Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Just Judge These Juxtaposed Images, If You Will . . .


Remember my reality post?  When I shamefully disclosed the status of this closet?  Ouch.  I vowed to clean it.  I had it all planned in my head.  I would clean it out, go buy a few metal shelves, and voila.  More organization.

Here it is in its half-clean state. The filing cabinet was full of pictures and frames and decorating stuff, so that was useful space, right?


I proposed the idea to Brad, and he said, "I can just make you a few shelves, no problem."

Remember when I posted this picture?
That's what Ben got drafted to do.
And it was finished in a few short hours.
This is what it looks like now:


"I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love, with a wonderful guy!"
So much better.  Isn't it just awesome?

Now it's easy to find all the "tchotchkes" that I rotate in and around my house.  Need white napkins?  Top drawer on the bottom right.  Where's my easel for Institute?  See it right there, front left?  What about a vase?  Right middle.  Candles and candlesticks?  Got them for you!  I played a little musical chairs with the cupboards in the library as well.  Now one is full of frames and pictures and easels, and another holds plants and pots.  It sounds like it's a lot of stuff, but I rotate it frequently, purge even more frequently, and I only keep the things I love.  The new layout came in so handy when I was setting up for Christmas.  I had places for all the "resting" stuff, and I could find just what I needed to trim out my house for the holidays.

Ben has dubbed it The Official Tchotchke Closet.  I wish I had vinyl letters to crown it so on the door.  I would so do it.  But my label-maker doesn't print that big, and I don't really know how to use my Cri-cut.

Any volunteers?

Brought to you by me, Jen, and the letter J from Alphabe-Thursday.

Jenny Matlock

And remember, Monday will be the second installment of Christmas traditions.  Last Monday, I divulged all my Black Friday secrets.  This Monday, it's holiday decorating.  If you'd like to link up, stop back by and leave a link to your post featuring your family's decorating traditions--Advent, trees, lights, whatever.  We all want to see and share the jolly spirit!
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34 comments:

  1. Looks fab! That Brad, he does come in handy. There really is nothing better than a smartly organized space. It just makes my heart happy.

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  2. You are one lucky girl! It's awesome!! I'd love a space where everything was together!

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  3. Organizer's heaven! Can you come to the office at my house please? It's the dumping room, not just a closet. I'm having a melt down due to the hoarder nature of the rest of my family. They don't understand the organizer/purger in me!

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  4. Oh, how I wish I had a "handy" husband. I console myself by remembering that he is practically perfect in every other way.

    But he is so not handy.

    I admit it. I covet your cupboards.

    =)

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  5. You have a tchotchke problem. But you are really cute as well. I'm just saying.

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  6. I've heard of tchochtkes before but what are they? It's a nicely organized closet and well done to your handy guys.

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  7. I love it when Hubs steps in and shows his stuff. Love it!! Your closet looks great by the way.

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  8. I would like to know the name of the green on your wall and where you got it from. LOVE IT!!!

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  9. Looks good! If only it was like that for Heather's reception! Hahaha!

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  10. I dream about doing this sort of thing...
    Dana

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  11. Brilliant!
    I have a Closet of Shame - but I feel quite noble because it used to be a Spare Room of Shame until I downsized it!

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  12. K knows how to cut vinyl with our cricut :) I am sure we could get her to do it in a few weeks AND teach you (and/or Lily) how :) Great closet!

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  13. WOW!
    What a change and what a great space.
    Storage is so key isn't it? Seems you don't know how key until you're blessed with a new closet full!:)
    Looks great!! Wish I had a giant sized label maker for you!:)
    Enjoy the day Jen

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  14. You caught yourself a very handy man! Lucky you :) Wow, that closet looks great with the new shelves. I wish I can get Jason to build me some too....except we don't have a closet like yours or any space for that matter :) "tchotchkes"...I like that word...maybe I should use it more often.

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  15. Way to go!! Don't you just love orginazation!! I also feel pretty blessed that my husband is super handy!

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  16. oh my goodness, you have no idea how much I long for a tchotchke closet ... J is also for jealous ;-)
    Well done, girl, I love the new space!!

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  17. crack me up! I love that you have a cricut but don't know how to use it!! my friend Di could show you, she's awesome! Love this closet!! Love it! hugs, Cathy

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  18. i love when our men get motivated and make us jump for joy! it's the little things in life!

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  19. It's kind of a double edge sword. Yes, it looks great, but now you'll put more stuff in there on those beautiful shelves.
    Hey! I have a couple of closets that need help. Is your son busy this weekend?

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  20. Should I make you a sign?!
    I can see it up on the wall behind the top shelf...just like my pantry sign!

    http://thepleasuresofmylife.blogspot.com/2010/05/pantry-sign-and-garage-sale-makeover.html

    It could say tchotchke closet! :)

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  21. The closet looks wonderful after its remodel. I love all the shelves.

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  22. There's nothing like shelves in a closet! Would make me very happy too.

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  23. Heaven, just Heaven! Thank goodness you finally showed us the project-thought you were going to keep us dangling forever! I love having a handy husband, makes life easier.

    And I love that closet-life is so much better when it's organized!

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  24. organization is always a VERY GOOD thing!! it's beautiful!

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  25. Jen it's perfect! All organized and ready with everthing you need at your finger tips. Don't you just LOVE that feeling? :)

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  26. Sis. Booth is an expert at the cricut! My stu co posters looked fantabulous for a reason!

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  27. Do you and your husband hire out? Just askin'!!

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  28. Lucky you...help and organization :) And a great J post for this week.

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  29. I am awesome on the cricut and will tutor you as to the fun uses of the object!!

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  30. That's wonderful! I've been wishing for one shelf in a cupboard for two years now, and it still hasn't magically appeared! Great J post.

    Teresa

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  31. That looks so organized now! Isn't it wonderful to have talented men in the house? ~Ames

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  32. Jen! How organized and wonderful your space is! It is really impressive. I wish I knew how to do those vinyl banners, I would totally make one for you.

    That would be such a cute label for the door!

    Thanks for the smile and the warm stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday!

    You are a joy!

    A+

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