I don’t know a thing about mutual funds but when it comes to investing into one’s home to increase the quality of life, I’m kind of an expert.
He are three ways that I invest in my home to make my life a little sweeter:
1. Get plants.
Plants make the air better. And if that wasn’t enough all by itself, they are actually scientifically proven to make people happier, to fight fatigue, to reduce coughs and sore throats and can even enhance creativity and productivity. I just got a few more– the jungalow can never have enough plants. (Like my upcycled plant stand in the first pic? It used to be a lamp shade.)
2. Water by the Bed.
Is it too strong to say that this water jug saves me every night? Perhaps– but since I got it, my sleep–and therefor my life–has been SO much better. A glass water jug I got for $16.99 at a weird little ‘water shop’ in Atwater village has made it so that I don’t have to get out of bed in the middle of the night to get water, and I don’t have to drink out of icky plastic water bottles. The easy access also means that I drink more water which is good for my health, wellness and skin and hair. Especially in these winter months where we sleep with the heater on, I actually feel hydrated during the night instead of parched like I usually get.
3. Deep Cleaning
One of my guiltiest pleasures is that I have a house keeper. She comes once a week and deep-cleans my home. I can tend to be messy–I always have five or six projects strewn about the house and I let my laundry pile up. I’m lazy about deep cleaning like windows and showers and stuff. Getting a house keeper was seriously one of the best home-decisions I’ve ever made. She keeps the peace between Jason and I (as soon as we are about to bicker about whose turn it is to do dishes she arrives) and she gets to the little nooks and crannies of our home– the ones that I’d probably get to once a year. And since we have a cat and also so many tchotchkes, she keeps the fur and dust at bay which helps my allergies. I make little sacrifices throughout the week to be able to afford the luxury of having her come so often– and as soon as I get home to a spotless home any guilt that came with the pleasure flies out of that sparkly-clean window.
These are three great advices! Like from the interiors happiness fairy! Number one: check (I have a few). Number two: check (although for me one glass of water on the bedside table is enough). Number three: Need to work on that. Sounds like perfection!!
I don’t know why I never thought of a pretty water jug by the bed, with all the water I drink during the night. Genius! And plants are on my home to-do list!
Number 1: Check
Number 2: Check (although, like Igor, a little tumblr does me!)
Number 3: Try to clean once a week and a deep clean every other but I love it when I do it because the apartment feels sooooo lovely!
Great tips, J! x0
do you know where this rug is from? thx!
@Igor – Interior Happiness Fairy? That’s totally gonna be the name of my next blog
@Jeskya Good! the water jug is god-send and the plants make a world of difference.
@Will I wish a little tumbler glass was enough for me! I get SOOOOO thirst at night!
@Anon – I got the rug at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. I believe that it is a Mexican rug.
Word!!
Love your plant stand…got a similar one!!
http://perfectionmakesmeyawn.blogspot.com/2011/11/findings-of-today.html
Need to invest in a plant or two though!;)
I love both of the rugs shown! Where are they from?
@perfection makes me yawn – Love your plant stand!
@Sarah – The rugs were both thrifted– the one in the top pic I got while in Istanbul at the Antique market– it’s a kilim rug – i believe it’s from the 70′s– The other one I got at the Rose Bowl Flea market. I’m pretty sure the origin of that one is from Mexico. I don’t know if you are local in LA, but the Rose Bowl Flea is the best place to find rugs at reasonable prices!
Sources for throw pillows on the sofa?! Especially the third and fourth ones from the left. So pretty!
@Rosa – Not sure which pillows you mean– so here so sources for all of them (when possible) the Large orange velvet one on the right is from Ikea, the next two orange Ikat pillows are from Safavieh (i got them on One King’s Lane) The aubergine one with the dandelions on it was a vintage thrift find– and the last three I got in Turkey– they are kilim pillows that can be found pretty easily online like here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/cemredecor
Hope that helps!
I can’t believe it has taken me so long to find your blog…I love it!
I never would have thought to “invest” in my home if I didn’t come across your post! I have the best of online trading: binary option, stocks, and bonds. I think I have to take better care of my home investments though.