Friday, October 30, 2009
Less space. Less stuff. More life.
This was something said by a Danish man on Oprah and it really struck me. It's so much better to live simply. Why? Less stuff means less cleaning, less distractions, more money therefore more time to spend doing things that bring you joy.
My task this week is to simplify my home. We live in a tiny studio packed full of 'stuff'. I spend every day cleaning and organizing and somehow it multiplies while I'm sleeping. I feel like I'm on a never-ending cleaning spree and combined with taking care of an 8 month old it's quite exhausting!
Here I go...wish me luck!
This was something said by a Danish man on Oprah and it really struck me. It's so much better to live simply. Why? Less stuff means less cleaning, less distractions, more money therefore more time to spend doing things that bring you joy.
My task this week is to simplify my home. We live in a tiny studio packed full of 'stuff'. I spend every day cleaning and organizing and somehow it multiplies while I'm sleeping. I feel like I'm on a never-ending cleaning spree and combined with taking care of an 8 month old it's quite exhausting!
Here I go...wish me luck!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Cleaning: Start by giving this room a good scrubbing. Walls, tiles, bathtub, toilet are all vastly improved by a good wash
Paint: Colour in your bathroom can make all the difference. Start with the colours in your tiles and work from there. We've found the best colours are either white or something that complements the tiles. Choose a colour with warmth in it. When I was deciding on colour, flipping between a warm yellow, a grass green and lavender, my brother gave me a great piece of advice: "Hold the swatch up to your skin. If it makes you look sick, skip it." We ended up with the lavender. Even if you choose white, get something with a hint of pink.
Change out the light fixtures: Cover a bare bulb with a shade, swap out a ceiling mounted fixture with a chandelier, bring in a table lamp, consider a night light to take evening baths by and don't forget the candles, a nice touch for night or for parties.
Lighting: If you go for CFL's in here, remember to choose something in the warm spectrum. You do remember how awful you look in your office bathroom, yes? Try to avoid that ghastly green pallor at home.
New knobs: Sometimes all it takes to perk up a bathroom are swapping out old cabinet knobs for something new.
Shower curtains: Try a thick white waffle weave, paint a good quality plastic liner, add a ruffle or a fat border to a plain curtain. Small stall? Try a curved tension shower rod, set high, to add a subtle amount of space and roller curtain rings to make getting in and out of the shower more pleasant.
Accessories: Good hand and bath towels and a plush bathmat can instantly change up the look of this room. Or give your bathroom a modern Asian twist with a wooden bathmat.
Clean and regrout your tiles: This is a fairly easy DIY that has a big impact. All thumbs? Try a whitening pen to lighten the grout.
Smell: Whether it's a clump of hanging tea bags, a scented candle, a diffuser or a bunch of hanging eucalyptus, pay attention to the scent of your bathroom.
Toilet paper: Whether you prefer over or under, choose a high quality recycled toilet tissue
Clean out your medicine chest: Even if you're not having people over, make some order in here. If you can, only fill it with products and tools that you use on a daily basis. Stash the first aid products, the occassional beauty supplies, the cold and flu medicines, somewhere else.
Paint: Colour in your bathroom can make all the difference. Start with the colours in your tiles and work from there. We've found the best colours are either white or something that complements the tiles. Choose a colour with warmth in it. When I was deciding on colour, flipping between a warm yellow, a grass green and lavender, my brother gave me a great piece of advice: "Hold the swatch up to your skin. If it makes you look sick, skip it." We ended up with the lavender. Even if you choose white, get something with a hint of pink.
Change out the light fixtures: Cover a bare bulb with a shade, swap out a ceiling mounted fixture with a chandelier, bring in a table lamp, consider a night light to take evening baths by and don't forget the candles, a nice touch for night or for parties.
Lighting: If you go for CFL's in here, remember to choose something in the warm spectrum. You do remember how awful you look in your office bathroom, yes? Try to avoid that ghastly green pallor at home.
New knobs: Sometimes all it takes to perk up a bathroom are swapping out old cabinet knobs for something new.
Shower curtains: Try a thick white waffle weave, paint a good quality plastic liner, add a ruffle or a fat border to a plain curtain. Small stall? Try a curved tension shower rod, set high, to add a subtle amount of space and roller curtain rings to make getting in and out of the shower more pleasant.
Accessories: Good hand and bath towels and a plush bathmat can instantly change up the look of this room. Or give your bathroom a modern Asian twist with a wooden bathmat.
Clean and regrout your tiles: This is a fairly easy DIY that has a big impact. All thumbs? Try a whitening pen to lighten the grout.
Smell: Whether it's a clump of hanging tea bags, a scented candle, a diffuser or a bunch of hanging eucalyptus, pay attention to the scent of your bathroom.
Toilet paper: Whether you prefer over or under, choose a high quality recycled toilet tissue
Clean out your medicine chest: Even if you're not having people over, make some order in here. If you can, only fill it with products and tools that you use on a daily basis. Stash the first aid products, the occassional beauty supplies, the cold and flu medicines, somewhere else.
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