If I am thinking about having co-workers over in two weeks, then a systematic cleaning is called for. Even if I don't invite them over, it would still be nice to have the place up to speed by then.

I started with the smallest room this morning, my dressing room outside the closet, and cleaned the counter, mopped the floor, dusted the contents of the room. There is an empty wicker basket in the kneehole of the counter, and I need to find something suitable to store in there. Pillows, towels, or yardage, whatever. Blankets.

I was working late last night so I pulled up NetFlix and re-watched Dial M for Murder. Last time I watched it I realized that because it all takes place in one room of an apartment with glimpses into the other rooms and out into the hall and a street view, that they were very careful with the set decorations to make that one room look rich yet not cluttered. Very tasteful. There are the mix of tall and short objects on table tops, etc. The setting of some things in front of others, it is all beautifully arranged. Not cluttered. I won't look at this as my only source of decorating inspiration, but this is what encouraged me to put the Chinese Shouxing figure and a tall brass lamp on the library table, and they look really great.

Time to get out my Clutter's Last Stand by Don Aslett and give it a quick read through. (If anyone else is interested, he has many books out and you're likely to find them in half price book stores and garage sales.)

SRS