Things I've Skipped

In the interest of time, I have skipped the following things that are ordinarily non-negotiable during The Great Transformation. It bothers me a little, but I'm sure I can forget about it if I just keep moving forward.

1. Cleaning inside and re-organizing all of the kitchen cabinets

2. washing everything on the kitchen counter tops with a sponge and a sink of soapy water. (Instead, I used clorox wipes and paper towels).

3. Washing windows in the family room -- they're covered 99.9999% of the time with roller shades anyway.

4. I did not use q-tips to clean corners - it'll have to wait until next time.

5. I did not dust every cranny of every nick-knack with q-tips, but I dusted as thoroughly as I possibly could with a swiffer duster.

6. I dry-dusted the ceiling fan in the family room instead of taking it apart and washing the globes and blades with soap and water.

7. I haven't washed the slipcovers on the sofas (yet), and I might just try to forget about that too.

Speaking of which, I absolutely love this sofa:

Cindy Crawford Beachside Denim Sofa

Rooms to Go

Instead of a sofa and love seat, we bought two sofas so we could switch the pillows around and they'd get equally crushed (Karlon's idea -- and a very good one -- after two years they still look nice). It's basically a plain white sofa with a denim slipcover over it. Being denim, everyday soiling is disguised rather well, but if I ever get the notion, I can just unzip the covers to the cushions and pillows and throw them in the washer. Plus if the back pillows ever go flat, I can add my own batting to fluff them up. The description online says that it wears like a favorite pair of jeans, and I have to say that it really does. Even the worn areas seem to add character to the piece instead of actually looking worn. And hey, ripped jeans are coming back in vogue. We may not have to replace family room furniture for a very, very long time!