apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I think more house tours should include 'embarassments' - I'll show you my storage closet if you show me your junk drawer...

It's good to be reminded that nobody's perfect.

I post a lot of pictures of my current projects. Of course the photo is focused on the particular element of the project but there will typically be noticeable clutter around it. I don't really mind because it kind of puts things into perspective. Basically, the project I'm focusing on looks great but the big project (the place as a whole) is a complete disaster!

Hopefully, one day I will be able to show the whole project and everything will be relatively tidy. One thing's for certain, I will not arrange my closet precisely because that would simply be false advertising.

Also, if someone is showing their apartment, they already know they will be moving, so there may be a movement of stuff out of closets and into living spaces for future packing. At least, that was my excuse!

I applaud the honesty of this post. I like to think that we are fairly meticulous with our home keeping but picture-perfect homes in the glossies succeed in making even the most fastidious among us look like slobs.

When I was selling my condo I actually moved out and into my (future) husband's house because I know what a slob I tend to be. This way I could leave it in pristine condition and not have to worry. Plus my cats were safe from some agent letting them squeak out the door because I brought them with me. I realize this isn't an option for most people and I was lucky I was able to do it.

it's nice to not be judged on your home for once.

I once turned down a pretty great apartment in Savannah, GA because the current tenant was so disgusting. The kitchen was filthy and it turned me off so much that I couldn't see the great apartment under all the filth.

That being said.. a pile of laundry isn't a big deal. We all have it somewhere.

Selling also makes you realize not everyone sees your vision...

When I was selling, my agent actually told me to put $1200 into my kitchen because none of the prospective buyers "understood" the open shelving. I actually had to give a credit for something I thought looked much better than cabinet doors.

Imperfection perfected. (caption)

And the problem with people who want to buy your place is that they need to poke around in the closets and cabinets and see the ensuite bath and the kids' rooms and the utility room/closet and all of the places in a home where you can hide a mess and no civilized guest will see. On the other hand, the people you invite into your home as guests are people whose opinions matter to you. The people your real estate agent brings in will likely forever be strangers, even if they buy the place.

Man, it's nice to see that not every home is pristine :^)

I love a little bit of clutter; makes a house feel like someone actually lives there. That's not to say I want to see a mess, but a basket of laundry and some magazines in the bathroom is not a deal breaker!

When I get around to selling my current place, I'm definitely renting a storage space. I've seen some awful houses where the sellers left beds unmade, clothing stuffed under beds, etc. Just a total turn off. At least make some effort.

That junk closet isn't so bad ... as long as you aren't hiding all the "junk" you took out just so you could shoot the photo :)