More clutter

I heard a story once:- a woman was told that she could buy anything she wanted in London's Bond Street, provided that she would keep it forever. She walked up and down for ages, looking in shop windows at the magnificent jewellery, the wonderful designer clothes, the handbags, the shoes, the expensive pictures and ornaments ... The day wore on, and she couldn't decide what one thing to buy. As it began to get dark, and the shops started to close, she bought an apple from a street trader and ate it.
I've tried this test when tempted to buy yet another candle holder/pretty, old-fashioned salad bowl or somesuch from the charity shop/the latest kitchen gadget, etc.
It works probably ... um ... 50% of the time ...?
'Do I like this so much that I will want to keep it forever?'
(Also, a useful mantra when clearing out wardrobes!)

I don't feel comfortable in a house that is too neat and tidy. Some people like to live in a 'little palace', and proudly show off their show-home. I'm afraid to sit down in case I dent a cushion. I moved into a large flat and have expanded to fit the space, filling the place with books, furniture and ornaments. It looks like a home, not a doctors waiting-room!

I don’t think that books, pictures and ornaments count as clutter. I like being surrounded by things I think have beauty and/or have sentimental value.

Clutter is things that haven’t been put away, clothes hnewspapers strewn about or things left out because they haven’t got a place.

Yes, I agree with you, janeainsworth.

I am sitting at the pc surrounded by proper, untidy clutter ……

The sitting room has 'tidy clutter'.

I am not buying any more knick-knacks or ornaments. I will not be leaving too much stuff for my children to sort when I'm gone so I am trying to declutter slowly but surely. It is hard because a lot of my stuff is sentimental. I will be keeping photos and maybe letters but not much else.

I can spend all day de cluttering and end up with a carrier bag with only 3 items in it. Must try harder.

I've never been a clutterer (new word ???)
My bugbear is cushions with horrible cheap inners which go flat.
I currently have several clean inners which I will take to the charity shop tomorrow if they have a use for them.
The covers I will sell on eBay as they're all good quality.
I have 2 Indian style tealight holders and two pillar candle structures which are not on display ATM. 3 lamps in my bedroom - one on chest of drawers and twin white ones on either side of window seat.
Two large glass lamp bases with sage green square pleated silk shades in sitting room and two candlestick ones with small shades in cream linen with exotic tropical parrots and greenery which I had made plus one of those tall stands which have an uplighter and lower light on a bendy stalk.
There are others in hallway and spare bedroom used as 'study'. Books-a-plenty in built in shelving. It's one of those old houses with a fancy fire surround and built in shelves and cupboards either side.
Sitting room has double shelved glass coffee table with a pale pink pot holding a succulent and small neat stack of Country Living, Country Life, Woman and Home and Red glossies which I got on subscription at Christmas.
Together with the new velvet sofa cushions I bought yesterday from Biggie Best in Godalming, it all looks rather like a magazine photo shoot when I think about it but, when the fire and lamps are lit it's really pretty and very relaxing.

silver I could have written that myself... I too must try harder!

I have bought a cheap diary and have resolved to give away/get rid of one item a day and write it down. (Am only a few days behind at the moment... ) By 31 December, 365 items should have 'disappeared', my only worry is how many new things will have 'appeared'. I do lots of arty crafty stuff and paper, pens, pencils, fabric, embroidery threads, knitting wool etc just keep mysteriously setting up home here.

RosieLeah
I like that description...^doctor's waiting-room^
That's an old one which reminds me of our old family doctor who had a clock under a some and mahogany table strewn with well thumbed National Geographic mags and old velvet covered balloon back chairs against the walls.
I can picture it and hear the clock ticking...door creaks open and maid nods to mum and says, 'Doctor will see you now'. ?

* under a Dome.

JoyBloggs
I do hope that you haven't inadvertently put your DH's name on the list.