Clearing Out Clutter: Which 7 Things Make the Cut?

by Randi Destefano

Have you noticed that clearing out clutter and simplifying seems to be on everyone’s minds lately?  I know I have.  We see it on magazine covers at the supermarket.  We see news clips on TV.  And if you’re active on social media, solutions are bombarding us all the time.

Many of my friends are downsizing, now that the kids are gone, and moving to new locations.  Some are facing moving aging parents into assisted living.  And with downsizing comes the questions “What should I get rid of?” and “What should I take with me?”

The thought of going smaller sounds wonderful…and scary at the same time.  We dread the thought of clearing out clutter, when years of living in one house have created huge piles of it.   And then memories get in the way.

So I started thinking about what I would take with me if I were moving to a new place and needed to declutter.  What would I take if I had to limit myself 7 things to decorate my new home?  Let me show you what I discovered…

This antique Chinese pillow box was the first thing I bought during our stay in Singapore.  I love the history behind the piece.  And I love red!

I love textiles, and our trek through the Balinese countryside to find the village where these are woven, is a memory I won’t forget.  Only 3 villages in the world create double weave Ikat cloths.

My collection of handmade pottery Mood Stones is something that I love to look at, touch, and shake.  I couldn’t pick just one!

On a trip to Florence, I lusted over this one of a kind inlaid stone “painting”.  It was a little pricey, so I didn’t buy it.  Imagine my surprise when I opened this the following Christmas!  Hubby did good!!!

Now the real challenge begins!  With four favorite things already selected, I want to layer these two special carpets and roll them together to count as #5.  This is getting hard!  I walked around the house taking pictures of the most special things I would like to take on my “starting over” move.  I’m learning that’s it’s a little easier to choose from a photo.

More tough decisions!  Of course, this Vietnamese painting has to be included!!!  But I really love the red chest…….  Can a grouping count as one thing?

This large raku pot has been in our home for over 20 years.  I can see it as a lamp in the future, so it’s a “must take”.  Plus, it shows my “happy colors!”

And now I’m left with 3 or 4 things that didn’t make the cut.  I’ll be sad to say good bye to them.  What I’ve learned from this design challenge is:

• A lot of things in our home can be replaced or substituted.
• I would take things that can’t be replaced…art work, antiques, textiles…sofas can be replaced
• The things I chose have memories attached to them
• Understanding how hard it is for some people to move from their family home into a much smaller apartment
• It was hard not to cheat. I really wanted to call all of my artwork one item!

Your Design Homework this week:

Take up this challenge in your own home.  Imagine that you’re moving to a new home in a new location.  You want to start over with a clean slate, a new look.  What 7 things would you take with you?