We're in the home stretch, and while there are still some projects to undertake, this unstyled photo is a vast improvement over my unstyled photo from the first week. Things are cleaner, neater, and a bit more cohesive. I still look at this photo and see a lot of work to be done, but I'm already proud of all the progress.
Day 14: Get paper and files in order.
I try to keep my filing routine up to date as I go along, and I have a system that works fairly well for me, so this wasn't an issue. I did take a chance to reorganize some of my teaching materials, though, and I uploaded many, many, many computer files into Evernote, which is where I keep all the recipes, decor images, and organization ideas that I collect on my daily blog reads.
Day 15: Exercise some cord control.
We no longer have a sea of cords behind the TV! A simple wire cover has made all the difference in making the TV area look neater, and while there are two visible cords (necessary because we have to give them a bit of slack so the TV can rotate), I can handle those much more than I could handle the wrath of Medusa that was back there. I might get some white flex tube to cover them and make them blend in a bit more.
I also took this opportunity to complete a little craft project, inspired by I Heart Organizing. My computer cables, camera chargers, and other random electronic tidbits are now all rehoused in neat little cubbies.
Day 16: Give your bathroom and medicine cabinets a cleanout.
This was quick and easy, since we took care of this chore a couple of months ago. Neither of us have very many products, since I don't wear makeup and Ed keeps his routines pretty simple, so I just refolded some haphazard towels and moved a couple of items into neater rows. Done and done.
Day 17: Take a look at your living room lighting.
Our living room has three walls of windows, so bright light is rarely a problem. For nighttime, we already had a lamp and overhead lighting, but I wanted to add another lamp since one side of the room tends to get a bit dark. My mom bought me this pendant lamp for Christmas, and it went up this weekend.
Day 18: Weekend chores, flowers, living room, empty the outbox.
The only thing that didn't get done this weekend is a thorough emptying of the outbox. We're keeping the books for now so we can have a big book trade-in at the local book store once the semester is done (the time of my annual purge). We're also planning on selling some electronics on eBay, so those are sticking around for the time being. But we finally unloaded the credenza, which had been hanging out in the spare bedroom, and that was a huge weight off our shoulders. The other miscellaneous items went to a charity down the street.
In the living room, the new light went up, and we moved some more furniture around since we're still experimenting with chairs and storage options. The little table beneath the hanging light is a temporary place-holder until we can find a better-scaled piece that we like, but there are places to set drinks, places to keep games and DVDs, and places to sit, so it's a workable arrangement for the time being.
Then we gave the living room a thorough clean. Chibi likes to hide under the couch when he's out (case in point below), so we always have to make sure that it's thoroughly swept after he's back in his cage. 
We also gave the window sills a scouring, dusted, vacuumed, and cleaned under the couch cushions. I then lit a lavender candle, sat down, and basked in the glow of a freshly cleaned room.
MORE OF CAROLYN'S JANUARY CURE:
• Week One
• Week Two
• Week Three
(Images: Carolyn Purnell)
100 DIY Ideas for the 3-Day Weekend
Danielle's Charming, Classic Walk-Up
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The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
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Perfect Summer Cocktail Recipe: Honey Bourbon Lemonade
Nice after photo! It's amazing how relaxing sitting in a freshly cleaned room can be. I have really enjoyed following along on this journey and doing my own round-ups on my blog!
Carolyn! This looks awesome. I love how the red pendant lamp balances the color of the slim cabinet on the other side of the couch, and I'm also loving the ghost chair, the cluster of hex tables, and the gold étagère. Also, cord box = genius.
I like those octagon tables! Source?
Great Job! Thanks for sharing. I am jealous of how much you have accomplished! My window sills need cleaning badly!
I am feeling that I will get there. I just need to keep pushing through it. It is so easy to get sidetracked! I stayed up super late last night to work on getting my papers/filing in order. One of my most dreaded chores. I paid for it this morning! But getting current papers/filing in order, felt great. I hate the uncertain feeling that I am missing something when I am not on top of that kinda stuff.
I love chibi so much
Having serious cord organization envy. We have that Before box, as well... I'd almost rather buy a new cord than have to find what I need in there.
I'm curious to know where Chibi's cage is? I have a dwarf rabbit that likes to roam around free in a room, but he does love his cage.. I'm trying to figure out how to make it so that it's not so much an eyesore.
I second the request for source for octagon coffee tables!!
I cannot even with how cute Chibi is! I cannot even.
You have inspired me to exercise some cord control!
Thanks, everyone!
For those who wanted to know the source of the coffee tables, they're from West Elm. They were our first big (for us) home purchase, and we got them during a sale. I think that there's a sale on right now too, though, if you're interested.
And thanks to everyone for your nice comments on the cord control. I really feel like that was the best thing I did all week. I feel so much better not seeing wires everywhere and being able to find everything in that box, which I had always dreaded digging out before.
@sarajanie: Congrats on getting the filing done. It really is an odious task, but once it's done, I agree that I feel much better.
@lauren | rebuild (health & home): Thanks! That means a lot coming from such a stylish lady!
@Kimberly from Proud as Punch: Thanks! I'll have to check out your progress! It's fun to see what others have accomplished with the Cure.
@jessjeang: We have an open kitchen/ living/ hall space, and Chibi's cage is located in that area, on a wall near the fireplace. (I'll try to take pics from further back at some point.) That way he's near the living area, but not so near that his cage is right up in the midst of everything. The cage is still not a lovely sight, but we've tidied up his food and accessories, and it's all relatively out of the way, so I'm okay with giving up some aesthetics to have him near the living space. I've been scheming of some ways to minimize its presence even more though, and if I come up with anything good, I'll be sure to post about it.
And to the Chibi fans, he's been notified of his continued fame, and he says he's looking into getting an agent.
Well done, and thank you for another Chibi appearance!
Well, that looks like a house I'd like to visit!
Love that little red light! And I'm so glad to hear that someone else just doesn't wear make-up - I'm curious if there's a particular reason? I have sensitive skin but basically I just never got into the habit.
@KStew: I also just never got into the habit. For fancy occasions, I'll toss on some eyeshadow and mascara, but the rest just seems too bothersome for the day-to-day.