Pretty Neat Organizer

Hang Your Flip Flops

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 03:59:00 +0000

It's summer time, and I can't stop buying cute flip flops in every color of the rainbow. I've gone a little overboard because my kancles have finally disappeared after giving birth, and I can now wear regular shoes. For thin shoes, it can be easier to hang them than stack them on the floor. The folks over at ebpot have a nifty tutorial on how to make flip flop hangers from wire hangers.

I like the way you can flip through your flip flops on a rack rather than a shelf. Look at all the flip flops you can store in a small footprint (pun intended).

If you'd rather buy than build, Container Store has some off the shelf solutions.

Wine Crate Shelves

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:25:00 +0000

I'm doing some serious nesting these days as I'm about to give birth to my first son in one month. My husband and I are super excited, and I've been spending the last few months figuring out how to decorate the new baby's room. I spent a lot of time window shopping, and quite frankly, I'm disappointed with most of the options out there on the market. The cool stuff is outrageously expensive, and the affordable stuff is so generic. I want something with character that's affordable, and after a few frustrating months, I resigned myself to making some of the smaller decorative furniture myself.

I knew I would need some shelving solution for all the baby accoutrements I will be accumulating. Somehow, I became obsessed with wine crates and wanted to make some kind of storage unit out of them. I scored a bunch of wine crates on Craigslist for $5 each.

I found these angle slots at Home Depot that would make the bookcase-like structure I was imagining. These are typically used for industrial shelving in garages and warehouses.

I evenly spaced out 3 boxes and placed one of the angle slots on top.

Next, I drilled holes in the crates where I would attach the crate to the angle slots with bolts. Then I slipped in the bolt and secured it to the angle slot with a nut on the other side. Helpful hint - make sure you don't drill into the nails that are holding the crate together.

Repeat on all boxes on all four corners.

If you're handy with a drill, it will take less than 30 minutes to make this unit.

Pimp Your Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 28 May 2011 18:45:00 +0000

Cars only move me in the literal sense, so I don't pay much attention to most cars on the road around me. But this car demanded my attention with its bold design and contrasting colors. Goes to show how powerful design can be when it is used deliberately. You cannot deny the presence of this car, and the color palette and patterns tells you what this company is all about - fun, modern and sophisticated. It was compelling enough to make me visit their website http://www.latavolalinen.com, which is just as exquisite as their cars.

I think most people underestimate the power of design and how it can affect your mood and inspire you to do more. I was having a ho hum day running errands when I saw the van, but it made me smile and perk up behind my wheel. It got me thinking how I can bring an element of style and fun into the most mundane things in my life. It's easy to get bogged down with the drudgery and routine of everyday living, but even a small, beautifully design object can bring a little joy to your day.

Lonny Office Makeover

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:44:00 +0000

Lonny Makeover

The latest issue of Lonny has a great article about their office make over. Decorating an office that is functional, beautiful and inspiring can be quite challenging, and Lonny gives some great tips on how to pull this off.

Establish a focal point.
Make every square inch count.
Design your office as if you were designing your home.
Define work spaces.
Fill your office with things you love.
Balance style with function.
Make it your own.
Keep it tidy.
Get your creativity flowing with an inspiration wall.
Install adequate lighting.
Maximize your workspace

Check out the latest issue for more information and inspiring examples.

Vintage Storage

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:07:00 +0000

We spent a glorious Sunday morning at the Alameda Antique Fair, and it's a good thing I only brought $100 with me or I would have came home with a truck load of cool stuff. It was my first time there, and I was amazed with all the wonderful, vintage items for sale. There is something for everyone - cute little decorative items for a couple bucks to high end antiques for thousands of dollars. Being the organizing geek that I am, I was drawn to all the vintage storage solutions ranging from wooden boxes to metal storage lockers. This is what I would have bought if I had the space in my house. Pardon the poor quality of my phone pictures.

Apartment Therapy just posted a great piece about using such pieces in the home. Makes me want to redecorate the house with a vintage industrial theme.

$50 Closet Makeover

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 06:24:00 +0000

My client had a very unusual closet in her studio apartment. It was almost the size of a small bedroom and had great built in shelves and cabinets. Unfortunately, you had to go through the closet to go to the bathroom. Her disorganized closet was such a huge source of embarrassment that she sometimes forbade her boyfriend to go to the bathroom. As a full time student, she didn't have a lot of time or money to devote to organizing her closet, but she knew she couldn't live with her chaotic closet anymore. We decided to spend most of her organizing budget on my time and spend $50 on supplies.

The first thing we bought was a double hanging rod for $12 to add more hanging space. Woven tops went on top, and skirts and jeans went on the bottom.

Jeans used to be kept stacked on a shelf in the cabinet. We hung them on hangers for easier access. By having all the tops and bottoms close together, it was easier to mix and match her pieces when she got dressed in the morning. To save money, we used existing hangers.

Next on our list was a $5 belt hanger. This hanger kept her belts neat and tidy without getting tangled.

Jewelry was formerly scattered through out the apartment. We consolidated everything in a $19 jewelry organizer. This is one of my favorite jewelry organizers as it is very affordable and compact. It's double sided too.

My client didn't have a dresser, so we took advantage of a built in cabinet for underwear and other personal items. After sorting and purging, we containerized like items in random cardboard boxes she had in the house. To create a more decorative, cohesive feel, we covered these boxes in $5 contact paper. We also bought two $3 shelf risers to take advantage of vertical height.

I did make one "donation" to the project. I had some shoe racks at home that I no longer needed and was happy to give them to my client. These were pricey wood racks, but you can buy very sturdy, affordable shoe racks for less than $20.

My client is thrilled with her new closet. Every item has a home, everything is neat and orderly, and she now encourages her friends and boyfriend to use her bathroom. She has described this process as life changing. I can't ask for a better compliment.

Weekend DIY: Pottery Barn Inspired Wire Wall Baskets

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 09:22:00 +0000

Make your version of a Pottery Barn Wire Basket for a fraction of the price.

Courtesy of Attempting Aloha

Organizing Online Inspiration: www.pinterest.com

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 03:52:00 +0000

My craft board at www.pinterest.com

I am constantly on the prowl for new organizing and decorating ideas. Most of my research is done on the internet, and while there is a wealth of inspiration online, I had a difficult time organizing all my bookmarks to keep track of everything. My browser bookmark was exploding with too many subfolders, and it became increasingly difficult to browse. I tried other online options like www.delicious.com but didn't like their interface. Since most of my research focused on beautiful pictures as well as practical information, I wanted a way to visually organize my bookmarks with a picture representing the URL. Luckily, I came across www.pinterest.com which does exactly the visually organizing I was looking for.

Pinterest is a visual pin board, a place where you can create collections of things you love. People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things like wedding inspiration and recipes. The easiest way to pin an item is to use the Pin It bookmark. This is a special button that lets you grab an image from any website and add it to one of your pinboards. When you pin from a website, Pinterest automatically grabs the source link so they can credit the original creator.

Pinterest also allows you to browse other member's boards, and I find myself frequently looking for ideas on these boards instead of Google image search. The boards are carefully curated with absolutely breath taking images and smart comments. I have auspiciously stumbled upon amazing new sites and blogs through these boards created by fellow members with keen eyes and great taste.

Here's a board I created to collect ideas and products to redecorate my bedroom. I've been obsessed with an creating an opulent Chinoise look, and this board helps me keep focused on my end goal.

My bedroom inspiration

Weekend DIY: Craft Organizer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:59:00 +0000

Believe it or not, I once bought the Pottery Barn version for a client.

Copy Cat Crafts

Weekend DIY: Bathroom Organizer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 08:17:00 +0000

Cute and affordable. A touch of industrial and shabby chic.

Liz Marie

My Huge Jewelry Organizer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 02:55:00 +0000

I love chunky, junky jewelry, and I'm always looking for a way to put them out on display as they are too beautiful to be hidden away in a drawer. I have made a smaller version of this padded jewelry display before, but since my collection has grown, I was looking for something bigger with more impact. Luckily, I already had all the materials on hand, and it only took me 30 minutes to complete this project.

I re-purposed a mirror I made to stage my last place for sale. The 20"x40" frame came from Goodwill for $14.99. I bought a piece of plexi mirror for $20 and cut it down to fit the frame. As a temporary mirror, it did the job, but the silver behind the plexi mirror began to peel, and the mirror began to warp slightly, making it look like one of those carnival mirrors. The batting and muslim came from my quilting stash.

I cut the fabric and muslin slightly bigger than the mirror. You'll need this extra fabric to wrap around the mirror.

Next, I wrapped and taped the fabric to the back. Be sure to pull the fabric taut so it doesn't sag.

Place the wrapped mirror in the frame. I got a kick out of the original price of the frame: $158.95.

I didn't have any brackets to hold the mirror in place, so I improvised by bending some nails in place.

Flip over and enjoy your work.

Now comes the fun part - hanging your jewelry. I had extra T-pins I used to hold the jewelry in place. This was a super easy project, and the best part was that I didn't have to spend any money as I already had the materials. Now I have to figure out a place to hang this where the cats won't to swat at the jewelry.

Organizing Tip: Organize your Car

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 04:37:00 +0000

Many of us spend more time in our cars than our homes. Some of us have long daily commutes. Others use their cars as mobile offices for sales call. Moms shuttle their kids to school and numerous after school activities. Considering all the time we spend on the road, its no surprise that clutter and trash tends to accumulate in the car, usually on the floor. Here are some products and strategies to keep your car tidy.

Back seat organizer

This organizer comes in many variations, but they all do the same thing - provide a convenient place to stash your stuff and keep it off the floor. This is particularly helpful with kids as they tend to have lots of stuff to distract themselves in the car.

Stash Your Trash

Talus Litter Bag

This is another variation of the back seat organizer designed specifically for trash. As a cheap alternative, I slip a plastic grocery bag around my stick shift. When it gets full, I slip it off, toss is in the trash and slip on a new one.

Office organizer

Auto Express Desk

This handy office organizer sits on the passenger seat and is perfect for sales people who visit many clients during the day. The hinged top opens up to provide a work space for a laptop. Handy compartments hold files and office gadgets. It's a desk on the go.

Trunk organizer

Some of us use our trunks as external storage lockers, which is perfectly acceptable if you have sales samples or weekly sports activities that require lots of gear. To prevent your items from rolling around and getting damaged, keep them contained with a trunk organizer.

Tidy the car when pumping gas: It only takes a couple minutes to fill the car, so take this time to clean the car. Toss out the trash, pick up items from the floor and put them in their proper place. The car is actually a very small space, and you will be surprised to see how much you can accomplish by the time your tank is full.

Keep a trash can in the garage: For many families, the garage serves as the main entry and exit point of the house. Keeping a trash can in the garage makes it easy to quickly rid the car of trash.

Don't leave the car empty handed: Anytime anyone gets out of the car to go in the house, they need to grab something and either put it away in the house or throw it away.

Wishful Wednesday: Dream Pantry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:49:00 +0000

I wish I had a pantry like this.

Design Sponge

Beautiful Labelling

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:22:00 +0000

I usually rely on my trusty label maker for quick labeling as I appreciate the instant gratification. The labels aren't beautiful, but they do the job. If I had more time, I'd probably try something more decorative.

Chalk Board Paint

Heart of Light

Make erasable labels with chalk board paint.

Glass Etching

Martha Stewart

Customize glass storage jars with glass etching.

Free Printable Labels

There are many artists out there who have generously donated their talent to the general public with free labels. A quick Google search on "download labels" yields some beautiful labels. Simply download, print and afix with a glue stick or double sided tape.

Just Something I Made

Domestifluff

Dual Purpose Dining Rooms

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:04:00 +0000

My last house had a formal dining room that we rarely used. Our lifestyle in northern California is very laid back, and we would only use the dining room for Thanksgiving or Christmas if we happened to be hosting. Every time I walked past my dining room, I would think to myself "what a waste of space." It never occurred to me that my dining room could do double duty until I came across these rooms.

Library

Architectural Digest

This is a room completed by Mica Ertegun of MAC II published in Architectural Digest. Not only is it a lovely dining room but it doubles as a library. There's something about walls of beautifully bound books that create a warm, cozy feeling. Also, books are a great conversation starter during dinner. Though this dining room has 3 walls of built in bookcases, all you need is a couple of bookcase to mimic this look.

Decorpad

Here's a modern variation of the library dining room. Love the pop of yellow against the dark walls.

Game Room

Fusion Table

Convert your dining room into a billiard room by lifting off the top of this table. You can even use it as a poker table with the addition of a poker felt top. Full disclosure - my husband and I bought this table for our dining room a couple of months ago. Yes, it is stupidly expensive, but it is exquisitely designed, very beautiful and highly functional as both a dining and game table. We find ourselves spending more quality time with our friends at home playing pool and hanging out. This table has really changed the dynamics of the room and how we interact with friends. Costco sells much a more affordable versions of this table, tough not as good looking.

Dining Room Office

If space is at a premium, use your dining room as an office. The dining table becomes a generous work surface. File cabinets can double as a buffet. Office furniture has come a long way, and you can find beautiful file cabinets that look like high end furniture. Pottery Barn has some great examples. If you're crafty and on a budget, you can customize generic file cabinets with beautiful wrapping paper. There's also office organizers pretty enough to be left out on display. Container Store has a great assortment to choose from.

Organizing Tip: Archiving your Children's Artwork

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 21:21:00 +0000

If you have young children, chances are you are flooded with their artwork. There's only so much you can display, but you feel too guiltly to throw it all away.

I have a client who was struggling with the same problem. She is extremely sentimental and kept almost every piece of her children's artwork. Imagine all the papers she has been collecting with 3 kids. She was quickly running out of space and wanted a more efficient way of archiving all her kid's artwork, so I suggested scanning the art and making a photo book.

First, we took inventory of all the art. As much as we love our kids, not every piece of art they create is a masterpiece, so we worked closely with her daughter to select the best art that had the most sentimental meaning. Next, we sent them into ScanCafe to have them scanned into jpegs. If you have a scanner, you can do this yourself, but given the quantity and the large size of some of the artwork, it was easier to have a professional do it. Once we received the DVD, we uploaded them to Mixbook and made a 12x12 photo book. There are many other photo book sites, but I prefer Mixbook because you can add, resize, move and delete pictures and text boxes very easily.

I chose a simple white background for the photo book because I didn't want anything to compete with the artwork, but there are many background and embellishments you can add to jazz it up. Take a look at the finished photo book. It's arranged chronologically, and it's interesting to see how her daughter has grown and matured over time. At the end of the project, we were able to condense two large boxes of artwork into one slim photo book.

Style your Bookcases

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 19:58:00 +0000

I always strive to combine beauty with form and function. If a room is gorgeous and pleasing to the eye, my clients are more inclined to keep things neat and tidy. When it comes to bookcases, most of my clients treat them as functional pieces of furniture and unimaginatively align their books upright across the shelf. Bookcases consume a significant amount of visual space, and in some cases, they are the focal point of the room. Below are some easy examples to add decorative style to your bookcases.

Carrie Miller Kerwin

Stack books on their sides to create lifts that highlight personal treasures. The different levels across the shelves create a dynamic flow. Note the use of empty, negative space. This helps the bookcase feel light and airy. Simple boxes on the bottom are a great solution for additional storage.

MD House

Mirror backs lighten and brighten large bookcases that would otherwise take up too much visual space. I love how mirrors add a touch of glam to these modern bookcases.

Apartment Therapy

Unexpected wallpaper on the bottom of floating shelves draws the eyes up to amazing ceilings in this loft.

In this room, books serve as a background for art. I see this look in magazines all the but question the practicality of it. This set up only makes sense if you don't access your books frequently.

Paint the back of your bookcase to add a splash of contrasting color.

Wallpaper backs adds a touch of wimsy. The large scale of the pattern suites the large bookcases. Usually, all it takes is one roll of wallpaper.

One of my favorite bloggers, I Suwanee, has a weekly feature called Bookcase of the Day that highlights mouthwatering bookcases. Lots of beautiful inspirations.

Organizing Tip: Selling on Craigslist

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 06:41:00 +0000

Craigslist is a great place to make some money by selling things you no longer need. After years of buying and selling on Craigslist, I've learned a couple of tricks to make the transaction go smoother.

Price: Do your research before deciding on your list price. Look for similar items on Craigslist so you understand your competition. If you price your item too high, you will get very few leads. Price it too low, and you will miss the opportunity to maximize the sale. You may want to mention the original retail price to help prospective buyers get an idea of the savings, but don't rely too much on this tactic. The second hand market is very different from retail. If you are selling mass market items, like Ikea furniture, you will have plenty of competition, and the only way to differentiate your item is through price.

Pictures: A picture is worth a thousand words, and pictures are even more important now that Craigslist includes thumbnail images on their listing pages. Personally, I skip listings with no pictures even if the description is detailed and complete. Be sure to take good pictures from multiple angles. Also include pictures of any damage so prospective buyers will enter the transaction with their eyes wide open. You don't want any undisclosed flaws to be an opportunity for the buyer to make a lower offer.

Description: Be as complete and accurate as you can. For example, if you are selling furniture, be sure to include the measurements. If you are selling electronics or computers, include all the specs. Be honest and disclose the true condition of the item. Note any damage or flaws. Prospective buyers will appreciate the complete description. The last thing you want to do is mislead the buyer who may have traveled quite a distance to view your item.

Contact information: I prefer to use Craigslist anonymous email system for initial contact to protect myself from spam. I only give out my address or phone number when I know I have a serious buyer who is ready to schedule a viewing.

Respond quickly: Given the volume of activity on Craigslist, chances are that buyers are inquiring about many other items in addition to yours. Respond quickly to help your item stay fresh in their minds. A timely response will help spur them into action.

First come first serve: If you have a popular item for sale, you will get many inquiries. Some people with scheduling conflicts may ask you to "hold" the item so they can view it later in the week. My first priority is to get the item sold asap. It's fine if they can't come immediately to view the item, but I reserve the right to sell it before their appointment if another customer is more proactive.

Show around your schedule: I've had many great transactions on Craigslist, but I've also had people flake out on me and never show up as promised. After learning this the hard way, I now schedule showings that are convenient for me. For example, I tend to show items in the evenings when I know I will be home, so if they don't show up, I'm not inconvenienced in any way. If someone really wants the item, they will find a way to work around your schedule.

Be prepared to haggle: Don't get insulted if someone offers you a lower price. That's the nature of the secondhand market. If I'm more interested in getting rid of something instead of making money from it, I will negotiate a lower price. If I know I have priced the item fairly and will eventually get the full price, I will hold out for a better offer.

Cash only: I only accept cash. I will not accept checks, wires, money orders or Paypal payments. I want a clean transaction with no chance of fraud.

All sales final: I am very accurate and honest with my descriptions. I point out every flaw at all my viewings so the buyers knows exactly what they are getting. There shouldn't be any questions or ambiguity about the item at the end of the transaction.

Take down listing: As soon as the listing sells, take down the listing, or you may continue to get emails

Safety: Craigslist had some bad press with fraud and theft. Some people feel safer conducting the transaction in a public place. Since I sell lots of furniture, I have no choice but to show items at home, so I make sure to have my husband around during the showing. Learn more safety and scammers on Craigslist.

I've made a lot money selling on Craigslist. It's a highly effective platform if you take note of all the tips. Everyone I have met through Craigslist has been kind and polite. Treat your customers the way you would like to be treated, and you will have a positive transaction. Most importantly, use common sense and trust your instinct.

A Touch of Wallpaper

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 06:38:00 +0000

If you love wallpaper but are too commitment phobic to use it on all four walls, here are some options to use it as an accent in your home without depleting your pocket book.

Striped wallpaper highlights the fireplace as the primary focal point.

Wallpaper adds a feminine touch in a closet. Don't forget the doors.

Wallpaper on the ceiling draws the eyes up, making the room appear taller.

Create a patchwork pattern with wallpaper samples.

Summer Thornton inset wallpaper in molding to create a modern twist in a traditional structure.

Are you a renter? Cover a panel you can take with you. Learn more at House & Home.

Create a simple headboard with leftover wallpaper. Details at Style at Home.

A Peek Inside My Ugly But Fuctional Office

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 22:31:00 +0000

Even though we've been in the house for 9 months, I'm still in the process of getting things just right in the office. The previous owner installed ugly but functional bookcases and desks. One of these days, I'll redesign it, but in the meantime, I have set up the following to be efficient:

Mail System: I have 3 baskets to help me manage the flow of papers - In, Pending, and To File. The In box is self explanatory - unopened mail goes here. The Pending box holds items that need action like bills and invitations. The "File" box is where papers that need to be filed are kept. I have successfully set up variations of this system for my clients to help them keep track of all their incoming paper work. I make a conscientious effort to go through all 3 boxes at least once a week, otherwise, I drown in paperwork.

Active Files: I have several on going projects or clients where I have to actively reference their files. I like to keep their files on top of my desk for easy access.

Frequently used office supplies

I prefer an uncluttered desk, so I keep frequently used office supplies within arms reach in drawers with dividers.

Extra office supplies/reference materials

Reference materials like magazines and paint swatches are kept in magazine files. Extra office supplies go in matching boxes. Whenever possible I try to buy matching organizers for a cleaner, streamlined look.

What I haven't showed you are other areas of the office that need work. There's a corner in the closet where I have old tax records that really should go up into the attic as I never reference them. We also have 2 printers in the office, even though we only need one. The other bookcase holds decades of old photographs stored in random shoe boxes. One of these days, I will finish the office. I sound like the old shoemaker whose children had no shoes - I'm so busy with my clients that I sometimes don't have time to do my own home!

Org Porn

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:35:00 +0000

I'm always looking for new, inspirational ideas for organizing, and I'm amazed with the variety of creative and unexpected examples I see on the internet. Yes, organizing can be fun and creative! Here are some of my favorite sites I visit frequently to get my creative juices flowing.

Martha Stewart

No one knows how to keep house like Martha. There are hundreds of beautifully photographed organizing ideas on her site. You can also sign up for her organizing tip of the day emai l.

Real Simple

Real Simple breaks down their organizing ideas by room, and their instructions are easy to follow. I especially like their "new uses for common items" themes. Very clever and easy on the pocket book. Goes to show you that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get organized.

HGTV

HGTV has great video clips from their shows. They also have lots of DIY projects.

Pinterest.com

Pinterest.com offers curated collections of beautiful organizing themed photographs. There's nothing like visual examples to inspire and spur you into action.

Weekend DIY: Gift Wrap Organizer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 05:55:00 +0000

If need a gift wrap organizer and would rather build than buy, here's a nifty project for you. This organizer also doubles as a display for your pretty wrapping paper and ribbon. Instructions at 33 shades of green.

Spunky Junky shows you how to make your own ribbon organizer for less than $5.

Transform an old cigar box into a tape dispenser. Instructions at Just Something I Made.

Out on Display

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 19:04:00 +0000

I love open storage. Everything is in its place but easily within reach. The key to making this work is a unifying theme that creates the look of a collection rather than a hodge podge of random items. The theme can be based on the type of item, a cohesive color palette, similar storage containers or a combination of the above. Achieving this look will require a little more discipline in terms of sticking to the established theme, but the final product can be absolutely beautiful.

Country Living

Glass jars unify the display of dry goods.

Southern Living

All kitchen items on display share the same warm, rustic colors.

Wicker baskets neatly group and hide small items.

gomestic.com

Simple lines, a neutral color palette, natural textures and metal accents create a serene and relaxing bathroom.

How a Messy Desk Costs You Money

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:42:00 +0000

I came across an article explaining how messy desks cost $177 billion of lost productivity. This reminded me of two clients I recently worked with. When we organized their offices, we found almost $1,000 of gift cards kicking around in the recesses of their desk drawers. They were a couple years old by the time we unearthed them. Luckily, they were still valid, and we found a good home for them for future use.

Messy desks cost you time and money. Those minutes spent daily hunting for misplaced files, staplers or documents add up to 76 hours — or nearly two work weeks — a year. Nearly one-third of office workers fail to get reimbursed for a business or travel expense because they misplaced or lost a receipt.

Most people clean and purge their desks once a year, but it takes regular maintenance to keep it orderly. Once you set up a system for dealing with your paper work and projects, it only takes about 10 minutes a week to tidy up your office.

Organizing Tip: Organizing Must-Haves

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 05:57:00 +0000

Every client is different, and there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution, but there are a few organizing tools I use so frequently that I can't live without them.

1. Label Maker - My love affair with my label maker borders on obsession. My husband jokes that I may one day label him, but I can't think of an easier way to label and identify your items. I label everything from files, binders, bins, spices, closets, drawers and pantries. It makes scanning for items easy, and I know exactly where to put things away.

2. Clear plastic bins with lids - These containers come in a wide variety of sizes and store almost anything. The perfect solution for storing like things together, these bins are cheap, reliable and durable. I insist on clear bins so I can easily see the items inside.

3. Baskets - Baskets are a great decorative solution for open storage. They come in a range of beautiful colors and textures that work in a wide variety of decors.

4. Lazy Susan - This little turn table is the perfect combination of convenience and organization. It provides easy access to all items on it with a simple spin. I've used it in kitchen cabinets to organize spices, bathrooms to hold toiletries and offices to hold supplies.

5. Color coded file folders and file hangers - File folders and hangers are the perfect solution for storing paperwork, but I like to go one step further and color code the files for different categories. For examples, I use red for financial records, yellow for home related papers, blue for electronics, etc. The color coding makes it easy to divide and scan for things instead of reading every little tab.

6. Drawer dividers - Without drawer dividers, all my stuff in my office and kitchen drawers would slosh around every time I opened and closed the drawers. Drawer dividers help keep things in their place so you don't have to wade around the drawer to find that one item.