The Comforts of Home

by Christine Vick

"There is nothing like staying home for real comfort," said Jane Austen, though most of us can't relate to the hours her characters spend sipping tea, reading, or gently snoozing in the drawing room. We race from appointments and conference calls to little league games and school fundraisers (all while texting, talking and facebooking), and our houses are often just a place to pass through.

You don't have to go back a couple of centuries to find the solicitude Austen was talking about. With a little organization and an eye for detail, you can transform your home into a personal retreat.

Choose one Room (to begin with):

Start with the room where you spend the most time-the kitchen, the family room or your office. If you tackle the whole house at once, you'll be overwhelmed by the project and are less likely to finish.

Decide What You Love:

Consider every visible item (including furniture) in the room you've selected, including knickknacks, prints, paintings, pottery, throw pillows, side tables and your CD collection. Set the bar high; if you're going to keep an item, it should get a yes to three of the four following questions.

• Does it have sentimental value?
• Is it useful (if so, how recently have I used it)?
• Does it fit my style and reflect who I am?
• Do I love it?

Donate What Doesn't Belong:

There are a few exceptions to the three out of four rule. You're not going to throw out the couch, so if an item is necessary (even if you don't love it), it stays. Otherwise, start filling the Goodwill box and consider selling items of value on Craigslist or eBay. It's also okay to keep a few deeply sentimental items that you don't want to showcase (these should be chosen sparingly). Each person in my family gets one "my stuff box" that is stored in the attic. When the box is full, one treasure must be discarded to make room for another.

Repeat:

Go through the sorting and donating process for every room in your house (yes, even the bathroom-you'll be glad to get rid of the after-shave you purchased in 1988).

Don't Go Shopping:

Once you've cleared a room of clutter and unwanted items, don't rush to your favorite home décor store for a spree. Let your space be a bit Spartan until you've progressed through the entire house. You probably own enough to furnish each room.

Make a Plan:

How would you like your home to look if money were no object? Once you've de-cluttered, it's time to create a vision for your home based on your tastes and needs. To help you identify your style (or mix of styles), cut out magazine pictures or bookmark online design sites.

Start With What You Own:

Your goal is to furnish and decorate with items you already possess (if they passed the test in step two, it means they have beauty and value and should be displayed). Be creative. A favorite vase can serve as a utensil holder in the kitchen. An old frame can be turned into a chalkboard. Create a gallery wall in the playroom with your children's best artwork. I moved a dresser that was once used for baby clothing to a nook in the living room, where it stores tablecloths and serving pieces. Think about asking for help; if you have a friend with a great eye for design, see if she'll spend an afternoon helping you arrange a specific space.

Be Willing to Wait:

Acquire new pieces slowly--you're more likely purchase furniture you never want to part with and accoutrements that become family treasures when you're patient. There is nothing wrong with leaving a wall blank until you find the right picture (just call yourself a minimalist). When you build a room slowly, you achieve a look that lasts.

Taking time to make your home a comfortable place where you feel connected and peaceful is worth it. You'll enjoy it more, and you may even be tempted to settle into the sofa with cup of tea and a copy of Pride and Prejudice.