living small: jewelry storage…
Posted: January 30, 2012 Filed under: antiques & trinkets., how to., interiors., living small., personal., style & fashion., uncategorized. 2 Comments »i was brainstorming a way to organize the plethera of earrings, loose buttons, broaches, rings & whatnots that were spilling over in my jewelry drawer. what is low-profile, easily accessible & has small sections? & then it hit me… ice cube trays. a quick trip to wal-mart & 4 dollars later & i was set.
i just happen to have a shallow, velvet lined jewelry drawer in my dresser so they worked perfectly. i don’t think my jewelry has ever been so happy to be so neatly organized.
hopefully you’re inspired to find a way to make this work for you too! & don’t forget about sewing trinkets, office supplies & children’s whatnots too! i’d love to hear how you make it happen… be curious!
*feedback always welcome!
shop our closet…
Posted: January 23, 2012 Filed under: business., living small., personal., style & fashion. 4 Comments »***please note that shop our closet will be updated soon enough! we’ve been cleaned out!***
gil & i love clothes as much as the next couple & we’re very, very good at shopping… but when you mix that with my living small mentality it means we just can’t keep it all. thanks to the man repeller {who i LOVE} i’ve decided to launch a new spot on the blog called “shop our closet.” so, you all get to buy our stuff after we’ve decided it’s got to go… it will be consistently updated with “new to you” items, you’ll pay via paypal & i’ll ship the items right to your front door. easy. as. pie.
oh, and “shop our house” is coming soon. be curious!
*email me at lovethelookingglass@gmail.com to make your purchase. enter {shop our closet} into the subject bar and let me know what you’d like, the email address connected to your paypal account & your shipping location. paypal invoice + new goods will follow!
*all items clean, are sold as-is & all sales are final.
living small: counter space…
Posted: January 9, 2012 Filed under: interiors., living small. Leave a comment »i’ve been wondering what in the world to do with our bathroom counter… it’s a huge empty space & i’ve been at a loss for a while. it’s just another spot to keep clean with no purpose what-so-ever. so, in great living small fashion, i started thinking of ways to get some things out from under the cabinets & up on top of the counter. especially the things we use all the time like towels, toilet paper & whatnot. i had high hopes of this future empty cabinet space that could be used for something else!
gil & i headed to the depot this past friday. i always try to think of a few things i really need to help narrow my search. it’s easy to just find a million things you like, while having no plans for said items back at the homestead. {& these things are NOT good living small purchases!} i needed vintage metal locker baskets {which i found & will show off later} & something to get this bathroom counter project under control. of course, i finally found something under a pile of who-knows-what. i dug it out, fancied some options & decided it was perfect.
take a look & let me know what you think! so far, i’m pretty happy with it. it holds a lot of goodies, {lush bath bombs included} keeps the old open space full {so that we don’t pile clothes & other things that don’t belong here} & it also serves as a hand towel holder {which isn’t something we have in this bathroom.}
here’s to a new empty cabinet and hoping that you’re also finding new ways to save some space… be curious!
{oh and ps… pay no attention to the chartreuse. it will be minty green in no time!}
before & after: under $20 light fixture re-vamp…
Posted: November 5, 2011 Filed under: before & after., how to., interiors., living small. Leave a comment »every house, new or old has little things we’d all like to change. and sometimes, just one tiny change-up can equal one great re-vamp!
one of the reason’s i loved this house when i first saw it was the fact that it WASN’T upgraded yet… sounds crazy, but i liked the idea of skipping the fancies and having a clean pallette to work with. of course there’s a lot we’d like to do, {hardwood floors, granite countertops, a deck and built-in bookcases} we get to do it on our own timeline and on our own terms. and i’m indecisive {i can hardly decide if i should take a nap or not} so i like to do my research and spend time figuring out exactly what i want… while i’m in between planning the big projects, i like to tackle a few small ones to keep things moving and fresh!
this project takes less than an hour and cost me less than $20. and all you need is a screwdriver…
i recently noticed how out dated and extremely “builder’s basic” the sconces were in our downstairs half bath… yuck! the silver fixture itself is simple and perfect, but this carved glass had to go!
before:
after: i snagged the new ones at Lowe’s for $17.08… i’m loving the classic shape and clean lines. {thinking about changing all the ones on our ceiling fans to match next!}
voila’! hope this inspires you to re-vamp something this weekend! let me know what you’re up to! be curious… hg.
living small: de-clutter…
Posted: August 8, 2011 Filed under: interiors., living small., personal. 5 Comments »you probably already know that gil and i are big fans of living small… we LOVE our house. all 1300ish square feet of it. and we’re planning on living here for as long as possible {which to us means with cake supplies, guitar gear, a bunny and hopefully babes one day.} we have friends that think we’re crazy, but we really believe we’re on to something great for our future… don’t get me wrong, living in a big house with a big yard, big garage and big fancy kitchen would be fun but living small doesn’t have to feel tiny.
but, it does require a little extra planning and organizing which is why i’m going to start blogging living small tips… hopefully to help you re-fresh, re-evaluate and re-love your space.
1st tip: DE-CLUTTER.
this one is first because it’s probably the MOST important! i like to keep EVERYTHING, but when you’re living small you just can’t do it.
- start small, tackle messes one room at a time.
- once you’ve got a pile going grab a few cardboard boxes and label them according to where things are headed next. {goodwill, habitat for humanity, to a friend in need, buffalo exchange, to sell on craigslist etc.}
- start the “sell something to buy something” rule. gil and i are quickly becoming experts at this! we’ve made it a rule that we don’t buy something new until we sell something else to make room for it. also, it makes breaking even or even making money really fun. it’s a sure fire way to not end up with things you don’t really need. if there’s something you really must have especially furniture… then find a way to rid the old version first. it will keep your wallet happy and your space clear of clutter! {i’m trying figure out what i can sell to get …we’ll see.}
- we don’t have kids yet, but i know this is one thing we’ll do for sure. every few months, have your little ones go through their own rooms and find things they’d like to give away… kids end up with way too many toys and stuffed animals from who know where! talk to them about other kids who are less fortunate than them and then head to a shelter with the goodies.
- start a “small”
collection of reusable shopping bags {canvas, burlap, etc.} and keep a few in your trunk. having these on hand for shopping trips will cut down on piles of paper and plastic bags that you keep with the intention of re-using, but really NEVER do. - pretend like you’re moving: moving isn’t easy, but when it happens you get rid of A LOT of things you don’t need. moving puts on the pressure of only taking the things you HAVE TO HAVE with you. if you wouldn’t pack it and move it to a new house… get rid of it.
the gatch house to-do list…
Posted: August 7, 2011 Filed under: before & after., exteriors., interiors., living small., personal. 2 Comments »i’ve decided to keep a running “gatch house to-do list” on the blog… not only because ocd people like me LOVE making & checking off lists, but i thought it might be fun to see these projects come to life and come to pass in future blog posts as i complete them.
i recently re-tweeted a great quote: “a dream without a plan is just a wish…” that’s good right?! you’ve got to have a plan & the “i must get it done attitude” to see your dreams come to life… the dining chairs i just finished were a huge dream that i had and i am SO excited to have that checked off the list… but there’s always more right? so here we go…
find baskets to line both sides of our bed frame {since it’s so high, i want to camouflage the fact that we have stuff hidden under there, & use the baskets to store things like books, gift wrapping supplies etc.}find and refinish new antique dining chairsfind an antique tall round end table to replace the basket end table that henry chewed up- paint master bath mint green {i have the paint, just have to find the time!}
- start installing glass knobs on kitchen cabinets
- find and install new hardware in both upstairs baths
- organize the attic… {also add floorboards for more space… this might be a fall project!}
- get hooks and etc. to organize garage walls {hang up tools and such}
- find and install ceiling medallion in dining room
start english ivy up the front of our housepick new paint color for main house {lightish grey} and find a painter that can paint our super tall stairwell!shorten the curtains the bun chewed and move them to the guest bath {man, is this bunny just TRYING to create more work for me?!?}- find at least 3 wooden apple crates to make new storage in guest bath
research hardwood floors {for christmas?!}- finalize & have hardwoods installed
- research granite countertops
find out about building a small deck in place of our patio.& have deck built {hopefully by the end of the summer!}find a way to kill the weeds overtaking our backyard!- then, start mapping out the french garden… which will now be in pots!
- look into attaching a window box to the front brick {guest bath window}
buy a slipcover for our couch {i’m thinking this one.}find two matching wingback chairs to replace our chair & a half.build a no-entry entryway, complete with new white trim, hooks for coats a mirror & a console table of some kind.- find a record player table that will hold our player & records… also, get record player fixed
- sell the large black armoire in our dining room on craigslist to replace with a “new” antique china cabinet.
hang our hanging pot rack- find an old wooden ladder for living room
- replace two light fixtures: back door downstairs & stair foyer.
im obsessed: with french style…
Posted: August 3, 2011 Filed under: antiques & trinkets., favorites., interiors., living small., personal., style & fashion. 3 Comments »i’m not sure what it is, but lately i’ve really been into french-esque style… maybe it’s because i can’t stop thinking about our honeymoon to PARIS next month! oh my! maybe it’s because the dream of a french garden in our backyard is eating me up! i can’t wait for it to cool down outside so i can get started on it… OR maybe it’s because all the fabulous photos i keep finding make me want to put a french twist on our casa as it continues to mold into US.
i know you’re thinking toile, but i don’t want french country… i want french chic’ with a modern freshness. worn hardwoods, velvet and burlap mixed together, cane back anything, pulled puff drapes, and curved feet on furniture, like this:
i have no words. i heart it all.
i heart cane back chairs.
haven't found the perfect ceiling medallion YET... almost.
Gil can we please!?!?!?!?!?
see, you can have comfortable and pristine...
ooh aah... bath time!
and who hasn’t daydreamed of being alive in Paris in the 1920′s… the sights, the sounds, the culture, the furniture!! and have you seen midnight in paris yet?! i have to admit i saw it twice, 2 days in a row… it’s fantastic. oh and let me mention that Owen Wilson’s name in the movie is Gil. how fitting? i’ve been chatting to the hubs about my new obsession a lot lately and i think i pointed out cane back at least 10 times while we were watching the flick… if you haven’t seen it yet, i highly recommend it! not only for the cute storyline, but for the breathtaking scenery, incredible costume and set design, AND you can thank me later for how it will inspire you. to paint, write, dance, explore cole porter, dress up, anything!
when i found this photo i squealed! first, what a perfect moment. oh, and notice the cast iron table bases {just like ours!} and the french cafe chairs… this became my new inspiration for our dining chairs… and what a work in progress that has been…
i missed my decade... i'm sure of it!
remember my post about the ghost chairs? well, i didn’t end up getting them after all… i seriously wanted them SO badly! i talked and talked about them, and even ordered them but, when you have an attentive, stylish and very much honestly interested in all things having to do with home or fashion, handsome husband like mine… his opinion matters. {we’re weird like that, i share my opinions about his golf gear too, and he let’s me!} and he HATED the ghost chairs. I could see where he was coming from of course, we could have bought 4 new sets of chairs for what they cost and they are made of PLASTIC. ok, ok, ok! so, i decided to wait… until i found something else i LOVED. something with more character and maybe something of a project.
although i didn’t blog about it, french inspired cane back chairs were what i was hunting for… FOR 4 MONTHS. for four months, i shopped online every where i could think of, i checked craigslist all the time, i trecked around every antique store within driving distance and most recently i even tried to convince Gil to let me ship some home from Paris itself if i found some there… but, i found them. and they are perfectly perfect in every way. i can’t wait to show them to you, but not quite yet!
i’ve been working hard and my goal is to have them finished and blog posted by this weekend. until then, share your favorite french style with me and be curious… hg
this blog post is dedicated to my sweet neighbors katie and taylor who let me borrow their mac charger. {mine was chewed by henry then bun… again! and i have to buy a new one stat!} thanks friends!!
living small + my new favorite organization tip…
Posted: June 28, 2011 Filed under: favorites., how to., interiors., living small. 4 Comments »gil and i live in a townhouse and it’s pretty much the cutest thing ever. but let’s face it… it’s SMALL. we LOVE it and have decided we’re going to live here for as long as we possibly can… even if it means we have multiple kids here AND we re-model the kitchen AND we put in hardwood floors AND we build the french garden i’ve always wanted AND we paint all the rooms AGAIN for the 348,495,756th time. we know that sacrificing a bigger, fancier house means we’ll get to save up for new cars, splurge on a trip to Greece as soon as we have enough miles {we’re close!} and save for the future gatch clan we’d like to have… but it also means we have to stay organized. there is only so much space around here! we don’t have a technical linen closet OR a pantry but we’ve found ways to make our own and it’s working out just fine… i’m always trying to find new ways to organize things, create more space and get rid of things we really don’t need. i’m actually excited about the idea of seeing how long we can “live small.” people in new york city, people on apartment therapy and people in London do it right!? so why not us?
home sweet home...
i’ve been a human tornado around here the last few days and i thought i’d start blogging about the favorite ways i’m finding to make our house a more organized and happy home…
first: add shelves! in manhattan the air space is actually a hot commodity… you can’t build out, but you can build UP. where do you have space that you can go up? even if it means having to get a ladder to reach it…. you can fill the space with things you don’t use very often. just today i added a wire shelf in our laundry room {all by myself!} and it feels like a completely new space!!! {even the husband thought so!} now we have room to spare and i’ve been able to pull things from places like under our bed to put it this much better location.
second: use only clear containers! tupperware, zip-lock bags, whatever! if you can’t SEE what’s inside, you lose quality time searching multiple places trying to find what you’re looking for. also, add labels. {i just hand-wrote these on colored paper with a sharpie and then double stick taped them} this will help sweet husbands and curious kids find things when you ask for them! happy clear containers=happy family!
third: this is a new favorite!!! a fabulous mama {nickie} told me about this tip at church on sunday… instead of folding blankets {because seriously, they take up SO much space, always fall over and fit NOWHERE} you roll them up and tie them with ribbon. {use grosgrain because it won’t come untied} genius!!! she said she loves this because her 2 kiddies can untie them and tie them back up in their tv room… but it also saves a TON of space. these blankets were taking up so much space under our bed. {the pink one is a king size down comforter!} now they barely take up the tiny corner in our laundry room because you can keep stacking them up! {thanks nickie!! this made my whole day!}
these three fancy tips should get you started on at least one fun new project… let me know if they help and how they’re working in your home! be curious… hg
