Share Your Edited Bag Closet Journey......
- Thread starter diane278
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
I totally get it. I am replacing my LR furniture with less bulky versions. The new pieces are being delivered next Thursday. I’m convinced they will look better with my art laden living room. Plus, I just like them better than what I’m currently sitting on.....
I love my furniture. We've had it for years. The newest piece is probably 20 years old. We even got the couch reupholstered instead of buying a new one.
So did we! We just did that last year, and it was such a good decision. It was always a good piece of furniture, had just gotten tired-looking over the years. We had the sofa and one chair re-upholstered by a local, family-owned business. So good to support a local company, and they did a great job for us.
Love "less bulky" anything! Before and after photos, please if you can? (Also more art! You have amazing stuff!)
I am still planning to copy you and put something in my fridge, although I recently migrated to a very tall, very skinny model so the space will require some deep thinking.
I think the quality of our sofa is much better than anything we could buy locally. Our upholstery was done by a local father and son business. We ended up becoming friends with them.
I’ve had a rough week, and this comment cheered me up considerably. Yay for you.
Yes, I second that- would love to see more of your art and furniture! So interesting to see how fashion taste correlates with other design categories!
So funny how many of us are on a similar wavelength! I did this a few years ago (was moving a lot for work then and it made my life easier), and I now habitually live with only a few key pieces of furniture- some that are streamlined and modern in design, others are made from organic natural elements. I love having open living spaces and find it calming. I currently have a total of 9 pieces of furniture (including bed, desk, wardrobes, everything).
People visit and invariably ask where my furniture is hahaha! but I don't feel the need to add more. I have a lot of empty space in my small flat but that makes room for a lot of natural light to flow uninterrupted through the rooms, which is very important to me.
The few pieces of furniture I own are all unique and beautiful. My personal favourite is a tree stump that's been made into a small side table. It has a lot of natural crevices and brings me such joy when I set my coffee cup down on it every morning.
I do wonder if I'll want a warmer and fuller space in later years- I suppose because people keep telling me my space looks clinical it is so sparse- and perhaps I will? Who knows. If that time comes I'll add more in but will make sure I am doing so mindfully and not just to fill the space.
I have no set rules around this because I never set out to have it be this minimal, it's just how it naturally ended up. And while I'm open to my views changing, I can honestly say I genuinely love this simplistic set up so much that I don't know if I'll ever want more. I'm very aware that it is a weird way to live by other people's standards!
Oh my, KUDOS to you for living how you want to live and having only what makes YOU happy. So many people (myself included for many years) spend way too much time (and money LOL) worrying about other people's opinions.So funny how many of us are on a similar wavelength! I did this a few years ago (was moving a lot for work then and it made my life easier), and I now habitually live with only a few key pieces of furniture- some that are streamlined and modern in design, others are made from organic natural elements. I love having open living spaces and find it calming. I currently have a total of 9 pieces of furniture (including bed, desk, wardrobes, everything).
People visit and invariably ask where my furniture is hahaha! but I don't feel the need to add more. I have a lot of empty space in my small flat but that makes room for a lot of natural light to flow uninterrupted through the rooms, which is very important to me.
The few pieces of furniture I own are all unique and beautiful. My personal favourite is a tree stump that's been made into a small side table. It has a lot of natural crevices and brings me such joy when I set my coffee cup down on it every morning.
I do wonder if I'll want a warmer and fuller space in later years- I suppose because people keep telling me my space looks clinical it is so sparse- and perhaps I will? Who knows. If that time comes I'll add more in but will make sure I am doing so mindfully and not just to fill the space.
I have no set rules around this because I never set out to have it be this minimal, it's just how it naturally ended up. And while I'm open to my views changing, I can honestly say I genuinely love this simplistic set up so much that I don't know if I'll ever want more. I'm very aware that it is a weird way to live by other people's standards!
Your home is your HOME - if you love entertaining great, but still that's just a small percentage of the time you spend in your space. I feel fortunate that I finally figured it out. My home is how I want to live for 340 days a year (I figure I entertain ~2x/month - usually we meet people out.) Why should I dedicate unused space/objects/energy to people who don't live here????
Keep the confidence in your style - it's so easy to fill up space. It is much more challenging (and rewarding IMO) to let it just "be."
We completely parallel one another on so many levels! Just like I prefer my handbags streamlined in amount as well as aesthetic- my living space mirrors this. I always get “severe” “clinical”, “sterile” when people comment (wardrobe/bags/furniture/look).So funny how many of us are on a similar wavelength! I did this a few years ago (was moving a lot for work then and it made my life easier), and I now habitually live with only a few key pieces of furniture- some that are streamlined and modern in design, others are made from organic natural elements. I love having open living spaces and find it calming. I currently have a total of 9 pieces of furniture (including bed, desk, wardrobes, everything).
People visit and invariably ask where my furniture is hahaha! but I don't feel the need to add more. I have a lot of empty space in my small flat but that makes room for a lot of natural light to flow uninterrupted through the rooms, which is very important to me.
The few pieces of furniture I own are all unique and beautiful. My personal favourite is a tree stump that's been made into a small side table. It has a lot of natural crevices and brings me such joy when I set my coffee cup down on it every morning.
I do wonder if I'll want a warmer and fuller space in later years- I suppose because people keep telling me my space looks clinical it is so sparse- and perhaps I will? Who knows. If that time comes I'll add more in but will make sure I am doing so mindfully and not just to fill the space.
I have no set rules around this because I never set out to have it be this minimal, it's just how it naturally ended up. And while I'm open to my views changing, I can honestly say I genuinely love this simplistic set up so much that I don't know if I'll ever want more. I'm very aware that it is a weird way to live by other people's standards!
I love to live and dress for myself. I’m aware I do tend to stand out because I have an inclination towards the extreme end of things. That’s perfectly fine by me.. and cheers to you as well!
Thank you! It is certainly true that in the end, we must make our spaces suit our personal needs over those of others who infrequently occupy them.
That's the thing about editing in general that I'm discovering. It's made me more aware of the simple things that bring me joy, and all the superfluous stuff I once did/owned that was actually never required but seemed socially imposed somehow.
It's really brilliant to hear that you and others have had similar thoughts and have found their own way to edit and make their homes truly homey.
With regards to entertaining, I'm very introverted and love my company in small doses.I will have a couple of friends over to the flat once in a while, but more often than not I'll arrange to meet friends for activities outside. We bond just as much, if not more, if we're on an 'experience' together rather than just sitting in my flat. These days, it's trips to a trampoline park, or a group class of some sort, or simply a long walk in the park. I've failed to convince anyone to skydive with me, but I'll keep going on my own hoping they will work up the courage to join me soon!
Absolutely, well said! Like you, I'm happy to stand out because my approach brings me personal peace! By the same token, I appreciate that others' tastes will differ entirely from my own, because that is what makes life so wonderful- our individuality!
My best friend's house is the exact opposite of mine. Not only much larger and filled to the brim with little trinkets, but also very colourful, to the extent she purposefully clashes colours in every single room. She loves the madness and I appreciate her her bold taste, although it is an environment that I could not live in.
Regarding the sterile comment, it is always a shock when I hear it. It doesn't bother me at all but it never makes sense to me either. Yes, I have a lot of negative space which is what I enjoy, and yes, I have minimal furnishings. However, whilst my walls and many of my furniture pieces are white (thereby sterile, fair enough) the remainder of my furniture is made from natural materials (solid wood, marble, bamboo). Not to mention that I have plants around the place and 3 very lively cats! So, to me, my space is warm and very cosy and far from sterile.
I think people equate having "less" as being "severe" or lacking in some way, but it's actually possible to be minimalistic and have a lot of lightness in your space whist also creating an environment that is warm.
Last edited:
Here is a blurry photo of the top of the fridge. I have a style with the freezer as a pull-out on the bottom. I make frequent small trips to the grocery store or I end up with spoiling food. But it leaves space for decor. The ceramic Phrenology head is a permanent installation but the cow at the bottom is a recent addition. He’s replaced a Buddha. (They both are removed at times, if I am preparing a large amount of food.....)
I’ll try to add art photos in a week or two. I think we’re morphing into an expanded editing thread, which is great for me, as editing is a sport in my house!
I'm terribly sorry for your losses. I have been there, done that (both people and cats; in fact in 2011 I lost 3 dear friends and a cat all in the space of 4 months) so I understand how devastating this time can be. I hope you find healing.
I use a word of the year each year, to ground me when I am going through tough times. For this year, I've been toying with "Light": to remember to be light when life is heavy, to take things easy, to own fewer material things and lighten my load, but also to brighten up my surroundings, enjoy more sunshine and make sure my words, actions and attitude lighten and uplift everyone I interact with.
So, hearing you say that this is your year to make your life lighter really resonates with me deeply.
Absolutely take your time sorting through your stuff, particularly as you're working through grief and other people's belongings in addition to your own. That is a difficult process in itself. Allow yourself some grace here.
I've found when I'm editing correctly, the process is calming, helps me process my anxiety and allows me to be introspective. But when I'm purging incorrectly and under self-inflicted pressure to just remove lots of stuff, it only adds to my anxiety and creates a feeling of being lost and unsure if I'm making the right decisions. It's a process- one that you embark on at your own pace.
Thanks to everyone for their kind words about my posts. I always feel guilty sharing my opinion, knowing I'm not as experienced or as knowledgeable as the majority of people on here, but I'm repeatedly met with warmth and acceptance which is deeply touching.
Sorry to derail the thread. Bye
I'm so sorry for the delay in responding. I decided to take a step back and breath to try to relieve the pressure on myself. Then I got sick - again - 4th time since Thanksgiving - and then DH got the Flu. Like seriously?!?
Thank you for your kind words and insight. I'm finding that I have to minimize in small doses right now. Sometimes one or two things at a time. This is hard because I tend to be an all or nothing type person. I purged the bathroom and accidentally threw away something I needed so maybe slower is better
I'll see something I don't want anymore and I get rid of it right then. DH was looking for a shirt in the dresser the other day. He pulls one out and says "Oh I need to get rid of that" but proceeds to put in back in. I said don't put it back if you don't want it. 
I saw this and had to get since it's related to "light". Thought I would share. Designed by a 22 year old gal with downs syndrome and she donates part of the profits to charities. Her site is www.candidlykind.com
I am NOT affiliated. Just spreading some light...
Last edited:
I sold my Balenciaga city - at a HUGE loss, too. 1000 GBP bought, I think in the end fashionphile gave me 160 bucks? I tried selling on eBay, kept getting buyers who didn’t pay (no idea why people keep doing that, some asked questions as if really interested, too!).
At least it’s not staring at me asking why i have a bag I don’t love like it had been for the last 3 years!!
Summary of what I’ve gotten rid of in 2019:
2-3 backpacks
1 Balenciaga city
Right now I have:
2 LV medium size purses
1 Alexander McQueen handheld clutch
1 Kenzo chain-wallet-y clutch
1 Longchamp zipped tote
1 Madewell traveler tote
1 Fossil purple crossbody <— lovely leather but I just don’t use it anymore
1 Kipling crossbody that I sometimes use on international trips, especially when I need to be handsfree but not a pickpocket magnet
1 Tumi backpack - small and light, perfect for hikes or some business trips where a crossbody isn’t appropriate
1 Bric’s workhorse of a purse - divisions are same as LV Montaigne, but much bigger and more square
1 dark but bright blood-red Lacoste crossbody. The color drew me in but I just don’t use it
11 total
1 Backpack,1 shoulder bag, 5 crossbodies, 2 clutches, 2 totes
Thoughts for 2020:
1: get rid of the Fossil, it’s buttery soft leather keeps pulling me back in but I barely wear it once a year. Goodwill, I guess?
2: Get rid of the Kipling, probably give to mom since she uses light purses like that more than I do
3: Get rid of the red Lacoste - don’t think mom or sister would like it, so another goodwill candidate
4: Get rid of the Bric’s - really nice and such a workhorse but I just don’t reach for it over the Madewell tote, so what’s the point?
After purge I’ll have 7 total:
1 Backpack, 2 crossbodies, 2 clutches, 2 totes
If we go by usage, I rarely touch the Kenzo clutch, but it has good memories of a trip with my family to Berlin so I’ll keep it. Doesn’t really take any space anyway. Maybe the framing idea would work for it, for my walk-in closet... Thank goodness for this thread!
Will I add in 2020?
Not sure. Number-wise I don’t mind going up, but usage-wise I can’t justify anything to be honest. If I love something I’ll grab it, but I’m a “have a few and love them” sort of gal with purses, so it’s much more likely that I’ll focus on SLGs this year, if anything.
Bonus pic of my Madewell tote accompanying me today at the airport!
View attachment 4639707
Unfortunately Balenciaga has a very poor resale value right now. I don't understand since they are such great bags. I have 3. I've considered selling one or two but I don't know if it's worth the low payout to me.
And that tote by the way
