Visual order

As a decorator having spent many years pondering colors, fabrics, furnishings

and interiors, I am completely obsessed with creating visual order and peace in my home. My conclusion has been that mere decorating and design are not enough and it must go further if we are to find that deeper sense of rest and calm.

When I told my mother I had just colour cordininated my husbands polo shirts and  jumpers her response was  " you really need to get a life". Despite this, I am convinced I am onto something intrinsically important.

To condense one's belongings, or edit them in such a way and then display them beautifully is an art form in itself. Whether it be the pleasure of selecting a particular cashmere jumper from your drawer beautifully folded or the right cooking implements I believe it is a much overlooked area of design. Paying attention to the items we choose to wear or use can either be a pleasure or a chore. 

You be the judge. Am I going mad or am I onto something important?

I have nothing to wear!

We've all been through the tired dilemma of "I have nothing to wear".  After years of fairly scrupulous seasonal wardrobe cullings I decided a more drastic approach was needed to my wardrobe. To have a wardrobe of key pieces, all in good condition, I can mix and match with ease and speed was my aim. 

I had been inspired by the idea of a capsule wardrobe which would include all the key pieces I need in an average week to reduce the clutter and make my choices simpler. To create a uniform which is uniquely me. 

Here's a guide to how I set about creating my own capsule wardrobe.

10 Steps to a capsule wardrobe

 1. Remove everything from your wardrobe and put it on your bed, I mean, everything!

 2. Separate sessional clothing and deal only with what is suitable for the current season.

 3. Separate into formal, work and casual . You may want to add an exercise pile.

 4. Ask the following questions;

• Which  items do I wear all the time?  
• Do these items flatter me  both in colour and shape?
• Do they suit my personality and age?

You may want to ask a friend or daughter for help with these decisions.

 5. If you have answered yes, hang them up. Then ask yourself;

•  Are these items in good condition? 
• If yes, leave them there, if no, leave them until you have found a suitable replacement

 6. Look at everything on the bed which is good quality and  suits you in style and colour yet you may never wear. Perhaps you consider them too good to wear and are saving them for a special occasion. 

 Hang them up and start using them.  If you still can't use them over the next season, get rid of them.

 7. Are there items you could now remove which you wear all the time yet should have been ditched some time ago due to their condition? Remove them now.

 8. Group like with like: i.e. all your trousers together, skirts together etc. Also group by colour.

 9. Hang formal clothes at one end and also coats and outerwear.

10. You should now have a condensed wardrobe which makes your life easier. Be sure to pack  all your off season clothes away safely. Take all discarded items to a charity store or give away to a friend who they may suit better

Your new capsule wardrobe should consist of all your essentials. It will make buying new clothes so much easier as you will have a greater sense of your own style and know exactly what is needed to fill in the gaps.

You will be able to walk confidently out the door each day knowing you are wearing the best you have for the appropriate occasions.

Once we define our own style we shouldn't be afraid to stick with it, experiment with accessories and refine it. Let's try to wear the best things we own and enjoy them rather than saving them for later.

Decluttering my wardrobe

I must apologise for my lack of blogging yet again! Since I last appeared we have had an engagement in the family which has caused great excitement. I have also been attending numerous end of school events for my youngest child about to sit his year 12. I can't believe they are old enough for all of this or the fact that I am old enough to have children of this age. In all of this excitement, chaos and coming and going I have decided a wardrobe decluttering is in need. Armed with some lovely photos and some good advice from Vicki Archer at French Essence, who says "everything must come out"!I am starting this morning. I know it sounds a little silly when I have house guests arriving later today but somethings just can't wait and when the urge comes I simply must go with it! Enjoy your weekend xxx

images via Turquoise tulips and bliss

Beautiful collections

I could stare at these images all day of India Hick's home in the Bahamas and still not grow tired. Her ability to arrange objects around her home in beautiful displays is no doubt a consequence of having David Hicks (one of my favourite designers) for a Father.

All images from here

Organising the bedroom

Ever dreamed of a beautifully organised wardrobe? I have, and am tackling this job right now having been inspired by the latest Lonny mag issue, full of great advice.

Step 1. select every thing I no longer wear, suits me, fits me properly or is just not me. Put it in two bags. One to go directly to charity the second is for things I am not sure about. After 12 months if I have not used them I will dispose of then.

Step 2 pull out everything that needs mending altering, special cleaning.

Step 3 put away all winter coats and bulky items in vacuum bags until I need them again.

Step 4. I have just bought some fabulous drawer dividers for all my scarves, belts and smalls to help keep things in check and ensure I can find them in a flash.

Step 5. I have also found lovely clear plastic shoe boxes from Aldi and will throw out all my old shoe boxes and replace with these so I can actually see them.

Now that should keep me busy.....

Organising my way into 2011, progress

I know I have been going on a bit about my new year's resolution to be more organised, but I actually feel quite proud of my progress. My pantry is looking so lovely with new glass Maxwell and Williams canisters from our local Mitre 10 . I would love to add some wallpaper like in the top image from Lonny mag, mine would be in a lovely powder blue stripe.
Our junk drawer ( doesn't every one have one?) has been transformed with new drawer inserts to separate keys, glasses and whatever else tends to get thrown in here.

My spice drawer is a treat with new dividers from my new favourite store Aldi, which is full of great space saving and organising products at the moment.

The book I gave myself for Christmas as discovered on the blog Simplified Bee which has been my inspiration to get my home in order.