apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Those of us who scavenge for unique, vintage lamp bases know that an acceptable shade doesn't always come as part of the deal. It's useful, then, to have a few tricks up our sleeves for embellishing or creating our own lamp shades. These are three creative examples from folks who've taken the task in hand.

It makes all kinds of sense for those of use who need to spread out when we're working: the dining table is often the widest, clearest surface in the house. It makes even more sense from the perspective that a lot of us in small spaces have to choose between a dining room and a home office, if we have room for even one of those things.

The dining spot in session's apartment rivals any hip cafe in ambience.

• Cure Clock: 4 Weeks Remaining
• Assignment: Read pp. 154-184, clean, declutter and organize home office
• Flickr Pool: Northwest Fall Cure Pool

We are over the hump and working on one of the hardest-working spaces in our homes: the home office. Or printer corner. Or dining-table-after-dinner. Whatever your setup, chances are this area has cords, papers and equipment that could bear evaluation of their organization, relevance and continued usefulness in our homes. This is this week we're going to do it.

We're not sure what era these pieces remind us of, but in our hackneyed grasp of period decor we imagine the study of Sherlock Holmes, if he were a woman. Maybe not for everyone, maybe not for everyday, but kind of fun.

The media shelf in Matt's Cool and Concrete Dwelling.

• Cure Clock: 4.5 Weeks Remaining
• Assignment: Read pp. 129-153, clean living room, purge books and media
• Flickr Pool: Northwest Fall Cure Pool

We are officially at the halfway point, and with another 4.5 weeks to go, our Cure group is making measurable progress. It's a cold, rainy weekend in the Northwest, perfect for holing up with our books to be purged and repairs to be done.

In the nation's second most well-read city, also known for its coffee, it's no surprise that books and bookshelf inspiration aplenty can be found in local cafes and businesses.

Books and knickknacks add warmth and personality to a room, aspects that can be lacking if you've just moved out for the first time, or from a small place with few possessions to a larger one. We don't have this problem, but what a great, tongue-in-cheek way to address it for those who do.

Purging magazines is difficult for us, especially since we're constantly going back to old issues and seeing something new or in a new way. But it's also time consuming to dig through issue after issue for that one bedroom idea or recipe, to say nothing of space. A clip file is the obvious solution, but when we start looking for pages to clip, we often get sucked into the overall layout and design of the magazine itself and waver in our resolve to slash and burn.

This Laurelhurst home was chosen as Seattle Homes & Lifestyles' Home of the Year, and its bright, white, green and blue color palette and Asian accents help us believe the choice was a good one.

This stroke of genius comes from AT regular and Fall Cure-er aquarabbit, who came up with a creative and attractive solution to the daily challenge of remembering where she left her car.

Aquarabbit's kitchen artwork area is bright, functional and inspiring.

• Cure Clock: 5 Weeks Remaining
• Assignment: Read pp. 129-153, clean living room, purge books and media
• Flickr Pool: Northwest Fall Cure Pool

This week we focus on going through and getting rid of books, magazines, CDs and DVDs that we no longer read, watch or need. Since most of us store these things in our living rooms, and since living rooms are often the center (at least the "public" center) of our homes, decluttering media has the potential to effect one of the most significant positive changes of the Cure process. Paper in particular generates dust as it degrades over time, marring the crisp, clean look and feel many of us are going for.

So don't hesitate — dig in, give away, and unsubscribe!

Reading is our number one favorite activity, so this book nook looks like a little slice of heaven. While it's not readily apparent here, mousing over the picture in Flickr reveals the significance of almost every shelf and display, from the rug carried from Tunisia to the travel books and "secret diaries."

An awesome view ofWig3000's papercut cat head, looking from the inside out and through the blinds.

• Cure Clock: 5.5 Weeks Remaining
• Assignment: Read pp. 100-128, clean, declutter and plan a Landing Strip
• Flickr Pool: Northwest Fall Cure Pool

While we ostensibly have the weekend to finish up our entryways, let's be honest: a lot of us are still working on our kitchens and *sigh* our floors. But it's really important that we do finish what we started in these last three weeks, because next week is an important one for our homes. We'll tackle purging our media (books, magazines, CDs, DVDs) and focus more on fun stuff like color and texture.

So let's get ready. This weekend we're tying up any loose ends so far, recognizing what we've accomplished (so much!) and coming to terms with what we need to come back to later. And let's hope we don't get waylaid tomorrow by Halloween sugar comas!

These could more aptly be called mobiles, since they don't provide a light source. But the make-it-yourself kit adds up to a project that is no less fancy, and fun as well.