apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I did this a while ago too. I realized that less really is more. I gave up the nice loft and moved into a about 300 sq ft single and just love it. I only get what I need and it is amazing how little we really need. I really recommend it. I adopted the idea to "live simply" and I could not be happier. Good for you for giving it a try!

Between stuff inherited from my grandma, things from childhood, and various ideas for any given room, I have acquired soo much stuff and the decor was not looking good. I finally went through it all and saved only things that had real sentimental value. (and even then moved some stuff to the attic). The apt now has a minimalist, simple vibe and looks better than ever.

Yep.

I'm in the process of selling my some of my current furniture and replacing it with more minimal pieces. Like trading my queen size bed for a full size (but treating myself to an actual bedframe and a quality mattress), trading my wide, simple computer desk for a narrow, tall leaning desk.
I have a feeling I'll be doing a lot of the trading this for that in the coming months, but hopefully I'll end up with a tiny studio that feels like a great, big, welcoming HOME. :)

I am trying to learn to be this way. I've challenged myself to get rid of 5 things every week for a year.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/5things/

I'm reminded of this every time we go on a backpacking trip. We can carry only the essentials. It makes coming home really luxurious, and it informs how I relate to an item: essential? comfort? superfluous?

Way to go!

The best place I ever lived was a tiny studio I camped out in while going through a divorce. I didn't have easy access to all my things, so I only brought what I knew I really wanted, and it was simply heaven.

Now I'm in a new place with all my [hard-won] stuff, and even after a few good purges I feel like I'm drowning in it. Still, it's hard to give it up. The Fall Cure seems to be helping, though--baby steps, I guess!

A topic I'd like to see addressed here is how to live with another person's clutter. I'll readily admit to having a lot of my own, and it's dealing with that that makes the huz's clutter so unbearable sometimes. Thing of it is we're both DIYers and we really do use it. Just not all of it, all the time.

I'm starting to see cycles. I get stuff, figure out what I really use, purge. It's never a process I actually finish.

But now I want that yellow phone in the pic...

I live in a small (350 sq ft) studio. I was thinking about moving into a one bedroom until I realized that I'd have plenty of space if I just got rid of the things I don't need/love/want. I'm doing the Fall Cure and I expect to be bathing in space when I'm done.

Dig that yellow phone. Must have that.

Often many of our possessions are more about a fantasy lifestyle rather than real life. Whenever I have the urge to buy something, I ask myself whether it supports who I really am, or if I'm picturing an idealized future self in my head.

This notion can also affect the way we use the space we have. Larger houses will contain huge kitchens where no one cooks much, and exercise rooms where the machines sit idle.

i'm all for less is more, but does having a phone that is not actually usable (as it isnt plugged into a jack and is clearly not a wireless phone) really bring that idea to life?

catrombar--i've never heard it put like that: 'future self'. It really describes the motivation behind a lot of purchases and how having a lot of stuff keeps us from being right where we are, and who we are. thanks.

I've been editing quite a bit for the last year since I moved in. One thing that's traveled from place to place, not that it took up alot of room...popsicle molds. Who knows where I got them, I only used them once or twice in 11 years, always held onto them "just incase". So, finally in May, I tossed them. Then in June, my trainer started me on juicing as a way to get more nutrients into my diet. Now I wish I had those molds back because popsicles are a great quick treat when you're on the go. Sigh...but usually you don't need that thing that you think you're gonna use "someday."

i always sucker myself into the "just in case" or "i'll use it someday" mentality when it comes to the kitchen. You've just reminded me that it's time to go through everything again!

Someday I'm gonna use this article... ~:o)

We're inching towards a move and recently acquired (yeah, not got rid of ...) two big Ikea bins (we helped a friend move, see ...) and one of them I have been tossing stuff into. It is a little easier than actually getting things out of the house, emotionally, and it lets us be impulsive without accumulating a big pile by the door. Red and grey striped sweatshirt that I picked up at a clothing swap and haven't worn more than twice? Bin. Shell bracelet that I bought in Thailand, wore for most of 2002 and haven't worn once since? Bin.

Bin. Bin. Bin.

Yesterday morning, though, dear husband turns to me, moka pot in hand and says "didn't we used to have an espresso maker?" We did used to. It is with the special thai rice steamer pot. Which is where? With the bamboo steamer and the ... stuff. So much stuff. I actually didn't get rid of these things but I did banish them from the kitchen about six months ago so that we could actually get to the blender.

I have that phone too and I love it, except for the extremely loud and shrill ring!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2287/2199150922_399f1461fd_o.jpg

Re: comment about the unplugged phone, two thoughts:
1) wires are ugly when styling a photo
or
2) the phone is a sculpture and great conversation piece. it really makes the photo - I love that space!

Organizing and purging isn't something one does once or twice, we need to do it all the time.