Simple Living

A perfect hallway...crisp white shelves! And a pocket door! And that heart-breaking pink chair! And that art!

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Since the Christmas season (with all its glorious excess) has ended, I’ve become fixated on simplicity and clean lines.

The hallway and stairwell of my dreams...

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I think all my new year’s resolutions (or lofty desires, as they should be called) relate to the idea of living a lighter, less cluttered (and more liberated) life. Maybe it's just the claustrophobia of winter and the cold-weather blues, but I'm dying for long hours of soft natural light, fresh air, and wide open spaces. I want my interiors to provide this...

My dream office

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In essence, I'd like to find some inner peace this year. And where better to start than by finding some outer peace? A cluttered mind is the devil's playground (or something like that...). I'd like less STUFF to tie me down. I want better, not more. I'd like to encourage a still mind, which might become a more content mind with a little meditation, some prayer, and perhaps...a tidy and well-organized home? I can only hope!

Living Room from Domino. A pretty rustic rug and no coffee table!

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I will admit...I love shopping. I love to browse and touch, to admire things. I love considering where they might fit in my life. But I am not a complusive spender. I see things I like, but rarely things I love. Calgary doesn't have the best selection of luxury goods and home decor. In my estimation, it's rather mediocre for such a wealthy town. So when I go out searching I always seem to end up empty-handed, and have to settle for second-best, third-rate. In this town, if I waited for things I love, I'd be walking around naked and living in an empty house.

But having said that, I still want to try harder, to not bring home things unless I really love them. I want my heart to say a big emphatic YES inside from now on. I can see with this philosophy I will be lucky if i can spend a hundred bucks this year. Rolling storage bins and an utterly adorable candy pink lamp! Bravo!A serene room. Maybe a little too simple. But what's outside that window?

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My heart is leaning towards restful simplicity, spare interiors. Oh, how they liberate your mind...

Bedroom from Domino. I love the floating shelf.

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In the last few days I've felt tempted to go through and paint the whole house white, and remove 80% of the things from every room. I feel like a ruthless photo editor when I stare into every room and see clutter. I need space. My body craves it.

This year I intend to sort and organize and appreciate more the things I have. I will improve storage. Storage is my new mantra. I will bring less home, and throw out (or donate) all the things we don't use and don't need. I will strive to create cleaner spaces with less embellishment. There. I feel better already.
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Our house has a "Needs List" as long as my arm. It needs a ton of cosmetic work (trim, new doors, light fixtures throughout), and there are several rooms I haven't even "decorated" (the laundry room, the family room, the back hall, the office, and the main bathroom) yet.


But I’ve decided to stop fretting over these spaces and take my time and wait until each room whispers in my ear that it is time…time to develop a cozy functionality, and to make it simply beautiful!

All photos Living Etc except where noted from Domino!