My biggest purge yet!
March 02, 2011
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I’m DONE with the decluttering of the basement…this is huge for me peeps. HUGE. Every year for the past few years, I spend what seems like half the year decrapifying this space.
This time, it only took me a whole year. :)
For reals. Seriously. A YEAR.
One thing I have learned on my decrapification journey is that ridding your home of STUFF is not something you can do just once every twelve months. At least in our house – it’s a constant process.
Now our home is a bit different than most. I mean, I tend to gather stuff faster than the average person. It’s the nature of my “job” – being a home decor blogger. Add to that a thrifty home decor blogger, and it just spells T.R.O.U.B.L.E.
It physically pains a thrifty blogger to leave that perfect such-and-such or so-and-so at their local Goodwill because if I see it, leave it and walk out without it, OHDEARLORDIMIGHTNEEDIT!!!
Like, tomorrow! Or next week. Or next year?
Or something like that. :)
Sheesh. It is intense people.
But over the past year, I was increasingly over the STUFF. I wanted our house back. I wanted empty shelves back. And I was tired of seeing wasted money sitting around.
I got really intense with it late last summer when my father-in-law passed away. As we went through his house (for weeks), I found my tolerance for our unused, unappreciated stuff was less and less.
I decided then that I only wanted items in our house that 1.) we found useful (and currently USED) 2.) were meaningful to us or 3.) we loved (things that were passed down, or that we truly enjoyed).
If it didn’t meet one of these three, it was gone. Our biggest problem area has always been our basement. It’s just a prime landing spot for junk, obviously.
I’m happy to announce I have gone through and organized every. little. bitty. thing in the space now. It’s done.
I started with my craft area back in January:
This spot holds extra pantry and entertaining items, tools, craft supplies, electronics and my stash of decor stuff. Those plastic shelves are awesome! I think they run about $20 each and really hold up great.
The area to the left of my craft room will be our future movie viewing spot:
Hubs envisions a very large flat screen on that long wall. I see some gorgeous built ins. ;)
We used to have a massive weight system in that space:
And it had turned into a perch for STUFF. We never, ever used it. EVER. For months and years, we kept it, thinking we’d use it again.
We didn’t. :)
(In our defense, there were a few problems that needed to be fixed. We kept saying we’d fix them. We didn’t.)
And then I decided it didn’t meet our criteria – so it was GONE. I called a company to see how much they’d charge to take it down, and it was $250. PuSHAW. I figured I could totally do that myself – so I did.
I spent a few days with a socket wrench and took that baby down. It felt SO GOOD.
We didn’t use it, didn’t love it, so why keep it? Yes, I know it was an investment at one time. But I’d rather it go to someone who would use it, rather than sitting in our basement, acting as a coat rack.
Over the last few months, I’ve moved the majority of the Bub’s toys down to this space:
His DIY train tables are a perfect play surface and there’s plenty of floor space (covered with a carpet remnant). It’s so nice to have a spot dedicated to the toys!
The plastic shelves make an appearance in this area too:
We keep the kitty litter in the spot behind these (under the stairs), so to keep that area as separate as possible, I stapled some cheap muslin up on the studs behind the shelves.
I also hot glued a fun polka-dot fabric to the backs of the shelves:
It helps to keep the toys put and it’s just a dash of cute. :)
We already have some great lighting in the basement, but there’s a few spots that need a little extra. I’ve found these plug-in lights at most hardware stores:
They ROCK. Ours hold up to a 150 watt bulb. It’s fantastic for extra light! (They run about $7 each.)
One of my favorite changes in our basement is hubby’s office. It used to look like this:
Actually, it usually looked like a pit of despair. The floor was always covered with fake snow, ornaments, fall leaves and Easter basket filler. :)
Both walls were filled with storage bins, and eventually I realized it was a waste of great space. After MUCH purging, I moved them to the end of the basement instead:
I’m hoping to get some fantabulous shelving to organize these even more. It is ridiculous that shelving makes me so giddy. :)
Now that former bin-filled space is hubby’s office:
It’s actually a really cozy space! As cozy as cement walls and floors can be anyway. I like to think of it as loft-like. ;) Hubs writes music, so he LOVES this spot. It’s far enough away so that he doesn’t bother us with the music and we don’t bother him.
When I said I went through every little thing in this space, I’m not kidding. I can’t even believe how many paint cans we had:
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Insanity!!
Even though I had purged the holiday stuff last Christmas, I still had a pile of STUFF that I hadn’t organized:
%5B3%5D.jpg "photo(7)")
My tower of junk had fallen, so it gives a little extra drama to the madness. ;)
And I even went through each and every CD and floppy disk from up to ten years ago:
I spent hours at the computer going through files. I was determined to get it ALL done.
I took the last of the purge upstairs over the weekend and I was SO HAPPY when I saw the amount of storage stuff I didn’t need anymore:
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Over the past year, I kept count of the large storage bins I’ve sold or given away. It was right at 17. Seventeen big bins – and I didn’t keep ONE. That doesn’t even count all of the baskets, small bins, shelves…whatever. All of them are gone!
I didn’t want the temptation.
From now on, if I can’t fit an item the storage we have, then something has to go. My hope is to never buy another storage bin again…forever and ever AMEN.
:)
I snapped that picture above and texted my girlfriends to come and get free storage stuff…and even after one showed up and took a bunch of them, I still ended up finding more to add to the pile:
And then more:
I was on a roll. :) I gave a bunch to friends, and the rest was donated or taken to consignment.
Obviously, we still have lots of things. I like things. Pretty things, shiny things, thrifty things. I’m just not going to let them take over our home anymore.
So now, our foyer looks like this again:
It’s the first time in months I haven’t had a Goodwill pile by the front door. It feels good. :)
And our problem area, the spot where STUFF went to die…is now organized and ready for the (hopefully this year, crossing my fingers, pretty pretty please!) finished basement:
Whew. Just…WHEW. It nearly beat me people. But I overcame the clutter. :) Now…if I can just keep it in check!
So that’s the tale of my biggest decrapification yet. It didn’t happen over a weekend. Or a month…or even a few months. But it happened. And that’s all that mattered.
I think you've just inspired me to confront my place "where things die". It is an epic disaster.
ReplyDelete-Aaron
mudpiesandmarigolds.blogspot.com
Holy.....cow. This is sooo awesome! You are inspiring me to actually tackle my own home. Geeez. It is a little overwhelming to think about. But what you have done here is awesome and must feel so freeing. I am excited for you! I hope to be able to post something similar by the end of summer....now, to have a garage sale or not?? ;) Anyway, love what you have done here!
ReplyDeleteWow what a task!! I know I have sooo much decrapifying left to do.
ReplyDeleteI have to get rid of a bunch of stuff from my closet. But I have to be in "the mood" to tackle it. NWIM?
It looks amazing!! I can't wait to tackle mine this month after seeing your photos. I have painted the walls, laid gym matting down on the floor but we can't use it because its full of stuff waiting to to go goodwill or sell at consigment. It's also way to cold down there to be comfortable. How do you use the space and stay warm? If I could have heat it would make the space much more bearable in the winter.
ReplyDeletesarah, it looks AWESOME! i am most impressed that you actually use that space and function in it. The lighting, i am sure, helps with that. We did a big 1-day purge of the basement on Sunday and i feel such a peace when i walk down there now. all is right in the world!
ReplyDeletemy kids all cried and whined for the entire 2 hours that we had them working down there. that sound gives me such peace.
j/k
i got on "angie's list" and searched for "basement finishing" people today, because it would so rock to finish our basement too. what are your plans? DIY any of it? be a general contractor? hire it all out? i love reading melissa from 320 sycamore's basement finishing stuff.
have a great day/night!
angie
Oh my goodness! You and I must be related! I cannot resist buying something if it's a good deal, even if I have no idea what to do with it. My FIL passed away last March and my DH and I spent every weekend the ENTIRE summer sorting through his barn (2 stories), shed, garage, and house. TWO forty yd dumpsters FULL, countless trips to Goodwill, landfills, etc. That experience made me VOW to minimize what I have and never put my children through that. You have inspired me to continue my purging. I will be organized and clutter free :)
ReplyDeleteThis kind of makes me glad we live in a tiny home with no storage. We have no choice but to purge reguarly or to not let things come into the house in the first place.
ReplyDeleteWell done, you, for tackling that monster project!
I think you hit on my main two problems with my own clutter.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that there's a constant need to decrapify is not a natural thought to me, but all the people who I know who live clean and clutter-free lives seem to understand this concept. My M.O. is to let crap pile up until I want to scream--THEN I do something about it. I'm reactive when I should be proactive; at least that's how my eloquent hubs would put it.
Second, thrifty folks like you (and me) can become hoarders (on a small scale) because there's always a use for something. Ughh.
Good for you for letting that go.
I'm inspired by your progress!
Congratulations on clearing out so much stuff! It's amazing how fast everything accumulates. Just wanted to let you know about Dry Lok paint for cement walls in basements.(I'm not affiliated with them in any way)It's a waterproofing paint which helps with humidity. Our neighbor used it on their unfinished basement walls and painting the walls really made it looked like it was finished.
ReplyDeleteI loved the way you organized all your space!
You. Are. My. Hero! My basement is a leaky dumping ground. I will be showing husband this post ASAP and put a fire under everyone's booty to get the urge to purge!
ReplyDeleteWay to go!! It looks awesome and I hope you get your finished basement wish this year. I am a near-constant purger of things like clothes and junk that starts to collect on our main floor, but I do admit I have a dirty-little-secret-storage-room downstairs that looks like a bomb went off in it. Crap. Maybe (just maybe) I'll work on that now that you've been so inspiring... ;)
ReplyDeleteOh my holy huge basement! It looks so great! Your little man has such a great play area! Can't wait to see how you finish this space!
ReplyDeleteKudos to you. 1 1/2 yrs. ago I too began the process of "decrapifying" our home. Became overwhelmed with all the stuff we had crammed and stacked everywhere...we had even put giant metal shelves in the garage to hold bins. I will never accumulate like that again.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I LOVED the hardware light you got.
awesome!! you did a great job. The closest we have come to your masterpiece of an unfinished basement is right now & that is only because we are moving & trying to get the place showable for possible buyers :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you got your space (especially the toy area) beautiful & at a time where you can actually enjoy the fruits of your labors!
ahhh it's like clearing the mind. I have a lot of purging to do too. You must feel great that you were able to complete your biggest decrapification.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Sarah I have never seen so much *stuff*. Wow, you did it! I can't wait to see it as a finished family room. Take us through the process when you do. Did you ever finish your master bedroom redo with the sheets and the lighting behind the bed. Maybe I missed it. Just wondered how it turned out.
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing!!! I have been doing my house too! Room by room! My basement is last because things tend to land down there. And once it lands down there I have a rule it can't fly back upstairs unless it is out to the van to the goodwill. :) I have blogged recently about my kitchen and master bathroom and I purged HUGE trash can amounts and it feels soooo good!!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! My 4 year old was digging the train set in the picture.."Mommy, can we go play sometime?" Hahah.
ReplyDeleteIt Looks so great!
ReplyDeleteThis is me giving you the hugest-most super-de-dooper- high-five ever invented!
ReplyDeleteNow if only you lived closer you could come do my scrapbooking space... You'd die of claustrophobia just looking at it. ..... at least it's full of pretty things *sigh*.
Our decrapification needs to happen in the garage!! I hope that this spring/summer we will be able to get it accomplished!! Congratulations!! You new organized, decluttered basement looks great!!
ReplyDeleteGreat Great work on your basement! I can only imagine the back aches and hours it took. I bet it feels great. I recently started dejunking - been here 4 years but moved in right after chemo and radiation. Can we say - throw it in a closet please! I love the theater room idea. My husband built ours and it is fantastic. (We had someone do the finish work for us but the rest was all us). It's a haven for us. The wood work and built ins. The wall color. The high def projector. We love movies and don't have cable or anything. I haven't posted photo of it online. Let me know if you want to see the gorgeousness of our basement theater room by posting a comment on my blog and I will. Got some great movie posters at allposters but I'm sure you can probably find some great vintage posters somewhere cheaper. Anyway, love your blog. My sis shared it with me and it's super cute AND entertaining!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the de-cluttering. As someone who is into feng shui, getting rid of clutter is a big step in ordering one's life. Hm...not a coincidence to me that you have made it to the debt-free zone the same time as the de-clutter is complete...
ReplyDeleteMy hubby and I are both former widows who have been working hard to de-clutter not only our own stuff, now that we are married, but our late spouses' stuff too.
NOT an easy project, but our progress is ongoing and we nearly finished...woohoo!
Have fun in your uncluttered spaces :)
Wow - great job! That basement practically looks finished it's so nicely done! I wish I could do that, but we have mice....ew I know.
ReplyDeleteOnly you could take a clutter filled corner of an unfinished basement and create an office space that looks better than most CEO offices. Well done!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're a lady after my own heart! I've been putting off the basement purge for a L O N G time! You've inspired me. I only hope I can accomplish what you did. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh. my. word.... All that AND getting debt free?? You are amazing girl! You now define self-motivation in my book! Awesome job - and thanks for showing it, you are an inspiration for me, and make me believe I could tackle the same thing!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I keep imagining how awesome your husband's office cement walls would look stained. :o)
ReplyDeleteSpring cleaning for realsies!
ReplyDeleteI do wonder what you did with your paint though...I have some cans of paint I don't think I'll be using up (I bought a gallon of WHAT color?) and am not *entirely* sure what in the world to do with it.
Good Job. It seems like you added so much livable space!
ReplyDeletehttp://youngcheathams.blogspot.com/
Love this! We are always decluttering and organizing stuff around our home. It seems like a never ending, constant evolving process. Great Job on this!
ReplyDelete-Susana
www.montessoricandy.com
I tend to not comment much but I gotta tell you, this post inspired me so much I want to clean closets right now-and is 1:46am!!!
ReplyDeleteHooray! More stuff is always more to take care of! There is a constant flow of clutter in and out of our house which dramatically increased with the birth of each child...there are several times a year they must go through their toys and we purge. Some things are sent over from very well-meaning and loving grandparents that go directly to the box we donate to the orphans.
ReplyDeleteI am going through what I think will be my last decluttering/purging. I made a rule in our house about 2 years ago now. One in, one out. It sucks and yet it is freeing, both at the same time. I will see something and fall in love with it, and wait now...what am I willing to let go of to get this? If I can't think of anything, the item I've fallen in love with stays in the store. And, granted these are thrift stores. Still, a dollar is a dollar. Sometimes it is really HARD! But, bit by bit, we're getting our lives back. Due to family background, I grew up feeling everything has a memory attached. I'm breaking free from the cycle.
ReplyDeleteYou're amazing!!! Great job; you must feel free as a bird from all that "stuff".
ReplyDeleteI can't wait till you get back to decorating! hee hee
Kaye
I feel the same you do as far as departing with stuff! I am now starting to think about "stuff" I have. I sold three things on Craigslist this weekend and made $160 AND I am selling stuff of Ebay. I was going to buy more "stuff" but now I think paying off debt. So, you've inspired me in more ways than one!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I'm now inspired. I'll have to wait for spring or summer though. It's too cold in the basement or the attic. I'm ALWAYS cold.
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome! I think you just inspired me to go search out your purge! :) Just kidding.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great feeling!!!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Job well done. It looks great ... don't you feel so refreshed? I know I do when I tackle such (somewhat scary) projects! What an awesome basement you guys have!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Job well done. It looks great ... don't you feel so refreshed? I know I do when I tackle such (somewhat scary) projects! What an awesome basement you guys have!
ReplyDeleteGOOD JOB!!! I just posted on my blog earlier this week that I will NOT buy storage. Every once in a while a plastic bin because we're still a growing family and we've only lived in our house for 4 years - just really it's like 1 time a year that I will buy storage. I even said that if I can't fit it in what I've got available, then it's time to get rid of some stuff!!! Great decluttering minds think alike :) I just started following you and I'm getting so inspired to really start decorating my house. I mean it's decorated, but now I want to really do it with purpose. It's time!!! Keep up the great inspiring work!
ReplyDeleteI'm seriously impressed! As much as I love blogging and crafting, I think at times it becomes an "I need it now" or "I need to make it now" obsession. Lately, I've been trying to shop my home before I shop the store...and cut down on the clutter I bring in. I think I often buy things just to have them, not to use them, and its a habit I'm trying to break. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteExcellent transformation!!! Now, if only this can inspire me to hit the garage....
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration. I appreciate that you are honest and tell how long it takes and how much sweat and tears and HEAVY lifting, and maybe a bit of swearing, goes into a project like this. I have been working at it and had hopes to be so much further along before the temptation of yard sale season is again upon us. Thank you for getting my thinking back on track.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! I'm so proud of you! I get hives just thinking about decrapifying our tiny 2 bedroom rental. Sadly the majority of the stuff ia ALL mine, Hubby, could fit all of "his" stuff in one small cardboard box. Lol! We're moving soon so I know this is the perfect time to go through ALL of my stuff & get rid of the crap I know I never touch anymore. Thanks for being a inspiration! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiration -- thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteI am proud of you!! I wish we had that kind of a storage area... so far, all we have is one closet that I have to share with my husbands uniforms!! :)
ReplyDelete-Morghen
http://kilwifey.blogspot.com
I am so right there with you, I am tackling our Library today, the battle plan is to take 1 room at a time and finish it, including decrapification, painting, fixing or replacing furniture and accessories whatever needs done.
ReplyDeleteYour spaces look awesome!
Awesome!.....what did you do with all of the paint?
ReplyDeletenever know how to dispose of old paint and it just sits there staring at me like a stray dog.....ugh.
This is my first time commenting on your blog - and I have to say...I LOVE YOU! You have inspired me to start 'decrapifing' my own home. Starting this weekend! Nice to meet ya.:)
ReplyDeleteThis is so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteread your blog all the time but do not think I have ever commented. . thanks for all the pictures. . .this post has inspied me. . off the computer to go make a dent in my junk
ReplyDeleteYour purging is awesome. I watched hoarders last night on TLC and even while it was still on I was filling boxes and throwing out! What great inspiration that show can be!!! :D
ReplyDeleteThose plastic shelves are great since they don't rust and are fairly sturdy and easy to move if need be. The only thing that worries me about your re-do is the things hanging or directly up against the concrete walls. They will tend to draw moisture from the walls in time and may mildew. Taping a piece of plastic against your exterior wall, being sure to seal it all the way around, and watching to see if moisture collects inside next to the wall, is a good way to know if this is a problem.
Thanks for sharing! :)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI posted about my basement today too, specifically how to deal with a tiny egress window and I mentioned YOU and your contact-paper-on-the-pantry-door trick. Check it out at http://tallgrassdesign.blogspot.com/2011/03/basement-window-solution.html
ReplyDeleteWow you did a lot of work in getting your basement in order. I have bins in our new house from my childhood that I have not been in the mood to organize but you just gave me the push to go get it done and we will have more space. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWow, this is hugely impressive, it is clear you did a ton of work!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a basement (or even a proper closet!) as I live in a small, shared apartment, but i am currently in the process of my own cleanout, and my foyer looks a lot like yours did before your friends took items and the rest got donated! That's my chore for this weekend, it is going to be so nice to be free of the piles of stuff!
We are going through this process right now. It is slow and overwhelming...ugh. Thanks for the hope that I can get through all my crap too. Good job TDC! :)
ReplyDeletesuch inspiration!! thank you :) we are currently in the process of remodeling our basement, so it is driving me nuts with all the JUNK lying around!! ah. we hope to have an outdoor building one day, to store all of our big bins (mostly Christmas decorations!)!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read all the comments, 'cause I want to try to actually get something done in my own home before I go to pick up my morning kindergartner, but I just had to say, "YEAH, Sarah!" I can completely, completely relate! And I loved your comment that your home might just float away 'cause it feels so light! LOVE IT. Also, I never imagined an unfinished basement could look like your husband's work space! Wow, talk about inspiration! Who needs a finished basement???
ReplyDeleteLove,
Michiganhome
Awesome Job! I love decluttering. Doesn't it make you feel lighter?
ReplyDeleteAbout 6 months ago, I heard either on the radio or TV that since the invention of the "plastic tote" sales have been blown out of the water. Also, companies and individuals opening Storage unit businesses has skyrocketed. Its all a fairly new thing-back when our parents had homes they didnt have totes...or storage units. They just bought what they needed and didnt go beyond that. Our society has just gone crazy with STUFF. After hearing that report it lit a fire under me to start "decrapifying" as you say and I havent looked back:)
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job! Very inspiring.
XO,
Sarah
HandbagsnPigtails.blogspot.com
we live in florida....no basements! so I'm forced to constantly declutter!
ReplyDeleteI would just like to point out that I very much enjoyed your use of "pit of despair." You really got some major work done. I need to head upstairs to Natalie's old room and do the same. :s
ReplyDeleteToo funny, okay I just had to include my link to my post from yesterday with photos of the view from my treadmill.. laura@imnotatrophywife.com
ReplyDeletehttp://imnotatrophywife.blogspot.com/2011/03/view-from-my-treadmill.html
I'm so inspired! I love your basement space!
ReplyDeleteDon't you wish you could call someone and yell "WE'RE CRAP FREE!" Good for you!
ReplyDelete~Jenny at An Apple for the Crafter
http://anappleforthecrafter.blogspot.com/
The hubby's office is AMAZING! Great job!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! I just read your post about an hour ago and decided I was going to take a trip to Goodwill.I had a bunch of stuff saved for a garage sale. The one that "will happen someday". I decided to just donate it. I also went through some stuff in our "box room". I ended up taking 6 overflowing boxes of stuff to Goodwill!! It feels so good to get rid of that stuff! I also have stuff "on probation" meaning if I don't use it in a month, it goes to Goodwill too!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the inspiration!!
Now that is some serious decrapification. :-) Cant believe how much paint you had.. Wait, maybe I can, cause I think I have the same amount. It sneaks up on you doesnt it?
ReplyDeleteAwesome Job! It's a never ending cycle, I know.
ReplyDeleteGreat job purging and getting rid of your clutter!!! It is always such a good feeling to step back and see a job well done!:) We have this same project to do but in the attic. Everytime I clean out my house and try to clear up our home up the stairs to the attic it all goes. Hopefully we have the same wonderful results!
ReplyDeletelooks great! I wish I lived closer so I could go visit your goodwill after you've been there donating your goodies!
ReplyDeleteI am inspired, I am impressed!
ReplyDeleteI am going to go to the hole soon and tackle this DECRAPIFICATION process I have growing.
There is hope!
Tanya
Isn't it amazing the amount of money we spend on stuff that we never use? I have reached the end of the line on extra stuff also. I have just cleaned out my sixth house due to downsizing or death. We have left so many things and pieces of furniture behind because we couldn't afford to ship them hundreds or thousands of miles away at great expense. We can't use most of these things even though they are nice, because how many bureaus or nine foot deacon's benches can you have? So we gave most of it away. I wonder what you would call "the circle of life" for household things and furniture?
ReplyDeleteHakuna Junkata? Good job! Ann
Where did you get your curtains in your foyer? Thanks
ReplyDeleteAs a completely OCD purge freak, you have made me very happy with your basement purge! Ahhh. I felt better just seeing those tubs going out your door :) Seriously, though, your basement is looking awesome: love the toy area, your husband's office space is fantastic! Lots of hard work but you did a great job!
ReplyDeleteAmazing transformation!! It feels soooo good when you organize like that. And look at all the rooms you suddenly got!! I need to do the same. Our basement is a mess!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is WOW!
ReplyDeleteSerious project! Yes it does take a long time right?
ReplyDeleteI find the hardest thing is to "do something" with all the stuff you find, get rid of the paint (I've been hardening ours), donate stuff, throw it out (can only fit so much in the trash bins), whatever.
Congrats for such an accomplishment! My foyer is looking a bit like yours these days, but I know there is an end in sight!
I love, LOVE that you shared messy photos!! :) I'm right behind you on working on the basement - that's my next - or second to next - project! Thanks for being gutsy and keeping it REAL!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm going to post about this!
OK, here's the little post I did...
ReplyDeletehttp://playfuldecor.blogspot.com/2011/03/its-fine-to-have-messy-basement.html
Have a great weekend!
I LOVE Your posts! I have even featured some on my blog! Your basement looks great even though its not finished you have done a great job with it. I know you will feel so refreshed with all your new organization. Good job!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiration you are!
ReplyDeleteTara
PearlsForMyDaughters
Good for you!! I have been de-cluttering my house since we moved back to the states in May. All this stuff we had in storage for 6 years while we lived overseas plus all the stuff that I hoarded while living away from Target. It seems endless but a little bit at a time goes a long way. I've noticed that I buy way less when I'm in the process of decrapifying so that's an added bonus!
ReplyDeleteI bet getting rid of your debt and getting rid of your clutter go hand in hand. Probably a lot of that clutter contributed to the debt. Good accomplishments!
ReplyDeleteWow. Do you know how much you are inspiring me? In a bunch of ways? Paying down the debts is a big one (you are proof that it can, in fact, be done--we'll be done with everything except the house/car next summer)..and decrappifying (I've got THREE places things go to die...ugh...tackle one thing at a time...).
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Thanks for your funny tale of decrapitation. I, too, get tired of stuff from time to time.
ReplyDeleteOver the years, I have learned to not bring things into the house that I don't have a current project or spot for (saves all that boxing up and taking to Goodwill when I'm tired of it time). Secondly, I never concern myself with original price - whether I keep something or not, I'm not getting my money back. Sometimes it's a matter of space over stuff.
Thanks for sharing your journey.
Carolleegail
CONGRATS, looks amazing!!! That is a TON of work, great job! :)
ReplyDeleteOriental Furniture's Circular Calligraphy Cabinet would be my choice for it's unique finish and shape to add to my entry way!
ReplyDeleteGreat job, girl! Now do you want to come help me clean out my basement?? ; )
ReplyDeletewhat an awesome feeling this must be for you. i only wish i could do the same. i try but as soon as i get one table cleared of stuff, a week later it is filled again with crap from the hubby....sigh
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely amazing! GOOD for you! Came to your blog by way of Just a Girl....right up my alley, I am also a thrifty decor chica!
ReplyDeleteDecrapifying, lol! love that. You know something, declluttering is an ongoing battle. Every 6-8 weeks I make a pile for donation. then I say to DH "you know what? there's no way we have anything left. No more to donate!" and yet, here we are, about 8 weeks later again...and I have an even BIGGER pile of stuff to donate!! I'm very careful about what I bring into the house. But I don't know, I think it multiplies in the dark. I really need to stay on top of the clutter, to make sure it doesn't overrun us again. Maintenance is a huge part of it! :-)
ReplyDeleteI really needed this today! Haven't checked out your blog in a few weeks and I love the fact that when I did today IT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED! I'm so done with all the clutter in my house, and now instead of stressing over getting it done in just a couple of days, I can take comfort in knowing that it is going to take longer than that, and THAT'S OK! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, great job! I can see that theater room now...it sounds fabulous! :)
ReplyDeleteHow do you find time to do all of this??? I don't even blog as much as you do and I can't seem to keep up "decrapifying" my junk at home. Would you like to help me? ;)
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Reyna
ArcadianHomeDecor
Wow that is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteWell done! What a massive task! Great play area too!
ReplyDeleteWow! Next time you are de-crapifying can I be on the CALL list to come shopping. I might have a problem too, but I'm not at a place right now to part with it. I had a rummage sale 2 years ago and was planning to do a second one then never got around to it. It wasn't until this winter when the hubs and I decided we were going to finish the basement that I decided it was ok. Yet the thrift in my is constantly finding ways to reuse that stuff!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pressure to organize. I could use a kick in the butt from time to time :)