Small, adorable desk...

...that's what has been on my mind lately.  I love small desks/built-ins worked into kitchens. I've been dreaming of a spot like this off of our kitchen.  Our town-home isn't the most spacious, but I think I could make this work.  It would require some rearranging, which I think is what is causing me to ponder instead of running 100mph to find that perfect desk.


Let's talk about some of the uses for a desk by our kitchen.  I'm talking a small, "airy" desk.  Preferably white, or a pop of color:

• Creating grocery lists/menu planning
• Any type of computer work
• Grading papers/lesson planning
• Totally adorable

I think those would be my top four uses of a desk by the kitchen.  I won't lie.  Maybe the totally adorable factor is #1 on my list.  There's nothing wrong with that is there?  I love a cozy, warm area.  I'm always decorating/re-arranging/adding to.  

One thought that has entered my mind is the possibility of moving into a home that doesn't have a spot for the desk near the kitchen.  Problem solved: place the desk in a guest room/Baby Blair's room. Baby Blair does not exist yet, but one day he/she will! I love desks in kids room, so I'm not worried about the idea of not always using it in the kitchen.

One thing that I'm not sure about is space.  The desk would go in the spot where our green cabinet currently lives.    The green cabinet would have to find a new home, but still close to the front door.  Our green cabinet is our "catch-all" spot. We can't move this piece away from the front door.  I'm worried that the entry area would become cluttered.  Thoughts?   

Now, for the best part. Pictures.  I've put together a few pictures so that you have visualize the look I'm wanting to achieve...

Basic Sawhorse Desk from Pier 1 on sale for $160. 

I love the lightness and texture of this wastebasket.  Not even sure I'd use it as a trash can, but possibly as storage (I'd sit it on the floor next to the desk either way). Wastebasket from Pier 1 for $20.

I love this! I would totally add this to the left/right corner of the desk to hold all of those wonderful office supplies.  Basket from Pier 1 for $18.

Love this lamp.  The best part is that I already own this lamp, and haven't found a spot for it since moving.  How perfect is that?

I'd either go for a chair like this (such a fun color), or a vintage colored chair.  Right now, I'd just snag one from another room in the house!

The price break down adds up to roughly $200 total for a new desk, wastebasket and organizer.  Not too bad if ya ask me.  What are your thoughts of my desk dilemma?  I'd love to hear your ideas on what would be best for the space.

love, the Blair Abode

Perfected Pantry

Pantries.  Pantries can be such difficult places to organize and keep organized. In order for a pantry to remain clutter free there has to be a system in place.  Now, the system doesn't have to be one that is super intricate or costs a lot of money, but there has to be a method to the madness. 


The first apartment we lived in had a very small pantry.  This resulted in storing small kitchen appliances in the guest bedroom closet. Not practical at all.  The town home has a walk-in pantry and it is OH SO NICE to have all of my kitchen belongings in the kitchen.  After being in the town home six months, I finally "perfected" my pantry.  My system may not be what works for you, but it has been totally reliable for me.  In fact, I haven't had to re-organize the pantry since putting this system to use.  To me, that equals beautiful.


Here are my top 5 elements in my pantry that I have found to be a must.  If you're in the market for organizing your pantry, I highly recommend these ideas:


1. A Shoe Organizer

That's not what you expected to be first on the list was it?  Seriously, I couldn't live without this in our pantry.  It's a perfect place to store all of those pre-packaged goodies (snacks, popcorn, cliff bars, rice, oatmeal, oats, bread crumbs, hot cocoa pouches, etc).  This literally allowed me to throw away more than a dozen boxes. Total space saver.  I got this clear pouched shoe organizer at Wal-Mart for $5.


2. Hooks

Take advantage of your wall space in the pantry. I love having a spot to hang my apron, extra Wal-Mart sacks, lunch boxes and my pup's travel bag.  I just used 3M hooks for the lunch box, and I found a precious spoon inspired three hook frame at Paul Michael's.  

3. Coordinating Baskets

I have loved having baskets in our pantry.  It has been so nice to have a spot to group together like items.  I have a basket for any kind of canned tomato product, green veggies, soups used when cooking, boxed meal starters, etc. This also makes creating a grocery list WAY easy.  I am not digging through mounds of cans or boxes to find out if I'm out of something.  Also, it keeps me from over buying because I can see everything I have easily.  I'm not a huge fan of buying things is mass quantities either, so I am less likely to do that since I have limited space in each basket.


4. Shelves

We added some extra shelving (the chrome) to our pantry, and it has provided us with so much extra storage.  It's a great place to stash small kitchen appliances, bake-ware, mixing bowls, roasting pan, etc.  Our kitchen doesn't have much cabinet space, so these have been really great for storing things that might usually end up in a cabinet.


5. Cookbook Haven

I love having a designated spot for all of my cookbooks.  I am never searching for a recipe for hours or wondering where I sat the cookbook I used last week.  They are always right in this spot.  It's totally in a convenient spot too, right? :)

So, that wraps up the list.  I'm sure there are tons of wonderful ideas out there that might surpass my top 5, but I have found these to be so so helpful.  An organized pantry just makes life easier, I think.  The #1 key to organizing a pantry is grouping similar items.  All five of my favorite features have that in common.  It's a great way to start when organizing anything.  

What are your top 5 elements of an organized pantry? Or, what are your hopes and dreams for your pantry?

love, the Blair Abode

The Green Cabinet

...I'm convinced that everyone in the world needs a green cabinet.  Or, something like it.  Of course, I would encourage you to have the actual green cabinet, because.. well, I think it's the sweetest little cabinet I've ever seen.  But, I guess I really mean everyone needs the idea of the green cabinet.


The green cabinet lives right inside our entry hall. It is by far one of the crucial elements in making our house run smoothly.  It's an entire area of the house devoted to "catch all."  I realized very quickly after getting married that the entry way was a place that could become quite TOTALLY frightening.  Piles and piles of shoes, bags, mail, keys, coats, my purse... ALL in a heap towards the front door.  Eek! Something had to be done quickly.  Insert browsing at HomeGoods and spotting this bad boy:

This was the answer to my prayers.  It has two spacious shelves and not to mention.. totally adorbs! I decided to place three plastic (they don't have to be cute because my Hubs and I are the only ones seeing them) baskets.  One basket for Hubs, myself and Mozart.  This basket is a place we can stash our wallets, sunglasses, a book to return to the library, CD to take to the car.. you get the idea.  Mo has his leash in his basket.  This system works great for us! It conceals all of those little things that otherwise seem to hang out on the kitchen table. Cute cabinet + storage = WIN! 


Here is a peak inside the cabinet

The bottom basket holds anything we need to hang a picture. Nails, monkey hooks, hammer, ruler, 3M hooks.  Also, my lint brush has somehow squeezed in there.  But, I always know where it is! It's in a spot that's easy to grab and use on the way out the door. I also store a few wedding pictures we had printed that have not made into frames yet, and some over spill candles that I found on sale.

Our key hanger is used to hold our keys and my purse.  The wicker basket hides our flip flops that we use when grabbing the mail and taking Mo outside.  So far this system has been ideal for us.  I love the storage plus style I have been able to achieve with this small space.  I cannot imagine life without this area of the house.  It doesn't sound like much, but it houses A LOT of small things.

It's all about finding what works for you!  My system may be total chaos for one person, but totally great for me! What do you use to catch all of those small items that we are constantly taking in and out of the house?

Love, the Blair Abode