Simplifying Life

vivw_2

mary43 wrote: »

really, anywhere, old or brand spanking new, can become a 'home' very quickly once you've put your mark on it, if you know what I mean.

You must have been reading my mind, Mary. I was just about to say exactly the same thing.
My house is not the sort I would choose...its a 20yr old detached house on a small estate in a close but over the last few years I have slowly made it a home. When I first came here, I really hated the house [ had spent the previous 20 + years in old Victorian properties] but over time, the place has become more 'me' and now I'm not sure I'd want to leave.

ceridwen

Not an easy one ppolly....the old dump v. new house one. Guess the preference is the old but professionally renovated (by a builder one).

Personally......I'm keeping a bit of a weather eye on the houses of the future. My checklist is:

- not on a greenfield/flood plain/someone else's garden site (thats TOP priority)

- big enough garden to grow food for 2 people and guests on a Square Foot Gardening basis

- the things that will be standard in a house built in a few years time: rainwater harvesting/solar power and fuel cells/triple glazing/grass roof would be nice/very high insulation standard indeed and - being me - VERY VERY QUIET. I dont think these houses exist yet - at least in my (low) price bracket - but part of my reason for refusing to spend any more on my existing house is I am waiting for houses like these to be available. I believe they will be pretty soon - I dont know how I am to deal with "swopover" costs to one of them - but sometimes one just has to "have faith" that things will happen.

I find it very difficult to try and sit back and trust that things will work out for me in that respect (or any other either - come to think of it:D ) - but meanwhile I am not going to stress myself/not going to spend any more time and money than I can help on my existing house/and there is a life to lead - with more important things to think about (which again brings me neatly back to the start of my thread again;) ). I do remind myself that at the end of my life the biggest question I will ask myself is "How much did I show love?" and, believe me, it aint no natural talent, but I do believe that I need to try and work on this one. I'll let you know if I think I am ever anywhere near succeeding - lol!

ppolly

mary43 - I think we put our mark on our house by putting in lots of books, a cat and then a daughter (now 3.5) ! I'll be sorry to leave it, really, if and when the time comes. Its just that the space that there is could have been used so much more wisely. (turn that tiny ensuite shower room into a walk in cupboard!) I continuously edit my 'stuff' to avoid being deluged with things everywhere I turn. I suppose its good discipline. Perhaps ...one day I will even have a utillity room....(trails away to dreamily sort out the ironing..)

do_it_today!

Hi All :hello:
I agree many new build /style houses arent very spacious or inspiring - what I would say is that places like ikea have lots of great storage options and ideas - I guess its just making space with the space you have.... I would never of thought before of just adding a cupboard or two to my current kitchen and that could make so much difference to our use of the kitchen.

sometimes just moving things around can really change the feel and use of a space - we have moved our bed and the problem we have now is that I find it very difficult to get out of bed in the morning - Idont know why but its sooo much more ..... welll........ I just dont want to get out of it!!! nothings changed just the position in the bedroom!!!

Ellidee

Hi do it today ! maybe you have inadvertenly feng shue'd your room so that is why it feels different ?

ceridwen

There is indeed something about the "feel" of a house that makes a difference - perhaps I need to "cleanse" my home again (bit of Feng Shui and all that). Meanwhile - I shall chuck in ideas as I come across them towards "my future home":

http://www.peabody.org.uk/pages/GetPage.aspx/id=179

http://www.theyellowhouse.org.uk/

https://www.life.ca/home/green/index.html

ppolly

I like Ikea alot do it today- my most favourite bit is the showroom where they have a teeny tiny house all packed into an amazingly small space. Alot of our funiture came from there too. I think it would help if I were a tidy person. I'm not at all, I try, but I get distracted, especially since I spend most of my day having fun with my 3 year old. (tidy out the airing cupboard versus blowing bubbles in the garden). My neighbour who has two boys and a husband in the same kind of house as ours is tidy - but even she says it is rather like living in a caravan!

vivw_2

I really feel I need help in simplifying. Everywhere I look there is too much stuff. I'm off work for 17 days soon [ Easter holidays] and I'd really like to sort out and simplify my utility room. Has anyone any suggestions on how to tackle it?

ceridwen

Viv

1. A friend with a "dispassionate" eye with you.

2. Working round the room from left to right (or vice-versa) - rather than just "diving in" at whatever point hits your eye first.

3. a "reward" lined up for afterwards (provided that you can "prove" to yourself that you have done a reasonable amount - works for me!:D ).

vivw_2

Some good ideas there, Ceridwen. Trouble is my best friend is more of a clutterbug than me!!
Have had a quick go at the room and its already looking better and making me feel better about it. I seem to have so many 'lock and lock' containers and they don't stack.