Do's and Don'ts of Design...Organization

DO Utilize a closet for office storage.
Build shelving (or purchase ready-made pieces from an organization store) to accommodate your bulky office equipment such as printers, fax machines, etc. This will free up much needed work space on your desk.

DON’T Neglect your Kitchen Pantry.
Inventory the entire contents and categorize them (boxes, paper goods, pasta, etc.). Throw away anything old, give away anything your family won’t use. Purchase plastic containers and place like item in them. Use turn tables for cans and bottles.

DO Tackle the garage.
The garage is always the last place we feel the need to organize. Large plastic bins will be your best friend – these are much more durable than boxes for items such as holiday décor. Trash or donate anything you haven’t used in some time. Install built-in or modular storage if you can. Remember – make the most of the vertical wall space and overhead space with shelving!

DON’T Forget about the main living area.
These well-used rooms tend to collect the most clutter. Use decorative baskets to store items such as papers, magazines, and remotes so you can keep flat surfaces clean and clear. Purchase furniture that does “double duty” such as using a storage ottoman for your coffee table. If you tend to collect a lot of photo frames, try making a wall collage instead of cluttering-up your tables.

Finds under $50...Summer, Summer, Summertime!

Summertime has definitely arrived - marked by 110 degree weather here in Phoenix! Time for some fun in the sun...

You always need something wonderful to decorate your table! Butterflies equal summer in my opinion :)How beautiful will these tea light holders look on your patio for the next dinner party or BBQ?

Nothing says summer quite like a bowl of refreshing watermelon...these candles from Pier 1 for less than $20, however, will never spoil!


For those of you who have a contemporary flair, check out this awesome garden lantern (only $42 each) for the backyard:

Do’s and Don’ts of Design…Shopping

Shopping for new furniture and decorative items can be a fun, but daunting, task!

DO Measure your room thoroughly before you head out.

Draw a simple floorplan, and record all the dimensions. Measure each wall, windows (don't forget to measure the sill height!), and doors. The take overall dimensions of each room just to double check.

DON'T Forget to measure the arm height of your seating pieces.

Side tables should always be shorter than the arm height of the piece they will be places next to.

DO Use painter's tape, or paper to "block out" large pieces before purchasing.

Furniture will tend to look a lot smaller in a large furniture showroom. Always better to double check before spending your hard earned money!

DON'T Have more than one focal point.

If your room lacks interesting architectural features (such as a fireplace), use a unique furniture piece as your focal point. Purchase this item first, and allow all the other items in the room to take cues from its style.