At Christmas time if we don’t go away, we have some precious quiet time to plan for the New Year and to start to upgrade our homes. Whether or not we wish to sell them or rent them or just live more comfortably in them!! The result of a good clean out is so positive for our Karma and sense of achievement!
Start with a notebook and pen. Go into each room and quietly sit and contemplate the room as if you were a stranger.
LOUNGE: • Would the TV and hi fi and all their wires be better concealed by moving them across the room instead of being visible to you as you come through the front door? • Is it time to recover or replace your seating arrangements and coffee table? • Or invest in a gorgeous soft throw for the couch ? • Would you feel happier with new scatter cushions? • How about replacing the table lamps for something more modern? • Perhaps replace the art work? Have some pictures you took in the year transferred to canvas and mounted? Or check the internet for beautiful pictures of trees and have them printed on canvas and mounted. Amazing tranquillity… • Maybe you want to create a memory or picture wall ? Lay the pictures all on the floor in your chosen layout first before mounting. Swop till you are happy.
KITCHEN: • Throw out any thing chipped or badly marked. • Do a clean out of your utensils and crockery/ cutlery • Clean the pantry/ cupboard • Buy new placemats/ chopping board/tea towels • Check your cleaning materials and cleaning tools. Chuck out nearly empty bottles and buy new broom/dusters/mop • Throw out anything you haven’t used for a year (rusty cake tins included)
BEDROOM/S: • Time to say good bye to smelly old bed linen. Buy just 2 new sets. • Use the old sheets as painting protection sheets/dusters/donate to animal charities • Check your dressing table and drawers for ancient and unused items/price lists/nail varnish/old make up etc.
OUT OUT OUT • Take a serious look at your underwear. Toss what makes you feel unhappy. • Try on the clothes you haven’t worn for 6 months. If they don’t make you look good and feel happy, put them in a big bag for garage sale/donation. Be absolutely ruthless • Ditto bags and shoes, hats etc. • Could you find joy in repainted furniture ? Go check the Plascon and Dulux new colours… • How about finding a funky headboard ? a wooden pallet? A screen from a junk shop? A picture of your dog blown up on canvas? • Change or just wash the curtains ? Remove curtains and replace with stunning white venetian or pull down blinds to give you a more minimalistic look?
BATHROOMS: • Set to with serious cleaning materials, brushes and even old toothbrushes • Consider repainting the tiles (appropriate paint is available) • Do the bath and shower/ floor need re grouting ? Get in! Choose a pale colour of grout • How about changing the knobs on the cupboards (ditto bedroom) ? • Clean out the cupboards. Chuck all out of date meds and little bottles with just a bit of product in them. Ditto old makeup. • Treat yourself to some beautifully scented bath and shower products. Visit Crabtree and Evylyn in Design Quarter for ideas. • Visit Sheet Street or Mr Price or @Home and choose some lovely new towels. Hand towels in colours don’t need washing so often.
Please contact Fran for any Buying or Selling requirements you may have: Cell: +27 (0)83 678 8001 (Francesca)