The Fashionable Side of Decluttering

by Katy on May 5, 2013 · 16 comments


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I grew up in an enormous house. And because the house has almost endless amounts of storage space, my father and step-mother have been pretty tolerant about how much stuff we adult children keep at the house. However, my younger sister Sara took it upon herself to address some of the attic boxes and invited me along for the adventure.

Unlike an episode of Hoarders which takes multiple days of filming, we were able to get through most everything in a matter of hours. Yes, I left a huge box of my books to be dealt with later, (it was too heavy to lift!) But I made decisions about childhood clothing, (send to a textile shredder) my coin collection, (keep!) and boxes of my wealthy and fashionable grandmother’s hats, (try on and defer any decision making until our older sister hits town this summer.)

Of course, we had to snap a couple of pictures. (Funny, nobody on Hoarders ever seems to put stuff on their heads. . . )

But you know I did take a cleansing shower the moment I got home.

Decluttering is dirty business, but it can also be a stylish business.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

lisa May 5, 2013 at 11:57 am

Pine paneling NOSTALGIA!!

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Katy May 5, 2013 at 1:13 pm

Yes, the pine paneling in the room is most very awesome! (And smells so good!)

Katy

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Linda in Indiana May 5, 2013 at 12:48 pm

So fun doing that with your sister….memories are made of that.

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A. Marie May 5, 2013 at 2:15 pm

Bless your hearts, that photo reminds me of a moment of bonding with various relatives after my grandmother’s death in 1992. We were just tentatively starting to explore closets and drawers, and we happened upon her entire hat collection from circa 1937 onward. I have some treasured photos (and memories) very similar to yours.

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AnnDenee May 5, 2013 at 5:35 pm

What a fun way to spend an afternoon! And I love love love old hats. I see the future me as the eccentric lady who wears vintage hats and gloves.

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Rebekah May 5, 2013 at 6:07 pm

What is a textile shredder? I always wonder what to do with clothes that don’t seem like anyone would want to wear anymore.

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Mrs. GV May 5, 2013 at 7:18 pm

Oh, so much fun and so many memories. I was the oldest and we did not have much storage, so when I graduated college and married at 21, my mom said “And take all your stuff with you.” lol Every now and then she will run across an old book of mine or something of that nature, but that’s about it.

Recently I cleaned out my guest closet and decided it was time to figure out what to do with the tub of children’s clothes that belonged to my sisters and myself. There are some beautiful dresses in there in good condition, but the only grandchild in the family is a boy, so no one in the family is going to be wearing them. They are certainly not in style now, but these were special occasion dresses, and they do bring back lots of memories.

My thought is to have a quilt made out of pieces of each one. There would probably be enough for my mom and each of us three girls to have one. After all, that’s what the old family quilts I have now are made from—old clothes that were worn out or pieces of material left over after my grandmother sewed clothes for my mom and her siblings.

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Jane in Seattle May 5, 2013 at 7:28 pm

Look at your local antique mall first. Anything worn before the 1970s is in high demand. Some dealer would probably buy it.

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Lynda May 6, 2013 at 1:09 am

What Jane said 😀

There is also a market for 70’s and 80’s stuff – eg the girl dressed as the girlfriend from the “Thriller” video – but you seem to have a spectacular treasure trove of beauty right there.

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Lynda May 6, 2013 at 1:10 am

should read “the girl I saw in town” darn it!

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Elaine in Ark May 6, 2013 at 11:09 am

And it can be a ton of fun when done with your sister!

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Katie May 6, 2013 at 3:28 pm

Do you have a local textile shredder? Or do you know of one to which you can mail items? I live in Los Angeles, CA.

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Diane C May 6, 2013 at 6:15 pm

You both look fabulous!

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Kori Jock May 18, 2013 at 10:05 am

I’m curious about textile shredding too- where did you find yours? Thanks so much 🙂

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Katy May 18, 2013 at 3:22 pm

It was new to me too. It’s apparently at the Whole Foods near my father’s house.

Katy

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Kori Jock May 18, 2013 at 8:48 pm

That’s so fantastic! I’m trying to find a place in Seattle- wish me luck! 🙂

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