Wanna see my linen closet?

Yes, I know I started the summer with the idea that re-doing a space in your home to be something other than what it was originally designed for is possible.  And we will get back to that.  The only defense I have for not posting the re-do yet is, well, Summer happened.
In the meantime, I'd like to share a couple shots of my tiny linen closet with you.

Top shelf: Seasonal stuff.  Harder to reach and out of my way.

Quilts, Beach towels, and Tissue boxes.

Next shelf: Twin sheet sets.  Folded and placed into the pillow case for the set and stacked like little library books.  On the far right, mattress covers rolled into burritos to fit all on the twin shelf.

Shelf #3: Lots of containers needed! Baskets for hand towels and wash cloths on the far left.

Big bin of pillow cases front and center. Guest bed linens (stacked like a book again) on the far right.

Shelf #4: Bath rugs, Basket of Holiday hand towels, and bath towels.

Bottom shelf: Close up of my lovely Placemats.  I can never remember how many are in each set, so I stacked them and clipped a clothes pin to remind me. Why didn't I think of this before?  I don't know.  But I can tell you it is sheer genius!

More bottom shelf: All the table linens.

And the floor: All rags and sheet fort making supplies contained in a laundry basket.

Shelf liner for a pantry project and spray starch are on the far right. Why? Why not.

Don't forget the door! It's my handy ironing board and iron holder! (That little pink tag is just a reminder for the location of the spray starch.)

So that's my organized linen closet.  The whole sha-bang. What do you think?

It is time for you to get organized, manage your time, and set up systems in your home and office.  You deserve better efficiency and harmony. Shoot me an email at juliebavi@gmail.com, stalk me on twitter@juliebavi, and show me some Facebook love https://www.facebook.com/OrganizeWithJulie.  

Crafty Organization

I did not fall off the face of the earth. I just had a Birthday, packed up hubby's classroom, and have been enjoying summer! And look at the cute things I've been crafting... all for the sake of organization, of course! First of all, I have been looking for some sort of hanging bin or basket for the "on the way out the door" items. I need to get the sunscreen, bug repellent, and baby powder (for the beach sand, ya know?) off of my kitchen counter top and out of the reach of little hands. Did I mention that little hands like to find "goo"? I have not been able to find the perfect hanging basket. But then I remembered that there was a lovely French Provençal tin bucket holding an arrangement of silk Spring flowers that needed a new purpose in its life. I was unaware of the sad shape it was in. When I found this lovely article, the paint was cracking badly. The grey areas are from the paint that chipped off as I was washing the outdoor/garage grime off with a soft cloth. The brown spots are rust. I actually liked the rust when this was hanging outdoors with the flowers tucked inside. It gave it a nice country feel. Now that it is going to be in my kitchen, I find that I am not so fond of the rust. It didn't take my brain long to decide that something beautiful could be made from a resource I already had right here in front of me. What was my answer? Decoupage! (The art of decorating with cut outs of fabric or paper.) I just happen to have this swanky scrappy paper that fits the bill perfectly! So (with the help of my three-year-old son) this is my finished product! TADA! That's it! Just two different patterns of paper, a little water, and lots of glue made that rusty, paint-chippy bucket into this little work of art! May I also mention that this was a very "Green" choice? You know... the whole reusing what you have thing. And since I am on such a crafty roll.... I took a frame, which I bought for the purpose of getting the basket of keys up off of the same spot on my kitchen counter, and spruced it up and actually got it up on to my wall! YAY! Pretty and ingenuity in one fell swoop! See how the papers are all matchy-matchy? Isn't is fun!? I know that some of you are far craftier than I. share with me your crafty organizing solutions! You know I'd love to see them! Even if it has nothing to do with getting organized, take some time this week to do something creative! .

It's Kitchen Week!!!

Let’s mix things up a bit and start with the now famous

FIFTEEN MINUTES OF REAL CLEANING.

Set your timer for fifteen minutes because it’s time to… Tackle that plastic ware. That right folks, find the lids that match the containers. Find the containers that match the lids. Throw out the ones that are broken or have no mate. If you can’t freeze AND microwave in it - consider discarding it, donating it, or replacing it. If it is a take-out type container consider whether it is really serving a worthwhile purpose for you. (I say pitch it!) By keeping the few things that you do use and donating the unused you will free up an amazing amount of space in your kitchen.

Personally, I have fallen in love with the new Rubbermaid line with easy find lids. http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/product/category.jhtml?cat=HPCat280013

Oh, and the produce savers (which live in the fridge) really are working great! http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/product/category.jhtml?cat=HPCat280019

I get nothing for promoting those. I just like to share with you products that make life easier.

Since we’re already talking about the kitchen… Look at your counter tops. Are there appliances sitting out that are rarely used? The toaster that is used once a month. The waffle iron that only gets hot on special occasions. The coffee pot used only when company is in town. These are items that are robbing you of clear space in your kitchen and calm in your life. I just realized that my toaster was out creating counter clutter in my kitchen. It has been months since my son has had his beloved (yet sadly, milk-laden) toaster waffles… so why was this contraption still in my way? No reason other than it had just been overlooked.

I am by no means saying that if you use your toaster and coffee pot daily you should move them in and out of a cabinet/pantry for each use. Heaven forbid I deprive any one of their daily caffeine fix! But take the time to put lesser used items away. No cabinet space you say? How about the pantry, nearby closet, or laundry room shelf? Now we’ve got those wheels turning!

There has been a lot of buzz about office organization and about paperwork issues coming from you guys as of late. Should we continue in the kitchen next week or move on to the office?