Yard Sale Inspiration

I stopped by a friend's house a few weeks ago and was met by this:

All these boxes, bags and baskets were destined for their yard sale.

After one Saturday morning the room was emptier...

...and their wallets were fuller.

It's great yard sale weather right now. What's stopping you?

rePURPOSING Things: An Old Lamp Sheds New Light

This faded photo is the only one of a lamp beloved by the family matriarch. When she died no one wanted it. It was outdated and did not fit with the decor of any of the survivors' homes. But it was such a treasure to her, no one could bare to give it away .

Luckily there was an artist in the family who transformed it. Now it's a treasure in the home of the youngest generation.

Focus on a Life, not Acquisitions

Today's paper had a front page story about something I see all the time - people hanging on to more and more things as they age. Their houses get more and more crowded and they loose the serenity of their shelter.

If you are trying to help aging relatives keep their living space under control, try what  I learned: be a witness to their life. Ask them the story behind each item - where they got it, how they felt. Often after having someone else hear their story, they are ready to let it go.

Then gently ask them who they would want to have it and offer to deliver it for them. You can suggest a relative or close friend, their church, a charity or school. It could be anywhere. I have found that most times just knowing that their possession will have a home makes it easier to part with.

This can be good for both of you. They get a more serene and often safer environment and you get the gift of learning more of their history. You might be surprised!

Evaluate, Eliminate and Integrate: A Home Office

When the kids lived at home, this L-shaped desk area served its purpose. It was the perfect place for them to do homework and play computer games. But with them gone it became the catch-all corner. In this photo it is serving as a sorting area for an upcoming yard sale.

The yard sale prompted the owner to evaluate how the space was used. She eliminated the left desk and integrated the things she wanted to keep. With the desk removed - and when the neatly stacked items awaiting the yard sale are gone - this room will have a lot more floor space, perfect for when the adult kids come to visit.

Scarf Pocket

My friend Terry is a busy woman, running from here to there, carrying things. She needs an extra set of hands. So she had a great idea.

She took this scarf that she always wears...

... folded it in half, stitched a few inches up the sides and created two extra pockets.

Now when her hands are full she always has a spot for her shades and, more importantly, her coffee cup.

Closet Access

The bedroom closet in this new house was smallish and had terrible access. The sliding door blocked half of the very small space and it was frustrating trying to see what was in there.

The owners had four curtain panels on the French doors.

Eventually they decided remove the restrictive, sliding closet doors and repurpose two of the French door panels into new closet "doors."

Now, for the cost of a curtain rod, they have what appears to be matching windows...

 ...and total access to the closet contents.

rePURPOSING Things: Water Color Box

The art teacher that showed her students this new use for the boxes that housed their used up water colors is educating kids about more than art. Hopefully they will learn to look at alternatives to tossing.