MyLittleWonders Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 (edited) I wanted to start a thread for anyone who is going zen on their house and wanted to share pictures (Parrothead - I didn't want to infringe on your thread). Right now I'm focusing on the bookcase in our dining room, which houses our homeschool materials; the end of the countertop in the kitchen (which is open to the dining room), which seems to catch all the paper (bills, tax materials, junk mail, stuff the kids print, etc.), and my bedroom (the dresser top, next to the dresser, and my nightstand). Here's the before pictures: Kitchen/Dining Room: (And sorry about the lighting; if I sat down on Photoshop to correct the lighting, I'd never get anything cleaned! :lol: And, the baby is currently sleeping in the bassinet in the picture; she will determine how much I actually get cleaned today. ;) ) (Didn't know they'd come up so HUGE!) Edited February 8, 2011 by MyLittleWonders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mykdsmomy Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Auntie J needs to come over and hold the baby so you can get some cleaning done ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 And the bedroom: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 Auntie J needs to come over and hold the baby so you can get some cleaning done ;) Most definitely! :001_wub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catalinakel Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I like your house and your style, but am stumped as to how this is all Zen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnsinkableKristen Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 It always makes me feel better when other peoples' homes look like mine :lol: I'll be joining the "Zen" movement, but probably not until after my 1st trimester ends and I have a little more energy. The kids' rooms are a disaster area anyway, but this summer we are putting up bunk beds in each room and painting. That will be the perfect time to seriously get rid of some of these toys and better organize the ones we keep! Good luck with your cleaning!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymilkies Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I love my Faerie Oracle book. :thumbup1: And I love your kitchen! That's exactly the color I've been wanting for mine. The previous owners painted it an obscene brown color. Blech. I'll post pics tomorrow. And this is me over your Dyson: :drool5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 I like your house and your style, but am stumped as to how this is all Zen? Thanks ... and it's a spin-off of Parrothead's thread about getting rid of everything on shelves, in cupboards, etc. I needed inspiration to clean out the clutter and pare down to the essentials. But, I didn't want to jump into her thread with my own pictures, but wanted to keep the spirit of the thread going, hence my thread title. :) Now only if baby girl will stay asleep long enough for me to make something for the boys' to eat and actually clean something! :lol: It always makes me feel better when other peoples' homes look like mine :lol: I'll be joining the "Zen" movement, but probably not until after my 1st trimester ends and I have a little more energy. The kids' rooms are a disaster area anyway, but this summer we are putting up bunk beds in each room and painting. That will be the perfect time to seriously get rid of some of these toys and better organize the ones we keep! Good luck with your cleaning!! (Bolded mine - I love that too!) I couldn't imagine doing anything during my first trimester, I was so tired. Actually, before I realized (or admitted, depending on one's perspective! :) ) I was pregnant, I couldn't figure out why I couldn't stay awake when the kids and I would read together in the afternoons. :tongue_smilie: And my boys would LOVE bunkbeds, and their rooms (well, the whole house) could use a new coat of paint. But, that will have to wait. For now, I'm just hoping to have removed enough stuff from the house that isn't being used that we aren't tripping over things. (I should take a picture of the wooden train track explosion that happened in my living room or the Lego throw-up in one of the bedroms. :glare: I guess it's one small step at a time, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimm Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I like your house and your style, but am stumped as to how this is all Zen? I think these are the before shots. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymilkies Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 It is nice to see "real" homes of other families. So often you see these pristine houses that look like they've never been touched and kids couldn't possibly have set foot in there and it gets very disheartening like I am the *only* person out there who can't keep up with the lego mess! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 It is nice to see "real" homes of other families. So often you see these pristine houses that look like they've never been touched and kids couldn't possibly have set foot in there and it gets very disheartening like I am the *only* person out there who can't keep up with the lego mess! I so agree - I feel the same way with siblings that fight (homeschooled ones at that) and parents that sometimes lose their cool and raise their voices. I often feel like we must be doing something wrong because we don't have the homeschool family that gets along so well all the time and sings Kumbaya all day. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnsinkableKristen Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 It is nice to see "real" homes of other families. So often you see these pristine houses that look like they've never been touched and kids couldn't possibly have set foot in there and it gets very disheartening like I am the *only* person out there who can't keep up with the lego mess! Sweet Mother, Legos are my arch enemy! Those along with Littlest Pet Shop and Polly Pocket crud will be the death of me, I am certain. But alas, they actually play with them every single day so I can't even throw them out for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caitlinsmom Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I can't wait to see it finished. I love to declutter. It always makes me breath a little easier. I can also take the days mood swings in stride when things are tidied up. :) Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Not sure this qualifies as zen, but this is the bookcase I put together because the nice ones I own are still in storage. Trying to keep a minimalist mindset (and because we're broke :D) I didn't want to spend all my money on a cheap one. This is in the classroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 (edited) Oh, I would so love to! I just told work that I'm off duty until mid-next week, so now would be the time to get some dejunking done! My camera is dead at the moment, but I'll post some pics when I can get them. In the meantime, my plan for tonight is to: Clear out my plasticware cabinet now that I've invested in more Pyrex storage containers Clean out the cabinet above the fridge Get some stuff gone from the storage cabinets above the kitchen Once all this is done, maybe the things I actually use won't be exploding from my lower cabinets anymore! I'm starting right now... :gnorsi: ETA: I love you for sharing your chaos with us! It does make me feel better. Of course, I don't have your very excellent newborn excuse for actually HAVING chaos, so... dang it! Edited February 9, 2011 by melissel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tohru Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Thanks for posting pictures! That's how our house looks all the time when we aren't expecting visitors. Then when we are expecting guests, we do mass cleaning and it looks sparkly and zen. I wish that we could just could keep it that way though (guests-are-coming-over zen-look.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakereese Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Thanks for posting pictures! That's how our house looks all the time when we aren't expecting visitors. Then when we are expecting guests, we do mass cleaning and it looks sparkly and zen. I wish that we could just could keep it that way though (guests-are-coming-over zen-look.) Yes. This. Our house looks pretty cluttered on a day-to-day basis, but when we are having guests or a party....super clean! But I am a deranged woman for days beforehand, trying to hide all of our "mayhem and foolishness"!! (love Niecy Nash! :lol:) These zen posts are inspiring me. Really. As soon as the kids are in bed I am working on a room. :auto: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennifersLost Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 LOL. I just resurrected my "Halving it All" blog today and came on to find this post. I don't know if anyone on this site today remembers what I was up to two years ago, but essentially I went through my entire house and literally got rid of half of the stuff. Then I moved onto other things, like the food bill, our gas bills, etc. I stopped because I couldn't think of anything else to do at the time, but have just started again because now I'm working on "halving my life" - or something like that. I really want to take the simplification thing further - and use it to bring peace into my life and that of my family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 LOL. I just resurrected my "Halving it All" blog today and came on to find this post. I don't know if anyone on this site today remembers what I was up to two years ago, but essentially I went through my entire house and literally got rid of half of the stuff. Then I moved onto other things, like the food bill, our gas bills, etc. I stopped because I couldn't think of anything else to do at the time, but have just started again because now I'm working on "halving my life" - or something like that. I really want to take the simplification thing further - and use it to bring peace into my life and that of my family. I often think of your halving project. It was a big catalyst to help me see that I could have an experience or I could have an item to look at or wear. :hurray: I'll have to check into your blog again, thanks for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoyfulMama Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Not sure this qualifies as zen, but this is the bookcase I put together because the nice ones I own are still in storage. Trying to keep a minimalist mindset (and because we're broke :D) I didn't want to spend all my money on a cheap one. This is in the classroom. Those look similar to the bookshelves I had in ds's bedroom for a few (6?) months when we moved in here. I then found a great tall and skinny bookshelf at a spring yardsale for $5! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowperch Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 We are supposed to keep up with the legos? subbing... I'm actually trying to let go a little of trying to declutter. I'm a neat freak and it gets in the way of enjoying things. But I'd like to lose a little more stuff before I relax! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Not sure this qualifies as zen, but this is the bookcase I put together because the nice ones I own are still in storage. Trying to keep a minimalist mindset (and because we're broke :D) I didn't want to spend all my money on a cheap one. This is in the classroom. I have those same to books sitting on my shelf! Weird!!!! Great minds and all :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetobehome Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I have been working towards simplifying. Of course, this does not apply to my BOOKS. I will be adding photos tomorrow, if I have time. I don't have 'before' pictures, as I have been working towards this for awhile, but I still want to do more more more and then have less less less! I'll take pics in the light tomorrow. My 8 year old has caught the bug, and insisted we get rid of stuff in her room today. It looks awesome! But I still need to pull out her wall-to-wall carpeting. I pulled it out of the upstairs, except her room, and found hardwood floors beneath. Whee! These threads give me a jump-start when I get behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 After baby, baseball, dinner, and bedtime, my cleaning time today was limited, but this is what I did accomplish so far: :D 1. My aunt and our neighbor each gifted us a box of books, mostly older elementary chapter books. I sorted through each box, and either pulled the ones I wanted right now to keep in the house or put them into a clear bin labeled "reading books". 2. I sorted all curriculum currently in the house and put what is not being currently used (but will be used again or was bought ahead of time) into appropriately labeled bin (language arts, history, science, and math). 3. Reorganized and basically cleaned the bookshelves adjacent to the dining room table, wiped down all surfaces, and made it nice and neat again. I also finished putting Story Grammar into page protectors and in the 3-ring binder that also houses Sentence Composing, so it's ready to use. It's not quite as much as I wanted, but I feel very good about my homeschooling area. I still need to photocopy the rest of our Latin for the year, but other than that, I think my year is planned, prepared, and now organized too. :D Tomorrow I hope to finish the kitchen countertop and tame the paper monster. My mom should be here to hold the baby, thus giving me at least a full hour to work. Plus, she can help me sort papers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 BTW, the open laptop and the papers, etc. under it are dh's and will be returning to his classroom with him. ;) And the bins will be making their way to the garage. I have other boxes out there to cull and organize, but this is a start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mykdsmomy Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Love it! That was a lot of work to get done with everything else you had to do today! Where did you find the cool pics to label the bins? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Cornelia Snook Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I have nothing helpful to contribute, but just wanted to giggle about the legos thrown-up everywhere! That sounds like my playroom at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 (edited) I got my three kitchen cabinet sections cleaned out and have a BUNCH of stuff to give away and Freecycle. That's my real downfall--I can't just bring myself to throw it all out, so it hangs around forever waiting to be gotten rid of. But there are two really desirable things in this bunch--a rice cooker and a hand chopper--so I'm going to make it a "must take all" box and make it all someone else's problem :lol: I won't have much time today--the girls are well again and I have two reports to finish editing for work, plus gymnastics tonight, but my goals will be to finish off the kitchen by clearing off the main table and going through the "school supplies" drawer in the kitchen, because it's about to overflow. Woohoo! ETA: And wow, you did get a lot done! By that time of night, all I'm usually ready for is my head to hit the pillow! So cool about the boxes of school stuff... Edited February 9, 2011 by melissel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 These threads give me a jump-start when I get behind. So true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I got my three kitchen cabinet sections cleaned out and have a BUNCH of stuff to give away and Freecycle. That's my real downfall--I can't just bring myself to throw it all out, so it hangs around forever waiting to be gotten rid of. But there are two really desirable things in this bunch--a rice cooker and a hand chopper--so I'm going to make it a "must take all" box and make it all someone else's problem :lol: :eek: Are you giving the hand chopper away because you have no more hands left to chop in your house? How are you typing this?? ;) :D :tongue_smilie::lol: Sorry, I know I'm being silly, it just struck me funny. hehehehe @MyLittleWonders I have that same abacus! You did a great job. That was a lot of work! Way to go! :) :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 :eek: Are you giving the hand chopper away because you have no more hands left to chop in your house? How are you typing this?? ;) :D :tongue_smilie::lol: Talk-to-text, of course! That's one way to eliminate clutter, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Talk-to-text, of course! That's one way to eliminate clutter, right? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Yeah, you really took it all the way though! hehehehe Ay, you're a good sport melissel. :grouphug: hehehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Yeah, you really took it all the way though! hehehehe Ay, you're a good sport melissel. :grouphug: hehehe :lol::lol: I do try! Thanks for the larf :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 :lol::lol: I do try! Thanks for the larf :D hehehehe you're very welcome Capt. Hook. ;) :D hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetobehome Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 LOL! Melissel, I will take your box! I want the rice cooker! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 LOL! Melissel, I will take your box! I want the rice cooker! :-) Truly, if you lived anywhere in the NJ tri-state area, I would give it to you! (You don't, do you?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 hehehehe you're very welcome Capt. Hook. ;) :D hehe :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetobehome Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 (edited) So here are my AFTER shots of my house. The empty shelves are that way because we are having the rooms painted next week, so I am clearing everything for that. Testing with a pic of my no-clutter kitchen. I am proud of the inside of the cabinets, too! Just don't look in my fridge/freezer! See my coffee cup and lid there, just waiting for me! Edited February 9, 2011 by lovetobehome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetobehome Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 (edited) Here are my no-clutter living room (complete with child reading!) and eating room (complete with child, too). the blue blobs are beanbags, a new addition. Dining room is full of boxes, preparing for painting... Edited February 9, 2011 by lovetobehome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Well done! It looks great! :) :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymilkies Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 It looks amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoyfulMama Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Lookin' fabulous! :thumbup1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 They all look so good! I'm proud to be the catalyst of all the Zenning going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 I got my three kitchen cabinet sections cleaned out and have a BUNCH of stuff to give away and Freecycle. That's my real downfall--I can't just bring myself to throw it all out, so it hangs around forever waiting to be gotten rid of. But there are two really desirable things in this bunch--a rice cooker and a hand chopper--so I'm going to make it a "must take all" box and make it all someone else's problem :lol: I won't have much time today--the girls are well again and I have two reports to finish editing for work, plus gymnastics tonight, but my goals will be to finish off the kitchen by clearing off the main table and going through the "school supplies" drawer in the kitchen, because it's about to overflow. Woohoo! ETA: And wow, you did get a lot done! By that time of night, all I'm usually ready for is my head to hit the pillow! So cool about the boxes of school stuff... Way to go! I too need to do a kitchen cupboard declutter, but need to declutter my paper clutter/bills/tax information first, so that's down lower on my list. And don't mention the "school supplies" drawer ... that is my current nemesis! :tongue_smilie: Are you giving the hand chopper away because you have no more hands left to chop in your house? How are you typing this?? ;) Sorry, I know I'm being silly, it just struck me funny. hehehehe @MyLittleWonders I have that same abacus! You did a great job. That was a lot of work! Way to go! :) :hurray: :lol: And thanks! So here are my AFTER shots of my house. The empty shelves are that way because we are having the rooms painted next week, so I am clearing everything for that. Testing with a pic of my no-clutter kitchen. I am proud of the inside of the cabinets, too! Just don't look in my fridge/freezer! Your house is looking awesome! I hope you also post pictures after it is painted. We need to have the paint "touched up" in every room and are talking about having it done this summer, but I'm not looking forward to all the prep. Maybe the decluttering I'm doing now will help. They all look so good! I'm proud to be the catalyst of all the Zenning going on.I'm so thankful you were brave to post your before and after pictures ... you really did give me the kick start I needed to get going on my house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mykdsmomy Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I'm so inspired. My living room is once again under construction :lol: I'm also rethinking putting the toys back into the boys room to free up eye clutter in the dining room. I also need to tackle our kitchen which is beyond the state of being condemned. DD16 is going to take pics and I'll post them in a little bit :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 I'm so inspired. My living room is once again under construction :lol: I'm also rethinking putting the toys back into the boys room to free up eye clutter in the dining room. I also need to tackle our kitchen which is beyond the state of being condemned. DD16 is going to take pics and I'll post them in a little bit :) Yay! I think your boys' toys are your nemesis. ;) If my garage was clean and organized, you could store some here, but alas, that won't be until the summer more than likely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mykdsmomy Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Yay! I think your boys' toys are your nemesis. ;) If my garage was clean and organized, you could store some here, but alas, that won't be until the summer more than likely. Ironically, I've eliminated sooooo many toys so there really aren't that many....but of course if they go back into the boys room, they will surely reproduce :001_huh: I moved the Tv and put it on the green dresser....the kids don't like it but whatever, they didn't help me move all of it. Rich is going to have to deal with A LOT of rewiring, untangling when he gets home :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mykdsmomy Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Here are my before shots: https://picasaweb.google.com/richsgrl1/20110209?feat=directlink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Here are my no-clutter living room (complete with child reading!) and eating room (complete with child, too). I want your icon alter. What colors are you painting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 My mom came over today and helped with the beastly paper mound on my countertop. (She forgot to take home my shredding though. ;) My shredder broke and she has one of those industrial strength ones.) While we went through the papers/envelopes/etc., she created files right then (yea, I hadn't thought of that). Tomorrow she's going to help me tackle the paper beast on my desk, and hopefully we'll get my file drawer in order. :D I hope to move into my bedroom on Friday to do that area. Later I'll post after shots of my kitchen counter and before pictures of my desk area. Right now my desk area is just a small-ish hutch that was bought for our first house (we have moved two times since) and it fit well there but now is just functioning until we can do what we really want in the living room (one wall will eventually be built-in bookcases with a desk area, complete with filing cabinets, etc., but we don't know what we want it to look like yet, so we aren't doing anything to it yet). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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