mini makeover

Here's a little project I completed recently. (So many projects, so few completions these days, it seems!) As my card business is growing, I've been scrambling to get organized and find a permanent home for all of my card-making supplies. I have an older home with some built-ins surrounding the fireplace. I LOVE them, but up until recently, they've mostly held dining/entertaining dishes and...stuff.

Here's my "before"...you can see how the practical supplies slowly took over to where my poor vintage punch set is relegated to one shelf. Everything else is mismatched and ugly. Various boxes from various stages of my decorating history are somewhat functional, but the overall look is UHgly.

After! A $16 investment at Ikea on white boxes, combined with the white and aqua ones I already had, made a huge difference. I organized and consolidated my supplies, and now there's a home for everything. The best part...it blends in an looks like it's supposed to be there. My poor little punch set is now relegated to just two thirds of one shelf, but it's a necessary evil. It only gets used once or twice a year anyway, so it's okay if it's somewhat out of reach.

Here's the "before" again, with the built-in doors closed. Who came in and made this mess in my house? Not I, said the Little Red Hen.

And another "after". It feels like it's meant to be, because not only is it more attractive now, it's totally functional. It's easier to find the things I need.

...especially 'cause I labeled everything. These are some of my favorite labels...2" rounds from Paper Source. Love that place. I had to turn the larger boxes sideways, due to the shelf size, so that's why I chose to add my own labels on the side.

And the trusty little Ikea boxes. I think it cost $4 for two of these (or something equally cheap).

I've got a lot of little areas in my house where clutter builds up. Do you know the feeling? I'm trying to systematically sort/organize the clutter in each area, and then create a way to beautify the space that is attractive but still makes sense. It's slow going, because it seems that for every space I conquer, there are ten more waiting for the same fate. But, people, we Must. Not. Give. Up. (That's what I tell myself anyway!) Next to my front door is another spot...I've got my eyes peeled for the perfect little piece of furniture at garage sales or on Craigslist that can help me solve my problem there. You will, of course, be the first to know when I find it!

Where does clutter gather at your house? Do you have any creative solutions for it? Or has it gotten you down?

it's not just a jar

It's time, my friends, to pay homage to that humble, yet often overlooked piece of glassware known as The Jar. I was looking around my house the other day and realized that glass jars are one of my favorite methods for organizing and storage. I love them because they never wear out...are easily recycled...and they look cute no matter what they're doing. (Just like me...right?)

image: naturemoms

I love the way these ordinary jars were transformed into candleholders that look like etched glass. Just create your own shape with contact paper...stick it on...spray with frosted glass spray paint...then peel of your contact paper shape...and voila! How cute is that? Perfect for Christmas or Fourth of July or anytime! (Note to self: I actually have Frosted Glass spray paint that I've NEVER used...must use it for this idea!) By the way, I found this idea along with a great post at Nature Moms blog that lists ten ways to reuse glass jars...it's worth a read.

baby shower favors: dried papaya and Russian tea mix

image: nesting instincts "Baby Meet Orange"

I have glass jars that I use for cotton balls, Q-tips and bars of soap in the bathroom. I have a small jar in the cupboard that stores extra razors. In the kitchen, I have huge jars for rice and candy (shouldn't everyone have a huge jar for candy?). I have a tall skinny jar for spaghetti and several other sizes for other pastas. We use jars to collect spare change. We burn jar candles. We use jars to hold spare pens and pencils. I've even given away party favors in jars (see above). I recently re-organized my pantry and put lots of things in jars. Oh, it felt good.

How do you like to re-use glass jars? Any thoughts?

Can redecorating help with the blues?

"Caribbean Conchs" photograph by Etsy artist SherriStJames

If you've ever worked in a gray cubicle or under lots of harsh fluorescent lights, you'll probably agree with me that your surroundings can definitely have an effect on your mood. Why do we feel so much better when we go on vacation in the great outdoors? Why do sunny days (especially in winter) seem to lift our spirits? Why do we consider islands in the Caribbean to be paradise? I believe this is because our environment is vitally important to our emotions.

BEFORE...

AFTER...

Often the roots of depression are so complex - I won't to pretend that it can be fixed by decorating. But, I have a few friends that have struggled with depression (heck - we've all felt pretty lowsy at different times of our lives!). I can often see clutter, disorganization, and a lack of...well, prettiness...in the space they live in every single day. Often this is an outward symptom of their inner turmoil. But sometimes I think it can also be a contributing factor to the blues.

BEFORE...

AFTER...

One friend of mine lives in a place where there are few windows. Only one, in her daughter's room, receives any sunlight. The rest are surrounded by a heavily wooded area, which means very little daylight is able to come in the house. Add to this a situation where they have too much stuff in too small a space, and it's easy for the house to feel out of control. She usually feels like getting out of the house, rather than considering the home her refuge. She struggles with contentment in her home, and I think that some of these issues play a part in her discontent.

BEFORE...

AFTER...
I am not a believer in the mystic principles of feng-shui. However, I do agree that there is a real art to cozy furniture placement, artwork and accessories placement that makes sense, and good lighting; and depending on how these things are done, they can either elicit positive or negative emotions within you.

BEFORE...

AFTER...

This is why I love doing what I do; often I'm able to lift my client's spirits simply by rearranging their furniture and de-cluttering. They didn't know what was wrong before, just that something was; and by changing things around, their spirits were lifted in a way they didn't think was possible.

BEFORE...

AFTER...

I'm not just trying to blow my own horn here, people. These are really things that you can do on your own. Try to look at your space with an objective eye, and ask yourself these questions:

• Are there areas of clutter that you've gotten so accustomed to that you don't even notice them anymore?





• Does your room feel particularly dark at certain times of the day (or all times)?
  Do you have artwork or photos on your walls that you love...or are they just things that fill the space?





• When you enter the room, is there furniture blocking your path that you need to walk around?





• Are you displaying items out of a sense of obligation (i.e. they were a gift or inheritance) but they are not functional or beautiful to you?
  
  

BEFORE...

AFTER...

If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, go back and take a second look, and ask yourself just a few more questions:

• Is there any way you can cut down on the pile of clutter? Go through the pile and figure out what you can donate, what you can throw away, and what you need to keep. Then, figure out a cute solution (baskets, boxes, etc.) for the stuff you have to keep, and store it out of sight.



• If your room feels dark, can you switch out your curtains to a lighter version? Do you have a valance that is blocking daylight that you could remove or hang higher (to block less daylight)? Do you have lamps that you could repurpose from other rooms to place in every available corner of the dark room? Could you change your paint color to something a little more cheerful, like a light butter yellow, or an apple green, or a light blue?



• Furniture that blocks your natural traffic flow is a no-no, in my book. Can you think of an alternate arrangement where furniture no longer blocks the entry to your room?



• Can you purchase or re-purpose artwork or photos that you love, and display those instead of the pieces that you feel obligated to display? Pay attention to the emotion that art brings out in you - don't just try to follow decorating rules - buy artwork that you love and elicits positive emotions in you. It might be worth saving up a few extra dollars to invest in a piece of artwork that makes you feel happy or peaceful (or both).

***

I really do believe these little things can make a big difference in a person's quality of life. Whether you're singin' the blues, or just need a change for the better...ask yourself a few questions and then get busy making things just a little more lovely.

Thanks for humoring me as I stand on my little decorating soap box. :-)


**Images: all before-and-after redesign photos are property of Nesting Instincts

Easy Solutions for Small Spaces

If you're anything like me, the last problem you have in your home is that it's just "too big". Ha! Not so much. Most of my friends, like myself, deal with spaces that can quite easily feel too small. I recently read an article at Better Homes and Gardens that got me thinking about ways you can make small spaces seem not so small. They had several great suggestions that I wholeheartedly seconded, so I thought I'd share a few of them here. Read here for the full BH & G article and all the photos.

The Number One solution I look for in a small room is creative, attractive storage. Here you can see they used wicker cubes with storage inside as their coffee table. And if you've got little ones, this is definitely the way to go. It's great to have a place for their toys - but not to have to look at their toys. It's also great for blanket and game storage.

Stack it! You'll notice that there is a wine rack on top of a tall armoire. Sometimes you just have to go up in your storage.

Keep your color palette simple. Limiting to just a few colors can help a space feel more calm and open it up visually.

Hang your curtains from just below the ceiling line. This is a lovely optical illusion that will make your walls and ceiling seem taller. Notice the coffee table in this pic? It also offers storage. Love that!

Mirrors will always visually open up a space. Here's an example of what three large, dramatic ones can do. But smaller ones - even a large collage of quite small mirrors - still brings that reflective quality into the room, making it seem a little bigger.

Isn't this a gorgeous ottoman? It also doubles as extra seating if the owner's having a party. I love furniture that does double duty for small spaces. If you can find an ottoman that also offers storage - hey, triple duty is even better!

all images: Better Homes and Gardens

Confessions of an Interior Redesigner

Prepare yourself for something shocking. I desperately wanted to try and pass this bedroom photo off as belonging to an anonymous client, but I just can't. It's mine. It's MINE, okay? Aww, man. I can't believe I'm posting this for all the world to see. But, I'm hoping you can take away a few tips...

BEFORE

First, my number one dilemma: too much jewelry and not enough storage. Okay, too much jewelry isn't a dilemma (can one ever have too much jewelry??) but the storage issue definitely is. My number two dilemma (some would argue this is actually number one): I'm naturally messy. Two major strikes against me. Add to that, a sadly neglected bedroom. I'm my own best (or worst) client! AFTER
The Victorian dresser is not really my style, but it's one of my few family heirlooms, so I hold onto it for sentimental reasons. It works better with fresh artwork on either side. Now my bedroom is no longer Where Lamps Go To Die (note the two lamps in the BEFORE photo), and there's plenty of room for all my jewelry. It's a lot easier to keep it neat now, and this makeover cost less than $20! Here's how I did it:

Thank goodness for Ikea!! I purchased three of these boards with knobs on them for $1.99 each and hung them on the wall next to the closet. Plenty of storage for all my necklaces!
I also bought a beautiful green glass mosaic box at Home Goods for $9.99...mostly because it's pretty...but it works great for all my bracelets. (Sorry, I forgot to get a close-up of this.)


I collected some artwork that we picked up in Italy a few years ago and unified them all by painting the frames white.

I heart spray paint!

I added a few silver accessories, because it's usually a fairly dark room and could really use anything that will reflect light.

Contain the clutter...postscript...

I've always loved the idea of using vintage suitcases for storage. Thriftstores and garage sales are often a great resource for these, although they're becoming more popular to collect and are starting to become harder to find. If you can't find a used version - or just want a smaller version that doesn't smell musty - check out these pretty paper suitcases from stationery company Pink Loves Brown. What a super-cute, very affordable way to contain the clutter on your desk, nightstand, crafting space, or elsewhere. They have a great vintage look, and come in two different sizes and three different colors - green, pink, or blue. (By the way, Pink Loves Brown owner Nicole Balch also writes one of my new favorite blogs, Making It Lovely).

Contain the Clutter

Anyone who's seen my home office knows that I am not exactly an expert when it comes to organizing! (Watch the blog for my upcoming home office re-do...I'm saving up...and soon it will be a beautiful before-and-after story!) But, anytime I can contain clutter and make it "pretty" at the same time, it makes me happy. Have you ever found there are just certain things that pile up in certain areas of the home? Remote controls, magazines, and coasters in the living room. Napkins, sugar & creamer, salt & pepper in the kitchen...toiletries, wash cloths, perfumes in the bathroom. First, group like items together and see what you've got that needs to be contained. Next, find around the house - or go shopping! :-) - one of the following two items:



#1: A beautiful tray. This can be wooden, metal, rattan...whatever fits your style. It's my favorite way to corral all the little things and make them look like part of one larger unit of items. Pictured here is the tray I have on my coffee table, holding a few current magazines and some coasters. (By the way, my current coffee table is actually made up of two end tables placed right next to each other...so the photo below is of the other "half" of the coffee table).





#2: Baskets. Since they come in just about every shape, size, and color...not to mention, with lids or without, with handles or without, etc....they are a great solution for containing and hiding clutter. Pictured here is the cracker basket by Longaberger, which is perfect for holding my family's FOUR remote controls (perhaps one day we'll take the plunge and actually invest in a universal remote control!).

Courtney gets interviewed

I was so honored to have a bio of myself featured on the blog of professional organizer, Megan Spears, of Disorder2Order. She considers me someone who inspires her - wow! I think that's pretty amazing, because she has inspired me from the very start of my business. She asked me seven questions like "What is your guilty pleasure, and why?". Here's a copy of the first half of the interview. If you want more, follow the link at the bottom of the entry to read the rest on her site. Thanks so much, Megan! This was really fun. Here's an excerpt from the interview:

"Monthly Bio: Who Inspires Me - Courtney Goodwin

January's monthly bio is a new coming blogger/business owner here in Portland. The reason that I choose Courtney is twofold. The first reason is because she has recently started her own business (and I am always inspired by small business owners), and secondly because she is in the business of redesign (which I love!!!). I actually have known Courtney Goodwin for the last 5 years (maybe more). Although we haven't really had much interaction face to face (even though it is quite funny that we delivered one of our kids on the same day... three rooms from each other at the hospital), I have followed her passion redesign through her mother-in-law (who is a very close friend of mine). Her ability to identify the "use what you have" method is amazing. Her business, Nesting Instincts brings a creative flavor to ReDesign. I struggle with color and design and I am always inspired by those that clearly have a gift for beautiful spaces.Her is Courtney's interview. Enjoy!

1. What inspires you to get out of bed each morning?
Usually the resounding chorus of "mamaaAAAA"'s that I hear through the baby monitor from my 1-yr-old and 3-yr-old girls, who share a bedroom...and this usually starts sometime before oh-dark-thirty. The "mama"'s start out cute and pleasant, and then grow increasingly more demanding until I feel quite inspired to get up.

2. What do you do, and why do you do it?
I do "interior redesign" and event design. Interior REdesign is unique, because I help people redecorate their homes using primarily furniture and accessories they already own. It's budget-friendly, and people love it, because they are still dictating their own home's style. I also offer event design...I love parties! I just did a large wedding last month that turned out beautifully.

I do these things because, simply put, I love to do it. I'm not trying to get rich or become famous, I just love to make people happy by creating a space that is beyond what they could have accomplished on their own. It's exciting for me to be able to help people get the most potential out of their living spaces and all their beloved objects. It comes naturally to me, so I have more fun at this job than ever before!"

3. What is your favorite song to rock out to in the car?
That's a tough one...I'm a big fan of KLOVE radio, so you'll usually find me singing along to whatever they're playing. But if I had to choose...probably belting out "Famous One" with Chris Tomlin."

Want more? You can read the rest of the interview here. Thanks again, Megan!

Home Goods: Where have you been all my life?

So my friend Lauree has been telling me about Home Goods for weeks now...and my mom...and possibly others who I can't remember at this moment. Anyway, this morning I was on my way to Ikea, and we had some time to kill because we got there early (with two kids, no less!! are you impressed?) so we headed over to Home Goods to pass the time. Oh my, I had such fun. It reminds me a little of Tuesday Morning, but much larger, better organized, and with more selection.

Some of my favorite things at Home Goods:

1. All things "Dining" - all the glassware, pottery, ceramics - and of course the fun linens too. There's something for everyone there. Myself, I am a sucker for cake stands...and they had more cake stands than I could count, and every single one of them was unique and decorative. They were much better than the generic glass ones that are a dime a dozen (if only they only actually COST a dime a dozen, though!). The Emma Cake Stand, pictured below, is selling for $38.00 on Pottery Barn's website (just so you can visualize what I'm talking about). The most expensive cake stand I saw this morning at Home Goods was $19.99 - and many of them more elaborate and decorative than this one.

2. Storage solutions - quality designer magazine holders, baskets, and boxes that would make a gorgeous office for not much money. Also, some sizeable baskets with lids that would make great toy storage or hide blankets.

3. Seasonal decor - it was definitely almost Valentine's Day there...and St. Patrick's Day...and Easter. I've already picked up some Easter decor that's fairly classy. In fact, you may see these things again in the future. Okay, it's some nests with eggs...do you get it?? Nesting Instincts? I couldn't resist those nests...or pointing out the symbolism... :-) I'll add a photo of them later.

$5.98 has never gone so far!

Okay, Martha Stewart I am not. Neat and tidy I am not. But over the holidays, every time someone came over, I had nowhere to put their coats. Not an earth-shattering dilemma, of course, but one that I was not content with leaving as-is. To start with, our coat closet is absolutely minute; our house was built in the 1920's - need I say more? To make matters worse, there's a heating duct that cuts off the back 1/3 of the closet, leaving 1/3 of the coat-hanging rod unusable. There is also no shelving or room for shelving. We have nowhere else to store our vacuum - so that lives in there too. I guess because it's January and it's traditionally a time to get organized, I finally got inspired to do something about it. I literally spent $5.98 at Ikea and spent about 15 minutes, and voila! I have a functional, organized coat closet that I'll even be able to let visitors put their coats in. Here's what I did:

1. Took all the coats out of the closet and separated three ways: coats that are never worn, which I'll donate to CityTeam Ministries, coats that are worn infrequently and so go in our bedroom closets, and coats that we wear all the time and will stay in the closet.

2. Took all the other junk out of the closet. Discovered we owned not one, not two, but SEVEN lint rollers in various states of use and un-use. Threw away 3 of them, vacuumed the killer dust-bunnies that remained.

3. Took out all the mis-matched plastic and wire hangers...replaced them with a set of 8 wooden hangers from Ikea which cost $3.99 total.

4. Hung an organizer from Ikea ($1.99 -I think it's supposed to be for shoes) strategically in front of the heating duct - thus making that space usable again! This is now used for lint rollers (only 4 now!), hats, gloves, and vacuum bags (yep, that thing had to go back in too).

With all the other things that need doing in my house, this probably wasn't that important to do NOW, but the sense of satisfaction it gave me just couldn't go without a mention on the blog. Maybe you'll be inspired to tackle some project yourself this weekend. Good luck!

(I have to warn you: the photo still isn't PRETTY...but you should have seen the BEFORE! :-) That black thing is my lovely vacuum, eating up valuable real estate.)