Reclaim Your Space! The Pantry

Does your Pantry look like this? Well, I am embarassed to say, this was my pantry as of this morning. A cluttered mess! Well, I decided to reclaim my space and make some sense of this mess! First, I had to empty the entire thing out. I had a trash bag ready and threw away anything that was expired or just plain didn't need. Next, I went in search of storage pieces that I could use to contain some of the clutter. I found 3 baskets, 1 rubber made large container, and a storage basket with a lid. Then I started putting everything into categories. Snacks and crackers, breakfast, can goods and dinner foods, party supplies, and paper products.

I made these easy labels for everyone to know what's inside.

I used the baskets to contain things that were in bags such as rice, pasta, sugar, coffee, and nuts. This keeps the items contained. Things in bags just don't stand very well on shelves, so the baskets worked great. Because they weren't clear I needed to label them. I used card stock in 2 colors and cut the blue paper 1 inch smaller and glued the 2 pieces together. Then using a hole punch I made holes and threaded the jute through the holes. Then simply tied label to the baskets. Now that's stylish storage!

A place for everything and everything in it's place!

I am proud to say that this is what my pantry looks like now! Everything has place and is easy to find.  

Here are my quick tips on organizing your pantry:

• First clear it out and clean the shelves
• Throw away anything expired or that you just don't need
• Put the items into categories like: breakfast, snacks, dinner, tableware, paper products
• Use baskets or containers to hold items in bags or smaller items
• Put bigger bulkier items on the bottom 
• Use larger containers for paper towels and tableware that is used for entertaining 
• Use the top shelves for items you don't need to access as often

I hope my day of organizing has inspired you to reclaim your space!

Design Rules! The Bedroom

I think of design as more than just adding color and accessories to a room. It's about also setting the right foundation for the room to make it more functional and ultimately more livable!  You ask me all the time why your rooms don't work. They just don't have the right design foundation! So let's get down to the basics of good design!

With my new blog "Design Rules!", I will give you the right formula for every room to create harmony, rhythm, and balance - the basic essentials of every room!

This room works and has that designer look because of symmetry

The balance of colors and scale in the room give it that well designed look. 
  You would not believe how many bedrooms I walk into and I don't see side tables with lamps! Then you say to me, "It doesn't feel right!". Well, that's why!  You have to anchor the bed, by flanking it!
 
So if you fall into this category here's the design rules to follow:

1.  Create symmetry with bedside tables on either side of the bed it makes the room feel more balanced and anchors the bed. (Make sure the scale, which is designer speak for size, of the furniture works with the size of the bed.)
2.  Add lamps to the table for a softer ambiance. Nothing spoils the mood of a room more than over head lighting!
3. The next most important thing is the bedding. This should be where you get your color inspiration for the room. I like to keep bedding simple and serene and layer texture and pattern with pillows and a throw. 
4. If you have the luxury of having windows on either side, it's yet another opportunity to add  balance and drama! Just make sure you ALWAYS hang draperies floor to ceiling! Mounting the hardware at this height give you that designer look!  
5. Art above the bed is the finishing touch to balance the room. Choose art that compliments the colors in the room and you will have achieved that harmonious well designed look! 

Rule Breaker - Your side tables don't have to match exactly. Just keep them in the same scale and color family and you'll be fine!

I am working on building my blog followers, so many of you are fans of my fb page, thank you!  I would love for you to follow my blog, as well. You'll get more in depth information on how to create your best home in 2012! You don't want to miss anything!

Recycle, Reuse, Re-invent

Do you have stuff destined for your next garage sale or trip to your local charity. Well before you toss out that old lamp, table, bookshelf, or picture frame, make sure you check out my weekly "Recycle, Reuse, and Re-invent" blog. I will help you save money and create beautiful decor by re-inventing your junk! I will also show you how to use ordinary items or even recyclables to help you create a more functional home. For instance, did you know box lids make great drawer organizers? 

With the economy the way it is today, many of you think you can't afford a new style. Well, I will help you re-invent your old stuff for pennies and give you a whole new look! 

Look at this lamp my Mother-in-law had in the donation pile!

All it took was a can of spray paint and a new shade. So for under $20, I was able to give this lamp an updated sophisticated look! 

I am looking forward to having some fun with this blog. One more thing, send me a picture of a piece of your junk and I will give you ideas on how to re-invent it!

Home Inspiration for 2012!

Every year we look at a new year as a time to refresh and renew our lives. But times are different today and budgets are tight. This is no different for SH Creating Home! I am so excited about this upcoming year, as I begin to look at all aspects of the home and offer you inspiration to make it the best it can be without breaking the bank! By either following me as I re-create my own home or finding inspiration on the web, I hope to inspire you to do the same!

How inspiring is this kitchen from Traditional Home! Gorgeous!

This kitchen is so inspiring! Yes it looks expensive, but I can offer you ways to pull off the look with out the price tag! For instance, color alone is an inexpensive way to change your space. Maybe just simply going green will give your kitchen a fresh look! For a true green try BM Dill Pickle 2147-40 or try a calmer green, BM Ivy Lane 523. 

Look at the simple earthy accessories add a small herb garden on a tray or a beautiful basket for fruits and bread. Go to your local flea market and find a simple table to recreate this island for more workspace and storage. Or even just simply add a pop of pattern with a new rug or window covering. These simple and inexpensive changes can make a big difference to renew your space!
 

Over the next week, I am going to share with you my ideas for different weekly blogs I will be posting. Everything from budget-friendly dinners and entertaining to reclaiming your space through quick and easy organization ideas. Always taking into consideration our real lives and real budgets!

So invite your friends and lets create our best home together in 2012!

Super Easy Homemade Napkin Rings

These napkin rings can be used as place card holders, too!

Ever get caught with a more quests than napkin rings? I seem to have a lot of sets of 4 napkin rings and will sometimes just mix and match to make it work.  This time I decided to get creative in a pinch - literally! This napkin ring does double duty as a place card holder!

You only need a few simple items:
Glue gun
1" burlap ribbon (or cut pieces into ribbon size)
6 to 8  2" curtain rings with clips
6 to 8 old buttons
Floral wire

Here's how to make it:

•  To form the bow just fold ribbon in a crisscross and hold, then pinch middle and secure with floral wire.

• Glue button to the center of bow.
• Holding the clip out and ring secure, hot glue bow to ring so that the clip is in the middle of the bow.
• Pull napkin through the ring and clip a special note or name card to the ring. 

Be sure to have fun and be creative! You can use any type of ribbon or vary you colors!

Burlap, Branches, and Bows!

So, this year I decided that I wanted to start over! Out with the old Christmas decor and in with the new! But as you know, the holidays can be expensive, with presents to buy and parties to host. So I knew I had to get creative! Using simple items like burlap, branches and bows,  I created a beautiful holiday home!

I set out to get a few things to work with:
1 yard of burlap -$4.25
4 sets of blue, green, silver ornaments : $25
1 batch of icy branches - $21
1 spool 2"green wire ribbon - $4.99
1 spool of aqua/blue grosgrain ribbon - $2.99
Extra branches from the Christmas tree - Free
Branches from the yard - Free
Pine cones - Free
Total cost - $58.28 That's just a little over $50!

This week I want to share with you all of the homemade holiday projects I made using the above items.  I will also include instructions. Let's start with the front door!

 Here's what you need:
Glue gun
Grapevine wreath
Large wooden letter
Branch of garland
Pine cones
4 8" strips of burlap
Grosgrain ribbon
Floral picks

To start the project hot glue your wooden letter at the corners and attach to the wreath. Then glue your branch of garland to the bottom right hand corner and secure with floral wire. Then you need to glue your pine cones to the center of the garland.

Make each bow piece separate and attach the floral pick

Next glue a strip of ribbon down the middle of each of your burlap strips. Cut 2 strips into the bottom bow parts about 6" in length and cut a triangle at the bottom edge. You will need to gather each strip and attach to the floral picks. Take the other 2 strips and fold in half for the upper part of the bow. Gather those pieces at one end and attach to the picks, as well. I added a dab of glue to secure the picks.

Finally, just tuck the bow pieces into the pine cones to create the full bow. Make sure your pieces are all secure before you hang it on the door.

Enjoy your simple new holiday wreath!

Three-way Thursday - Quick, easy, and free Holiday decorating!

Three ways to use the clippings from your Christmas tree to decorate around the house.

Use them to create a beautiful mantel display

I just asked the guy at the tree farm if I could have the branches leftover from the tree trimmings and he let me take as much as I wanted, FREE! By cutting them into smaller branches, I used them to create this beautiful mantel display. I used a grouping of pine cones from the yard and spread the branches out from there. I tucked in a string of lights and votive candles to add sparkle. All the other accessories were already on the mantel. The birds and vase of branches just added to that "winter wonderland" feeling I was going for.

Make a spray to use on mirrors or anywhere you want!

This one is easy and can be used all around the house. You can even make a larger one for the front door. All I did was group the sprigs together and tie together with floral wire. Next I added ornaments on a string to make it more interesting. Then I simply added a burlap bow to the top and hung it on my iron art in the dining room. So simple!

Tuck them around a candle

Simply tucking the branches around a hurricane candle holder helps give this entry way table  and dining room table that Christmas feeling! Again, I added candles, icy branches, and pine cones to pull it all together.

Create a holiday center piece for the table

With Christmas just around the corner, finding ways to save money is a must. I love that I was able to create that wintery holiday feeling by using natural elements, like tree branches, pine cones, and burlap, around the house. I love that wonderful smell of a fresh Christmas tree!  Best of all it cost little to no money at all! 

Please note they will eventually get brittle, they will usually last about 2 to 3 weeks.