Uheart Organizing: Smart Storage for Small Toys From noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Jones)

Today's Inspiration comes from guest blogger noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer Jones) Be sure to check out their blog! I think we can all high-five to organizational solutions that are inexpensive, quick, easy and effective.  That said, Chelsea deserves some major high fives and low fives and on-the-side fives!  She is stopping by today from her blog, Two-Twenty One, to share with us her brilliantly simple solution to all of those toddler toys that contain multiple pieces.  It leaves me wishing I would have done something similar when my boys were younger.  Here she is now to spill her secrets.

Today I wanted to stop by and show you guys how I'm organizing some of my son's toys; specifically toys with small pieces like puzzles.  Because there's nothing more annoying than trying to complete a puzzle and you're missing a piece.

My answer to the where'd-that-puzzle-piece-go conundrum? Mesh lingerie laundry bags. That's right. Lingerie bags aren't only for your unmentionables, friends.

I use two different sizes of zippered, mesh bags. These larger bags, which I purchased from Walmart, hold larger puzzles and the pieces well.

While these smaller mesh bags are perfect for smaller puzzles. Plus, I scored them from the dollar store - 3 for $1.

But I didn't stop at puzzles, I kept the mesh bag party going and used it for other toys with small pieces.

Now, I must also add that before I became a mom, I worked as an infant and toddler developmental therapist (DT). And the basis of the therapy I did was play therapy. So while using the bags and teaching your kiddos to clean up after themselves, you can also throw in some educational components. For toddlers, you can sing the "Clean Up" song, and teach words like "in" or "put in". The kiddos I worked with also loved when I would say "boom" every time we put a toy in the bag. And then you can say "zip" when you or your kiddo zips up the bag.

And instead of giving a child all the pieces at once, I would give them the puzzle board first and withhold the rest of the pieces. We would work on either signing or verbally saying "more" or "more, please".  Once the kiddo would sign or say "more" or "more please", I would give them one piece at a time.

While we're on the topic of mesh laundry bags, I also use one in our bathroom for Owen's bath toys and cup. I used a Command Brand bath hook to hang the bag on the side of the shower.

Now all of his toys can dry while staying out of the way.

I've seen other bath toy storage organizers for $13-$15. I'm happy to report that my solution cost less than $5.

Now, let's talk about bigger puzzles with more pieces. I picked up some pencil cases from the dollar store to organize those puzzle pieces.

And back to referencing my DT days, zippers are great for strengthening fine motor skills.

Plus, there's an added educational aspect because kiddos have to match the correct bag to the puzzle when grabbing the puzzle piece bags.

I store the puzzles and other toys in fabric bins in my son's nursery closet shelving system. I love using fabric bins because they're easy to grab, play with the toys inside, and then slide them back into the cubbies.

Hey friends! I'm Chelsea from Two Twenty One! I'm a twenty-something living in Indiana with my husband, Brad, and our crazy mutt, Jack. My loves are photography, travel, DIY projects, baking, wine, sarcasm and my iPhone. The husband and I are attempting to make our home a little less cookie cutter and a lot more awesome. My little slice of the internet, Two Twenty One, is where I share my latest home improvement projects, furniture makeovers, crafts, recipes and home & seasonal decor ideas. I am beyond excited to join Jen and the rest of the IHeart Organizing team!

Hidden Coffee Table Hack By: IH guest

Used IKEA modules:

• Besta Frame 60x40x192 (W,D,H)
• 2xBesta Shelf 56×36 (W,D)
• Besta Drawer frame 60x40x25 (W,D,H) (optional)
• Besta drawer runner push-open (Optional)
• Lappviken door 60xx64 (W,H)
• Lappviken drawer front 60×38 (W,H) (optional)
• Lack Side table (only the legs are needed)
• Utrusta push opener

Additional parts:

• 4x carriage bolt
• 4x Tessauer nut

This is a quite simple hack for creating a hidden, space saving coffee table almost completely out of IKEA parts. (all the sizes are in mm)

Step 1

Build the ordinary Besta tall frame. Place one of the shelves according to the manual just if you would have wanted to have a cabinet with door in the lower 1/3 section.

Step 2

Place the second shelf under the first one with two skipped pre-drilled holes. Attach the two push-opener mechanism as shown in the picture.

Step 3

Drill holes into each corner of the Lappviken door with the size given. You may try in the bolts.

Step 4

Use a cutter to make place for the necks of the bolts. Cut only the upper side of the door. And don’t go too deep.

Step 5

Cut the legs of the LACK table. The size is given. (Strictly use table saw!)

Step 6

Make place for them, and place the tessauer bolts.

Step 7

Assemble the table.

Step 8

Enjoy the table, or hide it.

Optional Hidden Drawer

If you don’t want to leave a huge open area where the table top was (when the table is use), then follow these steps:

Step 0

An ordinary drawer front won’t be good, because its place is in front of the frame. That is why we have to hack it, to make it fit behind the table.

Step 1

Cut the Lappviken drawer front to match the size given. (use table saw)

Step 2

WARNING: with the following sizes you will get the same result as I had. The shelf’s top plane will be higher than the drawer front’s edge.

Drill holes into the drawer front as the measures are given. OR

Subtract 9-10 mm from the given sizes, and drill those holes with the new sizes.

Step 3

Place the drawer runner one place further back as shown in the manual.

Step 4

Assemble the drawer with the hacked front panel.

Step 5

Enjoy your work!

~ Bence Fazekas

The post Hidden Coffee Table Hack appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1OjDl9I From IH guest

All of the Things and None of the Things + An Office Peek From noreply@blogger.com (House of Smiths)

Today's Inspiration comes from guest blogger noreply@blogger.com (House of Smiths) Be sure to check out their blog! I found an article the other day that really struck a cord with me. I've been trying to hunt it down for the past two days, and for the LIFE of me, I can't find it. But when I read it on my phone, I quickly highlighted and copied parts of it into my notebook so I could send it to Cason later.
Within minutes I was crying and laughing all at once, and I knew I had to share it with you too, because as women, I think we all feel these things from time to time.

In my whirlwind to copy and paste, I missed some parts, so I've filled them in. If you know where this article is, I'd love a link so I can put it here and give credit where credit is due to the author :)

Explaining to your Husband how your day was.

"It was the best of times and the worst of times. There were moments when my heart was so full I thought I might explode, and there were other moments when my senses were under such intense assault that I was CERTAIN I’d explode.

I was both lonely and absolutely desperate to be alone. 

I was saturated—just BOMBARDED with touch and then the second I put down the baby, I yearned to smell her sweet skin again.

I was simultaneously bored out of my skull and completely overwhelmed with so much to do.

Today was too much and not enough. It was loud and silent. It was brutal and beautiful. I was at my very best today and then, just a moment later, at my very worst.

Husband—when your day is completely and totally dependent upon the moods and needs and schedules of tiny, messy, beautiful kids, your day is ALL OF THE THINGS and NONE OF THE THINGS, sometimes within the same three minute period.

But I’m not complaining.

This is not a complaint, so don’t try to FIX IT.

READ THE REST OF THIS POST >>>

*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***

Before & After: Tooth & Nail Winery By: Annie Werbler

Late last summer Makers & Allies, a California creative agency specializing in design for wine, craft, and spirits brands, was tapped to revive an abandoned vineyard in Paso Robles. The new tenant, Tooth & Nail Winery, would be occupying the 20,000-square-foot commercial castle in just six months from that date, and its “sleek, edgy, and a little bit raw” vibe could not endure the building’s Medieval Disney flair.

The original 2001 interiors were revamped with a fully functioning tasting room where mere mortals might actually want to hold their weddings and special events. The old ceilings were reminiscent of a Gothic church and left shorter visitors feeling claustrophobic, while taller ones were constantly on the lookout for pointy, hanging pendants. Their removal visually expanded the rooms’ height, making it more to scale with the rest of the castle, and removed any potential environmental hazards. The team introduced new materials that felt polished but also a little bit rugged. Three types of steel were used throughout the project: Cor-ten outside, blackened for vertical surfaces in the tasting room, and stainless on the horizontal surfaces. Earthy metal, wood, and leather finishes are interspersed with brighter velvet, brass, and mirrored touches.

In keeping with the real-life fairytale theme of previous inhabitants, a moat circles the structure, though all its armored alligators must have relocated as well. If the property was constructed to imply a sense of historical importance, its new purpose is allowing guests to create their own fond memories within the space, and of course, to enjoy some wine. —Annie

Photography by Mark Gvazdinskas

 

via Design*Sponge http://ift.tt/1I60HRk From Annie Werbler

An Airy Virginia Sanctuary for All Sorts of Wildlife By: Annie Werbler

Five years ago, Chelsea and Matt Bieber welcomed three kids into the world within 16 months — boy-girl twins Colin and Shire, and a sweet surprise baby boy right behind them. When they moved into this 1,800-square-foot split-level home 25 miles outside Washington, DC in Herndon, VA, little Mason still hadn’t yet hatched. Chelsea, who co-owns a furniture refinishing and design business called StyleMutt Home, has spent the years since experimenting with decoration that suits her childrens’ untamed energy, as well as the parents’ more sophisticated tastes.

Developing their own aesthetic took some time. After living in the house and realizing its potential, Chelsea set out to create a peaceful place in which she and her husband could relax, but one that would also be fun and functional for their brood. She believes parents owe it to themselves to create adult homes that aren’t totally focused on raising offspring. “Kids can learn to respect furniture, spaces, and pieces,” she says. This family has struck a compromise between the two approaches. For example, the patina of a large wooden coffee table becomes more interesting as it gets dinged up, and the dining room’s pipe shelves add an industrial statement to the main floor while providing easy access to craft and activity supplies. A creek on one side of the property encourages wildlife to come through the wooded backyard, and on a nice morning, Chelsea will open the sliding glass door to listen to the birds’ symphony. Bouncing off the vaulted ceilings, their sounds echo through the home as if in a bird sanctuary. This unexpected feature is also one of the most beloved, as is the ability for Chelsea to watch her own wild ones on various floors, the layout of which allows everyone to spread their wings, but not too far. —Annie

Photography by Chelsea Bieber

 

via Design*Sponge http://ift.tt/1OgYP7j From Annie Werbler