Home Storage and Organization products
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Book Info Amazon Reviews: "As an Australian Home Renovator I'm always a little concerned about how relevant an American book will be to me. This book gave me no such concern. I initially brought the book for some general storage ideas. What impressed me were the fantastic photo's of solutions that not only help control clutter but also add great design features to my home. I especially like the transformation of an old built in wardrobe (or closet) into a tiny library. A fantastic, attractive solution for my book storing dilemma! Also easily achieved in the small space of a 2 bedroom apartment where some rooms have dual duties." "Like most of the BH&G decorating books, I've found this one to be an exceptional value. Every page has full color photos and interresting ideas for making the most out of a small amount of space. The book centers around a "new traditional" or "eclectic" style, but most ideas could probably be adapted to fit any decorating style. Includes a page titled, "Style and Your Television" - I don't know anybody that couldn't use some help there! This book would probably be most helpful for those either considering remodeling or construction, or those with some carpentry skills, but there are some great ideas for construction-free storage also. Worth This title by Better Homes and Gardens editors really helped me in planning two built in storage projects. "The book is organized by type of rooms with sections on: Living and Dining
Rms; Kitchens, Bed and Bath Rms; Home Office.
From Publishers Weekly Book Description: Amazon Reviews: "This book's title is absolutely accurate. It is chock full of ideas, both in the text and the pictures, for innovative storage all over the house. Another important thing to me is that the writers of this book realize that it is often the details, such as the height of a bench or the placement of a drawer, that can make or break a storage solution. They encourage the homeowner throughout the book to choose the solutions and dimensions that fit their house and their lifestyle. Function is the No. 1 priority, but form is not shortchanged at all, as the photos prove. While some of it does not apply to my situation, I found that there were at least a few areas -- most notably the mud room and why it's such a great idea -- that were beneficial to me. I had already thought a lot about storage in the house I will be building, so it probably was not as helpful to me overall as it would be for someone who is either starting to think about this subject, or who has an existing house with storage problems. That being said, the photos and the writing are both high quality, and no basic room in the house is left uncovered, so this book is definitely a 5-star. If you own Taunton's other books, you may recognize a few of the photos from them. However, most of them are not duplicates of the other two Tauntons that I have, and even the ones that are the same are covered completely differently. I have only one complaint with this book: There is no index in the back. There is a page of resources, which provides some books and some Web sites, and a long list of photographer credits, but I would like to have seen some sort of an index of keywords or specific storage ideas. In spite of this shortcoming, the book is so logically put together that it still deserves all five stars." "Joanne Bouknight's Home Storage Idea book is a wonderful book.
I have discovered so many great ways to solve all the storage problems
we had in our home. My carpenter loves all the ideas we are having him
add to our home. Some of my favorite ideas are the Bedside Storage on
page 157,the Graduated depth bookshelf on page 139,stair-landing entertainment
center on page 121,stair tread and bench room on page 27 and finally
the space between the studs bookshelf nook for small objects on page
114. "Taunton's Home Storage Idea Book by licensed architect Joanne
Kellar Bouknight is a veritable cornucopia of beautifully utilitarian
and visually appealing ideas for economizing space in the most aesthetic,
practical, and easy-to-use manner. Full-color photographs offer splendid
visual examples of cabinetry, economical racks, free-standing storage
and more, while the text presents thoughtful and applicable ideas in
plain and simple terms. An excellent and visually splendid guide to consult
when running out of places to put things, Taunton's Home Storage Idea
Book is especially recommended reading for anyone contemplating remodeling
as well as providing a wealth of ideas to raise with the architectural
designers of new homes as well." From the Inside Flap Now, handsomely designed and superbly illustrated, Closets: Designing and Organizing the Personalized Closet offers frequently surprising , often elegant, and always adaptable solutions to contemporary closet design. With informative text supported by insight from top interior designers and over 100 full-color photographs, Closets looks at everything from how to fold your clothing most efficiently to how to evaluate storage space and how to ensure adequate air circulation. From the kitchen cupboard to the luxury walk-in clothes closets, here are the ultimate ideas for personalized closet design. The first chapter, "The Designers' View," outlines the modern approach to customizing existing closets or developing new ones. From creating non-traditional spaces (such as free-standing storage boxes) to streamlining the wire basket approach, today's designers speak about how they are adapting closets to suit an individual's personality and style of living. Chapter Two provides seven essential steps to customizing your closet, and Chapter Three provides an overview of the accessories available. Examine all of the options to discover which are best for you; measure the space carefully, figure the amount of space you need (standard clothing dimensions are provided to help you add up space requirements in different areas of your home), then draw a diagram to make sure the two are effectively reconciled by baskets, shelves, hooks, and hangers you've chosen. Professionally designed closets may be more costly, but the results can be spectacular. Featuring innovative and beautiful storage ideas from leading closet designer, Maxine Ordesky, Chapter Four takes an inspiring look at some exemplary closets. Illustrating the renaissance of fine cabinetry and cupboard making, Chapter Five provides beautiful photographs of designs by Interlubke, Boffi, and Missoni, among others. Understanding that no closet is effective unless you know how to use it, Chapter Six encourages the reader to pay attention to detail. Here are the best ways to hang all types of dresses, trousers, and jackets, stack hats, wrap silks, store furs, and fold sweaters. Rounding out this invaluable book, the last chapter takes an informative look at the unique challenges of coordinating storage space in the kid's room, from accommodating the growing years to encouraging cleanup by cheerfully decorating with homemade accessories. Supplemented by a complete sources section for all kinds of suppliers and services--providing closet planners with readily available phone numbers and addresses--Closets is a necessity for any person who recognizes that organization is one of the keys to better living. Patricia Coen has been writing about innovative home improvement ideas for years. She is the author of The No-Nonsense Guide to Home Repairs series and lives in New York City. Bryan Milford has written extensively about interior design in New York and London. He runs his own design studio.
From the Back Cover Custom Closets: Organize and Build shows you how to solve storage troubles in the most appropriate way - by designing and installing an organizer system and, if necessary, through expansion and construction. You will learn how to customize a prefabricated or hand-built organizer system that is best suited to your needs. Or if you come to the conclusion that you must have a larger, brand-new closet, you will find a variety of projects that show how to build a reach-in, walk-in, or freestanding unit from scratch. Follow the step-by-step instructions found here, and you can join the many who use their closet space to its fullest potential - those who have achieved the perfect closet. - 15 Closet Projects Book Description: 1001 Do-It-Yourself Hints and Tips: Tricks, Shortcuts, How-Tos,
and Other Great Ideas for Inside, Outside, and All Around Your House Now you can work like a pro-and accomplish all your maintenance, repair,
and decorating projects more easily, at less cost, and with better results.
Takes you through every task you'll ever face as a homeowner, presenting
handy hints and savvy shortcuts.
From Library Journal Book Description: Organizing Plain and Simple is like a course from an expert teacher, grounded in the fundamentals and enriched with philosophy, tips, anecdotes, illustrations - everything necessary to make home and life run more smoothly. Donna Smallin takes a personalized, nonjudgemental approach to explaining how to assess each individual's situation and suggesting where to start organizing - room by room - and then covers how to stay organized. Then she offers advice on organizing time and finances, as well as organizing for the seasons and for special events - the birth of a baby, combining households, a move, kids going off to college, successful downsizing. Smallin presents a broad range of innovative solutions in the running feature "One Challenge, Three Solutions" that includes tips for solving classic organizational issues from a wide range of professional organizers. Amazon Reviews: "I have purchased several books about organizing and getting rid of clutter, and they have all had some good suggestions. However, I never managed to apply the principles in anything except a half-hearted and short-term manner. Thus, I ended up with spaces that had been partially cleared and organized, only to revert to their former clutter and chaos after a few months. This was no one's fault but my own, of course, but with Smallin's book, it didn't happen that way. She is able to present information and ideas that make sense, but she manages to do it in a way that builds your motivation to actually try it and to stick with it. I guess the best way of putting it is that I never felt overwhelmed, even when things looked very chaotic (as they always do at some point in a re-organization project). The book is extremely well-suited to reading short sections that will allow you to get started right away. Then, if you need a break from the work itself, or need more suggestions, you can go back to it. Smallin also includes multiple suggestions from other professional organizers, which is very helpful because it gives you more options. I'm almost finished with a two-week de-cluttering and organization project. In the past, I never could have gone that long without giving up and throwing it all back where it came from. But this time, I kept going back to Smallin's book, and she helped keep me on track. I was even able to use suggestions from books I had read before, such as not buying new storage cases until you have actually done the organizing and know what you need to store. A major re-organization project is something like a weight-loss regime. You can try to do it the fast and easy way, but it won't last. Or, you can do it slowly and patiently, refining and modifying your plan as you see how it evolves. That's my goal, and with Smallin's book as my guide, I'm confident that it will be possible." "Sometimes the problem with clutter and disorganization isn't simply to buy storage and other items at an office supplies store. You could do that endlessly, and end up with lots of RUBBERMAID and STERILITE containers piled up in your garage or closet, and still not make any progress on stopping bad habits that lead to clutter. Smallin touches upon various areas of one's life that all lead to disorganization. In my case, and one that a friend related to for herself, Smallin hit the mark by stating that perfectionists can be the messiest because they keep waiting for the perfect organization plan; it's not that they like the mess, but they don't get started because they haven't come up with the ultimate strategy. The book is laid out like a magazine and has lots of side-bars to keep you interested. Unlike many self-help books, Smallin isn't selling herself and claiming to make up her own new science. She quotes various other organizing experts in those sidebars, and provides a pretty extensive set of references and links that the reader can follow up with to continue their newly organized ways." "What a book! It shows you so many way to get things in order.
She makes you feel like it is so easy to be organized. It won't make
you feel like it this huge job that needs to get done. The one statement
from the book was, to have boxes set around you (labeled)and just sort
the things you want to keep, and get rid the rest. Its such an easy thing
to do.But when you need to get organized you just forget. Some of the
organizing tips that didn't pretane to me. I just passed it on to my
girls friends. Such as traveling with infants.
From the Inside Flap If so, read this book to see how other people tackled common organizing problems and solved them. Then learn to apply the same principles to yourself. Kathy Waddill's nine strategies of reasonably organized people provide an easy-to-follow blueprint for getting your life back under control and running smoothly. Book Description: The nine habits of highly organized people Reviews: "Organizing consultant Kathy Waddill demonstrates how the simple act of being organized can improve your quality of life. In The Organizing Sourcebook, she presents nine organizing principles that can easily be applied to any situation, activity, or environment. The book gives you the tools for managing time; decreasing stress; and dealing with cultural, personal, and emotional change. Case histories illustrate how each strategy solved a specific problem. Although I'm a professional organizer and author ("Rosemary Brown's Big Kitchen Instruction Book"), and I thought I had my organizing engine hitting on all cylinders, I can't describe how much I've benefited from reading Kathy's incredibly useful tome! Man, did I need a tune-up! I might add that the benefit has been visible as well as invisible. Over the more than 20 years that I've been a professional organizer, I've read plenty of books on this subject, since after all, it is my profession. If I can glean a few practical new ideas from every book I read, I consider it a good thing. But my response to Kathy's book is off the charts! Kathy describes nine clearly-defined strategies that help get you get organized and then stay that way. I think the strategy that has been most helpful for me (so far) is to "Label Everything." I was good about labeling "things" around the house, such as spices in the kitchen and files in my office, but I had really overlooked the technique of mentally labeling areas. Kathy has opened my eyes to an incredibly insightful approach with this strategy. A verbal tag is a strong incentive to put things where they belong, and to help you find them when you need them. Although our home has plenty of storage space, the fact that my husband (H. Jackson Brown, "Life's Little Instruction Book") is a prolific author and inveterate saver of ANY shred of information, in ANY form, that might EVER give him an idea (including magazines, books, loose papers, and objects large and small!), caused me to succumb to the temptation to stash things in all sorts of places, just to get everything put away. I pretty much knew where to put my hands on what I needed, but I had to maneuver around things many times. Not any more. The times, they are a'changin'. First, I realized that the walk-in closet in our guest room was NOT being used at all effectively. But I never "saw" that until I read Kathy's book. So I mentally "re-labeled" it as a "reference library." In spite of the fact that we have a abundance of bookshelves in our home, there never seemed to be enough. (Did I mention that authors LOVE to read?) I cleared out, recycled, gave away, and re-located most of the odd assortment of things that had found their way into that closet. Then, with my trusty screwdriver, I dismantled the "Closet Maid" shelving, since we didn't need it for hanging clothes, and it certainly wasn't suitable for books. My next step was a trip to Office Depot, where I found some reasonably-priced shelving (29.95 for a 5-shelf unit, made by Grosfillex). I bought 3 sets to begin with, but quickly went back for 2 more. Each unit, when assembled, is about 11" deep by 26" wide, although the box each unit comes in is lightweight enough for me to carry upstairs by myself. The shelving can be assembled without any tools, and is made of laminated particle board, so it's sturdy. Not too large, and not too small, but just right! (Look, Mom, I can do it all by myself!) Then I began going through our reference collection, stashed in many rooms, and started rounding up entire categories of books and magazines to re-locate them to our "new reference library." (Unlike many folks, writers really DO have a good excuse for saving certain types of magazines, since they provide timeless reference material, as well as temporary enjoyment.) Now, when I want to put my hands on information about planning kitchens, troubleshooting a Mac, or learning Hebrew, I know exactly where to look. Not all over the house. In ONE place. But that little exercise just whetted my appetite. Now I was seriously hooked. A couple of days ago, I noticed that one of the closets under the eaves in our "son's bedroom" (another case of faulty labeling, since our son is 32 and lives in Atlanta) was being badly misused. Why? Because it didn't have a proper label, of course! If I'd had to label it honestly, I would have had to refer to it as "Catch-All Zone, One of Many." So I "re-labeled" it "Office Supply Closet." (Both my husband and I have offices in our home, and he also has another one away from home, since our successful almost-34-year marriage is predicated on the motto, "For better or worse, but NOT for lunch.") However, neither of our home offices really had adequate space for storing bulky things like toner cartridges, reams of paper, extra file folders, computer supplies, etc. So I went back to Office Depot for yet 2 more sets of those shelves. (You know a good friend when you find one! ) Organizing that closet will be my new-best-friend project beginning today. The personal case histories in Kathy's book are so helpful. It's easier to recognize your own mistakes when you see other people making them. I've recommended the book to several friends, and I plan to re-read it myself, because it is so packed with practical advice that I'm sure I couldn't possibly have absorbed it all on the first reading! If you want to get organized and stay that way, this book is a MUST! Don't put it off another minute. You can't imagine how much better you'll feel, once you get your engines fired up!" |
Here are some helpful hints from our vendor partner, their customers, and members of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) * Suction cups should be "burped" once every six months to
maintain optimum suction. WINE STORAGE TIPS Other than for large amounts of very fine wine that one intends to keep for many years, wine can be and should be stored: * In an area of fairly constant moderate temperature Places like the bottom of closets, or cellars are fine. Keep in mind that most wines are fairly "strong" and can be stored in these conditions without turning bad. Also, most wines are purchased to be consumed in the near future and not meant to be kept for decades. Should you want to keep a few bottles at the recommended drinking temperature of around 55-60 degrees, there are many small wine coolers that hold up to 17 bottles of wine. About Us and our Merchant Partner... With this vendor you'll always find great deals and new products and more practical, stylish, yet affordable ways to store, organize, consolidate and decorate than you may have otherwise thought possible. They specialize in closets, featuring Closet Organizers, Cedar Chests, Hangers, Garment Racks, Plastic Boxes, and Shoe Racks. Their home office selection includes items like Office Furniture, Laptop Desks, File Cabinets, Computer Desks, Desk Lamps, Desk Chairs, Desks, and File Boxes. For the bathroom you'll find hand stuff like Towel Warmers, and Waste Cans. This vendor also has a vast assortment of home furnishings such as Window Shades, Mail Boxes, Room Dividers, Room Screens, Floor Lamps, Bookcases, Trunks, Lamps, Magazine Racks, and Coat Trees. Items for the family room include CD Racks, DVD Racks, Entertainment Centers, TV Stands, Display Cases, Fireplaces, Flag Cases, and Game Tables. Organize your garage with Bike Racks, Boxes, Step ladders, Shelving, and Bike Accessories. Their wine cellar contains section Wine Coolers and Wine Racks. For your kids rooms look for Toy Chests, Fire Escape Ladders, and Jogging Strollers. You'll also find an excellent selection of Outdoor Living products. For example, this vendor offers Garden Furniture, Patio Awnings, Gazebos, Weathervanes, Outdoor Furniture, Outdoor Umbrellas, Arbors, Potting Tables, and Picnic Baskets. In the kitchen, Bakers Racks, Spice Racks, Pot Racks, Cutting Boards, Dish Racks, Microwave Carts, Hanging Pot Racks, Salad Spinners, and Bread Boxes. Special items for the bedrooms, such as Bed Trays, Bed Risers, and Jewelry Boxes. For the laundry, Laundry Sorters, Sewing Machines, Hampers, and Ironing Boards. Even products for pets like Dog Houses, Pet Houses and Pet Ramps.
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Updated: August 15, 2008
