Monday, April 25, 2016

The Domino Effect



A domino effect is most often cited as a negative thing - you know - something bad happens that triggers a set of equally unpleasant circumstances.

I've never thought about the domino effect as a positive thing. Until now. 


Melissa Michaels, who writes the blog The Inspired Room, has also authored a couple of books. Her latest is Make Room for What You Love, available May 1. She sent me an advance copy of the book and I'm slowly making my way through it, taking time to think about the questions she asks.  

I've followed Melissa's blog for quite a few years. Her decorating style is both beautiful and accessible. It's real. And very applicable to someone like me who lives in an average home, but who still wants my home to reflect my personality and taste.  

There's plenty of fodder for thought, including this: "but what if we were able to harness the domino concept in a way that actually works for us rather than against us?" 

She goes on to add, "even one positive move can be the domino to easily inspire habits and successes, knocking others over one by one in the right direction."


My home is fairly neat, but there are hidden pockets of disorder that could do with some attention. Among other things, I value order, yet those closets don't reflect that value. As I continue to read the book, I'll be thinking about what positive steps (or step) I can take to create a domino effect for tidiness throughout my home.

What do you value in your home? How do you maintain that value?  

24 comments:

  1. I have Melissa's first 2 books, she is a wonderful writer who gets her decorating ideas across in a great way.

    My values mostly involve being true to myself in the way that I decorate, choosing pieces that I love and that reflect my personality and likes. Some decor books point us to the right direction. Other times we have to listen to our hearts! :)

    Jane

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  2. This sounds like a thoughtful decorating book, Lorrie. I was never much of a decorator. When we bought our first house I bought dark heavy quality furniture that lasted the 36 years we lived there, but when we moved west I only moved my bedroom set and donated the rest of the furniture to charity. I went lighter and more casual in this house and tried to pick furniture that would hold up to frequent young grandchildren use. I wanted my house to be friendly to them, and not fussy or perfect. It's worked well. My weak point is paper--I have to get rid of a lot of magazines and clippings. Happily they are hidden away in cabinets and not in sight so only I know about that clutter

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  3. I like tidiness too - but I tend to be a collector of fun things that can get cluttery. I'll have to go and read this new-to-me blog for ideas. The way I tend to keep my house tidy is to designate an area - usually in my studio - where I allow myself to pile things for a short period of time - and then I have a clean up day to handle it all and get it back in its place. I also try to look at the house as if I were a guest - and that helps me to remember to pick up and tidy things a bit as I go about the house - never making a useless trip - always pick up something and put it back where it belongs - this seems to make it easier for me to keep on top of things - and the house seems more peaceful too.

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  4. I am a collector, which lends itself to clutter, so far I contain in one room my craft room. I keep a basket at the bottom of the stairs and drop everything into it that needs taking upstairs it does save endless trips.

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  5. I love a tidy home but it is a never-ending battle. I had a major declutter last year after reading the Marie Kondo book and now stuff is creeping back in. I'm not giving up, though!
    Amalia
    xo

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  6. I am not the best housekeeper; my house is lived in. And because teaching was nearly an 18 hour day, 6 days a week, sometimes 7, I was either just too tired to clean or too busy, so I hired a housekeeper. Although I am now retired, she still comes every 3 weeks to give the house good going over, to freshen things up, to do the bending and stooping that I can't really do anymore with ease. But she doesn't do windows or closets. I have always thought that the mark of really good housekeeper is one who keeps tidy, uncluttered closets. I worshiped Martha Stewart for her fabulously organized closets. Mine are not too awful, meaning that I don't have dig though to find what I am looking for, nor do I have to slam the door shut before something else falls out. I am afraid that my dominos are either stuck standing because nothing has moved them or left in a pile because the housekeeper isn't responsible for picking them up and putting them in place again. I am on a mission to declutter, so closets are looking better, the garage is a mess. this post has given me pause to think. Have wonderful week.

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  7. This is something I'm thinking about right now, of course, as I dismantle all the apparent accoutrements of "home" and pack them away to see where and how I'll reassemble them to create another nest. I'll be interested to follow your thoughts on how the domino effect might come into play here.

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  8. I have too much "stuff" for the way that I want to live. Clearing drawers and cupboards would greatly simplify my life and provide me with more choices.

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  9. Melissa does give one a lot to ponder. I have so many areas in my life that are not reflecting my values. Some of them are way too visible for my liking. Sigh.

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  10. Anonymous5:10 PM

    Most of my closets need to be looked at and re-organized for sure. Hopefully I can get a positive domino effect going here!

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  11. Hi Lorrie,

    I think J.W. might have been onto something here! If it can fit in a bag....

    xoxo

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  12. Anonymous7:33 PM

    Lorrie, I'm thinking that I need to read this book! I desire order as well. at least most of the time! :-)

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  13. I received this book from Melissa too, and am eager to read it. My house was more cluttered when we had all of our children still at home. That said I am clearing out things that I held onto because I 'might' need it. Its a process but I like the peace of a tidy and clean home, and I don't want to be a slave to my house, though I want a warm and comfortable home.

    My style is not minimal but it's not super cluttered either.

    Looking forward to diving into this book!

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  14. I do like the idea of the domino effect being a positive thing! I think people are either by nature hoarders of throwers-away. I am the latter but I live with the former! We are contemplating a move and I suspect that will be the spur for a considerable amount of decluttering.

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  15. Food for thought here, and a positive domino effect is desirable. I place a high value on orderliness at least where I can see it. I am so affected by the visual. I also love old things with a story to go with them, such as family heirlooms.

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  16. What a positive thought! It is true, you do one thing and look where it leads you, also sometimes something that seems bad at the time leads to great things too doesn't it!

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  17. I checked out your friend's beautiful blog! The positive domino effect applied to homemaking is right where we all want to be and it helps to realize that one positive move can affect more.
    One thing I try is to keep my clothes closet airy and organized by taking out a piece for every piece that is added. Doing this right away, helps keep it uncluttered and as I gather the unneeded pieces, there is a bag ready for charity. This can be applied to the kitchen and other parts of the house too.

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  18. Sounds like a great book and blog. Thanks for the recommendation.

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  19. My grandsons had the dominos out the other day and we were on youtube looking at some of the amazing things that people create with dominoes ! Then coming here and reading this I was not thinking so much about my home but about spirituality / I think the Domino Effect can just apply to most everything come to think of it / so interesting :)

    I will check out your friend's link :)

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  20. Maintaining value in my home is a difficult one, since I have two guys that don't have the same value as I do. Sounds like a good book.

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  21. Good Morning Lorrie, what an interesting way to view the Domino Effect . . . like is your cup half empty or half full. I guess that I have to say that warmth and comfort and the two main things that I value in our home. Not just for us but for everyone who enters. I want it to be a place where people feel relaxed and can be free to me themselves. I could use some tidy closet advice. Maybe you will show us your progress and inspire us to do the same.
    Have a lovely weekend my friend.
    Connie :)

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  22. I think I need to read that book! Thanks for this Lorrie.

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  23. I usually try to return items to their proper place, but sometimes I'll slack off and let clutter accumulate. Thanks for sharing Melissa's blog and link. My parents are currently doing some home renos so I've been thinking about home decor these days.

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  24. You know it hit me with your question...I value spontaneity and creativity. And, our house reflects that. It's disaster right now and today is a "catch up" time unless...something better comes along. I begin to kick myself as I did this weekend because of the state of things but it does reflect what I value and that is a good thing. I think this will be on my mind more today.

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Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

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