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Organizing Tips that Help Me Get Organized When Clutter Takes Over

February 3, 2014

Happy February!

I am typically a very organized person. But since packing up my Christmas and holiday décor I’ve struggled with keeping myself and my home organized. Being disorganized has left me feeling uneasy and scattered and because of that I am not working as efficiently as I can or should be. This week I’m setting aside some time in my schedule to get things around me organized and back on track. I’m going to be sorting, purging, consolidating and organizing each space that I’ve neglected.

To get the job done, I’m going to rely on the organizing habits I’ve used for years, tips that always work for me. I’d thought I’d share those tips with you today and come back later in the week and show the before and after of a some of the areas I’m organizing.

Organizing Tip #1–SORTING

The first step for me when I’m organizing is SORTING! When things are in a state of disorder it usually means piles and stacks. Sorting through the things you have will help you organize like items together, move items to the room and spaces they belong in and it will also help you decide what stays and what goes.

Organizing Tip #2–PURGING

PURGING something that you no longer need or that is no long useful to you is a great feeling. It takes discipline to sort through and get rid of items you once loved, but holding on to things that have gone unused for months or years is not doing you or your state of well-being any good. Letting go of unnecessary stuff will allow you to enjoy and appreciate those things that you keep and really use.

Organizing Tip #3–EVALUATE

Once you’ve sorted and purged its time to EVALUATE WHAT YOU HAVE. In my closets, kitchen and craft space I know that I function best when the items I use most often are organized in a way that makes accessing them quick and easy. Do a second sort of your items and put them into stacks labeled A, B, C and D. ‘A’ represents the things you use most and ‘D’ represents those things that are used less often. Now is also a good time to take a look at those items in the D pile and see if anything more needs to be purged. When it comes time to place things on shelves or racks, the things you use most will be front and forward.

***if you’re organizing your closet, this is also a good time to make a list of wardrobe essentials you need to shop for

Organizing Tip #4–MAKE IT VISIBLE

One of my keys to effective organizing is to MAKE IT VISIBLE. For me this means creating organization that allows me to see the things I have. Plastic containers, open baskets, hooks, racks and binders are a few of my favorite organizing tools. If I see it, I use it and if everything has a home its less likely to end up in a pile.

***plastic over-the-door shoe holders are great for holding all sorts of things

***I rotate my bath towels on the shelves after I’ve done laundry each week. This way all the towels we own get used and washed on a regular basis which helps keep the color consistent in all of them

Organizing Tip #5–CONTAIN YOUR STUFF

On the flip side of my wanting to have things visible is my desire to HAVE THINGS CONTAINED and orderly. This is where creativity comes into play. I use Command Hooks to hang all types of things around my house, my rolls of crafting washi tape are housed in a kitchen storage piece and I use hanging shoe storage to hold scarves. Think about how you ideally would want to store and organize items and then look for a solution that works for that function. It may not be an item that was originally meant for that purpose.

***baskets are one of your best organizing investments–they keep things contained and keep the space looking pretty

***this is a great idea for making plastic storage bins look more attractive–paper fronts

Organizing Tip #6–MAKE IT PRETTY

MAKING AN ORGANIZED SPACE LOOK PRETTY while it also functions well is one of the best parts of organizing to me. Incorporate pretty jars and containers into your desk top organization or create a fun display board using a pretty frame to hold your jewelry. When a space looks nice you’ll want to keep it organized.

***cover cardboard or poster board with wrapping paper to make inexpensive shelf liners

***incorporate decorative accessories into your organization

***I love the idea of covering paint cans in decorative paper for craft storage

***I often use vintage milk glass pieces for storing jewelry and cosmetics

Organizing Tip #7–LABEL IT

LABELS are your best friend when it comes to organizing. It helps identify the contents of a basket, helps when you are sorting items and labels let you add a personal touch to your organizational system. If you’re looking for unique and inexpensive label options, check the $1.00 section at Target and Michael’s for fun tags or chalkboard stickers.

***small picture frames also make stylish labels for boxes and baskets

So there you have it…my go-to organizing tips. Good organization really comes down to having a system in place that makes the task of keeping your world clutter free easy. Now that I’ve given myself a refresher course on the tips I use, I’m off to organize my world. Stay tuned for the results!

My Little Red Desk

September 30, 2013

You know that saying, better late than never, well I finally got my office cleaned up and things pulled together so I could show you my small but powerful workspace, the space where all the creativity happens.

I’ve got a space in my garage where I tackle big projects that involve paint and crafting but my little red desk is where I spend most of my days working on design projects, writing blog post and fueling my creativity. My work area shares space with a guest bedroom but allows me just enough space to do what I need to do. In addition to my work area, I have a large walk-in closet in the room where all my supplies, fabrics, crafting tools and Etsy shop items are stored. I like keeping my desk area clean and organized so the closet is the perfect storage option for the items I use on a daily basis.

A few months ago my desk looked like this.

And then I got a wild hair to paint it red and it was transformed into this.

Red is my favorite color so having a red desk was long overdue. To give the desk even more of a facelift I replaced the metal pulls with beautiful horn pulls and a piece of glass for the top.

Once the desk was painted all the other elements fell into place.

Above the desk hangs a large cork board that I made using a frame that was given to me by a client. Given that my mom taught English for 27 years, I’ve come to love the power of words so my inspiration board is filled with quotes that lift me up everyday.

Most of the accessories I use to hold pencils (I’m a fancy No.2 girl), scissors and such are vintage milk glass pieces I thrifted. The vintage glass lamp was a .25 cent purchase at the Longest Yard Sale two years ago. I covered the shade in a black and white print.

I bought my desk chair at a local thrift store for $7.00. It didn’t have a seat when I got it and the wood was stained an oak color but the frame was in good shape. I painted the chair black, had a piece of wood cut for the seat and upholstered it in a fun print.

The door you see in the background is the closet where all the goods are stored.

The mouse pad was a diy project you can read about here and the basket under the desk holds a few binders that I access frequently.

Between the closet door and bathroom door is a file cabinet I covered in a black and white stripe skirt. The TV sit on top and above that is a handmade piece of hand-painted fabric art my mom purchased in Africa when you took a trip years ago.

Framed prints I downloaded from Sarah M. Dorsey hang on a side wall.

One wall of the room has a gallery wall which I’m in the process of completing. And you’ve seen in previous post that I am a basket fiend so here are a few that hold crafting supplies and add visual interest to the room.

My work space is a definite reflection of my love of color and an eclectic design style.

So there you have it, my little red desk and where I work!

Thanks for stopping by today. Make it a great week!

Best of Etsy: Stylish Desk Accessories

April 17, 2013

Since I spend so much time in my office, I feel the need to surround myself with pretty office accessories. Having an organized & stylish office space is not only necessary to fuel my creativity but it also spurs me to keep my small space organized and tidy. There are a few essential elements I think every office space needs like a desk lamp and desk chair and beyond that there are some really stylish pieces that I think every office could use. Today I’ve rounded up some of my favorite inspirational office spaces and a handful of adorable office accessories I found on Etsy.

Check it out….be inspired and then get back to work, in style!

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I love the simplicity of the space. The striped rug adds just enough pattern to keep the space interesting and that mirror is a definite style statement.

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I love the idea of a hanging light over the desk and the bold color that is balanced against an all white space.

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So much to love about this space. Why go with a brown wood desk when you the color pink exist? And that animal print bulletin boards is so stylish.

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Upgrading a simple metal file cabinet is just a few paint strokes away.

Stained Glass Business Holder and Pencil Cup

Patterned Desk Tray

Paris Pencil Collection

Personalized Chevron Mouse Pad

Designer Clipboard with Zebras

Chevron Letter Holder

Framed Bulletin Board

You might also find inspiration for your office space here and here!

Cuttin’ a Rug

February 20, 2013

Good Day everyone! I’ve been MIA for the last two days due to my schedule which got a bit over-loaded. I’ve got things back on track and wanted to pop in today and share one of my favorite product resources with you.

In the midst of working on a design plan for a client, which calls for a number of rugs, I came across some real beauties! Rugs have come a long way from low pile, flat weave, uninteresting designs to looks like this that will make a room come to life. All of these rugs are available from one of my favorite rug sources, RugsUSA.com which offers great prices, great service and great delivery.

If you are in the market for a rug you should check out these rugs or the hundreds of others available at RugsUSA.com! Oh, and did I forget to mention that they have a slew of rugs 50% during the month of February!

Happy Shopping!

Rugs USA Quinta Moderno Trellis Ash Rug–Great in a living/family room, home office or bedroom!

Rugs USA Satara Moroccan Inspire Grey Rug–Love this look for an office or dining room.

Rugs USA Plymouth Grove Slate Rug–This would look great in a bedroom or could even be fun in a sophisticated nursery.

Rugs USA Moderna Dynasty Charcoal Rug–A fun rug for a living room or dining room.

Safavieh Wyndham WYD374 Blue Rug–Love this for a bedroom, breakfast area or foyer.

Safavieh Wyndham WYD372 Blue Rug–A beautiful choice for a bedroom, home office or girls room.

Rugs USA Kilim Trellis Green Rug–This classic style will work in just about any room of the house.

Rugs USA Marquis Chevron Natural Rug–So loving this for a study, office or large bathroom.

Rugs USA Fergana Acantha Floral Brown Rug–A whimsical and fun rug for a sun porch, keeping room or office.

Rugs USA Santa Ana Verden Ikat Navy Rug–A classic Ikat that would look great in a dining room or living room.

{This is not a sponsored post, just me sharing one of my favorite design resources! }

The Fashion and Function of Settees

July 11, 2012

One of my favorite pieces of furniture is the Settee. Not only are Settees the fashionable but they provide function in so many home decor applications.

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The Settee is a perfect option for seating at the foot of a bed. Because they are larger in scale than a chair they balance the weight of a bed and add visual impact within a bedroom.

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I love the idea of a Settee in a library or reading room. It provides the perfect spot for lounging solo or sitting with someone special while reading.

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As an accent in a living room, Settees provide additional seating without overpowering a space.

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Tucked in front of a mirror in a bedroom, hallway or pass through, a Settee adds the charm. And, the Settee is the perfect piece of furniture upholstered in a statement piece of fabric.

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Replacing what would in most cases be a piece of furniture, a Settee keeps the space at the end of a foyer open and airy!

via Amie Corley Design

Tucked into those often neglected alcoves, a Settee makes this space come alive and purposeful!

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Even in a more contemporary styled room, a Settee can make a statement and complete the look. I love the curved details of this Settee amongst all the square and rectangular pieces.

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One of my favorite applications for Settees is as an alternative to dining chairs. This dining space is so much more intimate and cozy with twin Settees.

Image via Good Bones, Great Pieces book by mother, daughter author team Suzanne and Lauren McGrath! Available here!

In small rooms the Settee is a great alternative to a traditional sofa or grouping of chairs.

If you’re looking to make changes in your decor or need to save on space, a Settee is a very practical and stylish option!

Thanks for stopping by today!

If you’d like help creating a home you absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my local design services or my Door-to-Door e-design service!

PB Teen–Not Just for Teenagers!

July 9, 2012

I hope you had a great weekend. I was able to get a little thrift shopping in but was slowed down by the pinched nerve in my neck with is causing numbness in my right (writing, do-everything) hand! I start physical therapy this week so I’m hoping that will solve the issue! Wish me luck!

One of the other things I did this weekend was catch up on some magazine reading and while flipping through the latest issue of House Beautiful, a PBTeen lampshade caught my eye. It intrigued me enough that I immediately headed over the PBTeen website to see what other things they had to offer.

After spending some time on their site, I was amazed at how many cool things they had that were not only appropriate for a teenager, but also great for someone like me who is about to celebrate her 21st wedding anniversary this week!

Here’s what caught my attention:

Wood And Wire Wall Multi Basket

Wood and Wire Wall Basket–Great for storing magazines or paperwork in the office. I love the industrial feel it has and the numbers give it some added style. $99.00

Scroll Border Mirror

Scroll Border Mirror–This would look great as part of wall gallery wall display. I love the slightly distressed finish and the beautiful teal color! $98.99 On Sale.

Bone Frames

Bone Frames–So great looking. The ethnic patterns and color combinations are so on trend right now. What a great way to add a splash of pattern and color to a tabletop vignette. $24.99 to $28.99 On Sale.

Braided Shade

Braided Lampshade–This is a super chic lampshade for a teen store. I love the rope trim detail! $38.99 On Sale. I just might have to pick one of these up!

Teardrop Chandelier

Crystal Teardrop Chandelier–Stunning! A great piece over a bathtub, vanity or in your home office. $109.00 On Sale!

Ruffle Rings Shower Curtain Rugby Stripe Shower Curtain

Shower Curtains–Loving their collection of stylish shower curtains. $38.99 to 69.50

Kaleidoscope Kilim Rug–Love, Love, Love the colors, pattern and texture. $169.00 to $699.00

Furlicious Desk Chair–Ok, I just lost it when I saw this chair. So fabulous and a great buy at only $299.00. This baby may end up on my Christmas List!

The Ooh La La Swivel Chair was my other favorite. How great would this look in a girly office or craft space. $238.99 (for lime green) $349.00 for other colors!

So I know I’ve got you ready to hop in your car and head to the closet PB Teen store.

First one there wins!

Happy Shopping!

Room(s) of The Week

March 23, 2012

Since most of the country is having unseasonably warm weather now, I know that many of you have your outdoor living spaces on your mind. During the warmer months, I love nothing more than to spend time outside with a glass of tea and a stack of magazines. And, I especially love it when the outdoor space I’m in has as much style and flair as an interior room. Check out these fabulous outdoor spaces and a few tips I have on making the most of yours!

I love the idea of using outdoor furniture styles that look as though they are meant for the inside. No longer do you just have to settle for wicker or wicker-like furniture for your outdoor space. This space is stylish, elegant and oozes of comfort.

Look for weather resistant metal tables or how about outfitting a round fire pit with a wood or metal top to create a table. When the fire pit is needed just remove the top and you have instant ambience.
Check on-line specialty stores like Bellacor.com which offers a great selection of outdoor table and floor lamps which have all the style and quality of indoor lighting.
Go bold and bright with your pillows. There’s not better way to energize an outdoor space than with fun and vibrant pillows. I love the selection of indoor/outdoor fabrics from Calico Corners (just a sampling in the photo below).

via Calico Corners

I love the cheery feel that this small but impactful outdoor space has. Bright colors, lots of flowers and a mix of textures add to the personality of this space.

When it comes to flower pots and containers, mix and match. Use a variety of colors, mix metal with ceramic and add pieces with detail.
Garden Stools are one of my favorite outdoor pieces. Not only are they practical but there are so many styles and colors to choose from. Two of my favorite sources for stools are Wisteria and Home Decor Direct. And here are a few of my favorite styles…

Turquoise Cane Pattern Garden Stool–Home Decor Direct

Carved Stool–Wisteria

And finally, every outdoor space needs a beautiful serving tray. I’m loving the large acrylic tray (monogram available) from The Zhush!

Monogrammed Acrylic Trays - Large

And while you’re at it, add in a set of these “oh so cute” acrylic gingham plaid Salad Servers to serve up your spring salad. Also available from The Zhush.

Country Gingham Salad Servers

Now’s the perfect time to take advantage of the warm weather and get your outdoor space together, just in time for the weekend!

Craft and Hobby Spaces

April 29, 2011

As a crafter and DIY girl, I am always on the look out for unique craft and hobby work spaces that will inspire me, along with decorating and organizing ideas that I can incorporate into my space.

One of my first sources of inspiration is the magazine Where Women Create. When I first stumbled upon this publication I couldn’t believe someone had created a magazine to showcase the creative spaces of women all over the world. Created by Jo Packham, Where Women Create gives you an insider view of “the inspiring work spaces of extraordinary women.”

The publication is filled with beautiful images and stories from the artist, about their work and the creative spaces they call home. Here’s a look at some of my favorite creative spaces:

I love this all white space, with pops of color infused to give it some creative personality.

via home-designing

The oversized letters and bold yellow chair immediately awake my creativity.

via makebelievemartha

It’s always great to incorporate a lounge chair into a creative space, so flipping through magazines, books or fabric stacks is a bit more comforting.

Nest Pretty Things via home designing

via home-designing

I love that color and pattern were used in unexpected places in this space. The turquoise desk top is beautiful and the floral print used to frame the back of the bookshelves adds interest without overwhelming the space. And, that red pendant light is to die for!

via home-designing

Even a small space can be turned into a beautiful craft area. Here, a closet was outfitted with lots of great storage containers. The orange boxes make the fun and the clear bins help to visually enlarge the space.

via BHG

My dream craft space will incorporate an island as a work surface.

via Where Women Create

via apartment therapy

Love the hanging bar for fabrics!

via BHG

via she likes cute

So feminine and pretty. I adore the ruffle chair cover for the desk chair and the mix of storage boxes and bins. Left over wallpaper, gift wrap or fabric and great options for covering plain storage pieces.

via BHG

via ashley brooke designs

How fun is this space? Style mixed with crafts, what’s better than that!

via frundy

If you’re looking for clever ways to store some of your crafting supplies, here are a few photos that may help.

Inexpensive tension rods, used for curtains provide a great storage solution for ribbon spools.

via she likes cute

Decorative vanity jars are great for holding pencils, scissors and other craft utensils. And I love the blue tray, which makes it easy to clear the desk surface when extra space is needed.

via BHG

Galvanized buckets hung from wire are stylish and rustic at the same time.

via BHG

Have you ever thought about using a wine rack as supply storage? Add glass or plastic cups and you’ve got a great look.

via BHG

And of course, no post about incredible crafting spaces would be complete without images of the “queen of crafting” work space, Martha Stewart. Martha uses here attic space as her craft room and incorporated cabinets and work surface all around the perimeter of the room.

Simple, beautiful and incredibly organized, like everything Martha does!

image above and below via martha stewart

With all this craft and office space inspiration I’ve looked at lately, I decided to make a few decorative clip boards to dress up my space.

Not only will the clipboards help me stay organized, but I love how the mix of patterns give my space an eclectic vibe. I’m in the process of making more stylish clipboards, which will be for sell on my Etsy site, which I plan to launch next month. Stay tuned.

Do you have a craft or hobby room? And, what do you love to craft?

Come back tomorrow to check out a few crafting projects I’ve been busy with.

Have a great weekend!