The Finished Closet

Resources:

Decorative boxes and bins: Home Goods (all under $10/ea)

Teddy Bears: Sentimental gifts from a dear old friend.

Closet Detail #1: The quote

"When in doubt, wear Red"

Taping words and carbon paper

2) Using your computer, type quote or poem on text document and enlarge to appropriate

3) Use outline function and print out.

4) Measure and tape quote onto wall.

5) Using regular old carbon paper, tape strip underneath quote ensuring all the letters in quote are covered.

6) Using pencil or pen, outline letters checking to ensure you can see the letters on the wall.

7) Fill in using fine or medium point paint pens.

Closet Detail #2: Faux Lead Chest

Little old wooden nightstand

Pat yourself on the back when you compare to the actual zinc nightstand below: $1800 at RH!

Remember the Before?  Yuck!! Classic example of “Cobbler’s children having no shoes”. Of course, shoes were not the issue – plenty of shoes! Just never had time to organize them.  But, lucky me, I have an uber-organized and creative friend, Beth, who was willing to drive 100 miles to help me out.  Her own closet is “The Bomb”.  She purged, painted and pointed me in the right direction in my closet – which looked like a bomb went off in it!   Beth, also a psychologist, claims that “an organized closet equals an organized mind” or something like that.  At any rate, it surely gets your day off right when you can find something to wear quickly and efficiently. Sadly, not sure if my mind will ever be organized.  But who cares as long as my life and closet are!

...After

 After:  C’est Magnifique! 

 And Beth had some great pointers when trying to determine which items to donate and which to keep.  Ask yourself the following three questions:

1)  Does it fit?   2) Do I love it?   3) Does it portray the image I wish to project?

Sound like simple questions, right?  But easier said than done, so I would recommend having a box for “undecideds”.  Label with the date and toss out a year from now if you don’t go into it.  Because…see my answers to Beth’s questions below:

1) Me: ”Well, it doesn’t fit now, but surely it will in a month or two.  And even if it doesn’t fit until it’s way out-of-style I might need it for a retro-party.”  Beth: ”Okay if you lose that weight you’re going to want to celebrate with new clothes.  And go to the Goodwill to buy retro clothes.”  Note:  which is exactly what I did when we were invited to a good friend’s birthday “Nerd” Party!  Beth was right!

2) Me: “Well, I don’t really love the way I look in it anymore, but someone I love gave it to me and I love the memories associated with it.”  Beth: “Take a photo of you in it or turn it into a decor item.”  Note: which is exactly what I did with an old sweater – made a great hobo bag.  Beth was right!

3) Me:  “Well, I’m not sure which image I want to project:  mother?  wife? grandmother? decorina? dog-lady? bag-lady?  Beth: “You want to portray a professional, casual yet chic, creative individual who is confident and going places – and looks ten years younger.  Beth is right!

This Decorina has a closet that hasn’t been Madeover, Redesigned, Decorated or Organized in….well, never.  So, this blog is going to be about the upcoming makeover of MY closet. 

Before.....

...and another before

And here is the before.  I know, scary isn’t it?  And I thought I was reasonably organized.  After all, I have a rack for my belts - and they hang there most of the time.  And I have shelves for my t-shirts and jeans and bins for my undies –  and they stay in there most of the time, too.  But those independent shoes just keep jumping out of their garages – well carports.  And sometimes I wonder if my clothes make me look fat on purpose because they’re just unhappy?!

And I do believe with all of my heart – and experience – that this closet can be better!  Maybe not bigger at this time (until a kid moves out and I can bogart their room to expand my adjoining closet) but more functional, more flattering to my clothing (therefore, me) and more fun to hang out in and peruse my happier (ie. more slenderizing) wardrobe.  Here are the steps (from www.onlineorganizing.com)  that closet organizing professionals suggest you take and is, happily, also the pattern I use for redesigning other rooms, too!

1)  Remove EVERYTHING from closet.  It would be a good idea to borrow a hanging rack, because this may not be a one-day job.

2) Clean out the accumulated dust and dirt.  Vacuum and clean the carpets if hasn’t been done in the last couple years.  Clean the shelving with degreaser or repaint with washable, low VOC,  high or low gloss water-based paint (you don’t want VOC fumes in a small place).

3) I would recommend you paint the walls a skin-flattering color (I like warm colors,  peach on up to merlot) – or use an interesting wallcovering. 

4) Hang an interesting pendant light…or even a crystal chandelier (IKEA has one for only $39.99!).  Make sure it will give you ample light to see in all the dark corners.

5) Layer an area rug (even if you have carpeting) in a fun “go-with-anything” print like zebra, leopard, stripe or shag)

6) Sort your clothing into the following piles: a) keep, b) repair, c) giveaway, d) throwaway, e) move to another room.

7) Sort the “keeps” into categories:  skirts, slacks, jeans, t-shirts, blouses, accessories, etc.

Replace clothing, by category, on matching hangers all facing in same direction.

9) Shop your house (or the thrift store) for coordinating boxes, baskets, trays, hooks and anything that can hold your belts, scarves, etc.

10) Hang a fancy mirror for you to admire your lovely self in your ecstatic clothing!  Voila, you’ll look tres chic, dahling!

Okay, now go for it!  We’ll compare results next week.  See you then!

“ Sleigh beds bring – are you listening – wasted space for your living….”  Okay, I know those are cringe-worthy lyrics, not to mention the fact this is the second blog posting in a row with music notes.  But my point is that while sleigh beds rock (pun intended), they are too large for a small bedroom.    

I know this from personal experience. My daughter who lives in a closet-sized flat, just steps from the ocean in Manhattan Beach, has a sleigh bed.  My stepson also has a sleigh bed in his not-so-closet-sized bedroom, sharing space with a chest, a desk, a bookcase, a rocking chair and an ocean of sound recording equipment.      

Do they love their beds?  Absolutely!   Yet neither kid can move from Point A to Point B without bruising a shin…or worse.    

The typical queen-sized sleigh bed uses up a valuable 12 extra square feet of bedroom real estate…without a bit of guilt.  Now I’m not recommending immediately posting the beloved bed on Craigslist, but how about storing it until a larger bedroom manifests?  Check out the photos before sleigh bed…and after sleigh bed.  LOTS more room and no more bruises!   

Before....

...After

...Great Seating

This teenager had absolutely no room to spread out and play his favorite video games…no room for friends…and definitely not conducive to keeping the bed tidy, much to mother’s chagrin.  By dismantling the bed for the time being (until first apartment?) and putting mattress and boxspring directly on the floor you have created a right-height seating area fit for Super Mario himself.  A coordinating fitted  sheet to the box spring makes it look more pulled together.  And the addition of comfy pillows to lean against or throw at each other make this a much more sophisticated space.  Not visible is the red leather combo stool/nightstand with storage inside which will be valuable addition for a future dorm room.    

Before...

...After

  His younger sister had a similar problem: too much furniture in too little space.  Dismantling her bed proved to be a good answer as well as relocating large bookcase, along with toys, to a little-used guest room.  Now both mother and daughter share a “crafty” room with space for a work table, mom’s scrapbooking paraphernalia, daughter’s art projects, and bonding playtime together!    

Now if only MY  kids would listen to me, their lives would be bruise-free, too…well, physically at least.  c-:

Ahhhh….the Beach Boys had it right!  Don’t you wish you could go back to the lazy days of childhood – in your room - when every day was an adventure waiting to happen,  just an overhanging tree limb away?  When you couldn’t wait to grow up and be the singer in the ol’ 45 playing on your record player…or marry one!  When the biggest responsibility you had was to finish your homework…and maybe vacuum your rug?

Before....

7-yr-old Katie’s room is just such a place…only now it’s “Ipod” instead of “records” – and maybe cactus growing

...and after

outside her window since this is Arizona.  But her dreams are the same.  And what better place to indulge in them than this adorable room.   Every little girl loves pink, but the black and white touches give it sophisticated styling that will grow with her through teenhood with few minor changes.

Draperies (only $7/panel) pulled back with floral hair ties add softness to the unadorned windows.  Opened for weekend sleepovers (and visits from Grandma), the trundle bed is piled high with cushy pillows for “Princess and the Pea” daydreams and “Sleeping Beauty” nighttime comfort.

In the “before” photo, the furniture was lined up against the walls.  But pulling some pieces out and creating zones for the different activities – sleeping, reading, playing, art and homework – makes the room much more functional.  Note the dollhouse/bookcase, now at an angle providing a cozy reading nook.  The backside of the bookcase, now covered with corkboard, showcases Katie’s masterpieces and is adjacent to her artists’ easel and desk.

Katie’s parents lovingly donated the master bedroom to better accommodate her growing list of “stuff”.  Now don’t you feel like Scrooge, relegating your little darlings to the small rooms??

 If you are one of those people who could not possibly use anything that someone else has already used, STOP RIGHT HERE…this particular blog posting is not for you!  My son is one of those people.  Happily for him he is also a Minimalist, because his college budget could never accommodate more than a small fraction of what I would need to survive as a student these days.        

But if you are one who recognizes that once something is used just once, it is secondhand, then thrift shopping is for you!  Plus thrift stores and garage sales often offer brand new stuff with the tags still attached!  It just makes sense in this economy to make your dollars stretch.        

I love a good hunt and the only weapon my safaris require is an Open Mind.  Because you will never find exactly what you THINK you are looking for at a Garage Sale or a Thrift Store.  But you probably WILL find something better and stretch your creative muscle into the bargain.  Here are some thrifty finds that ended up being just what the Designer ordered:        

This hanging pendant light (left)  had been overlooked during a busy 1/2 price sale at at the Goodwill.  Pretty ugly, huh?  But look at what can be done with a little thinking outside the box.  First, separate the pieces  – some creative destruction is in order. The lampshade adds Olde World charm - and new life – to the basket lamp atop this treasured Singer sewing machine (click on photo to see in its full glory).    And the red plastic fixture inside was perfect over a modern table in a daughter’s first apartment.  Extra bang for the buck (well, $2.50, if you must know….)       

Before…

For quite a while I had been looking for a sweet little “Frenchy” chair to go into my guest room (which already had Parisian styling per a daughter who spent six months studying in – guess where – Paris!)  And my creative side (undiagnosed ADD?) means I am not the most patient

...and After

person in the world – including in my own house.  So…off to the Goodwill, where I found a $7.00 metal “bentwood” chair and  decided to do un petit makeover using spray paint, an old needlepoint pillow I already had, fringe from an old pillow (another GW find), beads from W-M, and the final touch…. some silk roses from an old garland. Voila!!   Tres chic, oui?     

Is that a French guitar??

The story doesn’t end there.  Alas, if I had been a little more patient, I would have waited until we found this little darling (on the left) at a garage sale.  The tag actually read “$10.00, but when my husband and I murmured the price (thinking “how cheap”), the owner offered it to us for $3.00!!  Oh well…if you insist!

Paraphrasing Edith Wharton, a pet is…   

“…the heartbeat at my feet”…  

…ohhh, how we love our Furry friends!    

But what do we do about the fur, the hair, the scratching, the licking, the litterbox, the extra dirt?  I even have a friend whose cat chronically sneezed…all over the walls!  Granted, it’s probably a small price to pay for the unconditional affection they offer… well, maybe I’m not completely convinced about unconditional cat affection, but work with me here, ok?    

Feline matters aside, here are some designerly tips for creating less work for us and more time to play with our hirsute hobnobbers.  

The Muddy Mutt

Paint:  Washable!  Even the lowest sheen and flat paints are more scrubbable now, but purchase good quality paints.  And low VOC (volatile organic chemical) products will be safer for both you and your pets.  

Flooring:  I currently have Mexican saltillo tiles, installed upside down with matte sealer.  This shows nothing – except maybe the occasional furry dust balls (which tells me it’s time to vacuum).  Plus, my old canine pal Spot (see above) loves the way it keeps him cool, especially during our hot Arizona summers.  Ceramic, porcelain and even travertine can work equally well.  Avoid anything very light, very dark or very shiny (shows pawprints).  Try to choose a matte finish (or honed if stone).  Doggy toenails can scratch hardwood floors, but in my opinion this makes them look like real wood instead of laminate (though I must admit some people love their laminates and supposedly they don’t scratch as easily).  Bamboo is another good choice…and “green”, to boot!  

Paddington & Bigi

Carpeting:  Okay, some people must have some carpeting (me included…at least in my bedroom).   Avoid loops!  I have a very cool sisal-looking nylon (Stainmaster) broadloom carpet in my bedroom.  And I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time on my knees with manicure scissors, clipping fibers loosened by playful puppy Paddington’s razor-sharp toenails (shown right wrestling with visiting Biji).  

Furniture:  Slipcovers are a great choice, preferably in a color that matches your pooch or kitty.  A sturdy canvas or cotton can be thrown in the washer and dryer.  Slipcovers can be found in all shapes and sizes…to cover grandma’s fragile needlepoint dining chairs, hubby’s recliner (probably needs covering anyway), that old but comfy sofa, even headboards.  Or recover in a pet-friendly fabric (see below).  Try to choose fabric without a nap for chronic lickers. Leather can actually be a good choice, though I saw a couple of leather club chairs following a bout with a couple of naughty kittens…looking like they had been dragged through the cactus.  Rubbing with distilled water can make the scratches less noticeable.  If purchasing new leather furniture, be sure it’s analine-dyed, meaning the color goes all the way through the leather, not just on the surface.  

Fabrics:  Microfibers are extremely easy to clean with a little soap and water.  The fibers are woven so tightly that little soil can creep into the fabric and hold up better to scratching.  Now available in hundreds of patterns (even animal prints), textures (even stamped suedes).  You can use microfiber fabric for upholstery, bedding, pillows…you name it.  And if you choose a busy pattern or same colors as pet, you can hide most of the hair until you get around to vacuuming.   

Another good fabric is Crypton.  Originally produced for nursing homes, Crypton offers permanent stain, moisture, mildew, bacteria and odor-resistant protection.  It also comes in a profusion of patterns and colors and now there’s even a pet product line.  Check it out at www.cryptonfabric.com.  

And about that Litter Box!  Think small “cat” door installed into “people” door leading to favorite litter room (keeps out pooches and you can leave door closed). Laundry rooms are popular spots, but some cats are put off by the w/d noises.  A broom closet,  little-used bathroom (I know someone who puts box in shower) or mudroom is another good choice.  Experts say clean litter box 2x/day to keep finicky kitties happy and eliminate odors (and cats prefer unscented litters, so keep a deodorizer handy).  

Most importantly, just remember your priorities…is it a perfectly spotless house or is it peace of mind and a perfectly happy pet?  

Now, about that dead mouse left in my office…..

Sentimentality reigns supreme in my world, so it’s difficult to limit myself to one favorite piece of furniture residing in my home.

Singer Sewing Machine

Perhaps it’s the old Singer sewing machine that I inherited from my maternal grandmother.  The oak cabinet has had several incarnations since I’ve owned it:  end table, game table, TV console, plant stand and currently… a nightstand in my master bedroom (the lamp was made by my crafty mother from a basket – and the funky shade is another story for another time).  The sewing machine used to sit in the tower room of the Queen Anne home of my grandparents in Spokane, Washington.  I remember Nana diligently working that treadle back and forth, conjuring up fabric fantasies for my Barbies, her beautiful white hair glowing like a halo against the small task light.  Once when I was a teenager I convinced her to make matching outfits for my date and me…Sadie Hawkins style…poor guy, whatever his name was.

Seafarer's Chest(?)

Or…maybe it’s the wooden seafarer’s trunk, currently in my office.  Bought in Tucson (for maybe 20 bucks) in the early 80s when I used to be an avid junk shopper.  It is one piece I always take with me whenever I move.  Its origin is a mystery, but someone suggested it was 1/2 of an old seafarers trunk.  Approx. 20″ wide x 36″ tall, it has ten drawers and we added a couple of shelves.

In the early 80s it held a plethora of antiquey cooking tools in my oh-so-country-style kitchen.  Later, during my apartment days, it was a kitchen spice rack, cookbook holder, bathroom medicine cabinet, plant stand and jewelry chest.  In our current house it first held bath/spa accoutrements, then sat at the homework station holding school “stuff’”.  I have recently reclaimed it and the chest now proudly sits at my desk holding designerly knick-knacks:  markers, pencils, brushes, sketch pads, paint decks along with photo frames and office necessities.

Stuart

Or…possibly it’s my favorite step-son who is an almost-permanent fixture at his computer. Only comes out for brief feedings and trips to class.  I probably wouldn’t get rid of him either.

Whatever your favorite piece, I hope you’ll find a spot for it in your home…no matter what your current style is.  Love and sentimentality never go out of date.

According to NPR, the size of our houses have nearly doubled since the 1950s.  Maybe…but if so why don’t we have adequate room to store all the ”important” stuff we have accumulated over the years or enough space for our daily activities? 

Interior real estate is entirely too valuable to be spent on spaces that aren’t used on a regular basis.  It’s time to rethink the purpose of your rooms!  My mother used her living room for bridge parties and garden club meetings. When was the last time you played bridge?  I thought so…me, too.  But I do read a lot and have accumulated an eclectic collection of books (including not a few decorating volumes), so a library made more sense for me.  A few comfy chairs accommodate occasional book club meetings, girlie get-togethers and have even hosted a few of my guitar-playing hubby’s jam sessions.

An infrequently used (holidays only) dining room makes a wonderful home office…or (dare I say it) pool room.  Or here’s your chance to repurpose that extra small bedroom into a closet that would delight a movie star!  Take a look at the picture above.

This client (below) had the right idea when she decided to forgo a formal living room to create a home office for her own use, as well for that of her two young kids.   Unfortunately, the placement put it smack dab in line of sight of the front door.  Now I’ve heard rumors of busy moms who keep their offices tidy 24/7, but personally I group such tales in with alien abductions and Elvis sightings.  This “Reality Bites” view was not what she wanted visitors to be greeted with when she opened her door.  The solution, in this case, was to swap the office with the dining room (which is easy to keep tidy, especially if it’s only used occasionally). 

Check out the before/during and after…now there’s a view worthy of company.  Plus she didn’t spend any money on new furnishings…all it took was a little “Makeover Magic”!

Before

During

“The past is a good place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live there”- Anonymous.

December is almost gone, along with the  fun, chaos and Holiday decorating.  Hopefully, you enjoyed it while it lasted, but after you box up the lights, trimmings and holiday candles, it’ll be a New Year and a new decade – the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate your decor. These simple tips will give your home the panache it deserves without breaking your holiday-depleted bank.

Color Trends

 #1 COLOR: Is your color palette mired in the 90s…or heaven forbid, the 80s? The good news – wait long enough, you’ll be back in style (think avocado). The bad news – it may take years! Whether you’re yearning for the softer colors of gentler times, the exotic hues of the Far East, or a little understated elegance, there’s a paint palette just for you. Check out local paint stores or websites for inspiration. For a gentler transition, introduce new colors via artwork, accessories or a dramatic throw for that neutral sofa. 

#2 PLANTS:  

Replace those scruffy silks with some healthful live plants. One every 500 sq. feet or so will purify your air of toxins and pollutants. If you’re a part-time resident, keep your windows open and purchase desert-specific faux plants: succulents, grasses, palms. A hint – there’s no ivy in the desert!

    #3 EMBRACE ECLECTIC:  Matchy-Matchy is out, personal expression is in. Try redistributing matching furnishings to different parts of the house. Disparate items can blend harmoniously if they have a common theme that ties them together, such as scale, color, finish or shape.

 #4 FREE UP THE FURNITURE:  Do your sofas hug the walls, just the way Mom did it? Try floating the sofas and chairs to create an intimate conversation area, or angling them to face the TV. Anchor the grouping with a rug and you’re well on your way…well done, you!

 #5 REPURPOSE YOUR ROOMS:  Do you have a living room you never use? A bedroom that hasn’t seen a guest in years? How about a new library, pool room, or craft room? Make the most of your valuable real estate!

 Dump that dated décor…it’s the New Year!