keep what you love

This is an issue that has come up a lot lately. Many people are downsizing. The kids are gone, they don't want to keep up the big house anymore. A question I often have to deal with is "what do I keep?" Well there are several things I look at when I help a client choose what they want to keep.
First and foremost, do you LOVE the item? You gotta love it. We are often given gifts or inherit furniture that we don't really love but when it's time to downsize you have to take all that away and decide if you love it. The next thing to consider is what does the new place NEED? You need to ask how you are going to live in that space....are you finally going to have time to entertain? do you want to entertain formally or casually? inside or outside?
Many people find it hard to go through that stuff, even a receipt for aspirin may bring back a memory, old pictures, old clothes, they all hold memories. That is why it is often easier to bring someone in to help you with these decisions. They are not attached to your memories and can be a mirror for what is good and what isn't for you. Having an organizer is a big help, turn those files into piles. Create better systems for storing your stuff. A designer is helpful because they can help you to decide furniture plans and what pieces work best in the new environment and which of your accessories are going to enhance the place. They can help you make the best use of the space. Often when downsizing, it's hard to get used to having less space so it's imperative to have it space planned well.

So take a good hard look at how you live, what you use, how often do you entertain and make sure that your furniture, art and accessories reflect that and help to improve it.