Downsizing Can be Painless

Not only am I reducing the size of my home by 1000 square feet, we’re also going from an open concept floor plan to a floor plan that has more defined and smaller rooms.  This means downsizing in all areas is a must.  So I don’t make myself a crazy person, I’m sticking to a few downsizing rules that will make this entire process easier.

**Determine Your Lifestyle in your new home — how does your family live and how is each space going to function for you.

In our family, we need a crafting, creative space for the girls, a space for playing the piano or just having some quiet time, a space where we can lounge on our sectional sofa, office space for both Chris and I and an awesome outside space as we love being outside as much as inside.  So now I:

**Start by Taking Stock – ask yourself:

“what are the things we absolutely can’t live without &

“what are the things that I haven’t used in the last year &

“what are the things that I need to fulfill our lifestyle needs”?

Then…

**Start Editing  (that’s fancy talk for Declutter)

In the Kitchen ask yourself:  “do I need 3 sets of dishes?”  “do I need 37 coffee mugs that don’t match?”

In the playroom:  Do one cut without your kids and either throw away or donate those toys you know the kids are grown out of.  Now do a 2nd cut with the kids and let them decide–of the toys that are left, which are ones that they really don’t want any more and can donate to other children.

In the storage room:  If you haven’t used any seasonal decorations in the last year — get rid of them.

In your closets:  If you haven’t worn it in the last year – donate it!

**Lastly, re-edit when you unpack

Your perspective changes a little when you are in your new home.  You’re not under as much stress — you know the stress when you are so sick of packing you just pack everything anyway?

As you’re unpacking take a fresh look at each thing and ask yourself – “does this fit into my new space and my new chapter in life”

Change is hard in the Beginning,

Messy in the Middle and

Gorgeous at the End.

Spring is a time for renewal…trees and flowers are blooming, color is re-appearing everywhere, and Easter is just around the corner!

I wanted to share with you some tips on how to prepare your homes for spring entertaining. Spring is one of my favorite seasons and it’s all about bringing the outdoors in. Which leads to my first tip…

Bring On The Flowers: You can accessorize with fresh flowers or faux flowers. I personally prefer faux — one because I have a terrible memory when it comes to watering fresh plants, two because there is less clean up of the fallen petals and leaves and three because fresh flowers can get expensive in terms of upkeep. Just make sure when using faux that you spend a little more money to get the high quality versions. Don’t go the cheap, plastic route here, as it will just downgrade everything else you have on display.

Repurpose What You Have: Spring is a short season that seems to go by in an instant, so don’t invest in heaps of bunny accessories and Easter eggs. Instead, use key decor pieces that can evolve from one season into another. For example, the same hurricane vase centerpiece you had filled with ornaments at Christmas time can be filled with moss, cotton stems or other greenery for springtime. You also can take your boxwood wreath and use it as the base for a larger centerpiece.

Use White Dinnerware: This should be a staple in every home. White dinnerware will serve as the base of your place setting, then you can highlight and bring out the color and the season with colorful salad plates, bowls, glasses or cloth napkins. Another inexpensive way to add a personal touch to white place settings is with brightly designed name cards for each of your guests.

Have A Statement Piece On Your Table: This could be a “wow” centerpiece (like the hurricane vase) but it doesn’t have to be. You could instead opt to highlight your table with a patterned table runner, fun placemats or, as mentioned above, even let each place setting serve as its own statement.

Lastly, Keep it Simple: Just like a room design, you don’t want to have so much going on with your table that you don’t know what to look at first. After all, when you’re entertaining, your guests and the food are the real stars of the show. The decor and accessories are there to serve as a beautiful, welcoming back drop to each of your events, whether large or small.

Hopefully these entertaining tips will give you more confidence in hosting an Easter brunch or dinner for your own family and friends this spring. I can help you with the decor, but when it comes to cooking — you’re on your own 😉