Friday, February 11, 2011

Some SimpleSpacing

The last few days I've been doing some SimpleSpacing in our little home. 
Very few things in life make me as peaceful, happy, and grateful 
as having a clean, organized, simplified home. 

For those of you who are new readers, the term "SimpleSpaces" was developed by my mother, who wrote a book about simplifying life and spaces. The principles in the book have already changed my life (I've been observing and living the principles as I've grown up and learned from my mom), and I have no doubt they have and will continue to change others' lives. 
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Space 1: 
Bedroom Bookcases/Nightstands

Problem:
Clutter. 
We had too many books and not enough room for the things we needed easy access to. Since bedroom #2 is a nursery, our office has been moved to our bedroom. This move has significantly limited the amount of space we have for personal files, folders, notebooks, journals, etc. 

Solution:
My mom so generously gave us a bookcase to put in the living room, which would make it possible to move many of the books from our room into the living room. Yay! 

Before:

After:

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Space 2:
Living Room

Problem:
Need more storage. 

Solution:
By painting and using the large bookcase and moving some things around we were able to greatly increase the amount of storage space in the living room. We moved most all of our books out of our bedroom, and were also able to display a few more decorations. 

Before:

After:

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Space 3:
Office/Desk

Problem:
Needed a system for files and papers.

Solution:
My parents were also so generous in giving us a small file cabinet that just happened to work perfectly with our desk. We were able to move almost everything out of Baby's room and into our office/bedroom. Our printer had also been in Baby's closet for nearly a year, and we were finally able to move it closer.
 Thank you mom!

Before:

After:

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Space 4:
Kitchen/Eating area for Baby

Problem:
Not enough storage space

Solution:
Baskets, baskets, baskets

Before:
(Christmas-time)

After:
(more space for food, utensils, food mill, etc)


For more information about SimpleSpaces please email me or leave a comment below 


5 comments:

  1. I'm interested! We have way too much stuff for the amount of space we have... unfortunately, we've already been through in an attempt to consolidate, and we still have a ton. I think our next solution will be moving.

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  2. Hi Rachel,
    I met Laura Gillrie Welch when we both lived in California (she's since moved to the East) and she told me about your mom and her amazing book. It wasn't ready at the time, but last year Laura's sister, Anne (who still lives in CA) told me the book was ready and asked if I wanted a copy. I did, and she ordered one for me, and I LOVE it. I'm actually now wondering how to get at least two more copies for my family/friends, but Anne just had a baby a few days ago. Luckily my google search brought me to your blog. :) Can you help me get some more copies? Best, Anna McKeown

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  3. Hi Anna. I think the easiest way would be for you to email my mom. I'm not quite sure how she works out payments/shipping.

    Her email is kim.yandow@gmail.com

    Let me know if I can help with anything or if you have any other questions! Thanks!

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  4. Hi Anna! I'm not sure if my mom has been checking her email, if you are still interested in getting more copies of the book will you contact me at relkitto@gmail.com? Thanks!

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