We clear every corner

Walking into the Belleville dining room, I immediately feel like I’ve arrived at the scene of a very domestic adventure. The table is buried under bins, bags, and an assortment of kitchen items, including a blender that's hiding beneath the chaos like it’s trying to lay low. The chairs are barely recognizable under the weight of stacked boxes, forming a kind of accidental art installation that’s equal parts impressive and impossible to sit on.

It’s clear that this room has been doing a lot more than hosting dinners lately. Somewhere between food prep, unpacking, and storing every appliance that didn’t fit in the kitchen, the dining room took one for the team. Even the canning supplies in the corner seem like they’ve been waiting patiently for someone to remember them, as if they’re plotting a triumphant return to center stage.

What I love about a space like this is how much possibility it holds. Everything here has value—it just needs a bit of reshuffling and a plan that fits how the room is really being used. There’s no need for perfection, just a setup that makes daily life easier and a little more enjoyable.

I start by carving out space—reclaiming the table surface, sorting through the bins, and letting the chairs stand up straight again. The kitchen tools are given proper homes, the bags are emptied or stored, and the canning gear gets its own designated spot, ready for action when the time is right. With each small win, the room shifts from overwhelmed to open.

By the end, the space feels like it can finally exhale. The table is back in business, the chairs are no longer buried, and the whole room feels more like a gathering place than a storage zone. It’s still full of life, just no longer buried under it—and now it’s ready for whatever comes next, whether that’s a meal, a project, or another ambitious batch of homemade jam.