Maybe I’m a little bit obsessive compulsive or maybe I’m just an organizing freak…call me crazy but I’m like a kid in the candy store when I’m at The Container Store. One of my simplest enjoyments in life is to organize and de-clutter. When there is a sense of order it just seems to make life run a little more smoothly.

Taking the organizational theme that began last week in the kitchen and moving to the bedroom I can’t say enough about a few simple pleasures including the 12-pair stackable shoe organizer. I’m a recovering clear shoebox addict that has now found resolve in the stackable organizer because it removes the anxiety of all the boxes that one has to shuffle around just to get to that great pair of BCBG sandals that you wear only twice per year. What works is that you can quickly snag a pair of flip-flops or tennies and run out the door instead of taking the time to re-organize and re-stack the clear boxes on the overhead shelf.

One of my preferred visual and practical organizers are the wooden hangers.  Not only do they create visual symmetry but a wooden hanger properly supports your finer goods without leaving those funny bubble-shaped shoulder bumps that you find your boss stairing at during your next board meeting. Buy them in bulk for $10 at Target or splurge and go for the premium walnut from your local home goods store.

The least expected but the most appreciated organizing system for the bedroom is the under-the-bed gift wrap center. If you are square footage challenged and if you are like me and find yourself stocking up on the random gift bag or two this is the perfect option. I found it at one of my favorite places…the afore mentioned The Container Store.

The more awkward items like handbags, hats, gloves, random oddly shaped items that you aren’t sure just where to put are best stored in a pretty and decorative container atop your closet shelves. There is something refreshing about opening the closet door to a fun and bright print that cheers you up in the morning. I found these on Target’s website for a mere $10…cute and affordable!

With your P-Touch (label maker for the non-organizer) in hand and a few helpful organizing tools your bedroom and closet can be free of clutter. Just think of all the time you can save getting ready for work in the morning and all you have to do is apply a few simple inspirational ideas to organize your own space!  

With Spring lurking around the corner we are all feeling the need to get our homes cleaned out and organized. Or maybe you are like me and a little bit OCD! There is nothing better than to have your surroundings organized and orderly. It simply makes life easier, more efficient, and instead of spending that extra five minutes looking for the matching lid to a storage container (we’ve all been there) you can spend it doing something fun outside in the Spring sunshine!

This recent phase of purging and donating unused or unwanted items from my home inspired me to share with you my favorite organizing gadgets. First thing first is the kitchen. Instead of being uninspired by the mass chaos of your cabinets…and ending up ordering out…try organizing your pantry and cabinets with the following:

Pull-out drawers that you can retrofit to just about any kitchen cabinet. This is a great, and affordable, option to keep your pots, pans, containers, and their corresponding lids organized.

Air-tight canisters for food items that you can actually see which may motivate you to use what you have and cook dinner in tonight.

Do you find yourself buying multiples of the regularly used spices because you can’t find or can’t remember what you have? If this is the case then I have to share with you that this organizer, the spice stack,  is my absolute favorite. Add a label to each slot for quick access in the midst of cooking. This is also a great use for that high cabinet above the range that you can reach but can’t necessarily see what is in it.

And finally, if you find that leaving a wet sponge on the edge of the sink isn’t the best way to keep things clean then I suggest the organizing basket that suctions right to your sink. It’s convenient and allows the sponge to dry properly between uses. One more tip, instead of throwing out the sponge after several uses simply toss it in the dishwasher for sanitizing. I also recommend the new Scotch-Brite greener clean sponge made of recycled agave plant that you can easily find in the cleaning utensil department at Target. As a side benefit it is a neutral color that isn’t the weird neon 80s pink or purple that most sponges are.  

Hopefully you will find these inexpensive organizing tools as priceless as I do. Look for a post this time next week about organizing other parts of the home…it isn’t always just about the kitchen!

Happy Spring Cleaning!

In the thick of winter and the promise of spring just around the corner it can often be difficult to find inspiration. Today I am finding inspiration in all things Costa Rican. In anticipation of an upcoming trip I am inspired by the following photos and can’t wait to experience the country in-person.

The color and line of this photo are what makes this image artful and unique. A simple thing such as a metal hut can inspire color, texture, and line for a room in your home. This photo was taken by Denise Bear for the 7th Annual International Programs Photo Contest at Rice University.

Costa Rica is also known for its amazing waterfalls. I found this particular image serene. The color is also inspiring, such a vibrant green! The color green can represent tranquility, good luck, health, and jealousy… in my opinion the prevalent affect of this image is tranquility.

More pink! The composition of this photo is more symmetrical than I typically prefer but I couldn’t resist the vibrant color.

There seems to be an ever present theme of relaxation and tranquility that is connected with all of these images…and Costa Rica for that matter.  Sitting in one of these rocking chairs on the terrace of El Silencio Lodge (umm, even the name is tranquil “The Silence Lodge”) reading a book and enjoying a margarita couldn’t sound better! 

And last but not least… the beaches.  That is all one has to really say when it comes to being inspired by the beach.

You may wonder how all of this connects to design. Well, there is no better place to find inspiration than on an amazing vacation, in nature, and even in the most unexpected objects. A tropical vacation, a simple flower, or a door to a shack in some remote village could inspire the color or the feeling for a room. Think of somewhere you have been and how you felt when you were there then find an image that connects the two and you will have the perfect inspiration for an interior space within your home.

Happy Daydreaming!

It seems that time and time again I learn of people trying to choose a paint color FIRST before they decorate and accessorize a room. Inevitably they are disappointed in the color and wish they had done something a little differently. They find themselves getting more and more frustrated as they shop endlessly for the perfect bedding, side chair, or sofa. This feeling of disappointment in a chosen paint color CAN be avoided.

FIRST, pick the major pieces for the room (i.e. sofas, flooring, and other large ticket items). Try to keep these pieces in the neutral tones and patterns whether they are in warm or cool colors. By doing this they can last the any changes in your style and preferences over time. SECOND, choose a color inspiration item. This inspiration item could be the area rug, a throw pillow, a piece of art, a sculpture, or even a personal item that will reside in the room. THIRD, build your paint color palette from this inspiration item.

I feel like I am repeating myself and perhaps I’ve discussed this process in the past. However, I cannot say it enough…do not pick your paint color and THEN try to decorate the space around this color. It is far more difficult to match bedding, artwork, and accessories to a paint color on your wall than it is to choose the paint based one of these items.

For example the fabrics for the upholstery, curtains, and accessories as well as the rug are selected for a room as follows:

Based on these selections I would recommend a few different options. For a warm and cozy room pull the dark brown out of the patterned upholstery. For a cooler or fresher feeling pull the light gray out of the floral patterned upholstery. For a color palette that leans toward a monochromatic feeling (with a few color accents) select a shade of green that is somewhere within the same color family as all the shades of green found in the fabrics. And finally, for a more neutral selection a warm shade of creme found in the base of the floral upholstery would be the best option.

Hopefully this advice I am offering helps you…at least a little bit. If you aren’t sure and find yourself stuck in choosing a paint color simply send me an email at questions@theidesignbox.com with a digital image or link to an accessory that you are using as the inspiration item in your room. I’ll offer a few recommendations to point you in the right direction.

Happy Painting!