he realized we weren’t getting in the car.
I also managed to get out a ton of recycling and some garbage for tomorrow’s pickup, all before heading out for a superbowl party up the street that I had been invited to. It was a lot of fun (great game!) and no matter which side you cheered for, you can be happy with me because while I was wearing a Giants tee shirt, I was also wearing my Tom Brady jersey. Yes, I’m a fan of both teams (and the Jets, in fact), and this superbowl, I just couldn’t decide who to root for.
We subsequently ate WAY too much food – starting with veggies and dip, followed by pulled pork sliders, made by my next door neighbor (YUM), followed by big soft pretzels (also YUM), followed by dirty water hot dogs, which had cheese in them, followed by cake.
I won’t need to eat for a week.
So there was handy homeowner-ing this weekend, just not the time for sharing it! I hope to get some painting done at night this week too – I have a friend coming next weekend, and I like to have the house looking good! – and some more de-cluttering. You’ll be happy to know that I went through a set of little drawers I have, and the (mostly empty) closet that I painted, so those are fully de-cluttered!
Now I’m rambling, so it’s time to sign off! Until tomorrow…
Okay, so you’ll have to bear with me this week because I have a LOT of pins. I just found a lot of good things worth sharing this week!
Isn’t this beautiful?? It’s a bookstore in Paris. I just love it.
Source: flavorwire.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
I couldn’t resist this little face!
Source: cuteoverload.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
Did you see the Glee engagement? This part was so sad, but I know how she feels!
Source: preppypreppyprincess.tumblr.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
This is apparently a great way to clean the stove grates – I’m always trying to get these clean, so I’m going to try it out!
Source: pinchingyourpennies.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
Doesn’t this salad look gorgeous? I love a good salad!
Source: espressoandcream.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
I get choked up every time I read this – from Harry Potter. A great tat for someday, though probably not on the back of my neck!
Source: fyeahtattoos.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
Oh, how I wish my garden looked like this!
Source: google.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
It arrived today!! I had a cup of coffee after dinner!! Prepare for over-caffeinated posts!! 
Source: keurig.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
This is such a beautiful backyard. I don’t love the columns and the chandelier (or the chairs and table for that matter), but I love an outdoor fireplace, and the pergola, and all the plants!
Source: decoratinggallery.bhg.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
I’m just going to have to do this with one of my sweaters. I do have red felt lying around….
Source: honestlywtf.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
I chuckle every time I read this. I mean, seriously, if I woke up and Channing Tatum said we were married? Okay, great!
Source: facebook.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
I just love doorways. I pinned a bunch this week, and love to photograph them myself as well!
Source: weheartit.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
If you haven’t watched Kristen Bell talk about her boyfriend bringing her a sloth for her birthday (just to visit, not to stay), you MUST watch this. It is hilarious, and even though I’ve been a big Kristen Bell fan for a while, I love her a little more after this!
Source: youtube.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
What a great idea! Though I’d have to find some other kind of can to use since I don’t eat tuna…
Source: lingeringering.tumblr.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
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And your weekly Daniel picture! Can’t wait for Skyfall to come out!!
This is a great app for us handy homeowners – it allows you to save your measurements in the house to your iPhone or iPad. I haven’t downloaded it yet, but I will be!
Source: itunes.apple.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
Although it would be totally impractical for me (my dogs are short, but they’re not THAT short, and they only have so much willpower when it comes to not snagging things off the coffee table), I just love this idea.
Source: diyinspired.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
True story.
Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
I also love this. Can you sense a theme? I mean, how can you not love the “underground” drawer pulls! Ack!
Source: sistersofthewildwest.blogspot.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
I should try this idea too – I put the pot lids in my new hutch, and it’s fine for now, since I don’t use many lids, but it takes up a lot of space, and it’s a hassle.
Source: the36thavenue.com via Lindsay on Pinterest
In addition to being a handy homeowner girl, I’m also a doggy mom to two basset hound puppies.
Handsome, aren't they?
Barney is a 66-pound three-year-old lap dog, who is happiest when he can sit on the couch and “patrol” the neighborhood…a job he takes VERY seriously.
Oliver is a bouncing puppy at 8 1/2 months and 45 pounds, who, as my mom says is “full of beans” – thus his nickname of “beaner.” He is definitely the crazy, barky, needy one in the house (Barney is more quietly desperate for cuddles), but despite this, Barney is the destroyer of toys.
We’ve got through many a toy here in the last three years, as Barney determinedly rips them to shreds, leaving lonely balls of stuffing in his wake and a little felt ear here and there.
I’m just grateful that they’re not real animals.
But because of this, I’m very careful about Ollie’s “baby.” When I first brought him home, my mom had bought him a little stuffed puppy at the store for his very own (since we already had an unimaginably huge pile of dog toys here). It stays in his crate with him, and is his first toy. He loves it.
And Barney is determined to “kill” this thing. He regularly sneaks into Ollie’s crate (usually when I’m on the phone for work), pulls the baby out, and tries to rip it to shreds.
Usually, I catch him before it gets serious. But twice in the last week, we’ve had some severe casualties. Last week, he tore open the back and almost pulled off it’s tail. I sewed it back together just in time for the pup’s bedtime.
Then yesterday, he ripped its head open.
Oooh.
Ollie was not happy, so, like a kid’s mom, I promised to fix the puppy. Fortunately, when you’re fixing a dog toy, you can go with function over aesthetics, and I didn’t have to make it look pretty – just seal it up!
All better!
The pups were both worried about what I was doing as I sewed him up, but the little guy was pretty happy to get his “baby” back. I’m currently guarding it on the couch while he climbs headfirst into the basket of toys that Barney tipped over.
You can really see the head damage here, as well as the seam up the back!
So now we’ll have to see how long the baby lasts! He definitely needs a little trip through the washing machine, along with Ollie’s bedding, so hopefully I did a good enough job of stitching him up.
And, lest you worry I have an angry basset hound on my hands, Barney is actually the sweetest dog I’ve ever met. He really is a lover, not a fighter, despite his destruction of toys!
My snuggler
Just a short post from me tonight, because I’m still battling the effects of hitting my head over the weekend (and had a nice knock in the head right in the same place from my hard-headed basset puppy this afternoon as well). Let’s hope for a great night’s sleep and better health tomorrow!
But this week, I’ve been thinking about de-cluttering, and what some of my roadblocks are to getting it done.
Now, I’m not a hoarder, by any means. If you go into my house, and then go to my neighbors’ house, you’d consider me a minimalist. Visible clutter makes me feel claustrophobic, so I’m regularly making sure to put things in their place. But there are definitely some areas that don’t work as efficiently as they should and need help – namely my kitchen cabinets, and anywhere I have clothes (though I’ve still managed to keep a whole closet in my bedroom bare).
So what holds me back from getting rid of clutter?
I’ve heard from some other people that they’ll set a timer – give themselves fifteen minutes, and then be done. I think the key there is then to not use those fifteen minutes to overwhelm yourself with taking things out. That’s a bit tough to do in a closet, and I keep mentally telling myself that I’ll just go through my closet when I’m ready to paint it, but I think what I need to do is break the closet down into pieces – start with the shelf first, then one side of the closet, then the other, the shoes, and then the sweater cabinet. Then, I can do a little at a time.
That brings me to the other kind of de-cluttering exhaustion, and that’s the initial exhaustion. If I really want to be serious about de-cluttering, I need to make it a regular part of my day until it’s finished. But I quickly forget that I can do it for just fifteen minutes or so, and believe the projects to be overwhelming – I look at the WHOLE of de-cluttering, instead of the small project in front of me, so I psych myself out before I start. To get over that roadblock, I need to set a timer for fifteen minutes at the end of each work day, and just de-clutter something. Fifteen minutes is such a short amount of time that I can’t talk myself out of it.
I don’t use it.
I mean, I never use it. I always carry laundry down and up the stairs one load at a time – it’s good exercise, and my bathroom/laundry room is too small to leave several loads lying around on the floor waiting to be washed. So the laundry basket sits alone in the downstairs shower (which I also don’t use, unless I’ve caulked the bathtub upstairs). But when I think about getting rid of it, it makes me anxious. What if I need it? I mean, reasonably, I can get another one, just as good or maybe better. But I’ve already got this one. And what if I don’t stay here in the house for more than a couple more years, and move to one where I need and use a laundry basket? (See what I mean?). This one is harder to combat, because it’s emotional. So I’ve got to work through my fear of “needing” things and decide whether I really “need” them. Because there are things I’m not using that are just taking up space.
This brings me to another emotional issue I’ve been having, and that’s with going paperless. I must admit, I love my little scanner. I’ve been slowly scanning in the documents in my office and anything I need from the mail that day, and it’s great to get that room back in the house, and know that it’s pretty easy for me to locate things on my computer.
However.
When I first started scanning in things like receipts (if you know me, you know I keep every single – and I mean EVERY single – credit card receipt and invoice), and getting ready to shred them, I was hugely anxious. I worried that I might need the receipts and wouldn’t have them (even though they’re safe in my computer – and I’ll be backing them up shortly). It’s all in my head, so I need to work through that fear of having things in my “hot little hands” as one of my teachers used to say.
But on the flip side, I also need to remember that feeling whenever I make a purchase and make sure that I’m buying things that are really useful to me and will add to and not detract from my life. That will help cut down on incoming clutter as well.
I’m sure there are other roadblocks to de-cluttering for me, but that’s all I’ve got for now (and it was a longer post than I thought it would be!). What are some of your roadblocks to keeping your house clutter-free?
