Improving Our Storage & Organization ~ At Inspiration Cafe Today

January.  

It's that time of year.

It happens every year...the feeling overtakes me and I just have to take action.  I feel the overwhelming need to purge, organize and streamline our environment.  I start analyzing our spaces to see what is working well and what needs to be improved on.  

This looks like a great system for organization in an entryway, right?

Well, we've made it even better.

Come by Inspiration Cafe to see how we've streamlined our entryway for even more storage and ease of use:

Clicking on the cafe will take you there.

See you at the Cafe!

Sherry

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Downstairs Project Tour

Here goes the downstairs tour!   Welcome to Our Home!!!

Some of this is a bit rough, but, I think you've been fairly warned.
I'm going to start at the front door and make notes about what we've done and what we hope to do as I go. 

If you stick with me through this you deserve a glass of wine in the hot tub tonight!  (That's going to be my reward to myself for getting this done!)

I apologize to those of you who have been hanging around for a bit.  Sorry if some of this is repetitive.

We are so glad you came to visit.  You have just entered our front door...

I love the deep color of this wood and the black iron scroll work mimics the dining chandelier and the wine rack ;)

On the wall directly to the right is my plain ole cork board with our friends and family photo display. Eventually I will figure out how I want to cover this board. I wanted to wait until I had a clear picture of what the downstairs color scheme would be. (Ahem, that cork board would be project #2. Sorry if I've confused you but #1 comes later).

***Note to Builders that care...it is not attractive or convenient to walk directly into a stairwell when you enter the front door.***

Once inside the front door you take a left and you will be "in" our mudroom.  This feature was created when we put two tall vertical shelves along the wall and connected them with a board as a bench and added hooks.  There are also pull out bins at the bottom for our shoes.  Love this!!!

Because who wants to see everybodies shoes all over the floor?

Click on the photo above if you want to see the original post.

Do you see the open door to the left?  That's our downstairs half bath...we'll go there next...

These are white painted, oak shelves.  I have added four banana leaf baskets from Ikea ~ so each of us has a place for our miscellaneous belongings.

Not that we all put our things where we're supposed to!  Ha, that would be a dream...

The mirror leaning there came from an antique mall in Oregon City.  I don't believe it's actually antique, but it appears to be hand made.  I purchased it just for this spot but haven't hung it yet (project #3) because I'm not convinced it is "right" here.  Maybe it's just the predominance of white in this space.  Or the mirror might be too busy.  Maybe the color is just slightly off from the other white.  I still need to put wainscot wall paper on the back of those shelves (project #4) and maybe add some color via paint (project #5).  Once I have that done I can sew a cushion for the bench (project #6) and possibly those two little Ikea footstools that fit perfectly underneath (project #7).

When we have company there are plenty of seats!

Okay, off to check out the half bath...we've done a couple of updates in there already, but it's not easy to get a nice picture of such a tiny little room with no windows ~ don't expect a lot!

Let's see...
We replaced the builders' mirror with this beauty that we got from some friends.  Thanks Andrew and Gina, you are so awesome!  It came unfinished so I was able to stain it with the same stain I used on the lower sink cabinet.  I stained the builder grade oak cabinets a rich brown.  I didn't bother to take a before photo.  I wasn't blogging about DIY then, so it didn't seem so important.  ;)   Scott added the granite counter top.  It was a scrap piece that came from his boss.  We installed the wall shelves so we could add a few accessories.   We haven't really taken the time to do anything more in here.  It's used for my preschool during the day so it takes a lot of abuse.  You can't see in the picture, but we added some pale gray Italian ceramic tiles to the floor...the same tiles as in the laundry room and the upstairs bathrooms.  The tiles were donated to us very generously by Scott's Sister and Brother-In-Law when they had leftover from their remodel. It just needs a new light fixture and maybe more colorful accessories...that's it!  (project #8)

When you exit this bathroom you can take a left back into the main part of the house or a right into the laundry room.

We just finished redoing the laundry room too!  I love this space.  I haven't gotten backed up on the laundry yet.  Just click on the photo below if you want to read more about it:

I almost forgot to mention, Scott wants to replace the window with a glass door...this would lead right to the poolside :)
(That makes project #9)

Now let's go back past the "mudroom" and I'll show you where we put the new pantry...right under the stairs!  If you want to see more details on that pantry you can see that post by clicking on the photo below. 

(Oh holler!  I need to go shopping!)

This pantry is on the opposite wall from the "mudroom" space.

It took us about a month to completely finish this space.  Scott did the built in shelving really quickly, but I wanted to make sure we planned enough space and ORGANIZED everything well, so it wouldn't just end up another huge mess.  It's such a useful, organized space.  It really has simplified our lives.  We love the chalkboard grocery list and menu planner.  All the kids know right where to go to grab a snack.  I can check what ingredients I have with just a glance and know what I have to eat.  What a dream!!!  I hadn't realized how messed up our "pantry" space and storage situation had become.  I still want to do something more interesting with the door and maybe make a fun "Corner Market" sign.  (project #10)

Let's shut this door and just turn around...you'll find yourself in my craft room slash workspace.  This room is my baby.  (If you're getting tired ~ feel free to take a break.  After all this blogging I feel like I need one too.  Come back when you are ready...we'll still be here!

This room's been stripped down to bare bones.  Tomorrow I'm going to be pushing that HUGE cabinet around.  I want to play with the layout in here before doing anything else.  Once I'm sure that cabinet is exactly where we want it ~ we will be doing some fun things to the wall above it (project #11). 

But I'm not spilling the beans!

Oh, check out the floor!  We scored this wood flooring when a family member was ripping it out of their home to be replaced with wide, dark, rough hewn plank.  Jealous!  We still had wall to wall carpeting from the front door to in here, so we jumped at the chance to bring this wood flooring home (nails and all) and install it.  Scott helped with their demo and installation so they were more than happy to pass it on.  We put it in ourselves using a pneumatic nail gun.  Scott is so good about doing these projects with me.  We started out removing the old nails.  Eventually we grew weary and ended up just pounding them flush into the bottoms. Needless to say,  it's a little bit squeaky.  At least we know when Sadie is being sneaky...

To the left you can see back to the front door from here. 
Oh, and Scott's temporary chalkboard wall is right there!

 See my Ikea espresso leather sofa?  I saved for that  puppy for so long!    I like that it's easily wiped down.  There are so many sticky little fingers around here.   I just wish the pillows didn't slip all over the place.  Haha.   And that little wooden end table, I have plans for that ~ it needs to be stained.  (Project # 12)

This cabinet is the coolest ever. It houses all of my crafting and home office supplies. It still needs some trim work at the bottom (project # 13) and I'm hoping someday we can put a stained wooden countertop...if not metal (project # 14)
If you are interested in reading about this cabinet makeover just click on the photo above.

You can see one of the chalkboards we are working on above.  You can special order these personalized from our ETSY SHOP.

And those lamps were a fun little project...I'll be putting some of those in our Etsy shop as well.  If you want to see how easy they are to make, so you can do it yourself, just go HERE.

That bare window in the corner is (project # 15) and the bench beneath is waiting for some new upholstery (project # 16)

Two of my favorite things:  White paint and the color green.

This is where the 1930's Vintage Radio Cabinet Mini Bar lives.  Plllllllfffth.  That was a mouth full. 
It still needs casters attached to the bottom (project #17)

Click the photo above if you are interested in seeing what Scott did to turn this cabinet into a mini bar.

I made these fully lined curtains (in ivory burlap) to hang in front of the sliding glass door. 
Otherwise, you can't see a thing if the sun is shining full force.  These windows face south so the craft room and kitchen get an abundance of sunshine (if the sun makes an appearance, that is). 
And the little green pie shelf can be found HERE. 

In my kitchen I want to add: back splash (project #18), and some form of color to the backs of these open cabinets (project #19)

We painted the cabinets white over a year ago. It's something I had wanted to do since moving in. One day, right before Thanksgiving at our place, Scott said,

"Are you ready to paint the cabinets white?"

Can you guess what I said?

"Heck, YES!"

 Now they need some touch up (project #20).

I seriously can hear the wine and hot tub calling my name now...

Also in this room we (read as I) want to paint over that "horrendous excuse for the color green" that is on the walls (project #21),

Refinish the counter tops (project # 22),

And add some type of decorative window treatment over the rolling blind (project #23).

Now pass through this opening into our little dining room.  It really is quite small.  Oh, the flooring in the kitchen and the dining room is peel and stick tiles.  These are very dimensional and realistic looking and can even be grouted.  We chose not to grout and just installed them flush with each other.  They have held up quite nicely for as inexpensive as they were. 

Our dining room:

The Chandelier was a hand me down and the shades were one of my favorite thrifty knockoff projects. 

Click the photo below if you want to read more about them!

Hmmm, lets see....

The table and chairs were free and became a family project.  We sanded, we sprayed, we painted we glazed, we poly'd and finally slip covered! 

Click the photo below if you want to see more about this fun filled project!

That huge mirror on the wall actually came from our dresser upstairs. I dare say it might be a later project. I'm not counting it!!!

Those curtains aren't really curtains...yet.  If you look closely you can see the raw edges and (sigh) strings.  Kristi from A2D taught me about a well dressed window, so I decided that my white, wood-look blinds needed some dressing up.  This is just a piece of fabric cut in half and clipped up there on some curtain rings.  I wanted to live with it for a bit before doing anything more.  I think I'll find a piece of coordinating fabric to make a wide band at the top or bottom so they run all the way to the floor?  Tell me what you think!  I haven't committed to anything yet and this fabric can be used for something else...say those ottomans under the bench in the entryway.  :)  (Oh yeah, that's project # 24)

Okay, turn around...we're almost done! 

Through the arch is our living room.  This is where we HANG OUT.  Watch movies, play video games, do our homework and read.  This room is really just comfortable and can use many improvements.

(See those semi-naked windows back there?  They need some decorative treatments also.  They are project # 25)

See that tripod lamp in the front left of the photo?  If you want to see how it came to be, just click HERE.

That little camel sofa came from Craigslist...it's a sleeper.  (That's project #26)  It will be getting a new slipcover!  Just as soon as I get up the nerve!!!  Sheesh people...this stuff is nerve wracking!  Why do you think I'm always drinking coffee, eating chocolate and dreaming about wine in the hot tub?

That adorable young man, he's actually project #1.  He comes first!  He's so cool and so fun.  You'd love him!  But don't challenge him to soccer, basketball or football. 

  

(The carpet in this room is project # 27).  I cannot stand wall to wall carpet.  I can't be the only one.  I run a preschool in our home.  It gets a lot of traffic. 

That black wire thingy there between the sofa and orange chair is project # 28).  We found it on the side of the road.  It won't stay here in this spot though.  I'm going to spray it a fun color and use it for something...you'll have to wait.  (We have two end tables for this room but they are refinishing project # 29)!!!  Sheesh, I'm tired!

We hope you've had fun looking around Our Place.  Nothing fancy.  Just our home.  We're really very thrifty.  I'd say over 75% of our furnishings, and accessories come by way of Craigslist, thrifting, yard sales, hand-me-downs, curbside finds, or re-purposing.  This was helped define how far we have come and how far we still have to go.  It will always be a work in progress.  That I know!

We'd love to hear what you think.  Don't feel like you need to mention how many projects are on our ToDo list!  We're getting to them...one by one...

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, Sherry 

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My To Do List - I am so glad you are here

I am so glad you are here

My To Do List:

I'll never find the time
To do all the things I want to do.

Like learn how to write
In a proper sort of way.

Or take pictures
That move people without words.

I really want to!
Especially since I'm still working on those words...

And what about the chaos
Still waiting to be calmed?

The objects staring at me
from every surface in my home?

It will all have to wait
Until the part of me that gives it value,

Recognizes it for what it is...
Just a bunch of stuff;  Not so worthwhile.

Once we clear some precious space
Our project stories can be told.

Creativity will have free reign
In the space that we unfold.

Friends and Family should always feel welcome ~
Both in our hearts and in our home.

Without them our lives
Would feel so cold.

And don't let me forget
That my family needs the biggest part of me.

I guess that means I can't forget
My health and fitness as a priority.

For the energy I'll need
Just to keep up with all of this.

But when it feels too much ~
That it has me feeling crushed...

PLEASE help me remember to Thank God
And present him with my Heart.

For only He can truly love
Each and Every Unfinished Part.


When I was in the fourth grade, we had a poem writing assignment.  I got so scared and insecure about standing in front of class and reading a poem out loud, that I was frozen with fear.  I couldn't write a single word.  Athough my parents raised me with very good values...my need to turn in my assignment outweighed my sense of wrong and right that day.  I copied a cute little poem from a huge book on our shelf.  I believe later I realized it was called "The Book of Well Known American Poetry".  Lauging OUT LOUD!  It didn't seem such a big deal.  It only had a few lines, and it said
~ Author Unknown.

How could I, a child, have known how recognizable that poem was!  That my teacher would instantly recognize it as not my own.  He was very diplomatic in how he pulled me aside.  He let me know I had to write my own verses that night.  Shamefaced, I went and did just that.  Even though he had been kind enough not to blab to anyone in the class.  He did not tell my parents.  At least they didn't say.  I was so very naive.  Boy, the lesson I learned that day.

I guess all I'm trying to say is that sometimes I still just feel like that little girl...just trying to find my own words.  I hope you forgive me if they seem scattered at times.  Maybe just a little scared.  I really only hope to share something of interest with those of you who find it worth the time to read what I write here.

I am so glad you are here!

This was thrown together (literally) with some scrapbook papers and embellishments that were secured with glue dots into an old frame. I had the frame hanging around because the glass had long ago broken, and I just couldn't throw it away.  This space in our entryway is patiently waiting for it's perfect mate, The Mirror.  But it needed something to fill it until then.  And I was avoiding what I really need to be doing...Purging.  Seriously.

I hope you like it. 

We love visitors!



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Pieces of my Heart

I've always admired people who decorate their home for all of the seasons and holidays.  (How do they manage to find the time, the energy, the inspiration, and the storage space for all of those extra decorations?)


I only dream of being that organized and motivated. There's definitely not a shortage of ideas floating around in my head (and the magazines, catalogs, Pinterest and Blog-land).  It's just that...well...I'm busy.  I have more pressing things to deal with.  Like:

• Making dinner.  "What's for dinner???  and lunch, and breakfast, and snack, snack, snack?"...
• Going to the grocery store to get dog food for my pooch, Sadie (hopefully before she strains a muscle in her throat from whining so forcefully)?
• Washing, drying, folding and if we are lucky, putting away umpteen loads of laundry.
• Keeping the house somewhat clean and organized.  I say somewhat because I am no miracle worker.  I just am not really fond of clutter and (prepare yourselves for a dirty word) ~ dirt.
• Planning activities for the week to keep the toddlers and preschoolers engaged, challenged and content. 
• Planning activities for the week to keep my husband engaged, challenged and content.
• Chauffeuring my little athlete to all of his sporting events, activities and play dates...to keep him engaged, challenged and content!
• Paying the bills.  Yuck.  :(
• Working on a myriad of DIY & Decorating projects (to keep myself engaged, challenged and content).  :)  Yay!
• Making time to spend with friends and extended family because I miss them all so much.

So, theme decorating isn't high on my list of things To Do.  Not to mention, I wouldn't have the slightest idea where to store all of the out of season decorations?  Would we rent a storage unit???

Honestly, I feel lucky when we get the Christmas crates down from the attic space.  And, then I feel lucky again when we manage to box it all back up and get it up that ladder and into it's 11-months-out-of-the-year home, nestled among the rafters, insulation and cobwebs.  I refuse to go up there.  My life would be so different without Scott in it.  I'm so lucky.  He is amazing.  Don't get me wrong...I am very capable and independent.  We just have this unspoken agreement (like many couples I'm sure) that certain tasks are mine and certain tasks are his.  Mine fall into the shopping, cooking, cleaning type categories and his fall into the ladder climbing,  light bulb changing, fence fixing type categories.  Go figure.   It's like Happy Days around here.

But this little blog is edging both of us outside of our comfort zones.  It's challenging us to push ourselves further than we normally would in our everyday dealings.  And here is how I know...

This morning when I took the old photos down from the cork board and started adding the new ones I was struck with inspiration.  (Don't get all excited, I can't take credit for this idea...I've seen this done in some form, somewhere ~ in one of my magazines, catalogs, Pinterest, or while blog surfing.)  But that's not the point.  We have some creative genius...stick around long enough and you'll see, I'm almost promising!  I'm guessing that 99.97 percent of what we do is some form of imitation...greatest form of a compliment and all...yada, yada...

THE POINT IS that I took the time and intentionally added a theme as I pinned all of the new school pictures, snapshots and Christmas card photos to the cork board...placing them with love and care in the shape of a heart.  :) 

If you don't see yourself in this photo collage, maybe it's time for you to give us a new photo of yourself???

1.

So many of the people we love...it makes my heart do flip flops :)

This board is right next to the front door in our entryway...you can see the entry shelving we've recently finished.

Well, Scott finished his part, but I still have a cushion cover to sew, and maybe some paint touch up here and there...

But that reminds me...I never really showed you the crazy awesome thing about these entry shelves...the bottom doors open up like a bin and we place our shoes in there when we come in.  Then we close them up out of sight!

I'm not fond of a big pile of shoes right inside the front door so this was the perfect solution.  This is Scott and Alex's side.

And this is Vanessa's and my side.  Those are my new Sperry loafers.  I got a gift certificate for Christmas and picked these puppies up at The Rack.  They remind me of Junior High School and "boat shoes".  If any of you remember those days! Hahaha


May your heart and home be filled with love!

Sherry

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Our Entryway Is Coming Together!!!

A couple years back I noticed an amazing shelf in my Mom's sewing room where she stored all her fabrics. It was a tall vertical shelf only about 12 inches wide, with a pull out bin at the bottom to store all those little scrap pieces of fabric. I commented on how wonderful that shelf would be to hold all my craft supplies, namely my scrapbooking tools and papers. It turns out my uncle Roy made that  shelf for my mom and she in turn had him make one for me as a gift. She's such a sweetheart!  I loved the shelf so much that I asked Uncle Roy to make another just like the first ~ so I would have a matching pair. It just felt like it needed a partner.  These shelves are wonderful!  Amazing craftsmanship.  They are built to last.  You can see them in our Thanksgiving photo from 2010 below.

This was the first time we hosted Thanksgiving for my family and it was a big event!  A total of 19 were present so we removed all the furniture from the room and brought in three dining tables so everyone could sit together in one room.  You can see the shelves in their natural oak finish in the background.

Even with both of these shelves I had a shortage of space for all of my art and crafting supplies.  When we finished our new craft cabinets the room became too crowded and we were left with no choice but to purge some items.  These beauties needed a new home!  About this same time I had a bright idea and asked my Power Tool Guy to cut down the legs on our console/entry table and turn it into a bench for the dining room.  This meant we had an empty entry wall.  Gasp.  An empty wall, you say? 

(Did I mention that I am a chronic re-arranger?  Yes, it's true.  No denial here.  I honestly cannot recall going more than a month or two without completely changing the furniture around in at least one room of my house.  I used to be a chronic painter too...but I've kicked that habit!)

The shelves were painted a creamy white and moved around the corner ~ where they have been sitting ever since!  No procrastination there.  ;)   I was just waiting patiently for my Tool Guy to whip out that table saw of his and cut me a board.  Sometimes he gets busy with life and my projects aren't the first thing on his list.  Wha???  ;)  He had some time on his hands recently so I finally got my board ~ and he even attached it!  That left me with a big 'ole fire lit under my hiney to finish off this entry project.  I rushed myself down to Lowe's on Black Friday and found some beadboard wallpaper.  Yes, I said beadboard wallpaper.  Pretty cool stuff. 

Let me introduce you to Allen + Roth Paintable Beadboard Wallcovering!!! 

Pre-Pasted, Washable, Paintable, Strippable.  Gah!  (I received no payment or reward of any kind from Allen + Roth for this post.  Although it would be nice :)

The wallpaper is a snap to install.  You cut it to size with scissors.  Leave a little extra just for good measure as you can easily trim it off with a razor blade once it's in place.  You just soak it in water for 30 seconds, let it sit for 5 minutes and then apply it to your wall.  I measured and marked the wall where I wanted the beadboard to be and used a level to make sure it was straight. 

It really was a cinch to put up...see...

 Once the paper was up I added the two pieces of trim board across the top to create a little ledge and added some hooks for hanging hats, scarves, keys and whatnot.  Once I've added the beadboard wallpaper to the back of the shelves I will add larger hooks inside each shelf for coats. 

Here are a few shots of the new entry area brought to you by Mr. Tool Guy himself:

The bins at the bottom open up to hold all of our shoes.  They are a sanity saver.

We each have our own basket to catch all of our miscellaneous stuff.

That photograph on the ledge is of me and my Bestie, Nikki.  I'm so lucky to have a friend like her.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and have fun with your projects! 

***I almost forgot to show you the best part...the shoe bins!*** 

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