As is true for any path to success the journey is a sum total of small steps. At times the act of taking a single step can bear resemblance to shouldering the weight of the world but it remains a step nonetheless; proceeded by one of a similar description while anticipating fruit from the same family tree. As the old tune reminds us in what can be an annoyingly perky platitude, “put one foot in front of the other…”

Having managed this simple concept we do, oddly enough, find ourselves moving; a gentle stirring on our forehead reminding us of the victory of forward motion. For my birthday this year a friend sent me the tiniest turtle carved from stone. Her note asked me to contemplate my own “turtle steps” and to never discount their cumulative power.

So today, as we consider steps toward a more beautiful home I suggest we think about the beauty of the background. I once heard it said that a beautiful room truly is beautiful when emptied of its contents. This is only possible if great thought and beautiful execution have been applied to the space rendering the backgrounds worthy of notice. As the headlines greeting us each morning continue to deliver messages of world-wide financial challenge we might still find ourselves with more time than treasure. This being the case it may be a good time to consider our own backgrounds (in our home, of course) and find fun, productive projects for the whole family.

Here are 3 tools to help you with your own background checks:

Remember the concept; our wee little room has been emptied of furnishings so pay attention to the following:

1. What is the condition of the floor beneath your feet? If wood, what is the condition? Is it time for a good cleaning with Murphy’s Oil or is it time to break out the circular sander? As lovely as hardwood floors are, they can also look sad and worn. Assess your wood and be clear about how to put its best foot forward. Much the same can be said for carpeted floors, so look hard at the condition of your carpeting. Is it time for a good cleaning (certainly this can be done with the help of the family and a good piece of rental equipment) or is it time for more serious solutions. You will only know the answer when you take a good, hard look at the floor beneath your feet.

2. Walls. What is true on the floor is also true for the walls in your room. In what condition are they? Really. Now is not the time to pretend or to believe the “precious little stories” we tell ourselves. Either the condition of the surfaces of your walls pass musters or they don’t. Paint? Is it chipped, faded, coated or cracked? Might be time for a brush with freshness. Wallpaper? Are the seams tight; are there rips and tears? Have the colors faded from sun exposure or has the surface simply collected dust? Tell yourself the truth as you look long and hard.

3. Ceiling. The forgotten plane in many rooms–the ceiling affords a sixth surface, for good or for bad. Is that popcorn I see? Possibly cottage cheese? The roof over our heads is never at its best when masquerading as food product. You want smooth plaster as a starting point from which to explore all the many wonderful options. But for now let’s focus on the same principles as applied to the floors and walls beneath.

Photo: When we find ourselves with more time than treasure, it can be the ideal opportunity to give our attention to our home’s background.

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