The two things rule.

by Angie on March 17, 2009

t-1-of-3

nothing in my home is just for looks. everything has to do two things. -bh&g

so i came across this little blurb about six weeks ago as i passed away the children’s bath time with some good reading (better homes & gardens). it struck a cord with me and i had to pull out the page (i do this often). i knew we had an upcoming move and i so desperately wanted our new place to be simplistic in nature. i wanted it to be adorned with my favorite pretties, yet not so cluttered that guests felt overwhelmed and my kids had to be on museum-behavior 24/7.

i feel it goes hand in hand with another of my faves that simple mom adorns:

“have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” -william morris

i’m sure neither one of these is a new mantra, none the less it rings true for me now. as we (ahem, i) packed away our belongings i couldn’t help but reflect on how these quotes go hand in hand. i picked up the champagne glasses we received for a wedding gift. hmmm two things eh? were they beautiful, gah, of course. were they useful? insert blushing face as i couldn’t count on one hand the number of times we had used them in five years. what would be the fate of the gorgeous crystal glasses? your local thrift store.

though troubling as it was at times, i quite appreciated my new outlook on our “stuff”. i now sit in our new place, surrounded by the simple joys in life. i can’t proudly proclaim that there isn’t a single item in our home that doesn’t fall into the new catagory – but it is a work in progress. as i am out doing my usual thrifting or a stroll through target, i try to remind myself of the two things rule.

i’d encourage you to take a gander at your home, how do these mantras come into play with your family?

Article by Angie Warren

Angie is the founder and editor of The Creative Mama, who lives in the beautiful Bay Area, CA. She also blogs her own personal journey at angiewarren.com. When she isn't writing or taking photos, Angie can be found having tickle fights with her boys and frequenting the local Starbucks.

Angie has written 276 fabulous articles.

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Organizing Your Way | Surfin’ the Net: 3/29-4/4: April 4, 2009 at 2:53 pm

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Becky March 17, 2009 at 1:45 pm: Our coffee and end tables we just got after Christmas have drawers and space to have baskets under. I use them to keep baby toys,diapers and stuff put away in our living room. It doesnt fix the bigger toy dilemmas but i feel those toys are only used for a short period of time in her life and we can deal with it.
2 angie March 17, 2009 at 1:59 pm: wow becky, your tables are really useful! great idea, to keep some small baskets of toys out in the living area. especially for now when the babies are so small – thanks for your input!
3 Kika March 17, 2009 at 3:35 pm: I definitely subscribe to this philosophy. Still, I have a few more “things” in my home that I could do without but were bought for me by my children and I cannot get rid of them. There is such beauty and calm in order and simplicity. My favorite belongings are things like wicker baskets (to hold books,etc.) or local-made pottery (which I use for baking, salads, etc.) These are pleasing to look at but also very useful.
4 Theadora March 17, 2009 at 9:21 pm: We have these great candle holders that I got free from a Southern Living party. They of course hold candles, but I also use them for potpourri or other decorative items. My other favorite is our “mini-crates”…I had books from my classroom in them, but now I use them at home for the “random” socks, mittens, bows…they are then carried to the correct rooms for delivery. I love reusing any knd of container for anoterh creative use!!
5 angie March 17, 2009 at 9:22 pm: kika, your local made pottery sounds lovely!
6 angie March 17, 2009 at 10:04 pm: theadora, i love the mini crate delivery box idea! super creative! :)
7 Amber March 18, 2009 at 6:06 am: I have the William Morris quote hanging right above my desk. It is definitely a good guide when it comes to all the “stuff” that can clutter my life. I love the other quote you came across. This year my overall goal has to been to simplify. It’s a work in progress.
8 Freedom March 23, 2009 at 9:54 pm: This is a great idea! I am in the midst of PURGING in our house. I am so consumed with this project, it is almost driving me bonkers.
But it will drive me even more bonkers if I DON’T do it!

I am saddened as I toss and toss things I wasted money on because I had “good intentions”. It almost makes me nauseous! But I know I will feel so much better when it is all done!
9 Stacy May 8, 2009 at 10:22 am: “have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” -william morris
I LOVE this quote! It is going to be my new mantra – this house needs a serious makeover!