Organizing the Pantry

Most visitors will never visit your pantry, so organizing a pantry is solely for the benefit of you and your family.  It doesn't have to look fancy and it doesn't have to be extravagant.  It simply has to suit your needs and assist you in finding your ingredients in a systematic and foolproof way.

I tackled my pantry today!  Actually, my pantry is both a pantry and a laundry room.  This was both an organization project and a cleaning project.  Here's what I did!

clean slate
Pull out everything and start with at least one bare slate.  I decided to pull out every item that was on the floor and moved them into my kitchen.  I also began by sweeping the floors to have a clean surface.  Clearing and cleaning the main area in which you will work really helps the project become attainable and keeps you inspired to keep on.  If you are constantly tripping on objects and cannot see the end goal, the project will never get completed.

spot clean
Tackle the areas that you normally never think to bother with in your pantry.  If you have a trash can you may decide to do what I did.  I decided to wipe down the wall where the trash can sits and scrub it with a Mr. Clean magic eraser.  My wall looked so much better!  Also, you can wipe down racks, go around the base boards, and clean air vents.

steam the sucker!
Nothing is better at sanitizing a floor than a good and hot steamer.  I used my Haan steamer and got my floors sanitized and sparkling!'

organize the goods
I stood on a towel (floors were still wet) and began to organize the canned goods as well as my many, many bottles of oil, vinegar, and dressing.  I have four plastic baskets on my pantry shelves, because when we first moved into our house we realized how impractical the wire shelving was for storing bottles and cans.  The baskets allow us to minimize avalanches and allow us to section our ingredients.  I have a bean, veggie, and fruit can basket.  I have a baking ingredients basket.  I have a soup, packet, and jello basket, and finally, I have a tomato goods and pasta basket.  Sure, I have some items hiding in each that don't fit in each category, but it helps having sections.  On the next shelf up, we have all of our bigger bottles and bigger boxes.  The main thing is have a plan and manage your plan.

extra storage
My husband loves to bake, so all of our flours do not fit on the main pantry shelf.  I bought this three tier shelf from Target three years ago and it houses our sugar, flours, large stockpot, rice cooker, breakfast items, and snacks.  What a great investment!!!

crossing the t's and dotting the i's
Leave no stone unturned.  When I'm working through my pantry, I make sure to wipe down the trash can.  Each area of your home is filled with details, how many do you notice around your home?  Trust me, even if house guests do not notice your pantry, they will absolutely notice a dirty, splotched trash can.  Also, since my trash can is hidden in my pantry, I keep my recycling in a paper bag beside my trash can.  This way, I just pick up the paper bag and set it in the outdoor bin, no need for dumping!


together again
I kept on my project until completion.  After the floors dried, I was able to load the extra pantry room items back into the pantry room.  My pantry/laundry room hasn't looked so good in a long while!!! Sparkle sparkle, shine shine. Yeah, that looks nice!

My New Products!

As a designer, I have the challenge to learn a client's tastes, likes, and dislikes and help them to decorate their home according to what works best for them and what will bring them the most enjoyment.  However, my own taste and style often differs greatly from that of each client.  My job with my clients is to make their house their style, but in my own home and life I get to do my own thing and have my own style.

My latest creations for my Etsy shop are just that, my own style.  Personally, I'm eclectic, unusual, out of the box, bright, spontaneous, and passionate.  My artwork tends to reflect those traits.  Let me introduce you to my newest Etsy products.

abstract "clip art" clip board

During my college days, I had a brown clip board that screamed "Boring!" and never inspired me to write more than a couple words.  For me, creativity is often spawned from unbearable moments of boredom.  I began to doodle on my clip board, then I began to splot the clip board with white out, after that I tortured it with a sharpie.  Finally, when I got back to my dorm I pulled out the heavy artillery.  I used various hues of paint and all of the sudden my clip board was anything but boring.  I had created an inspirational work of art that happened to be utilized as a clip board.  These clip boards pictured on the right are the first three reinterpretations of my original clip board.  I hope one of them brings you as much inspiration in your writing as my college clip board brought me.

Clip Board 1: http://www.etsy.com/listing/88809335/clip-art-clipboard-functional-art-work

This clip board is definitely a good choice for a guy.  It's a mixture of sci-fi and mystery with the green, silver, black, and white hues.

Clip Board 2: http://www.etsy.com/listing/88810125/clip-art-clipboard-functional-art-work

Whether you work in education or simply love bright and beautiful colors, this clip board portrays patterns and colors to the inth degree.  Red on white, silver on blue, each stripe has a different pattern to offer.

Clip Board 3:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/88810945/clip-art-clipboard-functional-art-work

First Time OOAK Painting - Vinyl Record Art

recycled record art work

The other recent painted work of art that I have recently completed is my "The First Time" vinyl record acrylic painting.  I thought it tremendously appropriate to choose the 45 record labeled "The First Time" for my first attempt at painting one of the vinyl records.  I'm simply corny like that.  It is also available for sale on my Etsy Shop.  Let me know if you would like a custom painted 45 records.  I have 198 records still left in my 45 record collection, so I'm sure I'll be able to fulfill your request!

First Time Record Art:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/88812944/first-time-ooak-original-painting-vinyl

Featured and Featuring

Designing Life has been featured on Heart Handmade's site today: http://www.hearthandmadeblog.com/home-decor/

I am very thankful for sites like Heart Handmade that seek to express the importance of buying from real people making real handmade items, whether digital designs or crafts.  This Christmas Season I am seeking to buy more goods directly from the source.  Sure, I am still visiting Target and checking out Amazon, but I am also buying more meaningful, personal gifts from Etsy.

Fine Silver Snowflake Pendant
Etsy Shop: Wild Dog Studio

jewelry

Etsy has some of the best handcrafted jewelry for sale at very affordable prices.  At times I find myself standing at a department store looking at the racks and racks of cheap jewelry just itching to find the "perfect" piece, but I'm realizing that it is much better to depend on the craftmanship and detail of Etsy sellers rather than giving my business to large retailers who care nothing about whether their jewelry will last more than a week.  If I do have a problem, Etsy sellers are more than helpful to work out a solution.  Most times, there are no problems at all because the Etsy jewelry makers take pride in their work.  I choose to trust in a craftsman (or woman!) not a mass retailer.

Adventure at Sea: Hand Painted Purse
Etsy Shop: Louche Lab

purses

I have a policy.  I want to put more money into my purse than what I spend on the purse.  This makes me a stingy purse purchaser.  In my opinon, Coach and Prada can keep their over priced "corvette" purses!  Thus Etsy is the ideal place to find affordable, stylish purses!  I fully expect that some of the Etsy sellers will progress to fashion designer stardom due to their unique and breathtaking designs.  Until then, I am more than happy to fund their passions by buying their wonderful purse creations.  Consider buying a Etsy purse as a Christmas gift this Holiday season.





 

Jellyfish Acrylic Painting
Etsy Shop: Henna Swirls

artwork

Personally, I feel that artwork is one of the most precious gifts that can be given.  That is, real art.  A random print from Kohls or from TJMaxx really doesn't count.  What time did the mass retailer spend preparing the piece?  Did they pour their heart into making the machines pump out copy after copy?  No way!  Etsy artisans pour out thier time and their hearts into each piece of artwork.  Even prints are an expression of dedication in cropping, matting, and framing.  My husband bought me a wonderful teapot print from The Joy of Color who is all the way in Israel as well as an original painting by Mad Art . . . I ADORE them both.  Want to give a fantastic Christmas gift?  Buy a masterpiece for your loved one!






These products are only a few examples of the Etsy shops wares, just imagine what you can find to cross another person off your Christmas list!

About Designing Life

I blog and I write about design, but I have not given much of a formal introduction about who I am and why I design.  Let me introduce myself.  My name is Brooke Shambley and I started Designing Life because I firmly believe that everyone should be comfortable and happy in their own home. The services that I provide are intended to do just that, make your home a place where you can live life to the fullest. 
My products are affordable and priced to appeal to every day people going through every day life. Since my mother is a nurse and my mother-in-law is a teacher, I realized that I would never want to be the designer who priced herself so high that amazing people like teachers and nurses could not use my services.  My prices reflect my passion.  I have a passion to help spectacular people, not just people with a padded wallet.

As a military spouse, I also saw the need to provide design services to the frequent mover. Moving repeatedly means your home environment needs to be a consistent refuge that can easily move with you. I want to help those who move often have a place of refuge to dwell in from day to day as they face the changing world around them.

The phrase "Designing Life" means intentionally planning one's life.  I don't think that life is an accident and I wish to help people live in their home environment with a purpose.  A home should be a place that pulls a family together, assists them in attaining their goals, and especially, a home should never be a hindrance.  Designing Life means purposefully creating a home environment that promotes life.

Thank you for reading a little more about what Designing Life is all about and what I am all about.  If you are interested in finding out more about Designing Life check out these websites.

www.designinglife.etsy.com
www.designinglife.weebly.com

Feel free to e-mail me directly at:

designinglife at juno dot com

Homeschool Room E-design

Homeschool Room Design

This week I have been privileged to provide an E-design to a mother who is homeschooling her two children.  My client really wanted to make her School Room go beyond average and really be a room that would aid her children in their learning and not be a hindrance.  Most of the E-design was designed using existing furniture, but I was also able to add in a few accessories to complete the look and add to the organization.  Here are a few photos of her E-design as well as a some pinterest photos that were my inspiration.

A Storage Solution for the School Room as well as the Kid's Rooms

Each E-design includes storage solutions as well as ideas for increasing organization.  While toys are not a standard addition to a School Room, organized toy storage bins are a great way to begin teaching children to clean up after themselves.  Toys are not just for playing, but they can be a great tool for teaching.

A Placement Plan for her New Accessories

Since my client had plenty of existing furniture to work with my challenge was using her furniture in the best locations to aid learning.  I needed to create a space where she could stand at the whiteboard while teaching, a computer space, a reading nook, a workspace, as well as ample opportunities for organization.

A Furniture Floor Plan Using Existing Furniture

E-designs are all about the details.  These particular details will help to bring together her classroom and provide unique storage.  Both red, yellow, and green were colors that were reused throughout the room.  This floor plan shows the placement of these items throughout the room.

_____________________________________________________________________

Here are some Pinterest pictures of my inspiration!

Source: confessionsofahomeschooler.com via Brooke on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Brooke on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Brooke on Pinterest

Moving from "As Is" to "Just Right" in Your Home



As Is Vintage Eye Glasses - Etsy


I'm calling you out (and I'm calling myself out too)! Yes, you! You are living with your house "as is" and it's about time that you move on. When you go to a second hand store, you expect to find items labeled "as is." If you buy it, you plan to fix it or better it from that condition. No one would buy a product in "as is" condition and leave it that way. But we do it with our homes! We leave our home in the "as is" condition. Enough is enough!

From Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/micslovespink07



From "As Is" to "Just Right"

One way to move on from having a home in the "as is" condition is by recognizing the areas of the house that are commonly ignored. Just because it's always been that way, doesn't mean that it is just right! For some, the area ignored is the garage, an extra bedroom, or a corner. Maybe all that is left alone is a pile sitting by the bed or a basket of clothes to be mended. No matter what area is left untouched in your house, it is time to pull back the curtains (or pull up the blinds, whichever the case) and get busy in your ignored area.


Moving from Room to Room

Each room has areas that are in "as is" condition. Maybe your pantry is an area that gets messy repeatedly and never gets straightened, or perhaps your laundry room has piles of lost socks sitting on the dryer. Why not upgrade your "as is" areas into being "just right" areas? Make a plan and make your life a little easier and a little more livable!


Just Right Doesn't Stay Just Right

Perhaps you have a room that was "just right" only that was four years ago! "Just right" can digress into "now wrong." You have new needs, new likes, and just as your life progresses so should your home! Keep your home moving forward and update those rooms that were perfect at one time, but need a change in order to keep up with where your life is at now.

In Our Home Sign

Maintaining It "Just Right"

Whenever you have a life change, your home may need a change as well. In order to maintain your home as a perfect dwelling, you have to recognize new needs that you have. Obviously, if you have a new child in your home, you have plenty of decor needs that will have to be thought through in order to make your home "just right." However, even a new job or a new hobby can bring about the need to update your home decor. You may need new storage for your new job in order to keep yourself organized. Or maybe your new hobby would be more relaxing if you repurposed a corner of your living room into a hobby corner. Think and rethink in order to maintain your home as it should be every day of the year!

Though we shouldn't settle for "as in" in our homes, remember the words of this plaque.  The home can look great, but what's more important is how you relate to others in your home! ;-)


From Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pattisprimitives

If Not Now, When?

I was recently faced with this question in the light of my personal life.  If I am not going to fully follow Christ now, when exactly would this happen?  While pondering this question, I realized that the shortened statement "If Not Now, When?" applies to so many areas of life.  If you are like me, you put off many things for later.  According to me, now is simply not a good time.

But if not now, when?

For me, I began to look at my house in the light of timeliness.  For all the projects I keep planning to complete, when would be a better time?  There is no better time than now.

I'm putting my house in order.  I'm cleaning up the piles that have collected because "I didn't have the time" to go through them.  I'm scrubbing up the spots that "I'd clean up later."  I'm painting the walls that "I'd get to sometime."  I'm buying items to help me organize my space that I thought that "I'd find the time to buy eventually."  What time is better?

I'm making my house a home today.  I'm working towards my goal of having my home be a refuge for my family and for others.  I want to be able to invite people into my home today . . . any day.  No room needs to be a room of disgrace.  Today is the day to open up the closets or the junk room and say "enough is enough".

Maybe your house isn't the only place you have stamped with a permanent delay.  Take this question and distribute it thoroughly in your life, there's plenty to go around!  Today is the day you have.  Tomorrow doesn't happen unless you do it today.