Wednesday 25 April 2012

The Spring Clean Bug

Well like many other I seem to have caught the spring clean bug. 

It's more than that actually, I feel like I have just rubbed my eyes and seen that my house is long overdue for decorating ~ all of it!
I need a new kitchen so I have been putting off decorating in there as it would be a waste of my time right?  We played the 'Oohh lets pretend we can afford a new kitchen' game last week and window shopped for one.  
I think I am more depressed than I was before the game started, my conclusion was that we can not afford the kitchen I want yet which means that I have to start thinking about decorating a kitchen I hate :0(


My lounge is ok but could do with another lick of paint, some new curtains and a good de-clutter!

These shelves behind my sofa are my domain and the craft stuff and nick knacks have multiplied to the point of madness.  I am prepared to share my shame in an effort to encourage a grand de-clutter.  



I loaded so much crap on my little trolley it buckled and the legs and wheels broke off!

My hubbie tells me that looking at these bookcases is like playing one of those hidden object games where you get a list of random items to find in a very crowded picture, and he has a point!



I decided that my starting point had to be prepare a place to store all this crafty clutter, then once that is sorted I can continue.  This is my glory hole under the stairs. 
ugly cupboard

crap that was stored in said cupboard!


 I emptied it out and thought I would give it a lick of paint but before I knew where I was I had stripped the old paper off so had to paper and paint it all.  There were literally dozens of layers of paper on there, my cupboard must be a good few inches larger than it was before :0)

I am getting there but need to invest in some storage for this little cupboard and hope to be able to show it to you soon.

I am gathering inspiration for my de-clutter and generally prettyfying from Sandra of Cherry Heart and her PCH ladies and I have joined the gang.


I will be back soon with an update, wish me luck...

23 comments:

Deborah said...

How did all that stuff fit into that cupboard, you are good! good luck with the tidying and sorting sweetie :)

Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!

somewhere on the avenue said...

Your shelves look a bit like mine, but mine are bowing with the weight:(
"Share your Shame" this could catch on :)

moleymakes said...

Ah yes, decluttering. I think I've spent the last 20 odd years thinking that I should really declutter. Still thinking about it ...lol

I don't know if it's just me but I don't see a problem with your kitchen. In fact I'd love to have your units. Mine are falling apart and like you just cannot afford to replace them.

Maybe a lick of paint is all you need to brighten it up if the units are sound.

Good luck with the decluttering session. I suppose I'll eventually get around to doing mine one day :)

Stripes and Stars said...

Hey, I have a cupboard just like with, with lots of crap in it. It also houses some of my crafty stuff. By the way, loving your kitchen tiles. Amanda......x

VintageVicki said...

Good luck - we are in much the same situation as you - I'd love a new kitchen but the prices are just too ouch.

Instead I've been giving the cupboards a good clean and tighting the screws so the handles are no longer loose - already much better.

Did a double take at your shelves - we have the same in a pair on one wall in our front room - they were one of the first areas that got a spring clean - still slightly cluttered though.

Country Rabbit said...

my living room shelves are packed full to breaking point and my dresser in there is hidden under toys n clutter- i have to admit its the room i spend less time in and it doesnt looked loved ;0(...my under stairs is so shocking- but i blame it on not having a loft lol...my excuses ;)

you have a lovely big kitchen space...could you just change the doors or take some units off the wall and put a dresser top in?...just ideas...ive noticed there is lots of options in changing tiles too...like special paint, coverngs to put on top...i sound like some one off the 1990's changing rooms prog lol ;0)xx

Nicky Stevenson said...

Oooh, you are brave showing us your nooks and crannies! I'm snowed under with clutter too (charity shop-a-holic) and in desperate need of a good purge.

x

Tracy Glover said...

Hi,
I think we all have clutter behind the scenes, especially when we have kids. The clutter and stuff factor in my house is very high and I only have one child.
I reckon you could paint the cupboards or change the handles. You could replace the doors, but that is a bit more spenny. I like the tiles.
Love all your pretty cushions and picture frames. xxx

Wendy said...

Oh great minds! I can't believe we both posted about our craft clutter at the same time! I'm jealous of your kitchen, it's gorgeous compared to mine - I'll post a photo of mine soon and you can feel smug.

Faye said...

I seem to be in an endless cycle of spring cleaning! I sort everything out and then before I know it, it has built up again in another area!! Good luck - can't wait to see what you do!

Anonymous said...

I had some shelves like that, so ....I made a curtain to cover it, so much better!!!

Ali said...

Good luck missus - I need a kick up the backside too but I'll just watch you for now ;-) xx Your kitchen looks fine to me, what about just changing the tiles, thats what I am saving up to do as cant justify a new kitchen xx Check out Attic 24's blog, Lucy has had a massive clearout too that might inspire you xx

LaaLaa said...

Your kitchen is 100 times better than mine! Little by little we'll get there. x

Caroline said...

Your kitchen is exactly the same layout as mine. I wish I had a big cupboard like that. Ours is converted into a loo (or cloakroom as my mother would say).

Good luck with the decluttering.

X

Jille said...

You are very brave! I am never, ever showing mine!

Jille xx

Anonymous said...

Good luck with your adventure.

♥ emma bear forever ♥ said...

Well done. I really need to get myself some shelving units. I have bags of yarn, fabric and wip's laying about the house xx

Jenny said...

That's a lot of stuff to come out of one little space! Though I could probably get the same out of mine, ours at the moment is cram it in with one hand and shut the door with the other. Things fall out when you open the door, it is a mess!! (But at least it looks tidy from the living room side!) Good luck with the storage and tidying, you will feel so much better once it is all done. Looking forward to seeing the 'after' pics! Jenny xx

Gilly Tee said...

Your very brave, I avoid the cupboard under my stairs like the plague. I just open the door, grab the hoover and shut the door ASAP. Suppose I should clear it out really.
Gillx

Crafty Helen said...

Thank you so much for your lovely comment and welcome back into the fold. I guess at least you know where your crafty bits n bobs are. I'm off into the garage to try and find that fabric...... XXX

FeltByRae said...

Well done you on tackling the dreaded cupboard under the stairs... they are scary places!

I've had a good sort out and taken loads of books I'll never read again to the charity shop today and *finally* I can now get all of my books on to the shelves I have!! Feels good this spring cleaning malarkey!

Unknown said...

OOOH I love a good clear out! Very theraputic isn't it chuck!

Michelle said...

I'm a bit late to this post but I just wanted to say good luck with all the decluttering and rearranging - I hope it's continuing at a pace! I have a serious 'lack of space' issue too, our spare bedroom is a mess all the time, and I'm afraid it's all down to me! Most of the time I can't face tidying it because I don't have anywhere to put anything!