getting back to who we are.

while reading stef's post today, i was reminded of a desk i've been wanting for a LONG time. (stef, i think you may have convinced me to make the leap.)

the jay desk from west elm

this desk represents a change we've been going through at casa peterson of late. we've been craving organization lately. it's amazing how peaceful i feel once i get a few things in order - even if it's just the cutlery lined up like little soldiers in a new cutlery tray. isn't it strange what small things calm you?

our house is rather small (less than 1200 sq.ft.) and in a place this small, you must be as efficient as possible with your belongings. but the fact of the matter is....

we're not. at all.

everything is crammed into every available space. recently i had an 'aha' moment where i realized that every space in your home doesn't need to be filled. a little empty space is vital for flow. and most of all, i'ts OK. and that's what got the ball rolling.

but we're slowly making changes. we're ordering closet organizers (at this stage we're looking at elfa from the container store - any feedback?) . we're looking to ditch the furniture in our living room in favor of a smaller couch like this:

and a small slipper chair like this:


for bella we'll be trading in her changing station and dresser in favor of a dresser like one of these

with a shelf above it. and trading out her rocking chair with one of these:


it isn't as much of a makeover as a chance to express our lives a little more accurately, to distance ourselves from what we thought we should look like from the outside. to remove ourselves from the curse of the 'i'm getting rid of this - you want it?' style of furnishing, and break free of the items we have taken from family members and kept out of some strange obligation (i mean, if it was that special, why didn't they keep it in the first place?).

we're rethinking our artwork, and most of all trying to represent our true selves. no more will i spend each night eating dinner next to artwork that looks like it should be in a dentist's office!

and our motto now is 'one thing in, one thing out'. it's MUCH tougher than it sounds. but it does make you really think about what you are buying.

the book apartment therapy has been a tremendous help. if you are thinking of 'cleaning house' i can think of no better place to start. they even have a blog.

i hope you welcome your true selves back as well.