What are the major differences in those terms, and why are they even important?
First, they are only important as they relate to what I shall refer to as House Lust. Briefly, that is the obsession with all the common questions here on Houzz, My paint color, kitchen .....what about this backsplash ......is this good or bad, a problem, not a problem, and on and on.
As designers, we are tasked with understanding a client, and understanding the life within any given home. Few things make us crazier than creating tailored to that client beauty and function, only to see it devolve. That "devolve" if you will, often stems from a lack of understanding of those terms above. It is baffling ( to me ) that for all the "design agony" that goes into any home or project, why does it so often seem to simply devolve? . Is it natural, can you avoid it, do you WANT to avoid it? Stop right here if you believe it's natural.
Home Keeping: The structure. Do the things that are supposed to work every day, actually work? Your roof doesn't leak, all the toilets flush, your gutters aren't clogged, the windows open and close easily. Your front stoop isn't crumbling, and your basement is dry. That sort of thing.
House Keeping: AHHHHH! Here she goes! Again. This is the daily keeping up. with things. The things from which nobody is spared, UNLESS you have an in home hired worker to follow you around, Failure to understand this term, is to derive little long term, or even short term satisfaction from all your deign effort. It's laundry and its completion, its dishwasher loading and unloading. Counter top wipe downs. The act of restoring a basic level of order and cleanliness daily. Trash cans emptied and out the door, pillows fluffed, Toys stowed. Clothes hung/folded/stowed or in the laundry basket. Beds made up , the quick fridge sort and wipe out before groceries bought. Meals prepared, eaten, and cleaned up post meal. House Keeping is All the small and ongoing messes of daily living , cleaned up/tidied up as they HAPPEN. It is an in the moment, within that day occurrence . The putting back of the out of place , "where does this go, and why is is it HERE?!" restore. It is now task, not "later" .
For those obsessed with beauty? It extends to the styling and embellishing aspects beyond the basic. Fresh flowers, neatly folded and hung towels, ....A quick "re org" of a drawer, closet, pantry.. It is important to understand that this is different than ...........dreaded or not?
Cleaning: The deeper version of House Keeping. The weekly , or at least bi weekly event that gets to the real grunge. The dust, the dirt, the grime. Gunk off the faucets, tub, shower, spots off the mirrors. Floors completely swept, mopped, carpeting and rugs vacuumed. Window sills dusted, blinds same. Sparkle restored to all the sinks. Sayonara to smudges and fingerprints. The level to which you do either of the above categories will vary by individual. You can do it yourself, or you can HIRE.
The hire: Know this: There is no magic. No "hire" can truly make up for a lack of House Keeping.
If you go this route, your results will be as good as the maintenance between cleanings. The person, the team....or you, will be in catch up mode. It will take longer. You will pay more. You will enjoy the fresh for a shorter period of time.....as the house devolves until the NEXT cleaning with failure to Keep House.
More brutal truth? Circle back to the point. Your backsplash, your white shaker cabinets and new counter tops. Your paint color, and your rugs. .......your "pops" of color, and long sought and perfected lighting.....right down to your lovely new sofa, accent chairs and ALL OF THE REST?
None of it will matter. NONE will shine in their brightest light. The designer whom you paid, your own inspo's and Instagram adventures, Pinterest Pins.....all of the EFFORT ? Will appear to disappear in the devolve.
Is this sad? Yes. Is it truth? Yes. Which is why I gave anyone who cares not, the "stop here" option: )
PRO
yumelizabeth