“As you embark on this journey, I invite you to remember these words: slow, quiet, gentle. You are already worthy of love and belonging. This is not a journey of worthiness, but a journey of care. Because you must know, dear heart, that you are worthy of care, whether your house is immaculate or a mess.”

—K.C. Davis

My mother has always been an intentional housekeeper. In the days when women were referred to as “Housewives” she fit the traditional definition. Supply tote in tow—Spic and Span powder cleaner, scrub brush, an old pairing knife to clean corners & rubber gloves to protect her nails. From the time I was a little girl, I always enjoyed “playing house”. Setting a table for pretend dinner parties, moving my bedroom furniture around & organizing drawers.

Mark & I bought our charming, tiny bungalow our first year of marriage. Setting up our home included decorating, remodeling & planting a garden. I adopted some of my mother’s cleaning processes & developed my own throughout the years—& 2 subsequent homes. Fall cleaning is a fond term I look forward to. Righting a household that has seen a busy summer of activities. Giving our farmhouse a little TLC and completing those tasks that slipped through the cracks.

Room by room allows for not becoming overwhelmed. I begin at the top of the house with our Main bedroom. And currently as empty nesters, I move to our now abundant guest rooms. The baseboards that need washing, dust under the beds, fresh sheets & fir doors polished. Repairs such as a blind restrung here and a drier vent cleaned out there.

Then to the first floor. Den, dinning, family room & art room next. Removing books, frames & collections off shelves. Washing everything with warm water, gentle cleaner & sponge. It is also a time to assess if items still have form & function. If it is time to let go, it is added to the donation bag. Drapes, blinds, windows & pillow covers all get a refresh. Wall & baseboard mars get a touch-up with leftover paint. The fireplace serviced for winter evenings. Fall throws are added to chairs and sofas for this new cozy season.

Finally, the kitchen & mudroom. The hardest used rooms of most houses. Contents of drawers, shelves & pantry all take there moment of reorganization. My style is to start fresh in each storage location. Everything is stacked onto the counter & kitchen table. Shelves washed, expiration dates checked. Something that seems to get away from me is baseboards & kick plates. I designed our island & farmhouse sink base with a double beaded baseboard. It is notorious for collecting drips & crumbs. A polish of the farm tables with Briwax sets a glow. Finally, a thorough mopping with Murphy’s oil and warm water.

With my completed deep cleaning, we delightfully welcome the “Cozy Season”. All that is left is to place a vintage pitcher overflowing with seasonal blooms on the mantle!

“You do not exist to serve your space; your space exists to serve you.”

—K.C. Davis