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Is Marie Kondo’s KonMari all it’s cracked up to be?

By Jen Bishop •

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By Alexandra Ganipeau

Unless you have been living under a pile of laundry, you have no doubt heard of, watched or are totally hooked on the Kondo phenomenon.

Seriously, her family name has become a verb, her fans are true devotees and everyone is on board hoping to have found the formula but what are we really looking for? The formula to a clean home, the formula to a happier marriage, the formula to well mannered and behaved kids?

I get it, I would be lying telling you didn’t feel a well managed house does indeed bring a sense of calm and comfort to my soul. I am a neat person, I vaccum my house regularly, I put dishes and clothes away, no super neat Kondo fold but I like to keep a house clean and tidy. Even my childrens’ bedrooms are organised.

I feel the relationship between getting new things and joy is what it’s all about here. For the last few decades now, we have been made to believe that buying was good, more was better and basically owning more was a synonym with success.

Every opportunity was an excuse to buy something new, because we deserved it, because we were worth it, because why not? The reality was more because we wanted it and we could afford it. It all had to be fast and cheap as well, the food, the fashion, thanks to the Swedish giant, we could even furnish a whole house in one afternoon ! Ohh the euphoria ! Never were we supposed to wake up to the devastating consequences these habits had on the planet and our brain. We are now drowning in our own accumulated goods,which really do not seem to be sparking any joy to their overwhelmed owners.

Why is it so hard for some?

Let me indulge in a tiny bit of psychology here. The home is a metaphor for the self. What we decide to surround ourselves with means a lot. Framed degrees on the wall? You value education and are proud of your achievement. Sports trophies are found on your shelves? Maybe your athletic abilities have made you who you are. Look around someone’s home, within a very short amount of time you will understand so much about the owners’ values, interests and self esteem.

Over the years we accumulate curios, we are offered presents, we take photos, we find ourselves surrounded by sentimental items that stir a bit of nostalgia, and tell our history. These feelings can quickly become a crutch, a comfort zone for some that can get heavier over the years if they don’t shake a few things off every now and then.

Marie says her mission is “to spark joy in the world through tidying”. And she is, for now. Her ways might be a bit ruthless and drastic, which makes great viewing by the way but really, there are going to be many things in your home that won’t ever spark joy whatsoever and that’s a fact. Let’s not make a list of the necessary yet boring items we simply must use every day. The reality though is we need them, just like we must by law keep our tax returns for a few years for example. I can assure you, no joy there…

Also, we all have a different tolerance to mess or what someone else could call “we live here”. What works for me might not suits you. Does that mean only one of us is right ? No, it simply means we live differently, have different relationships with our space and our belongings at different times of our lives. The reality for new parents is very different to the one of the established family, or the empty nesters. Our home grows with us and so do the tidying levels and expectations we should put on ourselves. There are of course tips and tricks and some are better than others at tidying and forming good habits that works for the household. Some people need help, some are managing alone, some people should ask for help.

And that is where Marie Kondo‘s genius has struck. She is giving people The Formula, the precise template that will make everything fresher and better, the formula that will hopefully lighten the load of house chores as well as the mental load that brings families on the brink of distress. The formula that will ease the tension and Marie’s one-way-fits-all has made it so easy to follow. She has touched a chord in families around the world with her unapologetic yet gentle vision.

If you made the resolution to live in a tidy home this year, there is the Kondo way but there are many ways, don’t forget it’s more than ok to ask for help because getting your house in order is putting your past in order, and that’s no little task. Once you have found your own way to feel comfortable in your own home, you will feel comfortable in your own skin and your own life.

— Alexandra is the owner of The Roaming Atelier, an interior decorating company that focuses on using the beautiful, sentimental pieces you already have, to make your home as unique as your family.

Read her tips on mixing vintage and new furniture

Check out her beautiful kids’ bedrooms

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February 7, 2019

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Pink and green should always be seen! From time t Pink and green should always be seen!

From time to time, we stray from our Australian-homes-only rule when we uncover something we really love! This project, by @2lgstudio (and also the interior design duo’s own home) is featured in Ornament Is Not a Crime, a new coffee table interiors book by Sydney-based design writer @rebeccalgross.

Head to the homepage via link in bio to read about this home and see more colourful pictures in an extract.

#2lgstudio #2lg #londoninteriordesigner #londoninteriors #londonhome #londonhomes #brighthome #brightinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulhome #interiordesignersathome #pinkandgreen #pinkandgreendecor #pinkandgreenshouldalwaysbeseen
Real reno: How's this for a luxe bathroom?! Natas Real reno: How's this for a luxe bathroom?!

Natasha from QLD recently finished a major reno of her Queenslander and this is her favourite room of all. We can see why!

She used @beaumont.tiles  Lux Calcutta slabs in gloss the wall and matt for the floor.

 "We have infused a Hamptons style whilst still remaining true to the traditions of old Queenslanders," she said. "Our bathroom is north west facing and captures such great morning light. We wrapped the cabinetry all the way along the vanity for ease of access for the bath, towels and accessories. We tiled all the way to the ceiling to create a more luxurious space. It's my favourite room in the house!"

#ichosebeaumonts #beaumonttiles #tiles #bathroomtile #bathroomtiling #hamptonsbathroom #queenslanderrenovation #queenslanderbathroom #luxurybathroom #australianbathroom #australianbathrooms #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Block kitchen week is always a goodie and we got 5 Block kitchen week is always a goodie and we got 5 very different looks last night which was great!

One question that kept coming up was just how important is the butler's pantry? Love to hear your thoughts. Do you have one? And which was your favourite last night? Please share in the comments.

Head to the blog via link in bio to find out who won and what the judges said. 

#theblock #theblockshop #blockshopper #theblockroomreveals #kitchenweek #kitchenpalette #kitchencabinetry #kitchenstyles
Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylis Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylish home was renovated recently with @keenarchitecture and @studio_esar at the helm. Brimming with fun, functionality and colour, the home is shared by ex MasterChef contestant Peter Kritikides, his wife Erica and their two children. 

Occupied by the family since 2015, the renovation brief called for a sympathetic yet modern upgrade to the heritage listed original home as well as the demolition and rebuild of the back of the residence.

Want to see the kitchen? Head to the blog via link in bio.

#elsternwick #melbournehome #melbournehomes #masterchefaustralia #masterchefcontestant #masterchefcontestants #chefskitchen #heritagearchitecture #heritagehome #heritagerenovation #monochromehome #colourfulhome #bookshelfstyling #bookcasestyling #colourfulbooks #fireplacedecor #velvetcouch #livingroomstyle #livingroomart
GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Bl GET THE LOOK. All the finer details of Sunday's Block master bedroom walk ins on the blog now.

Which was your fave?

Via latest posts link in bio now.

#walkincloset #walkinwardrobe #walkinrobe #wardrobes #wardrobe #wardrobe #bedroomstorage #masterbedroomdesign #mastersuite #theblockroomreveals #theblock #theblock2023 #kinsman #kinsmankitchens #kinsmanwardrobes #dressingroom #dressingtable
A home that got all its extra special details AFTE A home that got all its extra special details AFTER handover with stunning results!

When Emma Fuller built her family home five years ago, she went with the ‘basic’ package with a view to elevating the spaces in a more budget-friendly manner down the line. Knowing that she couldn’t afford her entire wish list upfront, she made allowances within the plans so that she could add all the special details later.

“Although the builder could have incorporated every detail we asked for, we knew it would have blown our budget, but that didn’t mean I was going to let the dream go,” says @hamptonsinhighfields 

Patience and hard work have definitely paid off and today on the blog we are showing you how she did it from adding a fireplace, bench seat, wallpaper, french doors, a mudroom, built in bookcases, fretwork, kitchen island trim, IKEA wardrobes and more!

Via link in bio now.

#newbuild #hamptonsaustralia #hamptonsnewbuild #fretwork #benchseat #benchseating #fireplace🔥 #fireplacedecor #ikeahacks #diymudroom #mudroom #kidsroomwallpaper #frenchdoors #frenchdoor #hallwaydoors #frenchdoorpantry #butlerspantrydesign #newbuildupgrades
Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or bo Flatpack definitely doesn't have to be basic or boring!

The latest @kaboodlekitchen trends release, in collaboration with stylist @jono.fleming, are anything but. These are just 4 of 6 new colours for the brand, sold in Bunnings.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the others (hint: one of them might be pink! 🩷). You'll also find out how to get a free copy of the latest Kaboodle edit magazine sent to you, chock full of inspiring real projects like my navy laundry!

Which of these is your pick? Would you venture outside of a white kitchen? What colour is yours?

#kaboodlekitchen #kaboodlelaundry #kaboodle #flatpackfurniture #flatpackkitchen #bunningskitchen #flatpackcabinets #budgetkitchen #ontrendkitchens #colourfulkitchen #colouredcabinets #kitchencolourtrends2023 #colourtrends2023 #boldkitchen #jonofleming #interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #bunningsdiy #heartyourhome #realreno #realrenovations #kitchenbeforeandafter #kitchenonabudget #colourfullaundry #flatpacklaundry
Block judge @darrenpalmerofficial launched his own Block judge @darrenpalmerofficial launched his own rug range this week and they're a bit gorgeous! 😍 These are the kind of beautiful, neutral, textured, natural, ethically and sustainably produced rugs that will stand the test of time.

Pop over to the blog via link in bio to read our chat with him.

“I believe in the democratisation of good design,” says Darren, who wanted the rugs to be affordable. “It was very important to me that they were ethically made, and they are all Good Weave certified ensuring that no child labour is involved in their creation."

#darrenpalmer #darrenpalmerofficial #darrenpalmerinteriors #theblock #rugshopping #rugdesign #ruggoals #rugmaking #naturalrugs #sustainablerugs #ethicalrugs #jute #juterug #juterugs #handcarved #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #goodweave
Steph and Gian's master WING won them an almost pe Steph and Gian's master WING won them an almost perfect score on the Block last night.

Even if their bedsides weren't exactly generous, they were bigger than most last night. What was going on there?!

As ever, love to know your thoughts. See more, read the judges' comments and shop the looks via link in bio now.

#theblockroomreveals
#theblock #theblock2023 #blockshopper #masterbedroomdecor #masterbedroomdesign #mastersuite #mastersuites #walkincloset #walkinwardrobe #walkinrobe #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realreno
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

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