As I was preparing for Christmas day, I realized what a mess the cabinets, drawers and shelves where I keep my tableware, serving pieces and linens were. After a few years of buying, making and using things for photo shoots and then shoving them in no particular order behind a closed door, it was hard to find anything. Linens were balled up, unorganized. Serving pieces were stacked, balanced and piled haphazardly. It not only looks messy, but it’s very inefficient. I had to hunt and dig for things.
I started purging and organizing this fall and have continued with a drawer here, a cabinet there. After experiencing the frustration while setting the table for Christmas, I was motivated to deal with it. I also needed to clean out the hutch in the living room, since a buyer is coming for it on Sunday. So, I started with the corner cabinets and buffet in the dining room.
Any arrangement I had once made in the cabinets had been mostly lost as I shuffled new things in and old things out. I decided to clear out the silver and put that in the bottom cabinet and fill the open shelves with ironstone.
I boxed up the linens I rarely used, but wanted to keep, into a plastic tub. This made room for the silver to be stored where the linens were.
As I was cleaning things out, I was reminded of why I was doing this. I found my set of Dresden Angels stacked in a buffet drawer. My mom put these out every year at Christmas and I always loved their pointed wings, delicate hands and the fact they each played a different instrument. I could have put them out this year, but I forgot they were there. Probably put away in haste one year. One of the wings was broken, since they were stacked and not wrapped.
I wrapped them in bubble and put them with my Christmas decorations in the basement, so I can use them next year. I also got rid of a bunch of stuff, so I can have space for the things I use regularly by getting rid of the things I don’t like and never use. Hopefully there won’t be many more Dresden Angel moments as I continue organizing the house.
And here’s what the cabinets look like now…
Much cleaner and they put my ironstone on display, which is my very favorite thing.
I have a date with my ironing board and a can of starch to get all of the napkins and place mats ready for their next use. I made space in the large buffet drawer for all of the linens I wanted to keep handy and I’m going to bundle each set with a simple length of twine. No more hunting and it looks pretty in the drawer.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again…getting rid of things has been so liberating. I feel like it’s freeing the house up to let the things I really love shine.
I remember reading a home feature in a magazine a few years ago. The woman being featured lived in a small apartment and she talked about pairing down to just her very favorite things and how that’s made her love her home even more. I thought that was crazy! More stuff means you always have what you need on hand. I often played the “what if” game when I was organizing and cleaning things out. What if I need it? What if the person who gave it to me finds out and is offended? What if I change my mind and want it later? I would talk myself into keeping something I didn’t want or need because of those what ifs. Well, I’m done with that! I’m trying to be done with it, anyway. I’m sure I’ll have to hone this skill. I’ve been doing pretty well pairing down, though, and have been getting rid of a lot of things that aren’t right in my house for any number of reasons.
And it’s liberating!
The guest room, kitchen, master closet, home office and my office (yes, again) are next on my organizing list.
56 Responses
I absolutely love your corner cabinet. The new display worked out really nicely showing off your ironstone.
Marian, I so need to do this. I have way too much stuff and I sometimes get overwhelmed with the task of going through it, but I need to, for my own sanity. I know I will feel so much better about my house if I can organize and sort through the mess keeping only what I really love.
My philosophy exactly! I also follow the rule of taking one thing out for each thing I bring in. It forces me to edit and only bring in what I love.
I was just talking to my daughter today and told her that over the years I have amassed so much and it was time to purge. What better time of the year to do that!!!
As I get older (I turned 50 this year) I find that I purge more and more. Maybe it’s all those years of experience and now knowing that life is too short to spend a good chunk of it cleaning and organizing “stuff.” This Christmas I finally parted with a pricey piece of antique jewelry that I rarely wear and my sister gave me – I gave it to my son to give to his fiance. It’s really very freeing to simplify.
A good way to handle all the things that you “might” need is to put them in a box and mark the date one year from the day you box the “maybe” things. In one year when you open the box you will see that you never missed the items–and if you really need something you can get it out of the box. It is easier to get rid of things this way because it isn’t final. You know you have gotten over it if you can donate the box without opening it 😉
My best friend used to live in a large apartment and rent a large storage space. She then bought a 500 sf condo and realized that decluttering was necessary. I encouraged her, having done a big clear out/declutter five years earlier. Items were given to friends, Goodwill or sold at yard sales. She now no longer rents the storage unit, keeps only things she loves and needs and feels so much better. Decluttering is very liberating but you have to always work on it, lest the clutter comes back. Our rule is “if something comes into the house/something has to leave”.
What questions do you ask yourself if you are trying to decide whether to KEEP something or not?
Do I need it? Do I love it? Is it perfect for my home? Those questions have helped me make tough decisions like selling the china cabinet. I love it, but I don’t need it and it’s not perfect for my home, so instead of keeping it for the “what if” of it being perfect for a future home, I’m selling it. There will always be more china cabinets that I love.
You may come up with your own set of questions, but the first two are a good place to start.
I love the “after” with just the ironstone. It looks so pretty and uncluttered! I started purging and decluttering late summer and fell off of the wagon once school got started again. Planning to get back to it next week – you are right, it was so liberating to let go of things I hadn’t used in years. Especially the items that I know went to someone who will give them the love and use that I did not!
Connie,
The question I have found it most helpful to ask is: Does it serve the life I live? Answering this way as opposed to the life I think I should live or wish I lived keeps it “honest”. This has been tremendously freeing as we purge unneeded items as a family and from my late mother-in-law’s estate. Of course, we have kept things that are truly sentimental like some jewelry and china/silver because we know that our children have asked for these things to be saved for when they are older, but we have been very selective in choosing what it is that we keep for reasons other than to actually use and appreciate.
Ah, cleaning and purging… just feels so good. Yesterday I went through what I call my “Narnia” closet…so deep and cluttered one could get temporarily lost in there!
I have a pile started to give away and consign. As we get closer to January, I think we all get the organizational bug to some degree. 🙂
I love your new, refreshed cabinet look and there is nothing like a clean, crisp linen napkin for setting a table.
Happy New Year!
I have my moms Dresden Angels, too! We are moving in a week, so I didn’t get them out this year. but just adore having something that sentimental & beautiful to pull out for Christmas…makes me look forward to next year. ❤
The corner cabinet looks absolutely lovely! Really makes the ironstone shine.
Well Ironstone is my favorite thing too and I love the way you’ve liberated your cabinets and let your ironstone shine.
I’ve been purging and cleaning and liberating myself of things I don’t want any longer for the past year and it feels wonderful. It’s all part of the simplifying of my life. Letting go of things that just sit there doing no good is always a great idea. They will do great in someone else’s home. It’s like passing the love around 🙂 Plus, purging is a good way to start a new year.
Happy new year to you and your family,
Sue
I’ve learned that if I start thinking “what if” then I need to just get rid of it. Of course, that’s often easier to say than do. This is something that I want to work on in our house in the new year. We have a super small house, and space is at a premium, so simplifying is always a priority.
Love your ironware!
Love your cabinet now…you have inspired me…I hope! Lol I am one of those, ” but what if I need it later” people, but it is time to let go of some things.
Blessings~
I have a set of Dresden angels from when my family was stationed in Germany, too. I love to put them out each year, just like my Mom did. I used evergreens and red ornaments with them.
Clutter sucks the life out of me! When I am, for example, at a friends house, the closer I get to my house the more stressed out I feel. I can’t face it! I am getting everything cleaned out, right down to old tax returns! The shedder feels warm! I really like the ironstone, but I collect milk glass. I still have my parent’s pitcher, that was given to them as a wedding gift!
The angel is beautiful.
it looks so much better! my questions is: do you make these decisions on your own or does your husband want to have a say? mine does – perhaps its because I’m not a professional and most of our things are those we bought together or have had them handed down.
just curious.
He almost always leaves it up to me. Most of the stuff is “mine” anyway, meaning I picked it out, painted it, made it, etc. Sometimes he’ll say, “Oh, I really like that. Can we keep it?” He knows our home is my playground, so he lets me do most things as long as it’s not totally impractical. When I put froof on his nightstand…that’s when I’ve crossed the line!
I agree with everything you are saying. But, I feel like those of us who buy for resale are stuck in the middle. I have a huge struggle with what, how much and where to keep my inventory. I would love to have some feedback from other in same situation.. Leaves me overwhelmed and frustrated.
Irene, I feel the same way as you about the ‘stuff’ accumulated for resale. I find that if I leave a new-found treasure in plain sight for an extended time, I somehow become attached to the piece. I currently have three small ironstone tureens bought with the intent to resell……and I am now guilty of eying an empty spot on a table where they might go.
Perhaps the best solution is to box up the purchase immediately and put identifying info on the box, then place in a spot reserved for resale items. One could even put the purchase price on the box as a reminder that the item is NOT making a profit just sitting!
Perhaps MIss MS has some word of wisdom on this topic?
I am trying to purge as well, but it I feel I have to make some money back (stand and Ebay) takes time. The cabinet looks amazing. I love the ironstone, but I have a soft spot for meat domes. If you ever want to trade something for it let me know.
After living in the same house for 27 years, we were moving, but the new home wasn’t going to be ready before we had to turn our old house over to the new owners. So we had to move temporarily into my brother in laws, in winter. I had to ask myself if I wanted to be lugging these things in and out of three places in the freezing, possibly snowy and icy weather. You accumulate alot in 27 years! So much was let go of while packing that I amazed everyone. And while waiting for the new house, I learned a dear friend had suffered a massive fire in her forever home. No one was hurt, but almost all was lost. And she told me it was actually freeing, because the fire made her let go of what she thought was important, and take stock of what really was important. Sure, she misses her grandmother’s pieces that are forever gone, but she has the memories. Her story helps me let go when I think I can’t. Now, I ask myself if I lost this in a fire or tornado, will it really matter? Most of the time, the answer is no, not really.
Looks great! Love reorganizing and purging, especially after Christmas. Makes for a fresh start to the new year.
Your so right! It is very liberating! I love passing things on to a new home. There are always new things to love and purchase in this wonderful world. I live in a very small space and if something new comes in I try to remove something older out..
Is your corner cabinet an antique? It looks so similar to the furniture of a virginia craftsman I once worked with. Lovely
Marian, I love what you’ve done in this reorg. I would suggest that you NOT starch the linens until you are ready to use them. The fabric will last longer if stored freshly washed, with no softener added, and no starch. This is true for any fabric being stored long-term. The info is from a graduate-level textile preservation course, not just my opinion.
Marian, it looks wonderful, I just wished you lived closer to me and do the same thing for my “stuff”!!!!!!!!! Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!
I think this living with what we love is a constent change and learning. As our children are little, through teenage and adult years our available space changes, the things we love changes as we mature, our avaiable time changes and we grow and learn about ourselves. I have struggled with the having everything. And learning to keep things I cherish put away from children playing in the house.
But to only keep things that we think are beautiful or that beautify our lives is a constent question we need to ask as we trade up furniture, and fine Tue our styles.
Watching a few episodes of “Hoarders” or “American Pickers” will also help with the purge. Love the ironstone in the corner cabinet.
Good job organizing, Marian!
The corner cabinets look great with all the ironstone on display. By the way, would you be selling things you don’t want to keep in your shop? I am off to check what’s in there right now…
Been there-done that…before thanksgiving I went to my china closet for some serving pieces and I thought, its now or never. I took everything out (including the Dresden angels) and packed away 3 sets of dishes that I haven’t used in years and a lot of china that had just gotten shoved in and nice glass wear that rarely gets used. Now I’m looking at select Whitestone and i can actually see the piece. I should have done this years ago.
A tip from my mother..after you have ironed your linens, roll them on a heavy fabric tube and lay flat. Your table cloths are ready with no creases or wrinkles. Love your blog!!!!!
Why is it so hard to get rid of things I had forgotten about? I struggle with this daily and it’s truly a burden. Husband wants *me* to sell things on eBay; I want to donate. Impasse reached.
Do I need all of this Fiestaware?
Do I want all if these cookbooks?
Do these tote bags serve the life I lead?
Is any of this clutter perfect for my home?
No x 4.
I feel a little better just by typing this.
I’ve always “liked” Ironstone, but looking at your beautiful collection during the past year has made me “love” it! Your corner cabinets look SOOOOO much better now. I simply adore your purging – I’ve been doing the same for a couple of years as I cleared/cleaned various areas of my downsized home. Agree – trying so hard to keep ONLY those items that I lovelovelove, but it’s hard – things somehow creep back in. Inspired to try again since I’ve just put away my Christmas decorations (I promise to purge those next year!).
I, too, love to purge my household from time to time. When I lived in Bethesda, MD, my armoire was so jam-packed it drove me nuts. I had stuff in there from my first marriage LOL and my tastes had changed, but the Wedgewood Jasperware that was in there as well as a whole lot of shabby chic items, roosters, signs, etc had some value. So I listed it all on EBAY! I made over a $1000 on that sale. I did more EBAY sales after that, but I have run out of anything anyone would want, and now I am getting rid of junk (into the trash can). I have tried to sell many things on consignment since moving to RI, but I barely get pennies for each piece that actually sells, and a lot of it doesn’t sell so I tell them to give it to charity. It’s not worth much, and I normally forget to take the charitable deduction. Right now I’m 65 and I’m in my next to my last home – it’s a BIG house, and I want to live in a small house near the ocean when we retire. So my husband and I have taken to throwing stuff out all the time. Whenever the mood strikes me I go through drawers and closets and throw away a lot of things I can never figure out what I was thinking when I bought them!! Enjoy your paring down! Bev
I’m doing the same thing but it’s really hard to pick and choose what stays and what goes. I wish I knew how to use Ebay and I’d try to sell some stuff there. I’m electronically challenged sometimes
Must be in the air right now…..I just went through a major purge with my closet today. I decided to get rid of things that I have not worn the previous winter as I was swapping out my summer with winter clothing. As I was putting away the summer clothing, I put in the donate pile all the summer clothes that I had not worn this past summer. My closet is half full now…..Looks so much bigger and brighter. I filled two medium size plastic bins….that’s terrible to have that much just hanging around or taking up valuable drawer space.
Decided to do the same with the Christmas stuff as I put it away this coming week. Things we did not use this year will be donated.
Love the new look of your corner cabinets….I have two in the sitting room that I need to attack.
Happy New Year!
I love to pare down. Keep going
I too have been doing exactly what you posted! I can no longer stand the “junky” Christmas stuff and the looking of my favorite things at Christmas! My favortite things are going into bins lableled and put into the attic where I know what and where thery are! Then onto the rest of my house. I inherited alot of things from my mom and we now live in her old house. It is time for me to keep my favorites and photograph the things I want to remember but are “not me” and move on! Simplify is my New Year motto!
I am SO glad to know you are not entirely perfect…..no one is…..also glad you made your cabinets look great…..
Again, where on earth do you get that two-tone twine? I love it…..red and white, blue and white….I SO much need some….thanks.
We’re prepping to sell our townhouse and I’ve been purging like crazy!! Feels awesome to get rid of stuff we don’t need, love, or use!
I recently started organizing my ironstone, silver and linens, too! I am going to sell a fair number of ironstone and silver pieces. I probably will not part with many linens because I love them so much but I do have to do a better job of storing them so that I am using my “first floor” space more efficiently. I am still desperate to get the basement organized but that probably will not happen until it gets warmer or my sons come to help their old Mama do it! (My Mother’s Day gift now consists of my sons coming from Virginia for a long weekend to do little things around the house that I cannot do for myself.)
Love your idea of tying together linen in sets. Very pretty with the bakers twine!
I stopped starching and ironing cloth table napkins years ago!
Wash them as you usually do (treat stains before) then take them from the machine, wet them under the cold water faucet, squeeze out excess water, press them out on your counter tops. Press any air bubbles out.. This is best done at night so they can dry overnight! They will dry with the perfect stiffness that starch has. If the edges or corners are not to your liking then iron that part. If the napkin has fringe then wet them, snap the four sides out and press them to your counter top. Same freshly, starched look.
It will soon be one year since I moved into our new home, and we have had three yard sales, donated a ton of things and given things away, and yet I still have tucked away things that Fall into that category of “I may need that, or may have an emotional attachment to, yet NEVER have used in YEARS”. This process can be a long range project, but I find that each time I go back and begin a new purging, cleaning project I am able to re-evaluate some of those hafta-keep items and release more things to create space that makes me feel calmer, and I don’t miss them. I also try to repurpose or think out of the box as to how I can now use an item, or redecorate a space in a new way using these things that have been tucked away for ages. My husband inherited boxes of vintage linens that I felt obligated to keep, but they took up so much space, that I finally put them in a yard sale and one buyer came and bought all of them, telling me she makes quilts and other items and uses the lace and vintage linen to enhance them. Now I feel the linens have found a purpose and I have so much more space in my closet. Each step I take in de-cluttering, no matter how small, cumulates in making my home a more organized and comfortable place.
Hi Marian! I have a question for you… when you say “Ironstone” is there a particular brand, or are all ironstone pieces labeled “ironstone”? I have some lovely platters that are all white and off-white and heavy… but I don’t think any of them are marked with that term. I still love them and will continue to use them, I was just curious about it. Maybe a good blog post – how to recognize real ironstone? Or maybe you’ve already written about it…:)
Thanks!
Yep! Here’s the article I wrote about it… https://missmustardseed.com/2010/09/ironstone-101/
I was just saying to my husband this morning that I have decided that within the next 6 weeks, I am going to clean out every drawer, cupboard, and closet in the house! I love your idea about the napkins. It seems that I can never find enough of one pattern when I need them in a hurry. I’m forever digging around. Sigh.
Yes, please answer Laurie’s question from above or direct us to where you already talk about this. “I have a question for you… when you say “Ironstone” is there a particular brand, or are all ironstone pieces labeled “ironstone”? I have some lovely platters that are all white and off-white and heavy… but I don’t think any of them are marked with that term.” I to have that question!
Yep, I wrote an article about that… https://missmustardseed.com/2010/09/ironstone-101/
Yes, paring down is difficult. I’ve gone from living at one time in a three-bedroom, four bath home with an attic and a full basement to a one-bedroom apartment. Thank goodness I have a good-sized storage closet in my apartment, but I am going to have to take a hard look in all those boxes when I put my holiday decor away this year.
My first piece of ironstone came from you at Lucketts and now I am gradually adding when I find a good deal…like a tureen just like your new one…(but I don’t have the ladle) for only $20 at a consignment store a few weeks ago….whenever I see your ironstone I know my piece sat there once and it brings a smile to my face…
I always go through my house regularly and get rid of clutter, unnecessary, unused, unloved things. When I was growing up, our house was full of stuff…My mom just could not get rid of. All these little figurines, extra plates, glasses , oh my the glasses of all kinds. I was responsible for dusting all of them every week.
I promised myself then I would never keep anything just because those what ifs my mom had 🙂
I’m wondering if you have any tips for getting old stains out of vintage linens? I have alot of nice linen napkins and table linens from my Grandmother but many of them have yellow to brown stains and I don’t know how to get them out without hurting the fabric.