Experimenting with minimalism

I have a lot of things in my home, mostly cushions, lamps, candles, reed-diffusers, photos in frames, cat ornaments, shoes and boots; the last two are in my wardrobe though, or on my feet. There's other things too, but they're the things that dominate.

I prefer quality over quantity, and shop in antique and second-hand stores more than anywhere else, I also don't often cave in to want-purchases; I usually buy what I need when I need them. It keeps costs down and means I'm not inundated with things...but still, most flat surfaces and the bed and couch are covered with things and it drives my boy mad at times...especially the cushions. I don't know why, there's only ten thousand on the bed and another thirty or forty thousand spread elsewhere around the house - I think he just likes complaining.

We've been talking about some changes, a little refresh of the decor, just for something different and, predictably, my cushion-hating man suggested we take a more minimalistic approach. His suggestion was delivered as more of a question than a suggestion in truth, he's a beautiful man and wants me to be happy...which is why he has put up with all the cushions.

_{I took this image}

We talked about it a little and decided to start in the lounge room this weekend where we removed virtually every item: Cushions, lovely throw-rugs, lamps, oil-burners, photos, ornaments...everything except the furniture. I hated it and told him so.

We then began placing certain things back moving them here and there and standing back to see the effect. I started to like what I saw and said so...of course, him being him, he didn't say, I told you so, just grinned that damned sexy grin of his which basically said, I told you so!

Damn him and that smirk of his.

As we proceeded to add things back in, I began to become more comfortable with the look. Minimalism doesn't mean things need to look austere, cold and uninviting,* although that's how it can come across sometimes; to us, it means that a few selected and well-placed items are used to complement each other and set the tone or mood of a room in a low-key way, which is what we achieved, I think.

On entering the room, one is left feeling comfortable and the items we have left draw the eye to all parts of it and allow the light to stream in leaving a light, airy, feel to the room, the shadows the few items cast in that light add to the effect. The large architectural artwork on the wall draws the eye and has visual impact and overall the entire effect gives the feeling that there's more room even though the floorspace hasn't increased. It's rather lovely.

We're working around where all the other things are going to go but have a few ideas for the photos which will work with the new style and the cushions...well, they may end up on the bed...It's ok, you can feel pity for my man, he probably deserves it.

Becca 💗