Entirely Smitten

A Built-in Shoe Wall For Your Closet!

My friend Sara asked me for some ideas on making better use of the space in her closet.  She said, "although it's big, there's a huge, slanty wall that doesn't let anything fit in there!"  I laughed because I had the SAME problem!  I live in a cape-style house, and at the front where the roof slants is where our closets are.  I always wanted a big organized wardrobe system from IKEA (like my kids have) but it would never fit, so I decided to use the eaves space right next to my closet.

As luck would have it, on one of my many journeys to IKEA I found exactly what I wanted and for much less than I ever would've expected to pay!  In the "As-Is" section I found Pax Komplement Shoe Racks for $1.00 each, so I grabbed 12!  I also managed to find 6 matching drawers that were the same width as the racks!  SCORE!  

 

Wanting nothing less than instant gratification, the minute I got home I had hubs get to work on the demo/building side of things (My work... vision, design, shopping- was done!)  He framed everything in, insulated it, and covered it with drywall.  I taped off and filled in the seams, sanded it down, and painted... so much for my work being done!

 

He installed the drawers and shoe racks right to the inside walls.  Definitely the easiest part of the entire project!  Then I painted the outside wall (hubs HATES painting!)

 

After the paint dried, hubs trimmed it in to finish things up :)  We did this project a few months ago and I can tell you every time I go into my closet I fall in love with my husband all over again.  It is so organized and there's a home for everything!  At first I didn't think it would hold all of my shoes, but then I realized it didn't need to.  I only need it to hold my shoes by season and 18 pairs per season is pretty doable I think ;)

 

Craft Organization {A Sneak Peek!}

I've been working diligently trying to finish up my studio.  For some reason I've been agonizing (literally) over the entire project -  layout, storage, decor, etc.  I've made LOTS of progress this week and I hope to pull it all together on my weekend (M-T-W)  Here are a few sneak peeks ;)

This is an amazing dresser that hubs scored for me way back when he was my boyfriend and it's prefect for my craft room.  I wrote on the drawers with chalk to help define each compartment.

How to Store Fabric {Neatly!}

It's no secret that I crave absolute organization.  I'm always trying to think of more effective ways to organize my life and even more so my crafts.  Call me a fabric snob, but I cringe when I see my beautiful fabrics "folded neatly" in piles.  I don't care if they are all the same shape, the ends are folded in, and they are arranged by color.  There is nothing "neat" about that.  The problem with piles is that when you go to pull out one print, you also pull out all the fabrics on top of it.  Ugh.  (Also, I feel like the "horizontal stripes are unflattering" rule doesn't just apply to people!)  I needed a new system, desperately and tonight, ladies and gentlemen... I have hit Fabric Nirvana. 

Magnetic Idea Board

Make this!

Chalkboard Paint Food Storage Jars

Although having three children has forced me to ease up a bit, I have OCD at heart.  How do I know this?  When the IKEA catalog gets delivered I have to stop what I'm doing and flip through it- cover to cover.  I drool over organizational products.  I've always wanted to have one of those pantries that has all the food stored in glass jars and practically alphabetized.  I do understand that it wouldn't always be practical, but it looks GREAT! 

Well, yesterday while wondering Wal-mart aimlessly, I stumbled upon some really nice glass food storage jars for way less than I've seen anywhere.  They had massive ones that could probably fit two bags of flour for around $4 each!  The medium ones could probably hold a bag of sugar and they were around $3.  The small ones were around $2 and would be great for tea bags or a small sugar jar.  I grabbed a few of each and decided (obviously) that I would turn it into a project!  I love using chalkboard paint.  There are so many uses for it, and being ridiculously easy to use (and relatively inexpensive) why not use it for this?

Make These in 30 mins!

Tools and Such:

x-acto / razor blade

painter's tape

Chalkboard Paint (about $11 for a quart)

paint brush or roller

jars

 

Step 1: Tape Off The Jars

Use the painter's tape to tape off the area you'd like to paint.  Be sure to really apply pressure to secure the tape down so the paint doesn't bleed.

 

You can also make custom shapes using a stencil - scalloped edge, circle, oval, whatever!  Just tape the entire surface of the jar, being sure to overlap a bit and trace your shape on top of the tape.

Use the x-acto knife or razor to cut out your traced design.  Peel up the tape slowly, being sure you aren't ripping the tape.

 

Step 2: Paint!

Use a roller or a brush to apply the paint.  The paint will level itself off to an extent, so don't worry about it looking perfect!  Let it dry for 30 minutes.  If you think it needs another coat wait an hour longer before applying it.  If not, Step 4!

 

Step 4: Unveil Your Masterpiece!

Peel the tape off slowly.  Don't worry if some of the paint bled through, just clean it up with the x-acto.  To condition the chalkboard surface, use the side of a piece of chalk to rub the entire surface, then erase it.  Now label your jar :)

 

Oh look at that!  You're one step closer to Pantry OCD, too!