Dresser In The Entry

If you have the room, using a dresser in an entry is a great way to maximize easy access storage. The lower drawers hold kids' shoes, the middle hold totes and backpacks, the top holds smaller things like wallet, keys, sunglasses, gum, tissue packs, etc.

This dresser from Ikea looks great. Love the contrast of the high gloss white drawers and wood frame. And yes the plant has since been repotted in the red vessel!

Inexpensive But Cool Window Hardware

bedroom windows before

bedroom windows after

The windows in the bedroom of this rental are screaming for long flowing curtains. We wanted one long rod but those can be pricey. Instead, I suggested black steel pipe bought at a local hardware store for about $60. The rings make opening and closing the curtains easier than if the curtains were just hung on the rod itself.

Black steel pipes come 8' and 10' lengths in varying widths plus varying length nipples (what the small lengths are called) to fit just about any space. The 8' rods can be cut and threaded where you buy them.

I've seen them used in many ways but most impressed by these amazing wall units like here and here.

How To Arrange Your Bookshelves

Going thru my photos, I found these from the wall opposite the shelves from this library that I haven't shared before. So let's take this time to talk about how to arrange your books.

Some people arrange their books by how they look best, others categorize by subject. If you have a smaller collection, arrange by look. Those with a lot of books and actually go back and reference them, categorize into subjects that make sense to you, then arrange them on the shelf until they look best.

I say subjects that make sense to you because each collection is different; some clients see fiction, non-fiction, art. Others see local author fiction, foreign fiction, mystery fiction, non-fiction science, non-fiction true-crime... you get the point. There's no right or wrong.

Pull the books down cleaning as you go; vacuum the spines, and wipe with a damp cloth (but not the cloth bound ones, vacuum those completely). Wipe down all the shelves with a damp cloth, then get books back on the shelves arranging until they look as best. The final step is to add decorative accessories.

How do you arrange your books?

What Should I Carry In My Wallet?

Click here to watch this great video from DailyCandy. Alexa von Tobel from LearnVest.com tells us what you should carry in your wallet. I need to put a pic of my cat in mine....

A Man Should Have His Own Closet

hall closet before

now the husband's closet

Before, this closet was the 'garage' holding some of the husband's clothes but mostly misc things. This husband and wife were sharing a larger walk-in closet, but I think it's important each person have their own space for non-shared items like clothes. He's quite tall so reaching the top rod and high shelves are no problem. The top rod holds work clothes and the lower for casual clothes.

The wife's closet is almost finished, she getting some new canvas storage boxes and a rug. I'll show you pics when it's all done... For more details on this project, check out my Flickr.