Finding Method in the Madness: Storage Closet Reveal

18 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by in Method to the Madness

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Good Morning:

This morning I’m back with my organizing series…

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…to reveal the reorganization of my storage closet! Not to be confused with renovating my storage closet (i.e. making it prettier).  This project was meant to be done without spending a lot of money.  I mean, let’s be honest I can find ALOT of things in my place to spend money on, and a storage closet isn’t first on my list. So, I tried my best to use things I already had first and buy only a few things.

The storage closet is 10′ long and almost 10′ tall at it’s highest point.  However, it’s less than 3′ wide and is under the stairs so the ceiling slopes down to the back.  My biggest complaint is that to get ANYTHING out from the back, I had to take out half of the closet contents to access it. The big goal was to be able to walk into the closet.

The before is a 3-layer picture series. The first picture shows the first layer with the rod of hanging clothing and some other stuff…

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThis next photo was taken behind the first layer of clothing, only to find another rack of clothing and some random wreaths…

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnd when you peer past the second rack of clothing (you can no longer walk past this point), you find this…

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Seriously, sometimes when I went in there I felt like I was going to come out in Narnia at the other end.

So, first step was to empty the closet. This gives you a sense of the size.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnd this is what my kitchen and living room looked like when it was emptied.

Stuff copyApparently, I have a boatload of stuff. A bit of purge happened before I put it all back, but a lot of it stayed.

And in the end it looks like this….

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAYes, that is FLOOR you see.  I can walk almost to the very back, AND I only have to move a couple of things to get at the items stored back there!

I added some shelving (the only thing I spent money on).  For the one on the right (below) I only purchased the brackets as I already had the shelf itself. And the narrow ones on the left are perfect for small items that used to be housed on the shelving unit in my living room.

New shelvesBy putting the wreaths near the back on the wall I avoid being poked in the eye by boughs every time I go in.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnd I added some shelving at the back so I could stack stuff, but still be able to get the lower items out without moving as much around on top. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABut you may be thinking, where did all the clothes go?  Well, some got purged…but the others made their way UP….

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI moved the rod lengthwise and put it up over head, so that I’m not obstructed by clothes when I walk into the closet. Most of the items are seasonal and I rarely need to get them down, so having to get a step stool to do it isn’t so bad. Plus, I am now using previously wasted space!

And for things I use for more often, I still have a small hanging rack on the wall, and I also have storage for handbags on the back of the door.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI have to say it was a good feeling to get this space in order and make it more usable. I’m pretty happy with the result.

Have you tackled any re-organizing projects as part of your spring cleaning?

XO,

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Monday Updates and Musings

17 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by in Just for Fun, Room Refresh

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  Good Morning!

It was a busy week last week, but I’m finally starting to get some projects up and running again around my place.  Now that I have a more functional storage closet (which I will post about tomorrow), I have been able to move some things into the closet from the built-in shelving unit in my living room. I am going to create a bar area there, but I still need to use some of the shelves for storage. And I want those shelves to be hidden.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI contemplated curtains but I really would prefer doors. BUT, I hadn’t been able to find doors that fit exactly. Then my Spidey-upcycling-senses kicked in and I spotted these in a garbage pile on my street.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI went back and measured and they fit! And with some upcycling magic, these will be perfect!

I’m also getting the lovely ladies at Tonic Living to make me some new custom drapery for my living room.  I just have a sheer white panel now and I’ve never really loved it. This is the fabric I chose:

Millie, Berry – via Tonic Living

And the best part of last week for me was that I finally entered the iUniverse and got an iPad mini! My first Apple product!

It’s super fun! Now I just need a case.  You can bet there will be a post on that coming up soon.

Have a great Monday!

XO,

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A Simple & Modern Nova Scotia Cottage

12 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by in Amazing Spaces, Decor, Design

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Good Morning,

Today I’m sharing the modern family cottage of designer Laura Fisher located south of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia which I came across on the Style at Home website. With the help of architect Diana Carl, Laura softened bold modern design to suit the feel of a more refined family cottage.  This is definitely more modern than the typical cottage you would find in the Maritimes but it still has some of the key elements…a light and airy feel, some natural materials (I love the crazy chandy in the living room!), comfy seating and quilts on the beds.  Oh, and a focus on the view…always important.

all photos via Style at Home, Photos by Janet Kimber

What do you think of this cottage? For me, it’s not quite rustic enough to be a cottage….but I’d take it as my primary residence any day!

XO,

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Kitchen Table Options – Duncan Phyfe Style Pedestal

10 Monday Jun 2013

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Good Morning!

This past weekend I tackled a big job, I cleaned out and re-organized my long, narrow, under the stairs closet. I will post about that later this week but the clean out was spurred on by the fact that my friend and I have bought a table at a community yard sale next weekend and I’m hoping to get rid of as much stuff as possible. If you recall I had a yard sale last year and it was a bust, and all the stuff I didn’t sell ended up back in my place and was stored in the above-noted closet or under my crappy kitchen table (not-so-stealthily hidden by a table cloth).  Where I am going with this you ask?  Well, I need to get the stuff out from under my table so I can buy a new table.  As I mentioned before in this post my two front runners for tables are gate leg table or a Duncan Phyfe style pedestal table.  I already talked about the gate leg table, so today I’m focusing on the Duncan Phyfe style pedestal table.

You can pick out a Duncan Phyfe style table from the legs as they frequently have graceful pedestals supporting them, often vase shaped with three or four feet spreading out from each pedestal. They also often have finely carved or metal feet on tables, using dog’s feet and lion’s feet frequently.  You can read more on how to identify Duncan Phyfe furniture here on eHow.

As I said previously, I would prefer a round table, but many of these tables tend to be square or rectangular. However, I did find a few roundies in my search…

But if I go with the a square or rectangular I would prefer it to be a drop leaf like these…

via 1,2,3,4,5,6

 I just love the sleek statement-making legs on these tables.They are really quite beautiful in their simplicity. Ahh, decisions, decisions.

What do you think of this style?

XO,

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Friday Punnies

07 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by in Just for Fun

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Good Morning,

It’s Friday and given the crappy weather and the fact that the work week is finally coming to an end, I thought a few laughs were in order.  I do love me a good pun, and I have been giggling like a schoolgirl putting this post together.  Comic. Genius.

via 1,2,3,4,5 (unknown),6,7,8

So much punny, I can’t even take it.  (p.s. If you haven’t smiled at least once reading this, I don’t think we can ever be friends. That’s just how it is.)

Have a great day!

xo,

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Will I Wedge or Will I Not?

05 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by in Inspired by Fashion

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Good Morning!

So, in the past, I have not been a big fan of the wedge sandal. I’ve always thought they looked bulky.  And I didn’t like them on my feet….they felt clunky. I have less issue with the wedge dress shoe but still not a huge fan. I figure if you are going to get a wedge dress shoe, why not get a great heel?  But I’m starting to change my tune…I’m starting to like the look of the wedge. Here are some looks that helped change my mind…

1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6

And here is my round up of some great wedges…

Untitled-1Clockwise from top left:

I might just give wedges another shot….what do you think?

XO,

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Gorgeous Barn Conversion by Josephine Interior Design

04 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by in Amazing Spaces, Decor, Design

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Good Morning,

Today I’m sharing a fabulous barn conversion in Burgundy, France, designed by Paris-based Josephine Interior Design.  This space is pretty, vintage, modern, quirky, and has a cool history to boot.  The best kind of eclectic. This woman has a great talent for finding fabulous unexpected pieces of art and furniture and using them in all the right places. As I have mentioned before about church conversion, it is hard to make conversions seem “homey” as they can be very stark to start, but this is another example of how to do it right.  I think you are going to enjoy it…

all photos via Josephine Interior Design

Kind of awesome, huh?

Have a great day!

XO,

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Last Week’s Loves: May 27th to June 2nd, 2013

03 Monday Jun 2013

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Good Morning!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!  Mine was filled with toddler birthday parties and a night out on Saturday with some friends. Since we are (alas) at Monday again, here are some of the things that caught my eye in the blog world this past week.

This gorgeous summer home converted from a 17th century mill, was featured on SF Girl by Bay this week. The home belongs to ludovica and roberto palomba, the acclaimed italian designers duo and is located in Salento, Italy. I would be happy to spend some down time is this space. (Although, I would definitely would have a huge steam cleaning bill with all that white, as I tend to spill things)! You can see more photos here.

Decor8 featured a post by Raina Kattelson from A Stylist’s Life where she gave some tips on how to get the most out of your trip to the Flea Market.  Good timing with all the outdoor flea markets in full swing for the summer.

I love this very simple DIY for these watercolour bud blocks that I found here on Design Sponge in a post by Mandy Pellegrin.  Love the colours they chose too!

If you haven’t seen the beautiful art of YangYang Pan yet you need to.  I discovered her art at the One of Kind Show and her work is gorgeous.  Both my Mom and I were at her booth flipping through her prints for quite a while. That is why I was so excited to see that my friend Vanessa over at Decor Happy is doing a fabulous giveaway for a print from this crazy-talented artist.  Seriously, get your booty over there and enter…I mean you can’t win if you don’t enter right?

Photos via 1, 2,3,4,5

Have a great Monday everyone!

XO,

signature3Photos: 1- francesco bolis for dwell via SF Girl by Bay, 2 -raina kattelson A Stylist’s Life via Decor8, 3-Design Sponge , 4 – YangYand Pan via Decor Happy

Kitchen Table Options: Gate Leg Table

30 Thursday May 2013

Posted by in Furniture and Design, Uncategorized

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Good Morning!

Next on my long list of things I would like to buy for my place is a proper table for my eat-in kitchen.  The table will go in a corner that is roughly 3′  x 5′.  I would prefer a round table, but would also consider a square or oval.  And a drop leaf would be great to gain space if I need it.  I think I’ve settled on either an antique gate leg table or a Duncan Phyfe style table pedestal base table.  But the focus of today’s post is the gate leg table.

Gate Leg Table copy

I found a basic definition and brief history on the gate leg table from About.com Antiques: 

“A gate leg table is a type of drop-leaf table, whose sides are attached to legs that are hinged beneath the tabletop; the legs swing out, gate-like, allowing the leaves to be raised; the tabletop itself is usually round or oval, and plain, while the legs are often elaborately turned or spiral and connected by stretchers. A single drawer is common.

Dating from the late 16th century, this Baroque piece of portable furniture flourished throughout the 17th century and is highly characteristic of Jacobean and William and Mary furniture, representing the less formal, more intimate dining customs of the period. It continued throughout the 1700s, gradually waning in favor of more graceful portable designs, such as the Pembroke table. The later 18th-century versions usually have thinner, simpler legs and rectangular tabletops.”  

I like the fact that I could use this table as my kitchen/dining table but when I have a proper dining room I can still use it for other things.  Maybe a console table with the leaves dropped, or a desk with one leaf down? So many options.

1,2,3 (unknown),4,5

It’s definitely a strong candidate but I’m still pondering. Next week I’ll profile the other option I’m considering.

XO,

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Pink Party

28 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by in Just for Fun, Parties and Events

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Good Morning,

It’s a little late, but today I’m featuring a amazing kid’s birthday party I attended last Monday on the Victoria Day holiday.  It was the 2nd and 4th birthday party for my bestie’s kids, Ella and Tatum. I love these two little humans more than I can possibly describe, but ALSO they looove pink…which just makes me love them even more.  So, of course, their Mom decided that for the girl’s birthday party (their b-day’s are only 5 days apart), a PINK PARTY was in order.  With the invites, instructions were given for attendees to don as much pink as they could.  It was so fun….and oozing with pink goodies.  Bright pink, light pink, salmon, neon….every pink you could imagine.

Kelly did amazing job pink-ifying the decor and food….even the cucumber slices were dyed pink.  There was birthday cake with 3 pink layers, pink popcorn and pink yoghurt pops.  Pink poofs, pink lemonade, and pink strawberry milk!

Decor and Food copyAnd then there was the stylin’ kiddies in their best pink outfits and accessories.

Stylin in Pink

And the pink fun continued with face-painting and birthday cake!

More pink fun copy

 Such a fun party with a fabulous theme.

Don’t get used to it Kel….before you know it they’ll be 15 and wanting to wear ripped jeans, plaid shirts and Doc Martens…because by then the early 90′s will be cool again.

XO,

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