Bits and pieces, clutter and stuff......as I'm unpacking I'm having second thoughts about lots of the things I have. Yes, they are pretty, true some have memories attached, but after living at the other house with so little for the last few weeks I'm appreciating more and more the beauty and calming effect of space and clear surfaces.
Even looking at this photo it appears 'wrong', does anyone out there know what I mean? What would you take away from the mantlepiece?
I think the only answer is to live with them for a while and then come the car boot season, gently and gradually whittle things down until I reach a happy state of mind with the quantity and quality of the 'things' we own. One thing is for sure next time we move (in around 3 years hopefully) I want to take even less with us.
One thing I have bought to use at this new house is a Remoska, a neat little one pot oven that can cook all sorts of things so much cheaper than continually putting on the main electricity eating oven. I see lots of experimenting coming up over the first few weeks at this house.
Oooh I'm going to miss my Aga!!
Sue xx
I would just have the cream jug with the poppies...it looks so simple but dramatic against the green and white.
ReplyDeleteJane x
The remoska is a great little gadget, I use mine for lots of things. I have the grande and find it really useful, and very economical. Just be careful with the hot lid when you remove it,I managed a couple of little burns by catching my arm on mine when I first started using it. Have fun experimenting :)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean! After moving here five years ago to this little cottage, I too have recently begun to getting rid of some things. It isn't an easy task and I wish you luck. Keep us posted on your efforts! CG
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about clutter. We moved into our new house in October and there are still lots of boxes of 'stuff' in the garage waiting to be unpacked. Honestly, if we haven't unpacked them yet, do we really need whatever it is that's lurking in there?!
ReplyDeleteAs to your photo, I would take away everything except the vase of poppies and the two glass bottles next to it. I'd just leave them as a little grouping on that left side. But that's just my personal opinion!
Our house is stuffed to the beams with clutter, so I'm no-one to say what should be taken away :)
ReplyDeleteHaving said that I think the poppies alone would look great.
Look forward to seeing what you do with your 'wotsit' cooker thing that I've never heard of :)Mo
I know EXACTLY what you mean!!! I'm normally a "country" decor type person but 2 years ago I looked around my house and decided it felt cluttered so I de-cluttered. I packed up everything and put it in the attic. We painted our livingroom a pure white with cream accents in certain architectural areas. We also did the hallway off the livingroom going to the bedrooms the same pure white. I had nothing on my walls, except a large clock in the livingroom. I bought slipcovers in cream cotton duck and cover the sofa and chairs. The only color was in a couple accent pillows and some silk flowers. My curtains were in white sheers with cream, crinkle sheers on the ends. It was a very calming, cottage feeling. I loved it...for almost 2 years. Then it started to look "sterile". I went up in the attic and retrieved my "country" stuff and re-did everything. This winter has been cozy with all my "stuff" and I'm glad I didn't get rid of it.
ReplyDeleteRemoska. Wonderful. We got one to use in our motorhome. It is wonderful. Apart from all the stews etc it makes fabulous sponge cake and all manner of other unexpected things. I know you will make good use of it and can probably still do a lot of things in it that you used to do in the Aga. Good luck with it, I look foward to hearing how you get on. Ann x
ReplyDeleteOooh Sue,
ReplyDeleteI just love your big jug of poppies, they made me smile & look lovely in your kitchen. Love the revamped fire place too.
Hope your Dad & Mum are doing ok
Sue, you will LOVE your Remoska! I bake little cakes, a sponge cake and pizza, sizzle sausages, scones, start baked potates in m/wave and then finish them in Remoska, absolutely all sorts of things. You will certainly get your money's worth. No I don't work for them but I have met Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines, who promotes the website and goes to Lakeland Demonstrations. Oh yes, you can even cook a small chicken in it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.remoska.co.uk/ is a link to the site with lots of recipes etc.
Yep...it was definitely WAY too much clutter, all that's left on the mantlepiece is the jug of poppies and the little glass jars, much better on the eye!!
ReplyDeleteSue xx
I've just thought, dreamer has mentioned watch the hot lid, well don't let the hot lid near any flexes or plastic stuff on the worktop!
ReplyDeleteI managed to burn a flex on an expensive blender, for the moment it's taped up and fortunately it is close enough to plug to cut a bit off and re-plug but it could have been an expensive mistake.
Interesting to see your new cooking means which I've not heard of. I think you have to go with " Less is more " and enjoy.
ReplyDelete( sadly I don't !!! )
Campfire - my OH did exactly that and he had to rewire the handblender!
ReplyDeleteSue - I love my Remoska too! Wish mine was still as shiny as yours though...