apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Well I guess I'll kick this off (come on people, I know I'm not the only one representing MN!). I did the cure for the first time this past fall and wasn't planning on joining in again since I'm planning on moving in a couple months... but I figure this is a good way to get organized and start downsizing, and I may try and come up with a design plan for the new apartment too.

Hi Seshat, thanks for breaking the ice!

I followed along with the last Fall Cure, and then my boyfriend so kindly got me the book for Christmas so I was all amped up to do it this time around...but already kind of feel like I'm failing! Week One is coming to a close and I haven't done much except for read the chapter. I work two jobs (a day job and a freelance art gig) and was finishing up my taxes this week, so my itty bitty studio still looks like a whirlwind of junk. It's not a great excuse, but already I'm finding it hard to budget my time appropriately and hope I can start turning things around.
I realize that instead of posting here I should probably take this time to get to work, right? Heh :)

The most common advice going around seems to be "don't worry if you don't get everything done." I found the cure to be a great motivator and way to keep myself on task, but I didn't get everything I wanted done, and I didn't always follow along perfectly but I still had a MUCH nicer space by the end. As far as budgeting time... I'm typically a night owl so I'd get home from work, eat dinner and chill for a bit, then start a mad cleaning rampage at 9 or 10.

I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of your progress! I'm planning on moving into a studio in June and am looking for some good inspiration (being artsy, into sewing, and an avid reader I have a LOT to cram into a small space... plus I haven't actually picked out an apartment yet so I don't know my floorplan). Do you happen to know of any good image resources for studios?

arttarte - You're not the only one with a tight schedule! Don't feel overwhelmed to start with, some weeks will be easier than others. What I do in my own home is just make a list of the tasks to be done each week and as the new week comes, I add those tasks at the bottom, and then just start crossing things off. The list keeps me responsible and in tune with what all needs to be done, but I know that I'll get to it when I have a chance.
I've also found that although I don't have 2 hours solid to sit down and assess my home and the way it's used, I can usually manage 15 minutes here and there in my day, so I set a timer! I get done what I get done and then I don't worry about it again until later! Keep us updated with your concerns!


seshat- You'll love curing before you move!! I was moving for what seems like the entire length of the Fall Cure and I would have given anything to have been as honest with myself ahead of time on what I really need to exists and what could be donated/trashed. It would have made moving easier, plus it will give you a personal attachment to everything you pack and unpack and should help eliminate "that random box of stuff you never unpack because you don't know what to do with it." Best of luck!

Hi Minneapolis!

Good luck on the Spring Cure and keep one another going.

It's great to finally have a place for local voices. Please let us know how it works for you.

Is anyone from Minneapolis still checking in? Tell me how it's going!
What are you struggling with? What have you accomplished?

We are a quiet bunch, no?

Things at my apartment are going along sort of slow, thanks to a killer cold that's knocked me down for a week and a half (going straight to bed after work is not conducive to curing...decorating problems at least!) but things are still going. I have cleaned out a redundant nightstand and plan to kick it to the curb tomorrow, literally.

Right now I'm struggling with a purchasing decision. I am in need of a bookcase, because right now my books are stacked (neatly!) on two vintage suitcases acting as a kind of table/stand. It has sufficed for awhile and doesn't look bad, just not ideal.

I'm pretty much on an IKEA-sized budget, which leaves me with such options as the skinny versions of both the Lack or Expedit. I like both of them, but am not sure whether one is better from a design/build perspective. On the completely other hand, I am contemplating spending the extra $30 to get a knock-off spine bookshelf at Overstock.com because I covet the look and like that it has a small footprint.

It's very likely that I'll be moving in a few months time, so I'm wondering whether I should just keep the good-not-great current setup, or invest some cash in a piece that will look cool (hopefully) for a few months but then be a big hassle to move when the time comes.