Sometimes I wonder that people feel that the aim of clearing clutter is to reduced them to a minimalist appearance in their home. It’s certainly easy to think so and it may well feel that way after you have de-cluttered simply because the contrast is to great. But a minimalist look is a style and thus a choice you make not just about your home decorating but about life. Personally I’m not a minimalist fan, I reckon it’s hard work to keep a home looking that austere and most of the designs I’ve seen lack warmth and don’t feel inviting and comfortable. They are and must be the epitome of organised but heck, it’s too extreme for me.

[Photo -CLOE POISSON / HARTFORD COURANT / July 15, 2008]

That’s why this article by ANNE FARROW - Special To The Courant,  really attracted me and I thought it was well worth sharing. It’s about artist Jill Butler and her new book ” Create the Space You Deserve : An Artistic Journey to Expressing Yourself Through Your Home.”  The article states that;

At a time when Americans are faced with the prospect of less, Butler’s book about making a home is not about acquiring but about letting go, and about what we need to truly sustain the spirit of a home. It’s not about stuff.

YES! That is sucha core element of what so many Organisers are trying to get across to their clients. Whilst letting go is a key elementin the success of a de-clutter process it’s also about recognising and getting to the core of what you really do and don’t need. Part of the process that Butler went through is exactly what I cover in my free guide (upper left) and is part of the Peter Walsh philosophy, Farrow stated it this way;

For each of her rooms, she made a list: What is the room’s purpose? What are the tasks I want to do in this room? What does it need to contain and look like to make me comfortable and happy?

There you have it! the core of the planning process for both de-cluttering your home or re-decorating it.

I can’t wait to get hold of this book to read about her journey to create a home that expresses her personality and supports her life physically and emotionally - her kitchen sounds truly individual!