My house was built in 1848. I fell in love with it the minute I saw it and it has suited me perfectly. My youngest started college this year and the other 2 have moved out on their own. Raising a family of 5 here, a lot of stuff accumulated. A year ago January, I set a goal to clear things out and replace them with things that I made or refurbished myself. Big radiators, exposed pipes, tiny closets, funny little doors and odd little rooms add loads of quirky character and good opportunities to be creative and flexible. Every week I fill a box of things to be donated and another of things to bring to the recycling center. Progress has been slow but sure, eventually I will have everything simple and clean and homemade. We won’t talk about the dreaded cellar now.. I haven’t made my way down there yet, lol.
handmade. homegrown. beautiful life 
Wonderful Cynthia
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I love old houses in general, and yours is no exception. Enjoy!
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I love them too, thanks!
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Doesn’t it feel so good to clear things out? I always feel so much lighter, and I NEVER miss a thing. But every week? I’m happy if I have a clear out every few months; I am impressed. LOVE the old shelves in the linen closet with all the lovely old linens. It smells fresh even from here.
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I closed my store after 9 years and at the same time was cleaning out and clearing through my mother’s big house. It really changed my perspective on things. 2 of my daughters left home during that time too. My life really changed quickly. I think I needed to focus on a positive, long term goal to keep me from wallowing in all the endings. It does feel good:)
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My house is about the same age but much smaller. My greatest problem is dust! We have a coal fired stove, agricultural vehicles drop hay mud and dust on the way past and the stone building is hard to heat. BUT I love it! Keep sorting!
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It sounds beautiful, being made of stone. Most of the houses here are wood. Dust is a big problem here too. I’m not sure why. My house isn’t big.. but I wouldn’t mind going much smaller at this point and i think I might love a wood or coal burning stove! that sounds cozy:)
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DUST! Is it the old houses themselves? The lack of wall to wall carpeting for the dust to hide in? Maybe airspace around old windows that lets in dust? I really can’t figure it out. My solution was to get several hairy pets. Now I have so much hair, I barely notice the dust anymore. : )
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I often wonder why things are so dusty too. Lol! That is a great solution… I have my share of that too. Luckily, these things don’t bother me very much
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How beautiful, I’m so impressed! We need to sort and purge again, it’s amazing what accumulates 🙂
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It is amazing! Some people have a knack for keeping things clutter free and orderly. i surely don’t !
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I recently heard someone say ” for every new thing that comes into the house – send five out”! If only…😱
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Old houses have such charm and character – but every house has the dreaded basement or attic space! I still haven’t got around to clearing out the mess from under the house 🙂
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Lol! I have both..soon I’ll post the attic. It’s pretty cool, all chestnut from the 1800’s but a real bomb up there. We have a crawl space too..is that what you mean by under the house? I hope to never have to venture into the crawlspace
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Yes, I have a crawl space and a basement, and as my house was a rental property for about 30 years before I bought it, every tenant left his/her share of unwanted goods in the basement and crawl space. Removing that mess will be a few weekends of thankless work!
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oh yuck! Bad enough cleaning out your own junk!
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I love your linen shelves did you make the quilts on the top shelf?
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Thanks! My middle daughter made one of them and the other is a bought duvet cover.
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I love a proper clear out!! Good for you!
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thanks! I notice you approach your garden and home projects in a very organized and well informed manner. Are you the type of person who has that enviable, natural ability to keep your home well organized and efficient? i wish I was:)
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I love you house!
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Thanks, Cindy!
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I’ve been doing the same. Many trips to Goodwill, the local consignment shops, and giving things to my two grown daughters, both of whom bought homes of their own in 2014…and old houses at that! I guess growing up in an old house spoiled them for brand new.
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I have moved many of times and found the process of decluttering always very liberating! Your house is beautiful and it is going to be even more beautiful!!!
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Thanks, Johanna! Moving definitely keeps things in perspective!
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I too am amazed, no matter the age of the house, how things accumulate and require purging!
Love your ‘old house’. She’s beautiful!
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Thanks, Louise. i think it’s a great thing when our homes and lifestyles are a reflection and expression of the person within. I can’t relate to hiring a stranger to create that for us. I love watching and reading about your upcoming wedding…so cool that you are creating it all your own way and making so many things for it yourself. Really love how your boquet is turning out
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How beautifully you have transformed what could be a painful “ending” into a transition to your life, a simple life surrounded by homemade things and gentle reminders of days and people gone by. Isn’t growing old a lovely experience?
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Thank you! I’m learning a lot! I think it’s true what they say about making choices. It’s funny how perspectives change.
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It’s a never ending task around here but it looks like you’re well on your way clearing out, then adding your personal touch to the decor. When we downsized, it made me happy to furnish a daughter’s new home. Timing was everything and I can go visit my stuff anytime…
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I have an old house built about the time of yours it’s an octagonal with a post and beam barn attached. I am cleaning out too, have the remains of all my families things, a room full of handspun yarn and wool, yards and yards of fabric, each week I am putting things online for sale and filling a box for Sally’s. Thanks for a very encouraging blog
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I like having yards of fabric and lots of yarn ..it’s so exciting to look at all the colors and patterns, getting project ideas and making things. I just want it all to look organized and inspiring instead of messy and overwhelming
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I feel the same
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That is such a nice situation to be in for both you and your daughter! It’s really a never ending task around here too.
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What a sweet ‘old house’. I do relate, cellar and all. I love our old house.
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Your house is so pretty. I liked the posts you did on the house your friend is refurbishing too.
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Thank you, my Namesake!
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I love your house because it’s a real “Home.”
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thanks! A designers nightmare..which makes me love it even more:)
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Cynthia…I have been involved in the same process…slowly but surely every nook and cranny will have been paired down….only to have the place I started with…and those in succession…begin to fill up with more “stuff!” Truly…where does it all come from??? ❤
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Lol! I know! Maybe this is part of the “human condition.” At least we don’t give in to it:)
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