How Do You New Year?

 I've had the same new year's resolution for three years running, and I finally did it this past year (slow down and enjoy the simpleness of life).  I kind of look at a resolution as a wish that you have control over, so for this year, I decided it was time to really ship shape up and get more orderly.  I'm not doing it because I need to (though I do), but I'm doing it because I want to (this is the key, don't you think?)

For me, I needed to organize my thoughts even more than actually organizing my surroundings.  I went super simple with my strategy--I jotted down everything that felt chaotic to me or that I felt wasn't as orderly as I would like it to be.  Each though went on a new card.  Then I made 4 columns--things to tackle right away (to give me some success), things to get to in the near future, things to do after my first 2 lists were done, and things accomplished.  I've been able to move a few things over to that last column and it felt awesome.  I'm such a visual person that a board like this helps me stay focused--you may be able to do the whole thing in one list if that works for you.

I conquered the daily paperwork/homework issue by turning my pantry into an office.  Remember my post about small office spaces?  Add this one to your bag of tricks:

My pantry, turned home office 

I couldn't indulge in the entire space, but because we don't have desk space in our kitchen I needed a spot to put the things we use every day.  I always use fun canisters and containers to hold colored pencils and markers because they're out all the time.  I like to choose pretty vessels and containers when I organize so I can enjoy them on a daily basis.  My files are held in the  vintage breadbox and I try to label things clearly so everyone in the family knows where to find things (and hopefully return them).

 Tomorrow I'll be posting about the rest of my resolution to live an orderly life--organizing my time to reflect my values.  Please weigh in with strategies you use to lick your home into shape.

Lookie--Another solution for a teeny tiny studio space

Before we turned our basement into a studio space, we were always looking for storage solutions to house all of our art supplies.  Someone in my family is constantly drawing or gluing or sewing something, so we desperately needed a place to stash everything. 

I was thrilled when I found this piece of furniture for $5 at a garage sale.  The man I bought it from honestly begged me to haul it away. (Sidenote:  I saw one just like this for free on KSL Classifieds this weekend!)  I looked past the honey oak, dated hardware and rose frosted mirror to see a solid piece of furniture with great bones.    

Before

Updating this piece wasn't hard, just took some elbow grease.  First I removed all the hardware and filled the holes with wood putty.  I also removed the mirror.  I sanded it down and used an antiquing kit to get the finish I liked (it was actually my test piece to see if I liked it enough to refinish my kitchen cupboards with it.  I loved it, but decided to go with ivory for my kitchen in the end).  When sanding, you don't need to take the color off, just rough up the wood (this piece took me about 15 minutes of sanding).  

I followed the instructions on the box for the antiquing kit, which turned out great, but I have to admit, wasn't any better than the classic coats of paint and topcoat you'd typically put on.  If you're not a big painter, the kit isn't a bad option and includes everything you need for the project.  

I ordered the hardware from ebay--a great resource for discount high end hardware.  I chose to go with 2 different styles for variety.  I also cut down a corkboard to fit the back and covered it with one of my favorite fabrics for a quick place to post notes.  The cubby is the perfect size for a laptop and folds down to a desk.

 

 After

I was really happy with the results and the massive amount of space it provided, while still fitting in with the rest of the furniture in the room.

Sometimes adding another piece of furniture isn't even an option, and then you have to get really creative.  One solution that has worked great for me is to use my kitchen pantry (the one that holds fruit snacks and jello boxes) as a storage space.  It's in a fantastic location so close to your kitchen table, and lets you work and put things away so easily.  

I shifted some of our food to other cupboards and put some of it on a shelf in glass containers.  This left the space for things we use all the time like my sewing machine or the kids colored pencils.  Of course, I don't keep everything in here, but for me it has been a lifesaver for the tools and supplies we use on a daily basis.

I'd love to hear your storage solutions--please comment to share how you use your workspace and how you've managed to carve some from a small living space!

A Peek into my Studio

This is the first house I've had an entire room to myself to just be creative.  I consider myself really lucky, but I've used the same concept when I have been more limited on space.  In the past, I've just pared down the space to the corner of a room, inside dresser drawers, a closet, or under a bed.  I've also found garage space to do the trick.

The bookshelves were among our first pieces of furniture 

purchased over a dozen years ago.  I lined the back with 

fabric I just tacked on.

This room is completely furnished with pieces I didn't need anywhere else in the house.  They mix and match perfectly to create lots of usable storage and workspace.

This dresser migrated from my son's room and was topped

with a hutch that my friend Electa gave to me.  

As you can see, I've used every square inch.  I try to balance my space with aesthetic decisions (displaying my bags, clear glass jars with buttons, etc.) and practical solutions.  There is nothing in this room that is purely decorative.  It doesn't pass the test unless it's functional, too.  Even my "art" is inspiration boards for rooms I'm designing.

 

I pick up wooden and metal crates whenever I see them.

They fill in great for storage and can fit into most spaces.

The opposite wall (not pictured) is mounted with metal storage

crates for shelving used for my files, sewing basket and supplies.

After years of collecting unique bits and pieces of things, I have a pretty playful collection of trimmings and embellishments.  Some things I always keep my eye open for are vintage ribbon, lace, anything with lettering, fabric scraps, great paper, buttons, sewing notions, old books, small metal bits--really anything vintage.  When I find these pieces, I don't usually have a plan for them, but when I'm working on a project and need "some texture" or "more color" or "something old" and I just go dive into my drawers and baskets and pull out something.  I don't usually have to buy much of anything when I make a project--I just use what I have.

Clipboard Wall

When I have a lot of projects going on, they seem to pile up around me.  I usually tend to have several projects going on simultaneously, and I like to see them at a glance, without taking up any counter space.  Solution found:  a Clipboard Wall.  Each project (ideas for sewing, furniture projects, notes on school projects...) gets its own clipboard.

I hang mine going down the stairs to my studio.  It gives me a quick inspiration and reminder of my projects, without cluttering up my living space. The best part: it's super easy and inexpensive.  Use any clipboards you like (I chose vintage wooden ones) and just hang them on nails.  Wa-laa.

Look at that--empty clipboards.  I must need more projects!