Re: Is my decorating just clutter?

griggy · ‎10-09-2010

I live in Montana , I love animals and rustic decor. Once the little girl next door called me the "happy critter lady". I have cute wooden critters in unexpected places in and around my home ( think World Markets Woodland animals) . Is it sophisticated? Nope! However, it is warm and cozy and makes people feel good. As long as it makes myself and family happy, it all good!

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@traveler wrote:
I was happily decorating my house for Spring with Silk flowers, items from Pier 1 and Michaels. DH and Son don't care. They say, whatever makes you happy.
Then I was talking to a woman who always comments on my being her mother's age. She was going on about her mother's decor and how how much will need to be trashed. On and on so now I'm wondering if my decorating style is old, too much stuff. Making me wonder if I need to clear clutter.

I might have been the person talking about how much of houses needs to be tossed out. I have had to do it four times cleaning out houses of people who died. It was sickening, stressful and ate up a lot of my own life in time and work (hurt my back badly once) in the process. It has made me work very hard at clearing clutter from my own home. If the lady was rude to you, I am sorry about that. But it is a topic I've talked to friends about having to do those things and how painful it was--and how hard it is to sell/donate/throw out objects your loved ones loved. But you can't keep it--and it is terrible to deal with.

I am to the point where I often say "I am not a museum." And my own "stuff" has less sentimental value to me now. I just want rid of so much of it and lead a simpler, easier, and less "full" life.

I know a lot of people who are in my same boat so I think it is a trend for a lot of us of a certain age who perhaps have gotten used to collecting too much to live comfortably with. It is very much an individual decision based on likes and life experiences.

It's an interesting topic isn't it? Shows you there's something for everybody!

beach-mom · ‎03-09-2010

@traveler - I'll bet your HOME looks beautiful! I'd love to see pictures. I've been in friend's HOUSES that look like model homes. You would never think anyone lived in them! Someone once said my home looked like a dollhouse - warm and cozy. I never worried much about seeing things around. And I like to decorate seasonally!

CAMOGIRL · ‎09-14-2010

You sound like you love your things, it is not clutter if you like to display it all and it makes you happy. It does not matter what other people think, does it?, it is your home do what makes you happy - clutter to one person may be another persons most loved processions.

I used to have a lot more small stuff years ago, now I am into larger pieces. But, even back then I had a place for everything - ha, just ask my husband.... He was always like where are you going to put that?, and I was like...oh, I WILL find a spot, don't you worry...

-Texas Hill Country-

jlkz · ‎12-02-2013

@Kachina624

Just went through the pictures that I took for insurance purposes and found more than one silk flower arrangement that I had done ( don't want to give an exact # ):

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

@griggy wrote:
I live in Montana , I love animals and rustic decor. Once the little girl next door called me the "happy critter lady". I have cute wooden critters in unexpected places in and around my home ( think World Markets Woodland animals) . Is it sophisticated? Nope! However, it is warm and cozy and makes people feel good. As long as it makes myself and family happy, it all good!

We know people who keep their homes decorated in very sophisticated styles - and we think they look like model homes or funeral homes.I prefer my cozy but not particularly chic style.

aggravated · ‎03-12-2010

My husband and I go at this constantly. Opposite situation from yours. I keep putting the "treasures" in drawers and he keeps getting them back out. I cleaned off the kitchen counters from all the "stuff" that isn't used daily including a pedestal (I don't know why we have this either but you have to pick your battles). Back out it all came. I keep throwing out a really old, even discolored silk flower arrangement - back in it comes.

We are basically opposites in most all things - it's a miracle we are still together after 30+ years.

I think it's all clutter - all of it. I would have smooth, polished surfaces on everything. I marval at the following of Valerie Parr Hill and just think that all of you must really love to dust - constantly.

traveler · ‎03-09-2010

Just because you value something doesn't mean someone else will. I was a crafter and tried to give a box of supplies to Senior Center. They would only take the fabric for quilts.

As former military we have traveled through many styles. Went through my "country 1980s" style. It's gone now. New Mexico for 10 years was not my cup of tea but I do have a few pieces. Yes, Germany gve me Hummels and Lladros. Nothing was bought with he thought to accrued monetary value but because I liked them. Recently was in a home of someone who collected Inuit art. Very nice but not my style.

wilma · ‎03-13-2010

If your stuff gets in the way of day to day living then I would say it is clutter and too much.

I don't have a lot of clutter unless you count lots of photos around the house. They are a pain to dust (when I get around to it). I have a cabinet for my bell collection so that is contained. I have a few statement accessories on a few tables, but that is it. I do not do any major decorating for seasons or holidays (except for Christmas).

My mom had tons of clutter, and we had to go through it all when she downsized, and then again when she passed away. Some of it is still in my sister's garage. I have a friend who has every nook and cranny and every inch and table top covered with an accessory or decoration. It is a bit much for me, but it is her style.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

@traveler wrote:
I was happily decorating my house for Spring with Silk flowers, items from Pier 1 and Michaels. DH and Son don't care. They say, whatever makes you happy.
Then I was talking to a woman who always comments on my being her mother's age. She was going on about her mother's decor and how how much will need to be trashed. On and on so now I'm wondering if my decorating style is old, too much stuff. Making me wonder if I need to clear clutter.

Listen to your husband and son @traveler, because it's your house and if you like it, that's all that matters, let her ramble on and remember she's NOT your daughter and you don't have to please her. JMHO.