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The Spring Cure: Final Notes
See You Next Fall!

Natasha finished her bedroom during the Cure, while wrangling three kids!

"My original expectations were completely different than where I ended up. I was amazed at how much the journey influenced my apartment, but also how I approach and view my life. I totally joked about the therapy part, but never realized it would be true!" – Amber

• Cure Clock: 4 Months Till Next Cure
• Assignment: Enjoy

Thanks again to all of you who were not only able to submit your homes, but also took the time to answer our questions about the Cure so that we can make it better. We've been doing the Cure online now since the spring of 2006, and we've been changing it EVERY time based on your feedback and also on our own. We're going to change it again, when we start up in September, but I want to take the time today to answer some of your questions and tell you what we have in store for the future.

The Spring Cure: Before & After Graduation Photos!
Show & Tell

• Cure Clock: Nothin' left! You did it!
• Assignment: Complete the graduation form below so we can see what you've done!

Over the last several weeks, we've been seeing amazing transformation in homes across the country, wait — scratch that, we mean across the world! We've had a blast walking through the process with you each week and it's been amazing to see the changes occur in your spaces. After the jump we have 15 before and after photos of some great Cure participants who were willing to share their accomplishments with us all. Haven't sent yours in yet? Well what are you waiting for?! We need them all by tomorrow night! Now, on with the show and tell!

The Spring Cure: Submit Your Graduation Photos!
Intro

A new kitchen table and kitchen pendant lamp. Great job, kknina!

• Cure Clock: Nothin' left! You did it!
• Assignment: Complete the graduation form below so we can see what you've done!

All good things must come to an end. (Well, in this case most of the good is actually at the end!) Welcome to Graduation week. If you signed up for the Cure 8 weeks ago, please complete the graduation form and show us your 'After' photo! We'll only be pulling pictures from those that have officially "graduated," so it's really important that you take this final step! Also, by completing the form and officially graduating, you'll be eligible to win one a copy of our new book, Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces, so don't miss out!

Go To Graduation Form

Tweet Your Progress

Share Your Progress

The Spring Cure: Throwing A Party!
Week 8 - Show & Tell

• Cure Clock: This is the final week!
• Assignment: Read Chapter 8 - Throwing a Party
• Members: 1,360 (closed now)

This week we're all working on throwing a party in our refreshed spaces. Even though it can sometimes seem like a hassle to get things clean, prepped and prepared for friends and family to come for a visit, it's one of the best things you can do for your spaces. Watch the flow of traffic, see where people feel comfortable sitting and more importantly, take a compliment for your recent hard work! Speaking of, on to this week's show and tell photos!

The Spring Cure: Throwing A Party!
Week 8 - Intro

This past Saturday, I pushed a table outside and Sara Kate whipped up a little lunch for us, Ursula and my mother, who was visiting. I love these impromptu meals. They don't need to be too done up! The wine is a great, cheap find, Colosi Sicilia Bianco 2007, and the runner was made by Sara's mother with fabric from Purl.

• Cure Clock: This is the final week!
• Assignment: Read Chapter 8 - Throwing a Party
• Members: 1,360 (closed now)

Now is the time to work very, very hard, because you will soon be back on your own again. And don't worry if you haven't done as much as you planned, the goal is to work hard and enjoy what you HAVE done. Don't beat yourself up. Share what you've done. Throw yourself a party.

The Spring Cure: Sacred Space
Week 7 - Show & Tell

• Cure Clock: 2 weeks to go
• Assignment: Read Week 7: Sacred Space
• Members: 1,360 (closed now)

As week 7 is just over the mid-week hump the Cure feels like a downhill race to the finish line. Our Spring Cure Flickr pool is starting to fill up with a few more polished photos and we wrestled up 10 of them that are just out of sight. Here's to hoping these completed (or almost anyway) rooms, nooks and crannies inspire you through the rest of your Cure journey.

The Spring Cure: Sacred Sexy Space
Week 7 - Intro

Bedroom inspiration from Grace in LA

• Cure Clock: 2 weeks to go
• Assignment: Read Week 7: Sacred Space
• Members: 1,360 (closed now)

What is sexy in the bedroom? This is the perfect question for this week, and one I thought I'd dive into, diverging from my regular path, because this is my favorite chapter and my favorite room. In recommending colors for the bedroom, I usually recommend cooler colors because they promote rest. But I always get the question, what about sex? Shouldn't the bedroom promote sex as well? Let's discuss, but first, tweet your week.

Tweet Your Progress

Share Your Progress

The Spring Cure: Light Therapy
Week 6 - Show & Tell

• Cure Clock: 3 weeks to go
• Assignment: Read Week 6: Light Therapy
• Members: 1,360 (closed now)

Week 6 and talk about Light Therapy is hands down, my favorite week of the Cure process. Great lighting showcases all of your hard work and transforms a drab space to a real thing of beauty. It can be difficult to break out of the typical lighting mold of a single harsh overhead light with a sidekick lamp near by. This set up rarely works out and this week, we'd like to feature fabulous lighting ideas we've seen so far in our Spring Cure Flickr Pool!

The Spring Cure: Light Therapy
Week 6 - Intro

At BoBo Intriguing Objects at High Point this past weekend, I snapped this pic of how they displayed all of their antiques: lot's of overhead halogen lights pointed towards the walls with candles in between. See the "dark in the middle, bright on the side" effect. As Marc from BoBo said, merchandising is all about carefully revealing something to the eye, not creating a blaring showpiece. Much of this can be utilized in the home.

• Cure Clock: 3 weeks to go
• Assignment: Read Week 6: Light Therapy
• Members: 1,360 (closed now)

With week 6 you're rounding third base and heading for home. This is the week to dig deep, catch up and then plan to bring everything in for a landing in the two weeks after. If you've taken on too much, this is your chance to recalibrate and down shift a little bit. If your momentum is good and you're right on track, this is your chance to push hard and deepen your Cure. Either way, make sure you "tweet your week" and then let's chat about lighting.

Tweet Your Progress

Share Your Progress

The Spring Cure: The Thick Of It
Week 5 - Show & Tell

• Cure Clock: 4 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Week 5: Getting Into the Thick of It
• Cure Members: 1,360 (signup closed)

How's week five going for everyone? We've all in with both feet and some might feel they're doing swimmingly, while others might feel like they need a life jacket to stay afloat (though we prefer water wings). In the Home Cure Flickr pool we have a mix of both and wanted to throw out a little inspiration for those who need help, highlight questions from those needing to make tough design decisions and point out those spaces that are off the charts! Ready? Full steam ahead!

Have you tweeted having reached week 5?

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The Spring Cure: The Thick Of It
Week 5 - Intro

Here's our hotel room this past weekend at Hotel Verneuil in Paris....full story below.

• Cure Clock: 4 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Week 5: Getting Into the Thick of It
• Cure Members: 1,360 (signup closed)

This past week I took a few days off and flew to Paris with Sara Kate (Ursula stayed behind with her grandmother). It was my birthday present to both of us, and we both went to soak up French design and food, relax and interview a couple of folks who we are fans of. While not a typical Cure week for us, I thought I'd share with you all some inspiring pictures that helped me to get a new perspective on our own home (ie. eye candy). Enjoy and don't worry if you're experiencing difficulty with your Cure right now. Everyone is. Next week gets much better.

Have you tweeted having reached week 5?

Tweet Your Progress

Share Your Progress

The Spring Cure: Retail Therapy
Week 4 - Show & Tell

• Cure Clock: 5 weeks to go
• Assignment: Read Week 4: Retail Therapy
• Cure Members: 1,360

Last week in our Wednesday's Show & Tell post, I took a few moments and shared with your Forester's tale of being a Minimalist Slob. If you missed it, make sure you check back, but this week I wanted to go all out and share loads of photos with you. In celebration of all of your hard work we have a whole slew of Before & Afters to share with you! There's so many inspirational ideas, ongoings and solutions to everyday household problems that I've been waiting for what seems like forever to give their moment in the spotlight! Are you ready for some serious Cure awesomeness? Well buckle up, because here we go!

The Spring Cure: Retail Therapy
Week 4 - Intro

• Cure Clock: 5 Weeks to Go
• Assignment: Read Week 4: Retail Therapy
• Cure Members: 1,360

The pic up top is in our living room. It's a lovely pic from my new book, and it shows a really nice mix of protein and carbohydrate elements combined. Below the jump I list each one with sources, but first, how about a poll?

The Spring Cure: The Landing Strip
Week 3 - Show & Tell

• Cure Clock: 6 weeks to go
• Assignment: Read Week 3: The Landing Strip
• Cure Members: 1,326 (join here)

Although this week's Cure is all about bringing color into your home and working out a landing strip, I'd like to take this moment to bring you the words and photos from a man who calls himself "The Minimalist Slob." Forester Michael from Kansas City, Mo. wrote to us to share how decluttering his home not only changed the way he feels in his space, but changed his life all together. His words and pictures are more than inspiring and we hope you're able to gather some inspiration from someone who's been where you are — and not only come out alive, but a changed man!

The Spring Cure: The Landing Strip
Week 3 - Intro

• Cure Clock: 6 weeks to go
• Assignment: Read Week 3: The Landing Strip
• Cure Members: 1,326 (join here)

Now we tread deeper into the thick of it. I love the Landing Strip!

In the Deep Treatment you are going think about COLOR and focus on the hallway, an area that is too easily overlooked and extremely important for the health of your home. Building a Landing Strip will help you filter the outside word, keeping your home calm and cutting down on your junk mail will give you back years of life. Enjoy putting together an invitation for week 8's gathering! (Last week's survey: 64% warm, 23% cool, 14% not sure.)

The Spring Cure: Clearing The Path
Week 2 - Show & Tell

• Cure Clock: 7 weeks to go
• Assignment: Read Week 2: Clearing the Path
• Cure Members: 1,207 (join here)

The second week of the Spring Cure is where we roll up our sleeves and really get down to business. Even though week one was packed full of action, week 2 is where your true Cure colors start shining through. Make sure to check in on Maxwell's Into post if you missed it, it's packed with pictures of his own space and the cleaning he's been doing — on his hands and knees no less! How have all of you been doing? Let's take a look after the jump!

The Spring Cure: Clearing The Path
Week 2 - Intro

Me on the bathroom floor scrubbing yesterday. I left it spotless, only to have Ursula throw up on it hours later.

• Cure Clock: 7 weeks to go
• Assignment: Read Week 2: Clearing the Path
• Cure Members: 1,207 (join here)

This weekend was the most beautiful weekend New York has seen in months. Warm and sunny on the first day of spring, I got to throw open the windows and do a full day of cleaning on Sunday as I cracked the ice on the new Cure. As I said last week, this Cure for me is about decluttering, but first I needed to clean. More on this below, but first a little quiz to see who we've got out there this season:

The Spring Cure: Creating Your Vision
Week 1 - Show & Tell

• Cure Clock: 8 Weeks to go
• Assignment: Read Week One: Creating Your Own Vision

Each Wednesday during The Spring Cure, we'll be bringing you fabulous photos from readers just like you. We're documenting our homes as we go in our Flickr Pool, so make sure you're tagging your photos for us to see! Down the road this space will be packed with makeovers and amazing transformations, but for now, we'd like to show some support for those sharing their "Before" photos with us. We all have clutter, but having a game plan for where you'll be taking each room is important, onward to see what direction others are headed in and offer your suggestions, after the jump!

Good Idea: Photograph Your Collections, Then Let Them Go

It's Week 1 of the Spring Cure, and if you've been following along, you know that right now is the assessment and inspiration stage. It's not time to purge (yet), but your outbox may already be ready and waiting. Before you start filling it up, though, consider taking inspiration from Lisa Congdon's A Collection a Day project and photographing any cherished collections that you might be ready to part with.

The Spring Cure: Creating Your Vision
Week 1 - Intro

• Cure Clock: 8 Weeks to go
• Assignment: Read Week One: Creating Your Own Vision

Welcome to week one and throw open the windows! I'm so excited that it's finally feeling like spring and that it's time to all get started as a group prepping our nests for the summer. (Have you signed up yet? If not, click here.) I have to confess that I've already started. Two weeks ago I bought new sheets for our bedroom and rearranged the living room, and this past weekend Sara Kate and Ursula repainted the kitchen backsplash. But there's still a lot to do, and this week we get to dream a bit as we put together a real plan.

The Spring Cure: Starts Monday!
Week Zero

From our last Cure: Soft Serve Girl added a new beautiful blue to her bedroom walls.

• Cure Clock: Next Monday
• Assignment: Buy or borrow the book and read to page 51

Yes! The time has finally come. The Spring Cure 2010 is launching next Monday (3/15), and there's no time like the present to make your home beautiful and healthy. It's not just about organizing your home; it's about managing your consumption and reducing the amount of "stuff" you have. It's about discovering what you love and need in your home and forming new habits that will help you live lighter, cleaner, and better.

The Spring Cure: Graduation - The End Is Here
Three of Three

Joymich has done some amazing work throughout the Cure. Her full Flickr set is a true work of art that's packed with color and we hope you find as much inspiration in it as we did!

• Cure Clock: 0 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 12: Week 9 & Beyond

If you were to only read one Spring Cure post over the last 9 weeks, you'd want to read this one. We've saved the best for last and have some truly inspirational spaces to show off.

You've been busy and worked hard for this moment. We know some of you are finishing up this weekend and that's ok! Don't forget to add them to the Flickr Pool so we can see how things turned out

After the jump you'll find at least 10 of our favorite Cured spaces and places that were done before the final bell sounded! Click through to see what our Spring Cure graduates have to show off...

The Spring Cure: Graduation
Two of Three

Wig3000 has held true with fresh flowers all the way until the last week of The Cure!

Quote Of The Day: "I have to say, I never thought I'd be able to do all this myself. I'm almost 58, and some days after working on a room, I thought I couldn't get off the floor. I was scared to do this, because I started out knowing nothing except how to paint. I've ripped out carpets and carpet tack strips with a crowbar ("I need a crowbar, he said. What's a crowbar?"), laid Flor carpet, painted, cleaned, patched holes in the concrete slab, laid vinyl tile, replaced base board and base trim. I'm really proud of myself." -magicbsm

• Cure Clock: 0 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 12: Week 9 & Beyond

Things always seem more important or entertaining than purging clutter and truly deep cleaning your homes, but it's not until you've felt the satisfaction of time spent making your home breathe easier and reflect who you truly are, that you can really understand. You have all come so far and shared with us so many wonderful projects and advancements in your homes. We're excited for everyone to have a fresh, clean space that they will be able to enjoy through the summer months. Sadly our time is coming to a close and there's only 1 more Cure post left after today (until Fall). After the jump you'll find a growing list of graduates, plus evidence of all the clutter that has been shed, through the 9 weeks we've spent curing our spaces together!

The Spring Cure: Graduation
One of Three

I finished installing our dining room lighting on Saturday! I opted for track, however, and let go of my pendant dreams for the time being.

Quote of the day: Wow. So inspiring to see everybody's work. It feels so good to have everything clean and organized. ~ Bromeliad

• Cure Clock: 0 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 12: Week 9 & Beyond

And now we are at the end. Congratulations! How did you do? How are you doing? This week our plan is to try and pull as many more of you up on the stage as possible, share your work and honor this class of Spring 2009. Please push one of the buttons below and tell us where you're at and then look for your name on our final roll call below. If you have more final pics to send in, we'll look for them and post Wednesday and Friday.

Class of Spring 2009
We're building this list all week. Should you be on here? Tell us in the comments!

• Adam
• Anica
• Samantha
• Sparkle
• Chloe & Ivan
• Inkstainedwriter
• Nicole
• Joymich
• emward76
• Cassie Lynne
....

The Spring Cure: Throwing a Party!
Week 8 - Show & Tell

We've been following Adam's living room/office cure all along, and the results are just lovely. What a successful example of putting a room to work for various purposes
without sacrificing style. Hooray, Adam!

• Cure Clock: 0 weeks remaining!!
• Assignment: Read Chapter 8: Throwing a Party!
• Give your home a good cleaning
• Prepare for your party
• Curees: 900!

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

Congratulations, Cure graduates! You made it! You're at the end of the eighth and final week of the Spring Cure, and by the looks of it, your homes are ready to party! Do remember that your party is a chance not only to welcome guests into your newly welcoming home, but also to congratulate yourself on all of your hard work and perseverance. As you may have realized, the Cure is not for sissies. It takes serious dedication as well as good old-fashioned elbow grease, and boy have you all risen to the occasion. Let's take a look at some of your final fabulous results...

The Spring Cure: Throwing a Party
Week 8- Tips & Tricks

• Cure Clock: 1/2 week remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 11, pps. 222-236
• Give your home a good cleaning
• Prepare for your party
• Curees: 900!
>> New Flicker Group: AT Home Cure
>> Send Your Pictures Directly to Apartment Therapy

Welcome to the home stretch, the party is about to begin! If you're like me and have a bit of perfectionist in you, your home is probably not exactly the way you want it to be, even after eight weeks of curing, cleaning, editing, and rearranging. However, put your OCD tendencies in the outbox for the time being, and realize that this is not the time to obsess over miniscule details, but rather a time to welcome in good company to celebrate what you have accomplished during the past eight weeks. Whether it's having one friend for an intimate dinner or throwing a swank soiree with a host of companions, your newly cured home is about to be inaugurated in style, and these are a few tricks to keep the party planning effective AND enjoyable...

The Spring Cure: Throwing a Party!
Week 8 - Intro

Here's our final Cure dinner back in the fall of '07! It was a whole day of shopping, prep, repair, cooking and then partying with a couple of old friends. I documented the whole day, why don't you?

• Cure Clock: 1 week remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 11, pps. 222-236
• Give your home a good cleaning
• Prepare for our party
• Curees: 900!

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

This is it. One more week. Now is the time to work very, very hard, because you will soon be back on your own again. And what a good week to work! Spring is in full bloom all over the country and it's a great time to have some people over to celebrate your home and the new season.

The Spring Cure: Sacred Space
Week 7 - Show & Tell

Check out all the details on this fantastic bedroom transformation after the jump!

• Cure Clock: 1.25 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 7, pps. 206-221
• Are you still surrounded in clutter?
• Have you thought about an air purifier?
• Curees: 900!
>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>>Submit your photos directly to AT

We've spent our time focusing on the bedroom this week (ooh la la!) and although it's the one place in our home that should feel like a retreat from the rest of the world, it's easy to let it be a catch all with a "closed door policy" when company is over. Earlier this week we clued you into some great ways to make your bedroom feel fantastic without being overwhelmed while you're designing and decluttering. Hopefully by weekend's end, you will have a space that makes you comfortable enough to fall asleep by counting only a few sheep instead of the whole flock.

Ready to see this week's Cure transformations?

The Spring Cure: Sacred Space
Week 7 - Tips & Tricks

The bedroom in Maxwell and Sara-Kate's old apartment proves that an oasis doesn't have to be large, just serene.

• Cure Clock: 1.5 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 7, pps. 206-221
• Does your bedroom inspire you?
• What state are your sheets in?
• Curees: 900!
>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>>Submit your photos directly to AT

How'd you sleep last night? Like a baby? Did you have sweet dreams and wake up this morning refreshed, maybe just a few minutes before the alarm clock? Or was your sleep fitful? Did you toss and turn and wrestle with the alarm clock this morning, wishing you could catch a few more minutes, or hours, of sleep?...

The Spring Cure: Sacred Space
Week 7 - Intro

Look at this simple headboard made some kind of fabric (felt?). The dark green provides dramatic contrast, while also allowing the two white lamps to pop playfully out of the center. (via Emmas Blogg)

• Cure Clock: 2 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 7, pps. 206-221
• Clean and refresh your bedroom
• Clean up and art arrangement
• Curees: 900 (final)

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

Chapter seven might be my favorite chapter. Not only was it designed to give you a little slowdown, so you could catch up before the end, but it also deals with with the bedroom, which is a fabulous space to work on, it can change a lot with just a little attention and you appreciate anything you do immediately when you get a good night's sleep...

The Spring Cure: Light Therapy
Week 6 - Show & Tell

Flickr member Wig3000 just completed a bathroom renovation.
The result is a bright, peaceful little enclave.

• Cure Clock: 2 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 9: Light Therapy
• Overhaul the bathroom
• Evaluate light flow
• Curees: 896 and counting...

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

Congratulations, everyone, you're really in the home stretch! This week's tasksâ€”painting, replacing light fixtures, cleaning out the bathroom, and so onâ€”are tough, but also incredibly rewarding. I think part of what's great about the Cure is that it's not just a makeover... it's about becoming more conscious of our surroundings. Turning on lamps when it starts to get dark, keeping the bathroom tile cleanâ€”when these things become habits instead of dreaded chores, our relationships with our homes are entirely changed, and for the better. I'm so inspired by the motivation, creativity, and style we've seen in all of your achievements so far. Keep those photos coming! And let's take a look at some of this week's Cure milestones...

The Spring Cure: Light Therapy
Week 6 - Tips & Tricks

Hitting 2 birds with one stone, annalyssa adds fresh flowers for sweet fragrance and an uplighting display

• Cure Clock: 2.5 weeks remaining • Assignment: Chapter 9, pp. 185- 204 • overhaul the bathroom • evaluate light flow • Curees: 896 and counting.....

>> New Flicker Group: AT Home Cure
>> Send Your Pictures Directly to AT

Let there be light! For me the first five weeks of the home cure are like a detox diet where I cleanse my house, banish my cravings for impulse purchases, and burn off more than I take in by carefully editing possessions and deliberating on what items to buy. After the detox phase there are surely still problem areas that need my attention— this week, unruly bathroom cabinets and closets— but by week six, I'm ready to strut my stuff. And what better way to appreciate the fruits of your labor than under the flattering glow of the perfect light arrangement? Light is what brings a room to life...

The Spring Cure: Light Therapy
Week 6 - Intro

This is my challenge: replacing this lamp in the next three weeks.

• Cure Clock: 2 weeks & 6 days remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 9: pps. 185-204
• Overhaul the bathroom
• Evaluate your lighting
• Curees: 896 (and still counting...)

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

I can't believe that we're already heading down the final stretch! Now's the time to work very hard and make sure you are doing all you can. There's not much more time left.

This past weekend, Sara Kate and I spent much of the time cleaning out our family house on Long Island in advance of renting it out for the summer season. It feels good to do it. Even though we're planning on handing it all over to others, it motivates us to polish up the house and make it healthier (you can see the whole house here). It's an ongoing task (I still haven't finished painting the staircase), but we'll get there. I also went on the radio this morning...

Week 5: Getting Into The Thick Of It
Show & Tell

This bedroom has come a long way from it's pre-Cure state! Great Job renngrrl!

• Cure Clock: 3.25 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 8, Pages 154-184
• Finalizing Color
• Sunday Night 101
• Curees: 870 and counting...
>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

Boy oh boy, it's been a week full of progress! Thank you to all of our Cure participants who have so graciously shared the steps you are taking along this journey with us. You've sent us emails and uploaded photos of all your hard work and I've felt terribly inspired myself, from just watching the flood of renovations and organization that's happening! The Spring Cure is contagious like a yawn in a crowded room and we're ~~taking over~~ beautifying the world one room at a time. So who's ready for a little Show & Tell?

Week 5: Getting Into The Thick Of It
Tips & Tricks

• Cure Clock: 3.5 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 8, Pages 154-184
• Finalizing Color
• Sunday Night 101
• Curees: 870 and counting...
>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

There's a lot going on in my apartment complex. Two people have moved out and so there are painters and electricians and plumbers and floor refinishers coming in and out of the building at all hours of the day. While I've been planning to paint my living room (moving from yellow back to the white), I've got a few things to do before that happens (new rug, fabricate a Nakashima-inspired coffee table, Craigslist the unwanted furniture, find new lamps). But I've taken advantage of this entourage of people to get some niggling repairs taken care of...

The Spring Cure: Getting Into the Thick of It
Week 5 - Intro

Painting the steps and cooking steak - that's what's been going on with my Cure! And if you want more cooking, check out Sara Kate's Kitchen Cure which starts this week.

• Cure Clock: 4 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 8, Pages 154-184
• Cleaning & organizing the office
• Painting 101
• Curees: 870

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

It is finally feeling like spring here in NYC and that always gets me going. It's the perfect time to open the windows and rock the house, getting it ready for the best part of the new year. To keep my own juices flowing and to share a little bit more with you, I thought I'd show you what I've been up to....

The Spring Cure: Retail Therapy
Week 4 - Show & Tell

Solbeam, from the Apartment Therapy Home Cure flickr pool, is doing a beautiful job of organizing and decluttering her media. She's thinking of filling that empty glass vase (top shelf on the right hand side) with marbles to add a fun, colorful note.

• Cure Clock: 4 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 4: Retail Therapy
• Makeover living room, with decluttering of books and media
• Shopping research and Protein furniture lesson
• Curees: 836 and counting...

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

Almost halfway there, everyone! This is a good time to take a moment to congratulate yourselves on your accomplishments so far. Weeks Three and Four are both at least partly about defending our homes from the onslaught of stuff that the world throws at us. Most of our lives are so inundated with media, unwanted or otherwise, that it's easy to let the buildup become overwhelming. Hopefully this week, the hard work of decluttering has begun to pay off, clearing the way for the more "fun" assignments (choosing paint, researching furniture) that prepare you to implement your creative vision.

The Spring Cure: Retail Therapy
Week 4 - Tips & Tricks

• Cure Clock: 4.5 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 4, pp. 129-153
• Makeover living room, with decluttering of books and media
• Shopping research and Protein furniture lesson
• Curees: 843 and counting.....

>> New Flicker Group: AT Home Cure
>> Send Your Pictures Directly to AT

You've reached the halfway point! As with any big project your enthusiasm may have started to wain, but take heart, this is an exciting week where your home is beginning to take shape. Week Four is about making your living room truly a place where you live, laugh, and relax — not just accumulate clutter — and about deciding how to furnish your home with comfortable, quality pieces. This is when decluttering and shopping go hand in hand...

The Spring Cure: Retail Therapy
Week 4 - Intro

• Cure Clock: 4 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 4, pp. 129-153
• Makeover living room, with decluttering of books and media
• Shopping research and Protein furniture lesson
• Curees: 834...

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

These pics above are from an apartment I recently visited that was impeccable. While it wasn't my style, I had to admire all the work that had been done and all the smart decisions that had been made. Even these funny little CD racks were delightful. Found in Finland, I thought this pic would be a good way of kicking off Week 4, which is about a number of things, but one of them is paring down and organizing your media. But first, how about a poll?

The Spring Cure: Landing Strip
Week 3- Show And Tell

sara.cali from our Flickr Pool has fantastic flowers on this beautiful Friday morning. Fresh flowers and a four legged friend to share them with make any day brighter!

• Cure Clock: 5.25 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 3
• Where is that mail landing?
• Can you get the door open without banging?
• Curees: 815 and counting...

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

It's been a busy week and a big thank you goes out to all who have shared your outstanding progress with us on Flickr and by direct submission! It's been fantastic to see all the wonderful changes and hard work that is going into your homes to make them healthier. To keep your fires lit we have a plethora of pictures and links to keep you motivated after the jump!

The Hoover Platinum Collection™ Cordless Stick Vac
Thursday Giveaway

Item: The Hoover Platinum Collection™ Cordless Stick Vacuum
Brand: Hoover®
Total Value: $179.99

Description: The Cordless Stick Vac from the Hoover Platinum Collection combines the convenience of cordless with the power of an upright on hard floors. As the first cordless vacuum in Hoover's collection to utilize its Patented WindTunnel Technology™, the Cordless Stick is a powerful cleaning tool that easily transitions from hard floors to carpets, and its low profile and extra-recline handle make it possible to reach into corners and under furniture. A long-lasting LiNX™ 18 Volt Lithium-Ion battery and a quick three hour charge time give this vacuum an Energy Star rating, and it also comes with Hoover's six year limited warranty on the vacuum and two year limited warranty on the battery and charger.

The Spring Cure: Landing Strip
Week 3 - Tips and Tricks

"I need to fix my life" - a comment left on yesterday's repair one thing post. Curing your home starts you in the right direction!

• Cure Clock: 5.5 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 3
• Where is that mail landing?
• Can you get the door open without banging?
• Curees: 815 and counting...

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

Week three in the Cure is all about filtering and prioritizing by starting a landing strip and laying plans for repairs and color. So even though things might not be coming together yet, don't worry you are making progress. For me this was the hardest time because I'd rather get to the fun stuff where I can really see a difference instead of all this in between stuff. But from experience, the homework this week is more than worth it:

The Spring Cure: The Landing Strip
Week 3 - Intro

"I have to say, Maxwell, your book brings me close to tears sometimes...." ~ Dory B.

• Cure Clock: 6 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 3: The Landing Strip
• give your entrance a makeover, baby
• do shopping research and think about how color works in one room
• Curees: 795 and counting...

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

I just came back from a big benefit for the National Resources Defense Council (friends invited us), which "works to protect wildlife and wild places and to ensure a healthy environment for all life on earth." Attending threw off my posting and made me unable to get this post up earlier, but it was really refreshing to be in a room packed with six hundred people who believed in doing good for the earth. In New York City, that doesn't happen every day...

The Spring Cure: Clearing the Path
Week 2.75 - Show and Tell

Terry's kitchen/dining room cure shows what a little editing can do... along with a fresh coat of paint! The chalkboard strip is a great way to divide the room. Nice work, Terry!

• Cure Clock: 6.25 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 2: Clearing the Path
• Kitchen deep cleaning & cooking a meal (roast chicken, anyone?)
• Working on your floorplan and establishing your style
• Curees: 780 and counting...

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

As you've (hopefully!) discovered, the assignments in Week 2 of the Cure can be so liberating. Editing your home - cleaning, sorting, and allowing yourself to detach from items you don't need - is an integral part of making your space more liveable. It's very hard to implement your vision when too much everyday debris (including dirt and dust) is obscuring the possibilities. From your submissions, it's clear that many of you are already making big leaps in this area, clearing the path with gusto! Check out some of your fellow curees' achievements after the jump...

The Spring Cure: Clearing the Path
Week 2 - Tips & Tricks

• Cure Clock: 6.5 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Chapter 2
• Curees: 750 and counting..... This is where the rubber meets the road! After absorbing Abby and Laure's tips last week, you're probably ready to roll up your sleeves and start turning your creative vision into your home's reality. More often than not, when I get on an organizing kick my first thought is about what type of cool storage devices I need to buy, but it's always more overwhelming than helpful to bring in something new before dealing with what you already have. So, whether you're doing the deep treatment beginning with the kitchen or the one-room remedy, a big part of this week's Cure is about good prep work, which always makes for a more rewarding and more permanent end result.

The Spring Cure: Clearing the Path
Week 2 - Introduction

The original chapter drawing by Emily Payne

"Week one.The office has become a dumping ground. First thing. File all of the paperwork that is piling on the floor! It's insurance statements, bank statements, kids' photos, etc. Weeding through that mess took me three evenings. I can actually see the floor now!" ~ Jen64 (see photos on flickr)

• Cure Clock: 7 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Chapter 2
• Kitchen deep cleaning & cooking a meal (roast chicken, anyone?)
• Working on your floorplan and establishing your style
• Curees: 715 and counting.....

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure (Thanks, Nudik!)

Wow, we're really growing this time. I couldn't be happier. Hopefully our new page and the emails (first one went out on Saturday) are helping, and we've also got one Flickr account that we can all use, started up by Nudik which we can now all assemble ourselves (see above). Remember, that if you want us to post your pics, you still need to send them to us, but it's great that we can all share pics in one place this time around...

The Spring Cure: Creating Your Vision
Week 1.5 Show & Tell

Victoria started her Cure in her office by changing out lights and her desk. Nice work!

• Cure Clock: 7.25 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 1: Creating Your Own Vision
• Curees: 602...

Earlier this week Abby and Laure gave us a sneak peek into their personal style trays and inspired us to start the process of pinning down how we want our Cured spaces to look in the end. We (Sarahrae and Susie) will be finishing up the Cure week by sharing with everyone a show and tell of sorts. You've been busy sending us your photos, so click through to see what the other Curers have been up to...

The Spring Cure: Creating Your Vision
Week 1 Tips & Tricks

• Cure Clock: 7.5 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 1: Creating Your Own Vision
• Curees: 602.....The first week of the cure is about creating your vision for your home. It's a time for dreaming, for creativity and for thinking about how your home can support your life. Perhaps you'd like to entertain more, maybe you want to have space for your crafting or you work at home and need a better workspace. We sent out this email last fall and now we (Abby and Laure) are teaming up to share our tips and tricks for helping you get the most out of your home cure...

The Spring Cure: Creating Your Vision
Week 1 - Intro

"...I also want to share a few photos of my fall cure 2008 project which finally wrapped up last week. AT and its community really helped us with making some of our bath purchase and design decisions. Thanks, AT!" ~ Wig3000 (before pic at bottom)

• Cure Clock: 8 weeks remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 1: Creating Your Own Vision
• Curees: 434.....

Welcome to our seventh online Cure. I've been rereading my book in preparation for our eight-week sojourn together and couldn't be happier that after five years (I wrote it in 2004) it's not only still sharp and fresh, but the Cure movement is growing and flourishing in new ways as we explore the marriage of the book and a web community...

The Spring Cure: Getting Oriented
Week Zero

"We moved into a small home a year ago, and I have been organizing and painting, as well as giving a ton a stuff away. I am anxious to get started with pulling our home together, and loving our small, but uncluttered life."

~ MKayberg in Vancouver, WA

• Cure Clock: Starts tomorrow
• Assignment: Sign Up, get a copy and read to p. 69
• Curees: 366 and growing...
• Discussion Boards: 16 cities established

Welcome to our 7th Eight-Step Home Cure, which kicks off this next week and thanks to Hoover for sponsoring us for the very first time. Join us as we work together to make our homes more beautiful, organized and healthy in just eight weeks.

Jump in anytime, sign up and find all the info here on our new Cure page. Check out the cool, little book preview tool below...

Joining Us for the Spring Cure? Here We Go...

Heymomo's Home after the Fall Cure 2008

The Spring Cure page is up and the sign up form is ready. If you plan to join us this Spring for our group event to help get your home in order, you can start now....

The Spring Cure: Join Us Next Week!
Week Zero

Posted back in July kmr2069 did a lovely job with his Louis Ghost & Victoria ghost chairs

• Cure Clock: 6 days till start
• Assignment: Buy or borrow the book!

It's tiiiiiiime people! Time to crank up the engines again, get down and dirty with your home and do something fabulous that you've been dying to do before Memorial Day rolls around and it's all over. This time, however, we're revamping the whole process. And warning! Look out tomorrow for our new Cure Page....

Get Ready for the 2009 Spring Cure

The 2009 Spring Cure is coming up soon so if you're been considering some spring cleaning, wanting to redecorate on a budget or just need some help motivating yourself to finish up some projects and make your apartment or house more comfortable then grab a copy of the book and delve into the archives of past cures for inspiration. This year is going to be run a little bit different so keep your eyes peeled for the official start. Not sure what the cure is? Click here.

Update: We've created a whole page dedicated to the Spring Cure right here. It will be up for the duration of the cure and is a spot to find all the weekly posts, a place to upload images and to message boards for each city!

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Boston

This is for local discussions in the Boston area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Washington, DC

This is for local discussions in the DC area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
New York City

This is for local discussions in the NYC area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Chicago

This is for local discussions in the Chicago area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember, that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Los Angeles

This is for local discussions in the Los Angeles area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember, that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Philadelphia

This is for local discussions in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Atlanta

This is for local discussions in the Atlanta, Georgia area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
UK & Europe

This is for local discussions in the UK and Europe.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Montreal, QC

This is for local discussions in the Montreal, Quebec area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Denver

This is for local discussions in the Denver, Colorado area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Vancouver, BC

This is for local discussions in the Vancouver, British Columbia area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Kansas City

This is for local discussions in the Kansas City, Missouri area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Baltimore

This is for local discussions in the Baltimore area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Australia

This is for local discussions in Australia.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Seattle

This is for local discussions in the Seattle, Washington area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Minneapolis

This is for local discussions in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Toronto, ON

This is for local discussions in the Toronto, Ontario area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
San Francisco

This is for local discussions in the San Francisco area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

Spring Cure 2009: Discussion Board I
Austin

This is for local discussions in the Austin, Texas area.

Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. Also, please remember that if you want us to post your progress you should email us directly at any time of night or day: click here for submissions.

The Spring Cure 2010 Discussion Board

This is a forum for all Cure participants, regardless of location, to share their progress and ask questions! Please comment below and feel free to include links to pics or sites where you are documenting your Cure. And, you can post your in-progress pics to our Flickr pool.

Get Started!

Welcome to our seventh Eight-Step Cure. Join us as we work together to make our homes more beautiful, organized and healthy in just eight weeks. We've improved our online approach so that you can find the book, submit your pics and stay in touch with everyone through this page. All Cure posts will be posted here and on the sites three times a week with inspiration, tips and sharing, while local discussion boards are linked below. We've also added a Cure email that will land in your mailbox and keep you going, even if you forget to check the site!

How it Works.

First you sign up so that we know who you are, what you are working on and that you are ready to commit to improving your home with us. Over the next eight weeks, from Monday, March 16th to Sunday, May 10th, we'll be blogging the group cure, step by step, based on the chapters in our book, "The Eight-Step Home Cure."

Monday's post will outline the week ahead, Wednesday's posts will respond directly to the mail we get from you with Tips & Tricks, and Friday's post will be our weekly grab-bag sharing of your pictures and progress. Each post will be emailed as well, to help you stay in touch.

We've also added simple Discussion Boards for each city, where unstructured Q&A can take place. If you'd like to have a discussion board in your city anywhere in the world, simply ask. If we get two people asking for the same city, we'll add it.

Local Boards

Book-chip