Issue 1: Try as she might, my Graci just couldn't keep the shelf next to her bed organized. Originally it was a changing table, but I removed the mattress pad and declared it a shelf. Yeah, that's how I roll.
I have an aversion to closed doors (I have open kitchen shelving and have removed the doors to my dining room buffet and bookcase. It's a sickness, I'm sure.) so I was glad to have an easy, breezy storage solution for my girl.
At least that was the plan.
What actually happened was her books, Littlest Pet Shop collection and American Girl gear totally took over the space. This is how it looked the majority of the time. (Brace yourself. I'm keepin' it real here.)
Heavy sigh.
Issue 2: The cabinet under the hanging pot rack in the kitchen was to provide needed extra storage in my kitchen. You may remember from an earlier post we didn't add upper kitchen cabinets when we redid the room some time ago. I found this former tv stand at a thrift store for 20 smacks. It was already painted this black and gold combination which matched the kitchen's Old World theme perfectly.
The problem? The interior shelving. Again, this was a tv stand, not a storage unit and the tiny interior shelf proved it. Brace yourself again, folks.
See that sideboard in the dining room? We're headed there next. Nothing wrong with it. In a past life, it was a vanity in my bedroom. Got it from a thrift as well. Best $35 bucks I've ever spent.
Here's a close-up.
Um, yeah....that's a cat sleeping in that bowl. Another sigh. If you've got cats, you know what I mean. That's Simon, our #2. Samantha, #3 can be seen in the black chair on the other side of the wall in the picture above. You'll meet our first feline Sadie later in this post.
Work around me, human.....
Issue #3
The computer desk in the family room was too bulky and blocked one of the three windows. I love bright, open spaces. When I entered this room my eyes travel until they crash in this area. See what I mean? Try to ignore the steam mop, the pillow on the floor in front of the fireplace, the cat, the junky desk.....um, just block all that out and gaze at the desk. I hate it.
To add insult to injury, the tween, teen and hubby leave all manner of paper, books and stuff lying around. It drives me bonkers.
THE PLAN:
1. Recommission the sideboard into a computer desk. It'll solve two problems: No more dumping ground and open up that area.That bulky computer desk was free--given to us by a friend of hubby's years ago. It's going to freecycle or the trash heap.
2. Move the changing table/shelf from Graci's room into the kitchen. The size will fit better and I'll have shelves. Also, we're about the redo the kitchen and get white cabinets. It'll fit right in. The door has to be replaced, stickers removed and there may be a paint treatment,, but I'm sure it'll love its new home.
3. Move the shelf from the kitchen into the dining room. It's the perfect size for a sideboard. This will defininately be repainted. I'm thinking Anne Sloan chalk in red. Oooohhhh.
I love it when a plan comes together. Pictures soon....
