How About a Little Kitchen Love?

A Big Welcome to those of you joining us for the first time--you are the brave and bold souls who ventured out into the snowstorm last week to join us for the DreamBank presentation! We’re so happy you’re here!

To catch you up...the first week of each month in 2017, we’re focusing on the why and the how of clearing out ONE space in your home. Focus on one area at a time; by the end of the year, your whole house will sparkle!

Last month we focused on your Master Bedroom.

This month, the Kitchen!

The Kitchen is the heart of the home where we prepare food, nourish and connect with family, and gather for meals. Clearing out the kitchen often has incredible ripple effects for the rest of your home and your life.

Take a few moments and for a virtual (or REAL) tour through your kitchen...peek in all of the cupboards, drawers, the fridge and pantry. What the heck is in there? Yep, WAY in the back? Is any of it past it’s prime? And, most importantly of all, how does it FEEL? What does it do to your soul? If it’s just fine, thank you very much, Jane...then go put your feet up, grab a cup of tea and read a book!

But, if there is an opportunity to let go and lighten up, create space for yourself, then let’s go!

Remember: set yourself up for success: have bags, boxes ready to go, put the “I’m busy” auto-responder on and then get started.

Your Plan for the Kitchen:

Week #1: Pantry (or any cupboards where the non-perishable food is kept) Check for expiration dates, toss the outdated items, donate anything that is still “good” but you will never use to a food drive. Be ruthless, someone else is HUNGRY for what you have in your cupboard, give with love and know that another person will be fed from your cast-offs.

Week #2: Refrigerator (same principles apply) check for exp. dates, especially condiments, clear and clean, put like things together and--ta-da(!) have a cup of tea! Woops--check the freezer, too :)

Week #3: Upper cabinets--Usually the glassware, plates, spices, live in the upper cabinets. This is your chance to take inventory. Do you have enough? Too many? Mismatched items that you never use? Deep breaths--you’ve got this!!!!

Week #4: Lower Cabinets--usually pans, bowls, small appliances, bulkier items, cleaning supplies, bagzzzzzzz (plastic bag collection, pushed to the deep, dark corners). Including the drawers, silverware and the junk drawer too!

If you have misplaced your clutter clearing checklist in the Design Essentials Kit…let us know, we’ll email you a fresh copy :)

Here are the highlights:

• Take everything out (of the space you are focusing on).

 

• Clean with an uplifting, natural scent (citrus or thieves cleaner, anyone?)

 

• DECIDE which items you love or need and let the rest go.

 

• Put things back thinking about the frequency of use. Holiday items go up high, or in the back.

 

• Place daily use items front and center where they are convenient to reach. Storage products, such as acrylic bins, lazy susans or step-up storage for spices can greatly improve the function of your kitchen. (Resist the urge to purchase these items until you have edited and see EXACTLY what you will need.)

 

• Send your teenager/husband/self to the donation center/food bank with the cast-off items immediately!

 

• Save 5 minutes for a dance party :)

I would love to hear your success stories, your challenges, and any questions you have while you clear and edit your kitchen. Please reply to this email and we will get back to you!

Lots of Love,
XO

​PHOTO CREDIT: Renee Nelson!