Godmorgon Makeup Organizer

Loving the this little box from Ikea.  So perfect for organizing a makeup drawer. It compartmentalizes and gives a home to mascara, lipstick, nailpolish, etc. so they're accessible and easy to find. Here it is in action:

image credit: Style at Home via Marcus Design 

a graphic statement with storage boxes

Stylist Rebecca Omweg took plain, inexpensive cardboard bankers boxes and created not just a great storage solution for her space, but also a graphic statement.  I love that the uniformity creates a clean and streamlined look. The boxes are placed atop wall mounted shelves and labeled with stenciled numbers. A master list details what's inside each one so things are accessible and easy to find.

image credit: photography by melanie acevedo via brides

Recipe Box

Another lovely find from Sugar Paper - a pretty pink box for keeping recipes beautifully organized.

image credits: 1-west elm via bright bazaar, 2-photography by elizabeth messina via style me pretty, 3-sugar paper

Stylishly Organized: Picks from Sugar Paper

Had the pleasure of stopping by the lovely shop Sugar Paper in Brentwood late last week after visiting the House of Windsor with my pal Irene, and spotted these pretty little lists made of 100% recycled paper. Perfect for staying stylishly organized:

to do list, market list

image credits: 1-nuevo estilo, 2-via modern hepburn

Stylish Binders

I use 3-ring binders for storing and organizing everything from project files and business receipts, to magazine tearsheets and recipies. I currently have basic white inexpensive ones in a variety of sizes, which I keep lined up in an office cabinet. For binders I use frequently, I'm thinking it'd be nice to upgrade to something that's stylish enough to leave out on an open shelf for easy access. Russell + hazel binders in a fun color {as seen below} would do nicely.

image credits: 1-russell + hazel, 2-country living via everything fab, 3-from the russell + hazel 2010 catalog via dress design decor

Accessories Organizer

Loving this little organizer for its versatility. You can hang not just necklaces (tangle-free yay!), but also earrings, scarves, sunglasses, handbags (there's a hook on each side), etc. Plus the shelf on top offers a place to keep other items like perfume, a pretty box, picture frames etc.

From OrgJunkie's curated collection on OpenSky ($35)

Shoe Ottoman

Lilly PulitzerRousseau ottoman

Ottomans are so great because they often serve double (or triple) duty. I love that this one is secretly outfitted with 16 pockets for storing shoes (or other things!) and is lined with a pretty fabric that adds such a fun unexpected punch of color.

Portable Storage Baskets

A tote basket is a beautiful solution for containing and conveniently transporting files and/or project supplies from room-to-room.

image via domino

I'm loving these hand-woven fair trade imports from Tango Zulu:

From left to right: Water Hyacinthin Honey Large, Rectangular Bolga Basket in Natural Large, Oval Bolga Basket

P.S. You can also use 'em as market totes, magazine holders, picnic baskets...there's a multitude of uses!

Stunning Storage + New Lonny

pg 24-25 from Aug/Sept 2010 issue of Lonny

The new issue of Lonny is out and as always, it's brimming with great finds, beautiful inspiration, and useful tips. Go check it out!

A Few More Things on Jewelry Organization

I found a few more things over the weekend I couldn't resist but share. First off, how gorgeous are these gold knobs? Perfect for creating a beautifully organized display of necklaces.

gold knobs available via Hygge & West $8

Second, how cool is this jewelry organizer?

nishka's niche jewelry frames $44

Nishka creatively thought outside the box and made these hanging frames, which she sells through her Etsy shop. I love that they're a step above a simple bulletin board and pushpins. The hooks are a practical solution for neatly holding not only necklaces and hanging earrings, but also bracelets, watches, and even a few rings.

Last but not least, I also wanted to post on here an idea a reader brought up. Stephanie of Sabbe Interior Design shared that last week's posts made her think of using a deviled egg platter to organize her jewelry. What a great idea! I bet that would work beautifully!

Jewelry Organization: Part 2

In the last post, I went over several options for organizing necklaces. Today I'd like to go over a few ideas for organizing the rest of your jewelry.

Along the sames lines as the bust statues and the mannequin dress forms, you can use a mannequin hand to hold and display rings and bracelets. This is perfect for people who are visually oriented and like to have their things out where they can see 'em.

L: photo by jose picayo; R: mannequin hand with movable joints so you can position it however you want!{$30}

L: ceramic hand jewelry stand {$18}; R: glass hand jewelry stand {$14}

An egg crate {as seen below} nice enough to leave out, is great at multi-tasking. Each little divided section is the ideal size for rings or earrings.

L: anthropologie farmer's egg crate {$14}; R: via domestic adventure

via young house love {sherry's closet}

I also love the idea of using a collection of beautiful decorative dishes. These are something you could keep a look-out for on trips to flea markets.

L: via martha stewart; R: via live creating yourself

Opt for smaller cups, that way you can only fit a few pieces of jewelry in each. The larger the dish, the more tempted you'll be to fill it up with more jewelry... which can in turn result in frustrating tangles.

via live creating yourself {alaina's dressing room}

If you'd like to put your jewelry away in drawers, make use of multi-compartment containers. They make pieces easy to locate and help ensure that earrings stay in pairs. Try a clear acrylic tray

L: photo by jose picayo featuring an acrylic jewelry tray {$19.99}; R: small clear jewelry organizer {$8.99}

or an inexpensive bead organizer {which you can find at most craft stores}

or my favorite, ice cube trays! You can find these anywhere and get 'em on the cheap. You can easily fit them in most drawers and, if you have the space, you can stack them.

L: via real simple; R: via blooming designs

With bracelets, you don't have to worry as much about keeping them compartmentalized. They can easily find a home on a decorative tray. Most are large enough that they won't get lost or tangled in the bunch {if you don't clutter the tray of course!}

via lonny mag

Keep in mind that you don't have to have everything out on display or everything put away in drawers. You can do both by having out the pieces you use most frequently and stashing the rest away in drawers. Try to rotate out pieces periodically. Most of us are more likely to reach for what we see in front of us and is most easily accessible. If you find yourself not rotating a particular piece {or pieces} to wear, assess whether it might be time to let it go and make space for something you will wear.

P.S. Email me if you decide to implement any of the ideas in this or the previous post-I'd love to see some reader before and afters!

Jewelry Organization: Part 1

While a dedicated storage armoire like the one below featured in Lonny {$540.00 here} is certainly a beautiful option for neatly storing and organizing a substantial jewelry collection, in this economy, its probably more than most of us are able and willing to shell out.

images via lonny mag

If your collection is large enough and your heart is set on an armoire, you can find more affordable pieces similar to the one above. Jen of MadebyGirl recently did a post featuring these alternatives with prices ranging from $259-369. You can also try your luck at finding a used one. I found this one in my local craigslist for $100 (asking price).

You can also outfit a dresser you already own with trays and dividers. If all your drawers are full, is could be a good opportunity {since you'll be motivated with a purpose!} to edit what's in there and free up some space ;-)

L: via domino magazine; R: stacking necklace organizer {$14.99}

If you don't already own a dresser, aren't looking to bring in a new piece of furniture into your space, and/or you're visually oriented and like to have things on display because for you out-of-sight means out-of-mind, there are several options.

In regards to organizing necklaces, you can try hanging them on a rod. This isn't my favorite of options however since it can be a bit tricky removing a necklace further down the rod without making a mess.

via lobster and swan

I like the idea of hanging a few on a lamp and integrating them as part of a styled vignette.

L: via lonny magazine; R: nate berkus via glamour magazine

Busts make a beautiful display and are a great way to enjoy your favorite necklace(s) when you're not wearing them.

home of michelle adams

The only downside is that it can be a challenge finding an inexpensive one {the one below right (8" tall) is $80}. I'd keep a look out for one at a flea market.

L: via blueprint magazine; R: Artemis bust from statues.com

Along the same lines, you can do like Kelly of the Glamouri and layer them on a mannequin.

via the glamouri

Hooks are my favorite option for organizing necklaces because they can be really inexpensive and if you put just one or two necklaces on each, there's little risk of creating any tangles.

L: via half of vahm; R: photo by Frances Janisch via this is glamorous

I love the idea of using decorative hooks. You can find pretty ones here.

L: via domino magazine; R: via grahaman and green

Anna of In Honor of Design, made her own organizer using decorative knobs. The photo below shows her end result. Read about how she did it here.

via in honor of design

If you can't or don't want to put anything on the wall, you can use a "belt and tie rack" that can be hung in your closet, or alternatively one that can hung over-the-door.

L: classico horizontal tie and belt rack {$6.99} R: closetmaid over the door rack {$9.98}

Last but not least, another great inexpensive option is to use a bulletin board, which you can have out on display or, if you like to keep things out of sight, you can keep behind curtains

L: via real simple; R: via redbook

You can find cute boards covered in fabric and/or framed on Etsyor you can get crafty and make your own!

L: via high street market; R: via instyle magazine

Up next: organizing rings, earrings, and bracelets

Beautiful Storage: Semikolon

home of Sabrina Linn as seen in Canadian House and Home

Chances are you've seen Semikolon boxes before. Maybe in inspirational images like the one above, or at the store {Container Store and Barnes and Noble carries them}. I had seen and admired few pieces myself here but never paid attention to who made them. When I found out a company called Semikolon made them, I immediately popped on over to their website and was in awe at how fabulously extensive their collection was. Being the geek that I am, I get excited about things like this!

They make a nice variety of pieces most which come in a choice of several beautiful colors! Here's a quick look at a few:

L: desktop file; R: document box

L: accordion file; R: magazine box

multimedia box

document box

L: photo library; R: photo box

Find Semikolon products by googling them - different retailers and online shops carry a different selection.

Paring Down: Laundry Products

A few of you emailed me asking about small space solutions for your laundry spaces. I myself have a small space.-so I hear ya! One tip is to pare down as much as possible the products you have. It's easy to go on product overload especially if an area is cluttered and you don't realize you already have a certain type of product and so go out and buy another one.Take a look at your current stash. Gather everything in one area and group like items. Look at how much space you have and consider giving away any multiples to allow room for everything to fit nicely. Don't pour them down the drain or throw them in the trash though! A lot of laundry products are toxic so please take them to your local household hazardous waste collection center if you don't want to give them away.If you decide to keep multiples, commit to using them. Place the items which are closest to being empty in the most accessible spot-like the front of a shelf. Multiples can go right behind, down below or up top. The goal is to pare it down to just a few products-preferably ones that multi-task and/or don't take up a lot of valuable space. When buying new products remember bigger isn't always better or more economical -be sure to check the price per load.

Here's a look at my picks:

OxiClean Free -non-chlorine solution for removing stains and whitening {great for white linens!} Method Laundry Detergent- plant based, non-toxic, biodegradable, and comes in a compact bottle The Laundress Delicate Wash -another non-toxic, biodegradable product -this one for delicate items Dryer Balls Although they're a reusable alternative to dryer sheets, I've come to discover {and been turned off by the fact} that dryer balls are made of PVC {Polyvinyl chloride = toxic plastic}. A better alternative? Wool dryer balls or vinegar. Vinegar - to soften fabric, reduce static and prevent wrinkles

Do you have a favorite laundry product?

Laundry Organization: Hampers

Whether you do laundry at home, take it to the laundromat, or a shared laundry room, organizing and streamlining it starts with the hamper. Hampers placed in convenient areas where you tend to remove your clothes, like the closet or the bathroom, keep dirty clothes off the floor and contained in one spot.

image via Restoration Hardware

A great option, if you have the space for it, is one that's divided into two or three sections {one for lights, one for darks, etc}. This option saves time on sorting since it allows you to simply throw your clothes into the appropriate sections as you take them off.

3 section laundry organizer $39.99

With the same idea in mind, you can get multiples of the same hamper one for each section you want. {Tip: rectangular (as opposed to round) ones are best for this purpose as they make better use of space when arranged side by side.}

L: Set of Two Hampers with Liners $54.95: R:Folding Hamper $18.95

To minimize struggling while transporting the laundry or to avoid transferring clothes into a separate laundry bag, opt for a hamper that's not too heavy and you're comfortable carrying or one with a built-in removable bag {like the one pictured below right}.

L: Woven Nylon Hamper $39.99 R: Crazy Linen Hamper : $89.95

I'm loving this one {shown below} in classic black and white stripes from Etsy seller FlauraDesign, which has hook and loop fastners that make the bag easy to attach and remove.

P.S. She also has a cute yellow and white striped one -check out her shop here.

If you're short on space, use one that will take advantage of vertical space like those that hang on a door or hook. To make it easy to deposit dirty clothes, use something like this for your drawstring laundry bag {pictured below left}. You can also make your own by using an embroidery hoop as seen in the photo below right from Martha Stewart.

L: Overdoor Hamper + Laundry Bag $23.98 R: image via Martha Stewart.com