Reduce, Reuse, Rethink Old Belongings
(Page 2 of 3)
May/June 2008
By Gretchen Roberts
Paula says she loves "finding chairs that everyone else is passing over or frowning at, getting a great bargain and getting a great upholsterer to work magic on them." She looks for classic chair shapes and combines them with bold, modern textile designs. "I think there is often fun and humor in the tension between different styles," she says.
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Reduce
Simply removing a little-used table or clearing away clutter can completely change a room. But be purposeful in what you remove, advises Sharon Hanby-Robie, an interior designer and author of Decorating Without Fear (Rutledge Hill, 2007). "Start by writing a mission statement for each room," she says. "What do you want this room to do, and how do you make that happen with the furnishings you own?"
Evaluate each piece in the room. Is it functional? Does it serve the room’s purpose? If not, maybe you could donate it or repurpose it elsewhere.
When it comes to accessories, less is more. "Our rooms often look like we’re wearing all of our jewelry at the same time," Wright says. "When you dress, you have different seasons, outfits and moods. In the same way, keep your space alive by changing it up every once in awhile."
To help clients let go of possessions, Hanby-Robie takes photos of their spaces. "When you live in a place, you lose perspective. A camera can give it back," she says. Shocked at how much clutter the photo reveals, many clients are motivated to clear away extraneous stuff.
Recycle
Sometimes, all a tired piece of furniture needs is a new venue. As you clear out excess items, keep each room’s mission statement in mind. Could pieces from one room help fulfill another’s purpose?
Hanby-Robie likes to use furniture in unexpected ways. She suggests putting a dresser in the bathroom for towels and makeup, shortening a table’s legs to create a game table, or using a rug made of natural materials as a table runner.
Even good change is hard. "I have a rule that clients can’t call me for 48 hours after I’ve done their home," Hanby-Robie says. "It’s like getting a new hairdo—even when you know it looks good, you have to get used to it."