CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: Junk Drawer Diaries

CasaSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:00:33 -0700

Since it's Small Changes month, I'm all about giving attention to the tiniest nooks and crannies in your home, which may have been overlooked. One of these zones that's infamous for clutter and things without a designated storage space of their own is the junk drawer. You've told me before what's in your junk drawer, so I know you've got one! Here are my few steps that'll help you organize that mess.

Pour it out, onto a table or the floor.
Toss the trash. If you don't use it, lose it.
Anything out of place? Store it where it belongs.
Fill your drawer small containers (tins, boxes) to separate your things.
Sort your junk into the separate containers by function (paperclips in one box, batteries in another).
Repeat as necessary!

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Casa Query: What's in Your Junk Drawer?

CasaSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:15:40 -0800

In nearly every home, a junk drawer is growing, luring refugee "stuff" to find solace there. It's unavoidable really; there are always some odds and ends with no place to go, and the junk drawer is the only haven for them. The trick is clear that junk drawer out frequently, and organize what's left into categories and containers. Regardless of whether it's organized, I know you have one. Admit it. So tell me, what's in your junk drawer?
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Casa Quickie: New Uses For Old Buttons

CasaSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

The folks over at Wish have devised a cute and clever way to repurpose those bags of spare buttons sitting in your junk drawer. Use them to keep pairs of earrings together by slipping their posts or hooks through the button holes. If you sport pins or brooches, this will trick will work for them as well. I must say it's a pretty useful idea; my post earrings are always getting lost. Of course, I've got my hook earrings neatly hung on the shutter earring display I made. There's a reason why the expression "cute as a button," is what it is: buttons are darn cute, especially a collection as colorful as this one. So, to learn one more way to repurpose your remnant buttons, read more.

You can use a big ole collection of buttons to cover the back of a medallion chair. Though the project is simple but time consuming, it's worth it, as it can add personality to an otherwise prim and proper piece of furniture.
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How-To: Make Changes That Don't Cost a Thing

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:00:14 -0700

I've offered you some inspirational small changes that involve switching out hardware or painting an accent wall, but you don't have to spend money to see some big results! Take a look at my list of ways you can improve your home without spending a dime.

Start a collection. Choose a favorite color or theme, and then scour your home for items that fit. For instance, group white objects such as vases, small trinkets, statues, and bowls together for a surprisingly pretty collection.
Start with your closet, and organize!
Make your lingerie drawer smell lovely by assembling some no-sew sachets out of an old t-shirt or skirt.
Try grouping objects in 3s and 5s.
Take extra glasses or mugs out of your kitchen and use them as stash pots for your makeup, q-tips, and other bathroom necessities.

For other suggestions, read more.

Rearrange a room! It's fun, illuminating, and does your house a world of good. Look what it did for HarmonyFrance's dining room!
If you have a yard, arrange a nontraditional bouquet from tree branches, tall grasses, shrubbery, or a mix of these and flowers.
Clean out your junk drawer.
Take the time to transition your hall closet or entry closet from winter mode to summer mode. Store all of your heavy blankets, winter jackets, and other unneeded items elsewhere, and make room for sunblock, balls, bats, croquet mallets, and other summer necessities.
Switch up your photo display by making a Polaroid trellis. And don't worry - you can use regular photos, too!
If you're tired of some of your furnishings, have a garage sale, then use your extra loot to get something you truly want.

Have other suggestions? Leave them below!

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Before and After: A TV Cabinet Turned Bar

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 06:00:13 -0800

When a friend offered up artist Alpine Butterfly a vintage TV cabinet, she put on her DIY face and turned it into a swanky cocktail bar with a sound system. It was the first time she'd grouted, cut glass, or sewn curtains, so she used mostly recycled materials, and it turned out marvelously! She used some old pieces of MDF board for the shelves, a cigar box for the mp3 player drawer, speakers from her attic, a bathroom mirror for ornamentation, and a household wine bucket. It's really inspiring to see how much someone can do with all the junk sitting around the house. To see the transformation, read more

Care for a drink, anyone?

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