In my quest this year to downsize from a large home to a small one, it's become subject to study for me. In the mix of order and confusion, studying and filtering priorities and possessions I have certainly come to some conclusions about this process. Certain books have been a influence and a help along the discovery journey for me. 'Putting the Heart in Your Home' by Jean Lemmon is such a good book! It's all about ......."decorating that nurtures your soul."
Each room in a home is not defined by all of ones material goods. Rather it should be defined by a meaningful description of a feeling that the room evokes. The heart is a little like a home. Busy rooms and quiet ones, closets of memories and active feeding areas. Clean spaces and not so clean areas. Anyway you get the drift.
So for now my lesson to study on simplifying life is learning what atmosphere I would like to create in each space. For instance the emotional qualities of a house defined is what makes it a home - NOT the material possessions in it. Ideas to think on...
Living rooms - enrichment.... for reading, soft music playing, fireplace, enjoyable magazines...
Dining rooms - celebration .... a place to celebrate good times, heritage, traditions, special days in the family.
Den - relax ... a place to lounge, unwind, sip a cup, watch old movies.
Kitchen - comfort... good food, delightful tastes, interesting, feel good times
A simple home can exhibit a down home comfortable warmth while being clean, neat and well cared for.
It's a great book to study! One that will stay in my personal library.
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