Library Inspiration

Today I went through my books to donate to the local library. It is one thing that I have a hard time letting go of because I love to revisit books even after I have read them. Sadly we just don't have much bookshelf space in our home right now, and because of that I often have to go through and clear out. At least I know that I can always check them out again if I ever really wanted to read them. Do you hold onto books too?

In our dream home of the future we will have a library space. It's something we have both wanted, and today I found one great example of a dream library/office space (are you on Pintrest? let's be friends). I love that there is a daybed built in, perfect for lounging with a book. It's nice that there is also space for a desk, because sometimes a desk would come in real handy while reading. Beautiful, isn't it?

Source: isuwannee.com via Marcia on Pinterest

Do you live with a hoarder?

Have you ever watched the show Hoarders? Scary, isn't it? Sad too. This post is not meant to make light of those who have serious hoarding issues. My paternal grandfather was a hoarder, so I know the enormity of the issue, especially for those who have to clean up the mess. Turns out my husband's paternal grandfather was also a hoarder. It makes me wonder if it was something generational, maybe something also to do with the area they grew up in? Whatever the cause, it's a sad problem.

So of course in my home I have always been careful to not have too much, but always to have what is just right. It's the way I grew up, being taught from my parents to always let go of the things you are no longer using and no longer love. Send them along to charity so they can be used and loved by someone who really needs it. It's a great way to look at things, and I am glad that I learned to live that way.

In my 30 in 30 challenge I'm finding it to be hard to find enough to fill a bag! There are still areas to be tackled though, and I am sure I will reach my goal, but I am happy to say that for the most part we live a fairly clutter free lifestyle. If you want to read an excellent book on the subject pick up It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff by Peter Walsh. He is excellent at showing why it's important to let go, and gives wonderful tips on how to do it.

Hopefully none of you live with an actual hoarder, but what do you do if your partner keeps a lot more stuff than what you think is good? What about keeping more than your home can actually hold (it amazes me how many people pay money each month for storage units for things they probably never even think twice about)? Are you the one in your home that holds onto things? Or are you the one that is more prone to let things go?

From overheated to frozen!

Our home's layout presents it's own unique set of challenges. Truth be told, we would never buy this type of home again, even though we do love our home, it's just not the best layout for many reasons. Number one reason? Heating and cooling!

Since our home is a 4 level split, we don't get the great airflow that you get in two level homes. Walk into our home in the summer and chances are you might catch cold in our family room, while sweating like a piglet in our upper rooms like the bedroom. The reverse is true in the winter, with our upper level being quiet cold, our middle level being just right, and the family room level still being super cold. There is just no way to get the temperatures right across so many small levels.

We have been trying to figure out a good way to fix the problem, but as of yet have been stumped. There is not a way to add an air return on our upper floor, so I don't think we can do much to fix the issue. Luckily we did install ceiling fans in the two rooms (except the one our bird lives in of course, that would be downright dangerous)!

I know that ceiling fans often get a bad rap on HGTV, but for so many of us they are completely functional and a must have! Our master bedroom came with a ceiling fan that is not our taste, but we are glad to have it (and it has a remote). I would love to replace it with a look more like this, but with a light not just a fan:

Source: lightingshowplace.com via Sandra on Pinterest

What about your home? Do you have challenges that are unique to the style and layout of the home you live in?

Cookware Organization

I saw this organized cookware on Pintrest and swooned!Organizing pots and pans (and their tops) has long been a problem in our house. We don't have a lot of cabinet space, and everything gets jumbled up. Isn't this just perfect? Doing something like it is on my house wishlist for sure!

Source: kitchens.com via Aimee on Pinterest