Laundry Room Refresh Reveal

When we first moved into our Charlotte house close to a year and a half ago there was one room that just didn't make sense, functionally. The laundry room. It's a strange shape, kind of L-esque,  with loads of underutilized space and a weird layout that doesn't allow for much flexibility. The previous owner had a side-by-side washer and dryer, but we choose a stacked version to allow for a small secondary refrigerator to be added to the space. 

There were always piles of laundry on the floor and stacked on the table, due to only having one laundry basket that we would haul upstairs a couple of times a week, as well as an oversized drying rack that limited the access to the sink, cabinets and fridge. In a nutshell, it worked but not well. 

Usually I would just shut the door and repeat my old mantra: "Someday we'll sort this space out. It's just a laundry room after all."

But, recently, something changed. I decided I didn't want to spend so much time in a space that really made my skin crawl, from both a functionality and aesthetic perspective. What's the point of suffering if you don't have to?  I was confident that I could improve the laundry room with a little research and not much money.

Here's how it came together...

Solving the functionality issues first, I added a sorting laundry hamper to keep the clothes off the floor while they wait to be cleaned and a wall mounted drying rack to eliminate the need for the oversized rack that took up way too much space in this tiny, ill shaped room. So simple I found myself wondering, as usual, why I hadn't thought of these solutions before. 

I could have easily stopped there, but what's the harm in making it pretty, too :)

You know where this is going already, don't you? A quick trip to my fave discount stores and I came home with an inexpensive print and rug to freshen up this ho-hum space. 

While I was prettifying the space, I reorganized the cabinets as well by adding some symmetry to shelves, a couple of baskets to hide the uglies and generally spifying up the place. By the way, we keep our wine in here too - is that weird? Haven't quite figured out the whole wine cellar thing just yet!

Pretty good for a day's work. 

Source List

Sorting Hamper - Container Store

Wall Mounted Drying Rack - Container Store

Baskets - Target, years ago, similar

Print - Marshalls

Rug - World Market

until next time,

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10 Min Re-org Project: The Mud Room

This past weekend we took the family skiing.  It was a super fun, albeit very trying at times, day that the whole family loved. But, what I didn't love was trying to find all our cold weather supplies. 

source

In an ideal world, I'd walk into my fully organized and very functional mudroom (like the one above), locate the designated closed storage area for said winter clothes and it would all be easy peasy. 

That's totally NOT what happened in our world. Instead, I walked into the mudroom we "created" last year with our existing wire shelving units and was appalled at the state of affairs within these walls. It seems as though someone not only forgot to stay organized, but also forgot to rotate for the seasons! The injustice of it all...

Here's where it starts to get good, instead of turning a blind eye to the chaos I ran out to HomeGoods and picked up a bunch of inexpensive baskets and got down and dirty in the mudroom - aka: cleaned and organized the pants out of that space.

Now each kid has a basket for their winter wear, the summer stuff has been relocated to the further shelving unit and corralled into their own baskets, and I have my sanity back. 

It's pretty simple really, but this article from Country Living certainly sums it up well. My favorite tip is #5: expect some clutter. Realizing that this is a mudroom behind a closed door goes a long way to helping keep my expectations in check. 

All I can do is provide a spot to put everything, hope for the best and check back weekly for a general cleanup. It's amazing what some baskets from HomeGoods can do for a girl's perspective. 

until next time, 

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It's Just a Couple of Shelves

Happy Monday, all! These weekends are flying by, aren't they? Especially when we carve out a small window to complete a long over due project like reorganizing our master bedroom closet. 

closet - before

Check out my closet in it's lovely before state. It's big, right? It feels big to me; actually the biggest closet I have had in probably 15 years - no lie. But, despite all the space, it was missing something - good organization.

closet - before

Shoes on the floor, sweaters overflowing, and loads of underutilized empty space. Truth be told, I didn't even think it was that bad, but when the mister asked if I might like some additional shelving to "get my stuff off the floor" it only took me a quick 2 seconds to say, yes indeedy.

closet - after

Check out my newly organized closet! Things to note, right off the bat, no more shoes on the floor and more organized shelving - thank you very much! What were before two wide shelves of shoes are now four skinny shelves, simply created by splitting the space with an additional shelf (or two). 

closet - after

By far the biggest change are the two new additional shelves in the old completely unused space above the hanging bar to the left of the closet. These two new shelves have allowed me to store less often used items like evening bags, scarves and luggage that used to take up prime space in the center shelving unit. My sweaters are much happier because of these new shelves. 

One last small change that can't go unnoticed are the new bracelet display bars. I remember seeing these at a friend's house many moons ago and thinking it was a great idea. Not sure why I waited so long to add them to my organizational system - because they are so functional and fabulous.

So, after only a couple of hours and less than a $100 I now have all my stuff off the floor! Seriously, you guys, I didn't do any of the work on this project, like none, but it looked so easy I am confident you could pull it off.  

Before hitting the publish button on this post, I asked John to proofread it for me - his reaction "It's just a couple of shelves". Hence the title of this post. So yeah, it's just a couple of shelves but I thought it was important enough to share because you really can update your home to work for you without a lot of effort. So, don't go running off to get a super expensive custom closet, when you can work with what you have. 

until next time, 

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10 Minute Re-org Project: Linen Closet

What is it with the new year and our mad obsession with clutter removal and organization? I really don't get it, but I do know that I fall prey to this sensation year after year. 

Southern Living

Especially when I see images as beautiful as these in the pages of Southern Living. This particular article shared storage solutions for small spaces. Like turning an unused cabinet into a linen closet. First, I'd love that cabinet. Come to mama…

Secondly, here are some tips I took away from the article:

1. dedicate one shelf per room.

2. color code per room/bed size. 

3. for a clean look, wrap your fitted sheets inside your flat sheet. 

sorry, this is the best I could do - it's a linen closet ya' know.

With the polar vortex keeping us all inside, I stole a quick 10 minutes to re-organize our linen closet - keeping the kid's sheets and towels on one shelf and the guest room and master bedroom to another. And of course, wrapping the fitted sheet into the flat sheet - such a genius idea! 

Who doesn't love a good 10 minute project? 

I wonder what else I can get organized while these cold temps hover…

until next time,

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Mom Cave Revisited

Remember when Mom Cave's where all the rage? Way back in 2010. Ours was one of my first big projects on the blog (check it out here). I even got a local TV spot feature. Pretty big stuff for this small time blogger.

Well, that was then. 

{Warning the next pictures could be the most unattractive and true to life that I have posted thus far - consider yourself officially warned.}

And, this is now. 

In truth, I never really used as much as I thought it would. I never blogged from the "desk" area. 

It became nothing more than a dumping ground for stuff. Sad, but true. 

Even as a dumping ground, it was getting out of control. Totally unorganized. Inefficient use of space. 

Bad, bad, bad. 

So, when my SIL, Linda, mentioned she was thinking of starting her own personal organization business and wanted to "test drive" her services, I was quick to offer this space for a trial run. I know, I am SO nice. And supportive. Clearly, doing this just to help her out. Not taking advantage at all :)

Check out everything that was removed from the space. Piles for garbage, recycling and donating. Linda was ruthless, in a good way. In a way that its often hard to be with your own things. 

I am eternally grateful. You are about to see why.

Newly organized shelves.

Newly cleared counters.

Newly organized cabinets - flower pots, vases, baskets, etc.

Decorative accessories and candles.

And my new favorite, the party cabinet. 

So, while this space may never be my dream Mom cave or blogging space, it's now a highly organized storage, staging, and wrapping station. 

Life. Reorganized. has transformed this space. Linda is truly a talent when it comes to organization. I know she will have a ton of success as a personal organizer and I am more than happy to provide space in my own home to let her practice. Again, so generous of me :)

If you live locally and would be interested in a free consultation from Life. Reorganized., please contact Linda via email by clicking here. 

Do it now before her time is booked up. Seriously, she is that good!

linking in with:

Met Monday

until next time, 

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Little Organizational Changes in the Kitchen

Colds, ear infections, crummy weather, and overnight babysitting for our nephews kept us home most of the weekend. Which is just fine by me, because I was finally able to tackle some of the much needed organizational projects in our kitchen. 

After realizing that the basket of toys under our DIY kitchen island was doing nothing other than creating lots of clutter in a small space, we decided to replace it with a storage basket for some of our bulkier pantry items. Onions, garlic, and potatoes seem happy enough here and the height of the basket has kept enquiring minds and curious hands at bay.

Speaking of the pantry, this is what we've been dealing with. A small, but deep space filled to the brim - to the point where it's hard to find what we're looking for. 

A quick and simple solution - make use of the vertical space. 

We used one set of expandable shelves (similar here), individually, on both the upper and lowest shelves. Infrequently used canned goods have found a new home in the back of the pantry with the more frequently used grains on the upper shelf. 

Clearly, this isn't rocket science. It's the little things - like being able to actually find and use your pantry items. Amazing.

Same goes with our spices cabinet.  No more lifting each jar to find what we're looking for. The tiered organizer is the perfect solution. (similar here)

Seriously, opening the cabinets and seeing this just make me happy - not much more I can ask for, is there?

Hope you had a great weekend!

linking in with:

Met Monday

Until next time, 

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Room re-jig, Organization, and Switcher-oo

What now seems like forever and a day ago, I painted a second dresser white and moved it into our bedroom to act as a bedside table. The change was a long time coming, not only because I had purchased the dresser quite awhile ago, but also because it took me FOREVER to convince Mr. DD of the merits the extra dresser would bring to the room. 

After all, let's face it, 4 dressers, a sweater chest and two built-in cupboards in one room does seem a bit like storage overkill. 

{Although, I would have to argue, can one ever really have enough storage?}

But, clearly, I won that battle. So, how did I do it? Well, I'll tell you...it all happened one faithful weekend when Mr. DD was out of town. I spent every free moment of said weekend re-arranging the bedroom. Dressers, closets, chests. You name it, I re-organized it. 

One of the biggest obstacles in this room is that bloomin' loveseat, which used to reside in the corner of the room.  While I love it for somethings, I don't for others, and sometimes I wouldn't mind chucking it out the window. But alas, it's staying and this is one of the only rooms big enough to accommodate it. 

The loveseat found a new home, in front of the radiator at the base of the window, which has freed up the corner for the antique English dresser.

This really was the only possible layout that didn't leave us with two dressers on one wall, which I think is safe to say, is not a good look. Fortunately, I am liking the cozy, layered feel that this new arrangement is giving the room. What a relief, because we were well and truly out of options. 

During this same weekend, I managed to switch cupboards with Mr. DD as well. I went from this, which quite frankly, is a serious disaster. 

To this. 

So much better. 

See, all the extra storage really is coming in handy. And no, I didn't fill his extra dresser, I just made better use of mine {two}. Of course, getting rid of the hanging closet organizer really helped {as did the now matching hangers}. Not sure what I'll do with my sweaters come winter, but in this 90+ degree heat it's easy to put that on the back burner for now. 

Anyway, now that the room is re-arranged and organized I can finally start in on the fun stuff. Like accessories. Most of the dresser tops are just place holders at the moment - I'm finding it incredibly difficult to accessorize a man's space. 

He's all like, what's this for? I don't need that. 

Since when is design about need anyway :)

But seriously, I have made a couple of changes to help our very well-loved {as in, worn out} loveseat along. The grey cashmere throw is one of my favorites and definitely had to make the trip up from the basement family room. I made the yellow and white pillow, from left over bedding and pinboard fabric, with my trusty envelope method. The other ikat pillow I found on etsy during a recent sale. 

Wow, this is a wordy post. Who knew I'd have so much to say about our bedroom switcher-oo?

until next time,

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The "I knew she'd do that" Project

Remember when I challenged myself to add a bit more color to my monochromatic bedroom? Remember when I was busy organizing my jewels? Remember my organizational inspiration post?

Well, I combined them all and finished a project that won't take anyone by surprise.

I took this boring, basic, brown jewelry box that has been residing in my closet for the last 8+ years and sprayed it to give it a new lease on life. And now, a prominent position in our bedroom. 

I'm not going to lie, my first instinct was to go white. Safe. 

But then, I thought white on white? No. My next thought was to go gray. But again, I felt I could go bolder. In the end, I went with a moss green. Then I paired it with another existing jewelry box. I love how it brings out the green in the venetian glass box as well. Double duty.

Not to mention how it highlights some of the mossy green tones in the shams. All in all, I'm diggin this little hit of color in my yellow and white bedroom. 

Keen observers will note that the pictures thus far of our bedroom have been on the other side of the room and the side shown here previously housed the antique English dresser. Fear not, I haven't gone and painted that other dresser without letting you know.

We're just trying out some other arrangements in the room. I'll let you know the details on that later, once we commit to something :)

Still on the look out for great lamps as well - wish me luck. 

Have a great weekend!

until next time, 

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It's not all glamorous around here

The other day I was skyping with my Mom. It was a day like any other: my toddler was hanging all over me and repeatedly saying,  'Momma, Momma, Momma' in that special tone that sounds strikingly similar to nails down a chalkboard. Meanwhile, baby E was teething and whining to make sure I knew about it. I picked her up to comfort her, she showed her appreciation by throwing up all down the front of me. I kept on talking. Mom started to laugh. 

She said, this is what your blog should really be about. 

{garage before}

Isn't that the truth? 

Reading these posts, you'd think that I just sit around making fancy food, rearranging my mantel, or playing in the garden all day. Well, let me assure you, it's not all glamorous around here. 

{garage before}

Take our big weekend project, for instance. The dreaded seasonal garage cleaning. Actually, I'm not sure why I said 'seasonal' as this is only the second time we have cleaned out the garage since we moved in, almost 3 years ago. 

{J.U.N.K.}

We're a one car family, with a two car garage. How did we manage to let it get this bad? How was it possible that I couldn't find the kiddie pool? I am sure I put it in here, somewhere. Why do we need to move 4 strollers out of the way just to get to the lawnmower? Enough is enough. 

{more junk, different angle}

Everything had to come out. At this point, a neighbor out walking his dog stopped by to see what was going on. He was in disbelief that we actually had all this stuff in the garage plus a car. 

Not sure this is something we should be proud of. 

{that's some serious dirt/dust/funk in the air}

We blew out the garage, we shop vac-ed the garage, we aired out the garage. {And by we, I am sure you know it was Mr. DD - that's not my gig.} It was nasty in there. 

We categorized the stuff, moved some things inside, put some stuff on the curb and threw out a lot. It was almost beginning to seem manageable again. 

Then, of course, came the time to put it all back in. Actually, this is the part that I like best. Have I mentioned that I'm a bit of an organizational freak?

Well, if I haven't. I am now. I like everything to have it's place, and for that place to make sense, at least to me. I've been known to stand in a room in silence, willing it to speak to me and tell me how to better use/organize the space. It doesn't always work. But sometimes, sometimes it does. And those are always good times.

Seriously, this back wall makes me a little giddy. Look at all those shelves - so beautifully organized. {Small happy dance.} Everything in it's place. Sigh.

We even left enough space for a little work bench. Happy days.

Instant gratification. That's what this project was. So happy to have it done. Now, onto something a bit more glamorous. 

until next time, 

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