Each year, after taking down the Christmas tree, I feel like my house needs… something. There is something about going from full on glitz and glamour to just plain back to normal that is a little sad. Plus, the weather doesn't help. Being cooped up and staring at the rooms day after day doesn't help. Things that bug me just a little start to bug me a LOT when there is no escape from them.
Last January, I spent a lot of time neutralizing and de-pinking my kitchen, and rearranging all my pretties in their glass fronted cabinets.
This year, I thought I'd gotten off the hook easy. After taking down the tree, cleaning the rooms and simply shifting a few things from here to there, I thought I was done and past it all. I was so busy with the funeral and guests that I almost made it to the end of January without taking on a do over anywhere in the house.
I was content with my simple clean up and and it was nice just to have the tree and most of the Christmas foof hidden away for the year.
But then, I ended up watching Sugarwings for a few days while the flu attacked at her Daddy's house. And while she was here, a bug got her too. Not the bad, spewing one that was going on at her Daddy's, just a cough and fever. Enough that she was down, but not out. Lots of cuddle time and movies. But, still, I was cooped up in the house, staring at the things that bugged me.
Since I needed to stay near my sick fairy grand baby, and couldn't really start anything big, I decided to tackle the dreaded closet.
One door leads to the bath, the other to the bedroom where Sugarwings was tucked into my bed watching our new favorite movie, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians." She and I watched it together twice and when she said she wanted to see it again, I simply had to get up and do something else.
So, Twinkle, Agnes Rosebud and I started tossing stuff out of the closet.
The room was too awful to show a before picture. It was crowded, and you couldn't even see the floor. I had baskets, furniture, and who knows what cluttering it up.
Where the rolling hamper sits now, was a tall chest filled with too many old clothes. I threw out 3 garbage bags of clothes not good enough to donate, and packed one boxful to take to the thrift store.
Now, why did I have all those? And why would I even think they were fit to wear?
Its easy to cling to things that I might need…. but I realized that I never would need them. And really, really shouldn't wear them even if I did think that I needed them. I had a wardrobe intervention on myself. Kind of like this summer when I emptied out that old shed. Man, it felt good to get rid of stuff that was cluttering up my life.
Oh, I kept plenty of comfy tees and hoodies, because I am smart enough to know that I won't ever dress "nice" around the house, or to most places I go. But I got rid of enough old clothes that I didn't need and should never be seen in, that I was able to do away with a whole dresser and make the room more open and pleasant.
Then, I arranged all my clothes by color, just like they do at my favorite store, Goodwill. And I recycled all the wire hangers.
What I noticed while doing this, is that I dress myself kinda the way I do my house. My keepers were lots of neutrals with soft pinks, a few flowers and lace, and a touch of aqua blue.
The space is also our laundry room. When we were newbie empty nesters, we thought it was a brilliant plan to remodel one of the kid's rooms into a larger master bath for us, and turn it into a laundry room at the same time. It is really a nice concept. As I pull clothes out of the dryer, I hang them up or put them on a shelf, there are no laundry baskets to tote into the other room, and we have more space in our bedroom because we don't need clothes storage in there. (except for Sugarwing's clothes- which I am too lazy to carry upstairs in her bedroom, we keep them in our room).
But, that was before we had one son and his family move in and out a couple times, another son move in permanently, and various other relatives come and go. A laundry room off the master isn't as easy to share as one somewhere else in the house.
We have two walls of built in shelving, (hand made by Sugarwing's Daddy, who also built my kitchen) and this section of shelving was just the right width to slide in this small chest of drawers that I painted years ago. My boy built the shelf above it to pull out and use as a folding table. Its one of my favorite features.
The room is not very pretty. It was done on a tight budget, we didn't even finish the floors, I simply painted the sub-floor white. I guess I could fill all the open shelves with matching wicker baskets and hide away the laundry paraphernalia, but I don't think it is worth my time or the expense. I did wrap an old crocheted table cloth around my ratty, rolling hamper, but that is about the extent of foofing that I did and that only took a minute, and was free to do.
For now, I am thrilled just to have it cleaned up and feeling spacious. The trick will be to not fill it back up with junk again.
Yes, I know, this was not the prettiest of blog posts… but to me, that cleared out, naked floor in the walk in closets is one of the most lovely sites I've seen in a long while! I'm glad I was struck with a case of January-itis and got this project done.
By the way, Sugarwings is better now, and back home with her father. Her poor, little Sis-star has her first fever though and we are hoping she doesn't get the spewing flu.
I'm back to the studio working on more fun projects, but every time I go in the house, I take an admiring glance at my closet.
What a great idea to put your closet in your laundry area. Cleaning out the closet feels so good!
-Danielle
Great post! I’m home for a snow day, have already worked out and done my grown-up chores – I think working on a closet is a perfect way to spend the afternoon!
Hi Karla, there is something that is cleansing for the mind and soul when you get rid of clutter.This is the time of the year when I clean and purge,but I’ve been sick for almost three weeks! a yuccky cold that caused a flare up of my nasty auto immune disease. I’ll be on it soon though,this place is driving me nuts!
Love the banner. You and beth thinking about doing a Spring eclass????:)
Good for you!!! It always feels so good to get those pesky jobs done —they sit under the surface and eat away at you and you don’t even realize it! lol When they are done, it’s really such a burden lifted.
I just love your NEST banner–fantastic!
I hope everyone in your family is back in good health ASAP!
Smiles, Karen
the projects in the studio looks os lovely!
Can’t wait to see them all
Your banner is pretty. Please come to my house and MAKE me clean several closets and my laundry room. I am a very good procrastinater when it comes to closets and laundry rooms!!
Your post is beautiful because the sight of a clean closet floor IS a beautiful thing!! I never thought about my clothes matching the way I decorate my house – you are right. Funny, the things I tend to wear do match my house. Thanks for sharing!
Heidi
That nest banner is so lovely Karla. It may be my favorite thing that I’ve seen you make, and that is saying alot!
We’re doing a lot of purging and rearranging in our home too, but seems as fast as we get rid of something, we bring something else in. When folks pass away, there are the sentimental treasures to sort, and some things are just too special to think of getting rid of. We’ve been doing a lot of that sort of thing lately.
Congratulations on your room. I know what a good feeling that can be.
I just love your posts! They seem to always touch a spot with me…from new babies to beautiful Sugarwing photos to furbabies. Your blog is one of two that I check first thing in the morning. Thank you for your inspiration and openess.
September
Your is making me want to tear into my closet and kitchen cabinets! I have put them off for so long and I know I would feel so much better if I would just quit procrastinating and just get it done! You know I am loving that project, I suspect it might be for your fabulous class. I hope you all get and stay well! Have a nice weekend.
Karla,
I feel the same way you do. January, February and March rob me of energy and such. I have started to declutter also. Some things are finding there way to the auction or salvation army. Each week i have 4 bags of garbage and my recycle container is full of magazines i save. Well, i feel so good each time i clean up a corner, closet, or whatever. I do get outdoors to walk, but that is not enough to help me.
Did you make the bird in the second pic? Is this a class you teach?
Congratulations to you!!! I had thought about making a New Year’s resolution to quit procrastinating, so that things like “closet cleaning” will get done faster. Maybe I’ll do it tomorrow. But hey, now that you’ve done all your spring cleaning in the bleak mid-winter, –and since, after all, you let us all down by not having a Valentine E-zine– You’ll have plenty of time to do a Spring E-zine! Right? You know you want to. It looks to me like we all want you to!!! :-))
I love that you grouped by color like “Goodwill” – I just realized that I do too 🙂 Luckily I don’t dress my house like my clothes or I’d be in a terribly black phase!!
I just recently did the same thing. My closet is an extension of my bathroom. I use the top shelves for sheets, blankets, etc. I recently cleaned it enough to get everything off the floor. It’s amazing how much can get thrown in there.
It’s looking pretty good, but I still need to go through clothes and want it to make it more efficient. Especially now that I am retired and don’t have to be in such a rush to get dressed. I’m starting to wear more jewelry, now and have time to put together outfits.
~elaine~
Karla, I just finished purging my closet, too. It was long overdue. I did notice in your pictures that we have the same washer and dryer. I think it is great to have your laundry next to your bedroom.
Sorry to hear that your son’s kids are sick. No fun, that is for sure!
Sandy
Been working on a bit of a closet makeover too…. The laundry room/ closet sounds like a really good concept! And, the banner is just perfect, Karla!!
That’s how I felt when I realized I needed to get back to reality and clean up the Holiday clutters in the house. I knew I couldn’t handle all the chores, so I asked some assistance from a commercial cleaning (NYC is flooded with them) services. Not yet done with the bedrooms and dining area, though. Guess they’ll be back next weekend.
Putting the closet in the laundry is great idea, Karla. I think it’ll be a lot easier to move around upstairs.
– Corie Drane