Minimalism?

[Arcadian]

@kipari that room looks amazing. I personally hate lots of things on the wall. I have very few pictures on the wall. At my husbands home, the walls are covered..... Makes me nutty.

However I hate interior white paint....lol I have cream colored tile floors and I'm hating those too especially with a black dog. Outside of my house IS white which I do like

 

[chrono]

I don't like white, simply because it shows dirt easily.

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

@kipari that room looks amazing. I personally hate lots of things on the wall. I have very few pictures on the wall. At my husbands home, the walls are covered..... Makes me nutty.

However I hate interior white paint....lol I have cream colored tile floors and I'm hating those too especially with a black dog. Outside of my house IS white which I do like

I had to go with a cream exterior, but have white walls and oak flooring. Wish I'd have been brave enough to actually put in the dark dark dark, almost black Oak flooring I lived so much.
But there's only one thing that shows dirt more than white/cream flooring and that's black.

 

[chrono]

What colour hides dirt and dust best? Light grey?

 

[FL_runner]

I'm a mediumalist I like surfaces to be clear and clutter-free, but I love having bookshelves full of interesting books, art on the walls, a nice colorful rug, etc. My parents are pretty minimalist and I don't hang on to things I don't use or enjoy, but I also don't feel the need to pare down too excessively. I keep my personal items and wardrobe more minimal, for example, but I have about 20 board games that we rotate through for weekly family game night!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

@kipari that room looks amazing. I personally hate lots of things on the wall. I have very few pictures on the wall. At my husbands home, the walls are covered..... Makes me nutty.

However I hate interior white paint....lol I have cream colored tile floors and I'm hating those too especially with a black dog. Outside of my house IS white which I do like

I agree white outside is different to white inside

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

What colour hides dirt and dust best? Light grey?

Thé natural oak colour is forgiving, I think. But I don't have pets. Just kids

 

[Arcadian]

Thé natural oak colour is forgiving, I think. But I don't have pets. Just kids

It is exceptionally so. I never saw dog hair in my other house. here I not only see dog hair but freaking doggie dust bunnies....lol For a while I was vac'ing every day and it never looked like it, especially when she is shedding (like now....)

 

[Missy]

I'm a mediumalist I like surfaces to be clear and clutter-free, but I love having bookshelves full of interesting books, art on the walls, a nice colorful rug, etc. My parents are pretty minimalist and I don't hang on to things I don't use or enjoy, but I also don't feel the need to pare down too excessively. I keep my personal items and wardrobe more minimal, for example, but I have about 20 board games that we rotate through for weekly family game night!

Oh please share your favorite board games with us.

Favorite board/card games

Since we are self isolating and quarantining (many of us with loved ones) what are some of your favorite board or card games? What family fun activities are you enjoying these days? Please share.

www.pricescope.com

 

[Missy]

It is exceptionally so. I never saw dog hair in my other house. here I not only see dog hair but freaking doggie dust bunnies....lol For a while I was vac'ing every day and it never looked like it, especially when she is shedding (like now....)

This is our solution. Daily vacuuming. The color of our wood floors don't matter when one is vacuuming daily. I love our dark wood floors and if I could do all over again I would do even darker. I love the contrast against white and light blue.

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

This is our solution. Daily vacuuming. The color of our wood floors don't matter when one is vacuuming daily. I love our dark wood floors and if I could do all over again I would do even darker. I love the contrast against white and light blue.

I sweep several times daily, the roomba is turning a few times per day and I vacuum a lot ... I swiffee too and I have the wetjet for hardwood. We mop once a week .

And if the sun shines on the wood I can still see crumbs I hate it.

I have to wait for my nearly black Oak herringbone until my eyesight is way down.

From what I hear it won't be long (I'm in my mid forties) lol

 

[Missy]

I sweep several times daily, the roomba is turning a few times per day and I vacuum a lot ... I swiffee too and I have the wetjet for hardwood. We mop once a week .

And if the sun shines on the wood I can still see crumbs I hate it.

I have to wait for my nearly black Oak herringbone until my eyesight is way down.

From what I hear it won't be long (I'm in my mid forties) lol

Since we started daily vacuuming of the entire house I see no more hair or crumbs etc. I mean, yes, occasionally we do see some cat hair but the OCD in me whips out the vacuum and one two three it's gone. LOL.

We only have hardwood for the most part. My exercise room has carpet and the cats are not allowed in there and my DH vacuums the carpet. That's not pleasant a task for me...too hard to vacuum carpet. I much prefer wood floors. And I like to see the dirt. I don't want it hiding from view.

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

Since we started daily vacuuming of the entire house I see no more hair or crumbs etc. I mean, yes, occasionally we do see some cat hair but the OCD in me whips out the vacuum and one two three it's gone. LOL.

We only have hardwood for the most part. My exercise room has carpet and the cats are not allowed in there and my DH vacuums the carpet. That's not pleasant a task for me...too hard to vacuum carpet. I much prefer wood floors. And I like to see the dirt. I don't want it hiding from view.

The kids are definitely the problem... 5 long haired girls shed like Labradors. And no one is allowed to eat anywhere else than the table... Still the 18 m/o (let's face it, everyone) will leave trails of crumbs ...


Amen to wanting to see the dirt!!!!!
We don't even do rugs.

Hardwood all the way!!

 

[Missy]

The kids are definitely the problem... 5 long haired girls shed like Labradors. And no one is allowed to eat anywhere else than the table... Still the 18 m/o (let's face it, everyone) will leave trails of crumbs ...


Amen to wanting to see the dirt!!!!!
We don't even do rugs.

Hardwood all the way!!

Yassss. And not to annoy anyone, but for me, real hardwood is the only option. I am not a fan of laminates or any other faux wood material for floors.

 

[MelloYello8]

I adore Marie Kondo and love her tip for dealing with sentimental things that you don't really want to keep but feel bad getting rid of (take a photo and get rid of the item). Genius. Also the idea of sunk costs and the money already being wasted. And the concept of paying to use your house as a storage unit by keeping items that you don't find enjoyable or useful.

Thank you, I needed to see this reference to sunk costs. I am slowly purging my closet and I’m so hesitant to let go of designer items that I haven’t worn but don’t fit into my lifestyle either. Just because it fits doesn’t mean I’ll wear it, and if I don’t wear it or have anyone to give it to, I shouldn’t keep it.

 

[MillieLou]

Thank you, I needed to see this reference to sunk costs. I am slowly purging my closet and I’m so hesitant to let go of designer items that I haven’t worn but don’t fit into my lifestyle either. Just because it fits doesn’t mean I’ll wear it, and if I don’t wear it or have anyone to give it to, I shouldn’t keep it.

This concept was so helpful to me. It initially seemed wasteful, but by forcing myself to get rid of things I was hanging onto just because they cost so much, I have actually become much more considered in my purchases. I stop and think before buying, as I realise that is the point at which the money is either well spent or wasted.

Not perfect yet but a lot better that I used to be

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

This is our solution. Daily vacuuming. The color of our wood floors don't matter when one is vacuuming daily. I love our dark wood floors and if I could do all over again I would do even darker. I love the contrast against white and light blue.

I brought odles of floor varnish before i left my last job
Our floors are a native timber so its nice to show it off - its the one thing this old lady house
Over many years they have darkened to like a dark reddish honey
im kinda worried once we redo them they will be much lighter
I'll adept, as ive always loved lighter wood and the floor has so many deep scratches and gouges it needs doing - but ive just come to appreate the darker hue

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thank you, I needed to see this reference to sunk costs. I am slowly purging my closet and I’m so hesitant to let go of designer items that I haven’t worn but don’t fit into my lifestyle either. Just because it fits doesn’t mean I’ll wear it, and if I don’t wear it or have anyone to give it to, I shouldn’t keep it.

I divide the item by the number of times ive worn it
so a $50 drees that's worn 20 times is better value that a $500 one worn twice ....or an exspensive one worn many times is better than the impulse sale one thats unworn with the tags still on

also (when i was working) i would look at something and divide it by my hourly rate and think is that really worth x anount of hours of my hard physical toil ?

 

[purplesilk]

I divide the item by the number of times ive worn it
so a $50 drees that's worn 20 times is better value that a $500 one worn twice ....or an exspensive one worn many times is better than the impulse sale one thats unworn with the tags still on

also (when i was working) i would look at something and divide it by my hourly rate and think is that really worth x anount of hours of my hard physical toil ?

I totally agree with you

 

[yssie]

@missy I also adore dark flooring. And I, too, would happily go darker next time! Our NY flooring is a light oak - hate it. It looks perpetually dirty to me, even freshly scrubbed - aging and weathering reads as "staining". The MD house has dark wood-look vinyl that's textured and cooler-toned, and I LOVE it. The animals are in MD most of the time and it's very forgiving

 

[Rubymal]

We are about the same age. Our parents taught us the value of food on the table and shelter above our heads. To be grateful for everything we have and never to take things for granted. We grew up with those core values.

My (mom’s dad) grandfather grew up with nothing. He ran away at age 14 from an abusive step mom after his mom died. He was on his own and made a good life from nothing through hard work and hardships. He was a difficult man but looking at his background one understands. Now of course. When I was younger I didn’t realize. But nevertheless he was a good man. A strong man. And my parents raised us to be thankful for it all and to be kind and generous.

I had a privileged childhood.We were not rich. Solidly middle class. One income household. But we were rich in love and acceptance for who we were. I am grateful and realize how fortunate we were/are. I try giving back as much as I can. It matters. Sorry for the tangent. Just musing out loud. And all these are the reasons I don’t waste food.

I had a very frugal childhood and my parent's also taught us to never waste food. I still remember as an adult, I went to go get coffee with a friend, I ordered a small because I dont eat nor drink a ton. She ordered an XL of some new drink, took one sip and went, "Yuck" and chucked the entire thing into the trash. I was mortified. But she was also the type that never finished her food and never once had I seen her take left overs home. I guess I shouldn't have been so shocked.

 

[stracci2000]

"Yuck" and chucked the entire thing into the trash. I was mortified. But she was also the type that never finished her food and never once had I seen her take left overs home.

Eeeeeek! This kind of behavior upsets me so much!

I once had dinner at a new friends house. He loved to cook and made fancy food for us all.
For dessert, he whipped heavy cream and served it over strawberries.
Then after dinner, he proceeded to scrape all the leftovers into the trash, including a large amount of the freshly whipped cream.
I was shocked and asked him why he was throwing the extra food out.
He told me that he didn't like leftovers.

 

[seaurchin]

I've known a couple of people through the years who always threw out whatever was left after each night's dinner. They also would not take home leftovers from a restaurant meal. What stood out to me was that it seemed a big point of pride to both of them (they were unrelated).

One of them was even barely scraping by as a low income, single parent. I am not sure but perhaps the point of pride was that they cooked every night rather than being "lazy?" Or maybe the pride was that now they could afford to toss it out and have a freshly cooked meal each time instead? That's all I could figure but who knows.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Eeeeeek! This kind of behavior upsets me so much!

I once had dinner at a new friends house. He loved to cook and made fancy food for us all.
For dessert, he whipped heavy cream and served it over strawberries.
Then after dinner, he proceeded to scrape all the leftovers into the trash, including a large amount of the freshly whipped cream.
I was shocked and asked him why he was throwing the extra food out.
He told me that he didn't like leftovers.

Boo hiss.
It tastes better the next day
i had a big 21st at home, mum did everything
we had tons of food and drink
It was a big party because my dad had cancer and there were lots of their freinds invited ( i got good presents)
(11 bottles of whisky over the weekend)
Anyway anyway dad's sister's helped clean up and threw out lots of puddings - like pavalova that i prefer the next day
I didn't actually have much to eat or drink, i was too busy being a good hostess
Anyway that was my breakfast that got thrown out !
Mum was not impressed because one of her good knifes got tossed out and we went through the rubbish but never found it

i also prefer brandy snaps the next day - anything with cream

as for leftovers from dinner i just chuck stuff in a bag in the freezer to use next time i made soup, stew, chillie, curry or any kind of cassarole

I wouldn't serve someone else our leftovers in a new dish, but its just the two of us at home - plus he rejects so much food i refuse to waste the time, effort, love and money

As for doggy bags, If im at a cafe or restaurant i will definatly take home anything that Borris or Tibby might like - i don't like sauce or dressing so my plate is a cat's dream

I often have all sorts of things wrapped up in a paper servette in my bag !

 

[doberman]

I am a minimalist married to a maximist. I want to throw away 90% of his "treasures".