new year, a little organization

I have a small space in the house reserved just for "my stuff." It's located in the closet of the kids playroom. {pssst I can't wait to one day take over the whole room} But since that's years and years away I figured I may as well make the most of what I've got for now. As you can see from the before photo I had the whole back wall that was screaming for some storage.

I started by painting the wall "ballet white" by Benjamin Moore. I also took a trip to Lowes and bought three wood brackets and a stair tread of all things for the shelf. {the tread was the perfect size and I liked it's finished rounded front edge} After whitewashing all the pieces they were hung and more storage was born!

I picked up a small linen ribbon board from Michaels.

Pens, pencils, brushes and cutting instruments found their way up high safely away from tiny hands.

The new shelf space above the desk helped to unclog my side shelves.

The white boxes from IKEA hold things like glitter, glues, stamps, punches, ribbons and paints. The white can on the floor is filled with fabric remnants and yarn. 

All in all it feels like a fresh start and I can actually find the things I need a little bit faster. It cost me around $50 including the shelf and items from IKEA. 

Happy Monday and cheers to a new week!

linking up to:
my uncommon slice of suburbia
the shabby creek cottage
french country cottage
my romantic home
the shabby nest
tatertots and jello
six sisters' stuff
cottage and vine

have to have

I have to have this new entry half table thingy for IKEA! Look at how it only has front legs so that the back can rest just above the baseboards to maximize space (that back has pre-drilled holes to screw into your walls). G-E-N-I-O-U-S! Each "cubby" holds a minimum of two pair of adult size shoes. This photo shows two units, each one costs just $99.99! I'm all about some function and extra storage. I'm in love.

Happy November, hope you all had a great time yesterday!

Playroom before and after. The paint is up the carpet is in, the wall unit from Ikea is put together and we're ready for some serious play action.

Before: the former owners used the space as an office. 

And After: eventually we will put a small television in the open space in the center. I know, I know a TV? Really? Yes really, as much as I love me some Mickey Mouse Club House I'm looking forward to the day she can spend some time in there watching it.  Meeska-Mooska-Out!

Peyton wants to to play dolls

I love the retro collection of toys Target carries.

Some more oldies but goodies

We do it all for this sweet little girl!

Holy shirts and pants I'm late to the party. Yes it's true we've talked about it for years but just never got around to it until today. It was so blazing hot out (again) and we knew we'd go stir crazy if we stayed home all day so it seemed like the perfect time to finally make the pilgrimage to IKEA in Cincinnati. I'm embarrassed to say I was an IKEA virgin until today. I had seen things I loved on countless other blogs and had a running list on their website.

So we packed little L up in the car for her first road trip and headed out. The goal was to pick up the mighty Expedit and a rug for the playroom plus a few other things for here and there. I was on total sensory overload. It was like the first time I sashayed into Anthro x's like a thousand. All in all it was a success and Lucy was a trooper. We'll go back soon but maybe leave little L with grandma so we can really dig in.

Now it's time to switch gears and prepare to host dinner for my Swedish relatives Tuesday night. On the way home from IKEA today Nick asked if they could maybe help put together the Expedit. ; )

Playroom rug

The Expedit. Ours will more likely be filled with toys, books, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVDs but you get the idea.