A sink full of dirty dishes

There are probably few people who can truly say that they enjoy doing the washing up. It isn’t the most exciting of household jobs.

However, faced with the grim sight of a sink full of dirty dishes, sometimes the best thing is to just get on with it.  So here are a few ideas for making it a little bit more enjoyable.

1)  Accessorize
Brighten up your kitchen sink with some fun accessories that will be a pleasure to use. A bright washing up bowl; a sleek brush instead of a damp old sponge; a smart soap dispenser and some cool tea towels can make all the difference.

2)  Challenge yourself
Put the kettle on, and challenge yourself to see how many dishes you can wash up in the time it takes for the kettle to boil.  Then next time, see if you can beat your personal best.

3)  Time to think
Washing up is a fairly mindless activity so why not use the time to think, formulate new ideas and make plans?

4)  Listen to music
Put on some of your favourite high tempo music.  Listening to songs you love will put you in a better mood.  And working to the rhythm of the beat will help get the job finished quicker.

5)  Learn something new
Turn a monotonous chore into something far more productive. Use the time to listen to a podcast or an audio book. You could even learn a new language in preparation for your next holiday.

6)  Exercise
It might look rather funny, but why not get fit while standing at the sink? Shape up and strengthen your legs with some calf raises and squats.

7)  Time to talk
Washing up can be a great opportunity to catch up with your significant other; and sharing the task will get it finished in half the time.

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A Clear Desk

A clear desk is like a blank piece of paper: a space for new potential, possibilities and ideas.

But standing between us and that ideal working environment is paperwork. Clutter creating and time consuming, it stifles creativity and productivity.

There’s an almost mysterious process as it gradually morphs on your desk, and you’re suddenly faced with a threatening mass invading your workspace. So daunting, that often the temptation is to try and ignore it, in the hope it will simply disappear (by trying to hide it with yet more paper on top).

Then one day, the inevitable happens.  You need an essential document and are forced to spend ages rummaging  through the chaos  in order to locate it.

How can we prevent that overwhelming paper clutter and the stress it brings with it?
What is the secret to having a clear minimalist desk where we can work more efficiently and with a sense of calm?

The solution – you’ll be happy to know – is in fact quite simple and just takes a few easy steps:

  1. Tackle your pile of paper one piece at a time, starting at the top.
  2. Handle each piece of paper just once and sort them into four separate piles: Action, File, Forward (anything that needs to be sent to someone else to deal with) or Bin.
  3. Once completed, immediately dispose of the Bin pile; dispatch everything in your Forward pile and place anything to file in your filing system.
  4. Sort your Action pile in order of priority then place in a file off your desk, but close to hand, in a drawer or on a shelf.
  5. Only keep on your desk the paperwork you are working on at that particular time.
  6. When you need to jot down memos and ideas, don’t leave your notes scattered around your desk to begin accumulating again. Instead, use a memo or notice board kept on a corner of your desk or hung above it.

And to make sure your clear desk stays that way, all you need to do is ask the same question each time a new piece of paper crosses your desk – Action, File, Forward or Bin?

Photo credit Laure Wayaffe

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Home Accessories: How Not To Use Them

July 5, 2010

Home accessories can make or break the decor of a room.
Used well, home decor can enhance your interior and transform your space.  However, the opposite is also true.  Here are a few of the pitfalls, and how to avoid them.

Don’t have too many home  accessories on display
It’s not necessary to cover all available surfaces in [...]

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An Interview With Holly Palmer

June 28, 2010

Holly Palmer is the designer of the original and playful Tea Cup Stool. She graduated from Bucks New University, UK, in 2008 where she studied Contemporary Furniture and Product Design.
Here she tells us the story behind the design of  Tea Cup Stool, the process involved in manufacturing it; and reveals to us the designers who [...]

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Interior Ideas:
A Modern Minimalist Bedroom

June 23, 2010

This striking minimalist bedroom, is part of a suite known as the Lioness Den, in the Hempel Hotel, London. Famous for its daring design feature – the bed is on a platform, suspended from the ceiling by metal bars.  Also situated on this mezzanine is an en-suite bathroom and storage space.  Below, there is a [...]

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7 Ideas For A Happy Home

June 15, 2010

How do you feel when you come home and open your front door?
Does it bring a smile to your face and make you feel relaxed?
Or do you feel stressed as soon as you enter?
Here are some ideas for turning your home into your sanctuary: a haven where you can just chill and rejuvenate.  A place [...]

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Getting Organized:
What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do First

June 10, 2010

Your home feels chaotic and disorganised, but you just don’t know where to begin. You can’t even bear to look at the clutter, it’s so overwhelming. And yet you do … nothing. As if leaving it will make it go away. You’d rather do anything but clear the place up. Suddenly everything [...]

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The Magic of Home Accessories

June 9, 2010

Home accessories are to interiors what a belt or striking piece of jewellery is to an outfit. They can change the entire look or mood of a room.
Accessories are able to turn a bland space into a warm and inviting one. They add personality to your home interior, stamping it with your own signature and [...]

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Herb Pots Recycled From Tins

May 27, 2010

Isn’t this a simple but really creative idea for recyling empty tins?
Paint them in vivid colours and re-use them as plant pots or herb pots. I like the way each one has been painted in a different colour (a great way to use up left over paint) creating a bright and cheerful herb garden.
Pots like [...]

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Have Your Ideal Home Now

May 25, 2010

We all have an image in our mind of our dream home.  It’s great to have goals to aspire to.
But it can be disheartening if we start to think we’ll only be happy if – for example – we have a home with more space; that we own, rather than rent; or have an extra [...]

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