Monday, May 2, 2011

Her Majesty the Den Closet; After

I am still without a camera of my own this week so I borrowed one from the Duchess to keep my closet cleaning adventure honest. 

Here she was before, in all her glory.


The frontal view was bad enough. Her profile was even worse. 
Take the bookshelves, for example. 
That's where I hide the paperbacks, movies, and other ugly ducklings from all eyes but blog eyes.


Because apparently, what I'm too ashamed to show my friends, I am perfectly willing to herald about on the world wide web.  It wasn't bad enough that I had stacked books and movies two rows deep, I also have the lazy habit of horizontal book shooshing.

Something had to give.

Since I'm utterly unwilling to purge a book, I decided to bank on the domino theory of organization.  I finally gave my useless set of World Book Encyclopedias to Good Will...

Which freed up that shelf for the husband's commentaries...
Which freed up that shelf for movies and tapes...

Which freed up the bookshelves for this


 and this


The rest was just a matter of purging
 and then reshelving
the stuff deemed  useful or sentimental. 


Do you think there's something fundamentally flawed in a person who keeps
 a prenatal aerobics cassette tape
 when her youngest child is 19?
Please say no...


Or the little stool that she made at church camp in 1974?


I actually pulled that little stool down to use in the made over closet. I figured if I had a better way to reach high schelves, it might have a better chance of staying tidy.

We'll see...

I did give it a little makeover, too, though.
 I sanded off the four layers of bible camp shellac and painted her black.
Then, I did a little decoupage therapy on the top
to get over the death of the shiny red Kodak.


Those are the signatures of poets and authors.
I just ran them off and crumpled up the paper until it looked old and crinkly.
I think it fits the space perfectly.


I'm feeling so good about my victory over this innie monster that this week,
I might just peek under the bed. 
Stay tuned...

44 comments:

Unknown said...

This is amazing, Debbie. You did such an amazing job!

At The Picket Fence said...

Wow! Her Royal Highness looks amazing! What I want to know is what is on that tape called "Laura Ingalls Wilder speaks"??? Sounds right up my alley! :-) I love that you kept that little stool and gave it a makeover worthy of including in her magesty's closet. Great job!
Vanessa

Lynn said...

The closet looks great Debbie! I think the little stool is perfect now that you gave it a make-over, enjoy:@)

Debbie said...

You're absolutely remarkable. And brave! You did a great job on your redo. Yea, I gave up the set of 'pedias' too. What freedom! Most people (ok, me) would give their right arm to own a closet that size with shelves to use for nice storage! Lucky! Love the little footstool!

Kathleen said...

Wonderful transformation! I love a tidy book room! Thanks for the inspiration...

Barbara F. said...

Debbie, you did a great job with this cloest! And the little stool - ingenious idea! I have come away inspired to do some closet therapy myself this week! xo,

Karen said...

I love the little stool ~ and you did such a great job!!

Sue said...

Looking good Debbie. I tried really hard to read the title of your books ~ especially the children's, I'm nosy like that!! So fun to peek at others' books.
I am very impressed that you accomplished that so quickly. It took me a week to do my small pantry. {and nothing emotional in there!}
Can't wait to see what lurks under the bed!
Sue

FrouFrouBritches said...

Wow! That looks sooo goood! I am so impressed with your organization skills. You would seriously FREAK if you saw my closet. Although, I do think it would be good for people with OCD who need immersion therapy!

I love, love, love your stool! So cute! What a great idea to use the signatures of authors and poets. Brilliant idea! It turned out GREAT!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

I definitely think wyou should be giving yorself a high 5! Great job!

Prenatal aerobics?? not so much, although the theory is probably just as good for post natal aerobics.

All in all, I'm giving you an A+

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

p.s.... can you tell I need to splurge on a new key pad?? I just checked what I sent... ugh!

Amy Kinser said...

You go girl! Love the closet makeover but that stool makeover is my favorite thing. So awesome that you still have it! Of course, I'm thinking you hang on to all kinds of things. lol...

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

good grief ! I wish my closet looked as good as your before !!!

(())

Sandi (Meme) said...

Ahhhh! I can hear the heavy sigh of pleasure! Congratulations, you have taken your first step toward decluttering your world! See how good it feels? Have fun "under the bed"! Sandi

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I am SO impressed, Debbie, Sooooooooo impressed. Great job, girl.

And I loved that wedding. I couldn't see who Charles Spencer was with, but I loved her hat. And what did you think about the fact that they seated the Spencers on the "other" side. Punishing him, I guess, for what he did at Diana's funeral. He is one tall drink, though. Mercy!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Custom Comforts said...

Your closet looks great! Can you come organize my attic now?
Cindy

Crickit said...

WOW! Great job! Thanks for giving us a peek... now it's time to let your "other" friends have a look! :)

Chatty Crone said...

You have come a long way baby - that is all I can say. Awesome. You may as well keep the tape your daughters may use it now - lol! sandie

Mevely317 said...

Wow! I'm feeling almost guilty! :)

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
I love how you organized your book room! I only wish I were half as organized as you! As a matter of fact, though, I've decided that I need to clean up my bookshelves. I am taking notes!

~Jean

Sharlotte said...

Wow! What a great transformation!Isn't it amazing how much better you feel with a bit of organization? {I'm in great need of this with my entire house!} Your little stool is precious with loads of personality. I keep things too with sentimental value, they bring back such special times!

Christine said...

Nothings better then to stand back and enjoy the fruits of you labor.
Outstanding work and purging.
Tell me, did you really get rid of the prenatal aerobics tapes?

Shug said...

Great Job...I need to do the same thing..
Maybe...I'll find time in a few months...
shug

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Well I am afraid if I come back to see more I will decide I need to purge...and books are just my thing...the old Ency...who knows I might need to decorate with them

Oh laughed out loud over the tapes...too funny, but then again I got to going through my head on the ones I have...time to purge them Besides when we finally get the chance to have grand babies they will tell them everything we did was wrong and the new things are better....LOL!!!

Enjoy your new closet...love the table/stool...great job.

Rettabug said...

"prenatal aerobics cassette tape"??????????? LOL
You always make my day, Lady! I have a Pilates one from around the same time. Couldn't do it again if my life depended on it.

It looks Great in there now...good job!

Joan Hall said...

Would you like to come to my house? Looks great and I love what you did with the little stool.

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings,
Joan

xinex said...

Whew! That was a lot of work, Debbie, but all worth it. It looks great now. I betcha you can breath easier in there now....Christine

Denise said...

Great job sister. I know how hard it was for you to purge ANY books. Is your poster board stored in that black hanging bag or behind the cabinet?
Guess I need to spend the money on the gas and head your way to check this project out in person.I adore that stool. Did you make it the year I didn't go to camp? I don't think I have one of those. I loved your author idea. It is so you.

I can't wait to see if you have monsters lurking under your bed. (And I don't mean the imaginary ones you conjured up as a child either). You're really a lot tidier than you give yourself credit for. (dangling prep, sorry)

Canadagirl said...

Oh you did such a nice job! I have many jobs like this to tackle but one at a time. Getting my bathroom done and cleaning my library are at the top of the list. [o= I love how you made it all black and savvy.

Blessings and ((HUGS))
In Him<><
-Mary

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Wow! That is a big bookshelf! What a great space to store all your books out of view. I think you did a fantastic job clearing it up. I am amazed that you found that much space by getting rid of the encyclopedia. I decided to donate ours recently too though they have yet to make it out of the basement..but atleast they are in the basement. LOL! No, I don't think the tape thing is weird. I still have all my most favorite prenatal books too and plan to pass those on to my DIL's one day when I get some. Like I am sure they will want them. Talk about sentimental...gee! Really everything looks great in your closet now I know it must feel great!

Anonymous said...

Debbie,Great time a day that looks awesome,you make me want to get in my pantry and get organized,I keep putting it off,I'm just going to "bite the bullet" and gut it and get to work.
Thanks for the inspiration!
and thank you for visiting and your sweet comments is so appreciated.I had fun reviving that ole chair/cabinet/and lamp.
~JO
LazyonLoblolly

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

"It looks GREAT Debbie"...AND...I am SO HAPPY you reinvented your little stool. The moment I saw it I KNEW it had lots of potential AND it's SO USEFUL!!! LOVE it... I think your nostalgic tapes are "Great just where they are"!!!
Big Hugs for a job VERY WELL DONE!
Donna

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

The transformation of your closet is amazin' but honey, do you really need those prenatal aerobic tapes??? Heeehehe!

God bless ya and have a super day!

Angel said...

Great job! I feel inspired to go organize something around here now. I won't have to look far for a project. :)

Congrats on such a huge accomplishment!

BECKY said...

Way to go Debbie! What a great job!! I still haven't tackled my closet!! ACK!! Just no time! Must. Do. It. ~~ Bite by bite!

Revel in it! You did good! Cathartic isn't it?
HUGS,
Becky

Sharon said...

The aerobics tape? NO! There's nothing wrong with you. You're just a sentimental old fool like me!

Do you think you could come and fix my bookshelves?? Pretty please? I'll give you something to decoupage...promise.

IF you tackle the under-the-bed monster, and live to tell about it - will you please let us in on the secret? I'm convinced that the stuff under my bed spontaneously reproduces more and more offspring - is there something related to dust bunnies? Like schtuff rabbits???

Hmm...

corners of my life said...

Amazing - a job well done!
I am a bit jealous {as I sit blogging rather that making over a closet}.

Kathleen said...

The closet looks like a professional organiser got stuck in and did it! I did a similar thing with my under the stairs cupboard and I felt so pleased with myself afterwards.

Just in case you didn't find out yet. What we call the boot of a car you call the trunk. So a car boot sale is where people load up their car boots with their unwanted stuff and go off to an organised place to sell it. Of course dealers get in on the act too, like the stall my husband was looking at. Kathleen.

no spring chicken said...

Under the bed? Really?

You did a beautiful job, what satisfaction (I'm only assuming since I haven't tackled anything so grand in quite some time) you must feel!

Loving the redo on the camp stool too...

Blessings, Debbie

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Debbie, can you please come visit me (and especially my closets)! This is such a fabulous closet space to have in your home, and it is soooo organized now! Love your little stool from camp and your makeover of it is great! When I get on a cleaning spree (about every 20 years), I try to have the attitude that if I'm not using it, it needs to go. So...I'm usually able to find a use for things I WANT to keep - like that cute stool. Great job! laurie

Renée said...

How did I miss this? I've been in such mourning over the shiny red Kodak that it must have blurred my vision.

Here's a hip-hip hooray for my hero, the Duchess, and a high-five for you. Your closet is amazing, so organized and kept. Now about the pre-natal tape, it's just unlucky. Get rid of it or you may find yourself needing it. The camping table looks amazing, but you will break your neck. Enter as many CSN giveaways as possible and buy a econo-stepladder!

Before you look under the bed, please get making some tissue flowers for your Cinco Table tomorrow and make sure the coeds know you are hoping for a Mother's Day camera. I'm just thrilled you're here.

Tossing my tissues and sending hugs from Idaho!

Kelli said...

WOWZA!! The after is phenomenal!! The before wasn't too bad though. The stool is a priceless keeper and it looks so pretty. I know you love going in there now!

Gayle said...

I love organizing! Great job, girlfriend. The stool is perfecto.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

It's fabulous, my funny friend. It almost makes me want to tackle my walk-in hall closet. Almost.

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