“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
–William Morris, a textile designer from the 1800s
In the first stage of downsizing, we moved into a two-bedroom apartment. The second stage was emptying the storage unit we rented when we moved into the apartment. I’m now in the midst of the third stage of downsizing.
It’s no longer about storage or efficiency. Everything fits nicely in our apartment. I feel this need, probably thanks to Pinterest, to create spaces which are more minimal. I want to appreciate every item I have around me.
I started with the kitchen:
I got rid of everything that was on top of the upper cabinets. I stored the cookbooks in the bottom cabinets. I kept the plates on the walls because I love them for their simplicity, but also because they belonged to my mother and grandmother. They have good memories attached to them. I know my mother touched them, and even though I’m not a very good cook I hope her things will channel a little good grace my way. The refrigerator still has photos and artwork on it, but it’s a start.
That’s where I am: in the middle. Just the little bit I’ve done makes me feel more calm. I’m struggling with finding a medium between minimalism and a comfortable home. Combining both beautiful and useful means balance between those two things.
Wanda's Life Sampler 
Hello Wanda… I know that feeling – we are living in a rented flat and I used to do low-space-crafting (I placed my sewing table in our bedroom). When my daughter once move into her own apartment (in a few years) I’ll have an own room. Sometimes I feel if I need more empty space or more air to breath (after a “sewing session” for instance when not only on my table but on the bed and every board all fabric is spread out). And I like William Morris – in Christmas time I baught a biography and a book about Morris’ motifs in quilts… I love that!
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His motifs are the opposite of minimalism — go figure.
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Downsizing is a big challenge. I have done this a few times in my life. I like open spaces in the house with little furniture and just a few decoration elements – mostly pictures that I have from my grandfather or my photographs. Before buying anything new I always think twice if I really need it or not and usually it stays on the shop. Barbora
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This is good advice.
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