It is in us (well...more me).
I am talking about our need to consume things.
Buy things, fill up spaces, places, corners, shelves and cupboards with things.
I am ashamed at the amount of "stuff" that we had in our basement just laying down there...for years (ok...3).
The amount of "things" we found down there that were once an exciting, beautiful, handy, useful, filling thing... now lay broken, abandoned, dusty, binned, crumpled and forgotten.
As we begin our basement "project" I wanted to document our progress. I wanted to document it all. So I am taking pictures of it all and it is hard.
It is sad really. All the stuff. Everywhere. I am speechless...for once. Well, not really...just grounded. Reminded of what is really important.
Relationships. Experiences. Wandering. Exploring. Creating. Discovering.
Anyways...I digress and will plunge into the abyss of the basement. We donated A LOT of stuff, RECYCLED about 75% and the rest...sad to say went to the dump.
The stairs before the clean...
The after...I feel free already!
First look down the stairs before
(well, for those privileged few who have been invited to see the scandals basement pre-clean up know that this is obviously a post-clean up photo. Think Hoarders on TLC people. Mattresses, book shelves, suitcases, dressers, papers, books, etc.)
Voila! The mouldings stay as they are part of the project.
This is our future playroom/media room.
Relaxing. Isn't it?
This area had been cleaned up already
...well sort of.
And the after!!
Just like on HGTV...
Big brown wall unit gone.
Again...pile of sweepings to go still...I am a slacker...I am lazy.
Now remember... if you can...the bottom of the stairs before
...this is what you would see.
Remember the mouldings?
The tunnel of nothing. Soon to be a bathroom and bedroom.
Close your eyes and see it...visualize it...it is gonna happen.
Now looking to the right of the stairs...gulp...
Where does this stuff come from!!!!!!?????
Ahhh...better. See there is my broom...I am working on it.
This will be a future living room. You'll see...
Yes...more "stuff"
*Covers eyes*
Cleaned. Except for my car topper.
The new kitchen!
We are waiting for the Kitchen Elves to come and install.
Organize.
Set-up.
Oh ya...and these...apparently we need these to wire the basement.
Fancy.
So after much sweat, blood and even some tears and LOTS OF FAMLIY HELP...some professional (okay...not yet....but maybe 2 months into the reno) we are now on our way.
Although...my dining room now looks like this...
*Whimper*
I can't even talk about it.
I cry...It scares me.
So I go to my happy place...
Then we decided to tackle the garage.
Fools.
Absolute fools.
We did it though.
Hung some shelving and organized the floor a bit.
Found this car.
Don't worry it won't get stolen.
No...not because of all the bins around it blocking it in...
The motor is on the other side of the garage.
Projects.
We love them.
E.
Reading this is very timely, as we prepare to pack up our 2500sf home and move everything into a 1200sf apartment.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to a more minimalist life :)
You guys are hired!
Wish I was there for the purge, I could have grabbed some Erin gems, but alas like you, I feel we have enough.
ReplyDeleteLiving in this house with no basement to store stuff (just toys) has started to teach me to say no. It's hard!! I am happy you will have a suite to rent out though, because that means a happier Erin, not having to go so FAR to work.