Belgium Palace

I have become a fan of Belgium Pearls. A blog by a Belgium designer.  I love that we can now view work and the  inspiration of designers all over the work with a click of the mouse!  I recently ran across this post when I was searching Belgium Castles.  As I read her post and viewed the pictures, I realized that I had been there and stood in the very rooms that she wrote about. You can view her post here:
http://belgianpearls.blogspot.com/2010/07/restored-palais-in-antwerp.html As you will read, the castle is steeped in history.

                                             Here are a few shots inside the chocolate line.

                                                              I just loved this guy!

                                These guys were good sports to let us take their pictures.

This shop is located in a restored castle that is located on the Muir in Antwerp, BE. The rococo facade is similar to other buildings that are nearby.

                                        Here area some more Rococo exteriors to inspire you.

                                                   Shopping anyone?  Yes this is the  local mall...

Belgium

I arrived home from Belgium and although the trip was wonderful, the citizens of Belgium are some of the most gracious people I have met, it is good to be back in the good old USA! In her book, The Not so Big House, by Sarah Susanka, she writes about the philosophy of many of us who want to build a "new" house and not one that is handed down through the generations. "It is the exception rather than the rule for people to stay where they are planted." We do not tend to build homes for permanence in the states, but the opposite of that was what I saw Belgium. The buildings, many hundreds of years old, stood in all their grandeur for our enjoyment.

This is now a small restaurant I went to for high tea. We almost missed it while we walked back to the hotel it is quietly tucked among the larger buildings. The inside was just as beautiful as the outside and Spring flowers were breaking through the soil in the many gardens that surrounded the home.

I couldn't resist posting this shot of one of the gardens.

This is why we love Europe! These building have stood through world wars and are still as beautiful and vibrant as ever.

This is a square in Antwerp.

These shops and homes above are in Gent.

You always know what time it is!

And how would you like to live here? This castle has stood since the middle ages. I hope this gives you a little taste of Belgium.  Tomorrow, we will visit some cathedrals.

New Year's Resolutions

Now that the holidays have past, I am taking serious aim at organizing and ridding my house of clutter! We can accumulate massive amounts of stuff before we know it, and just like we must clear the clutter from our desks and files to organize ourselves at work, we must also do the same in our homes.  Bookcases, cabinets and closets are the biggest trouble spots that collect hidden items that we no longer use or are simply forgotten about.

 I suggest using 3 large boxes or  shopping bags to sort.  They should be labeled- DONATE - DISCARD (recycle if possible)- and KEEP.  If you do not remember the last time you used the item, you probably won't use it.  We hang on to stuff because we think we should for some sentimental reason, but it really does no one any good and really creates a cluttered life. Donate books to assisted living facilities, hospitals or find a retailer that purchases used books. Many churches and other organizations such as The Salvation Army will  gladly accept household goods and small furnishings that you are no longer using.  Once I start organizing, I have to get rid of the stuff.  I don't wait to have a garage sale- I want to get rid of it NOW!

Start in a specific area and DO NOT move to the next until that area is finished.  Hitting multiple areas at once becomes overwhelming and can slow the process.  And, it is a process so recognize that it will take some time.  I like to start in areas that are seen, like an open bookshelf.  I clear everything off the shelves, and as I put items back, I think of those three boxes.  Try to eliminate at least 1/2 of the items off each shelf.  Think that is difficult?  Wait- you will be surprised at the result.  Arrange items in odd numbers and vary their heights.  While you are add it, add something that reflects nature and add an element of surprise. Here is a picture of a bookcase with some of the elements that I wrote about.  Notice we even used the area above the bookcase for some unexpected elements.

Before:

After

Make this your New Year's resolution to clear the clutter as you begin 2011!  Barb