Sorry for the lack of posts, it's been a busy few days since Alan came home full time.
We've had an electrician in to replace all the lights in this half of the kitchen we've had problems with them ever since we bought this house, but now it's all sorted and the new low energy spotlights that are in place will use even less power from the solar panels and battery back up system ... and the kitchen and bathroom are both ten times brighter.
On top of all this this week we have had internet issues, it turned out our router had died a quiet and dignified death and has now, after much faffing about, been replaced with a younger fitter model ... and just like that we are back in internet action.
I took photos while everything was out of the kitchen and bathroom to inspire me to keep decluttering. It was so calming to have empty shelves and surfaces.
We cleared it all out early in the day as the electrician was coming at teatime to do the job, so it meant I got to enjoy the clear space and simplicity for a good few hours. It didn't take him very long to do, so while everything was out we had a good spring clean and then finished off by re-oiling the shelves and worktops with Danish Oil, and then as we were going out for all of the following day we left everywhere bare for the oil to be properly absorbed.
I didn't want to put everything back the next evening I was just enjoying the delicious sparseness so much .....
... but stepping into the living room and seeing the windowsill in there made it a rather foregone conclusion that things really did have to go back to their rightful places ;-)
I've been busy sorting through my rather large book collection yesterday and today and this post was just a little break between shelves now that the computer is back in action, but now I suppose it's time to get back to work .... I'm finding it very cathartic all this sorting.
Sue xx
How satisfying it is to get household problems finally taken care of - "sorted", as you say. A plumber is currently at my house replacing the 10-year old hot water heater, before it gets older and breaks. What a concept! When my computer router died a while ago, I of course had no idea what was wrong. My "go to" expert in all things computer is my brother-in-law, who pointed out that all the lights on the router going off should have been my first clue. Live and learn, right?
ReplyDeleteIt's a relief to finally get it done, it's amazing how long you put up with problems before getting them sorted sometimes. We had one lightbulb fitting that would just blow any new bulb we put in there after a few hours, so in the end we just put up with a slightly darker corner near the window and stopped replacing the bulb, it turns out it was a simple wiring fault ... all sorted now.
DeleteI remembered that post you did where you went very minimalist ( or pretended to) and got rid of everything, thought for a mo you were doing it again. :-)
ReplyDeleteI wish rooms were as big with furniture in as they are without!
Glad that all things electrical are sorted
Haha, yes I remember that one, it was on April 1st not long after we moved here :-)
DeleteWhat a lovely kitchen you have, it's like starting afresh when everything's been removed and you're putting it back xx
ReplyDeleteThank you. It does feel nice and fresh in there, and having everything spotlessly clean means a few days off from worrying about dust ;-)
DeleteLooks great like that and so much bigger too! Xx
ReplyDeleteI am working on keeping my worktops clearer of 'stuff', but when you're busy it seems to accumulate almost as fast as you clear it. Clear space at any level does make the room seem so much bigger doesn't it.
DeleteI'm currently trying to figure out what to do with my Nana's china so I can get rid of the cabinet it is in and the dinette table and two chairs...Wall board will be going in later this week in my kitchen space and after painting and putting in tile, bottom cabinets and appliances will go in. I will need to part with things and learn to use the space differently as it has been re-configured and was tiny to start with, approx. 7x7. Good luck with your continued de-cluttering.
ReplyDeleteDo you use it regularly? I wouldn't keep anything not in use, especially if it needed a whole cabinet to store it in. Maybe if you don't want to use it someone else in the family would like to .... just an idea :-)
DeleteIam finding my sorting and getting rid cathartic too Sue but now I am just desperate
ReplyDeleteto get moved into my new abode - and it is not going to happen yet.
It is very cathartic isn't it. Sorry to hear your move is not going smoothly, I really thought things were on track, moving is so stressful. I hope things speed up again soon for you.
DeleteReally inspiring! I've just spent this past weekend moving book cases and cabinets (I like to switch my furniture around every now and again) so this was a good opportunity to purge more items and to give everything a good clean! I'm enjoying the new look, in particular my bedroom which now looks so calm and soothing - I moved out all the red accessories (they are in the living room now) and swapped for navy and aqua blue (all with items that I already owned). My inspiration was a quilt that my step-mom made for me with those colours!
ReplyDeleteIt really does give you such a feeling of accomplishment when everything is clean and tidy.
I used to be a real furniture mover, sometimes my first husband would come home to a completely reinvented house. These days once something finds a good place it stays there ... permanently. I do like having a blitz every now and then though, moving everything out for a good clean behind and under, it's very satisfying to know every bit of a room is clean.
DeleteI have to say I could never be a minimalist. A bare-to-the-bones room would have no appeal for me. It's my bits and bobs (with their memories) which make a room homely to me. Each to his own. We'd be very boring if we were all the same!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you have the lighting sorted out now, and more light for less expense sounds very good.
No I could never have a room totally devoid of things that hold memories, we do have little bits and bobs everywhere that mean something to us, it's everything else that is being jettisoned.
DeleteYou have a lovely kitchen!
ReplyDeleteThank you. xx
DeleteThank you ... we do spend a lot of time admiring our views ... in all sorts of weather it looks spectacular.
ReplyDeleteI love your kitchen Sue, and I'll love to see it again when everything is back in place and it looks busy and cosy. May I please request another photo?? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sally ... I'll see what I can do about an 'after' shot just for you :-)
DeleteReally love your kitchen Sue but I am a bit like Bovey Belle, I love bits and bobs around. Trouble is all they do is gather dust, which means more cleaning. When you have had a good clean though it does make you feel better. I love the shade of green you have in your kitchen and that view (from your living room), well that's something else - fantastic!!
ReplyDelete