Friday, March 2, 2012

Pretty Little Organizer

So…clearly Heather and I are totally linked by the brain nodes because she did not even tell me she went shopping for Martha Stewart for Avery organizer stuff (which you can read about here), when what do I do?  Go on a search for MS organizer stuff.  Seriously, though, Martha really is a genius when it comes to this.
Anyway, I’ve had this box from Ikea for the longest time.  It’s the FIRA mini chest, and I believe it’s been discontinued, which is really unfortunate because it has come in handy over the years for various purposes.  I got it almost 10 years ago and it held makeup, jewelry, and scrapbook supplies.  I even painted it white right when I got it, thinking I was all ahead of the trend with Ikea Hacking.  HAHA!  Too bad I knew nothing about painting and it turned out awful.
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Oh, please don’t mind all the junk all around this.  It’s part of the reason I’m organizing.  Too much junk all over the place. I decided that the next incarnation of this box's use was going to be what it was originally intended for, desk/office supplies.  Right now our kitchen is just busting at the seams with stacks: stack of magazines, stacks of bills, stack of coupons….all in a state of limbo.  Some need to be paid, some need to be filed, some I like to keep around for awhile...like ads and stuff.
So I gave this baby a good shake down, sand down, and spray down.  I knew I was going to buy some new organizing tools, so I used the paint I had on hand.  I think it’s just Rustoleum's yellow.  Nothing fancy to it.  Just yellow.
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Doesn’t she look so much better?  Oh and I changed all the drawers around.  This doesn’t have designated cubbies, so I can move them around as much as I please.  But wait…it gets better!  Enter Martha!
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Yay!  I purchased files, file labels, and some dry erase labels.  I had to run back to Staples, though, because the original dry erase labels I got were too big for the drawers.  Just for the record - I think that they are a super cool idea since this little box has gone through so many different uses. It might be nice to just be able to erase and re-label! So when I went back to Staples, I found these little babies…adhesive metal tags.
I. Love. Them.
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And yes…I do wear fancy pajamas to bed.  Look at that satin sleeve…..oh yeah.  We are fancy pants around here! I first tackled the file folders to conquer these piles of paper.  So ugs.
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I labeled three different folders….for now.  To Pay, To File, and Circulars.  I like to keep around the Target ad, Joann’s ad, and grocery store's ad, just in case.  You know…for the week.  So this keeps all that stuff off there.  Then I stuck the metal tags on the drawers (they are SUPER sticky! You have to get it right the first time, which I don’t know if I did on a couple of them) and labeled them the following: Cam. Charger, Pens, Scissors, Hard Drive, Batteries, Coupons.  These are things that I tend to reach for most often, and that tend to sit around out of place on counter tops.  Especially coupons.  I have a coupons file…but sometimes I get them in the mail or have a clipping spree, but just don’t file them right away.  So…in the drawer they go until I file them.  Off the counter!  Anyway…here’s the finished product!
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I’m not going to point out my flaw and what I forgot to do…but I’m sure you can see it.  But it’s an easy fix.  I actually didn’t even notice it until this photo….way less noticeable in person!  Anyway…I love it.  It’s so cute and tidy and makes me smile!
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Hooray for pretty organizing!!!

25 comments:

  1. Oh my Martha. I adore this hack! First of all, that yellow cubby is to die for. It is so cute and no matter where you stick it, it will make the pop! Super jealous of all the little boxes too. :/ I'm a sucker for massive storage. And Martha just gets to me, she makes so many things I want so terribly. Sighhh.

    Great hack! You've got a new loyal follower! And thanks for stopping by the blog! :)

    -Jess
    http://www.thatssewcrafty.blogspot.com

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  2. Brilliant! The yellow just screams fun and chic! =) I agree with Jess - a fabulous hack!!!!

    xoxo
    Jenn

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  3. Great job! I found this post through the IHeart Organizing link party and I'm glad I did! What an awesome refresh job...and the Martha Stewart office collection is an addiction of mine too! I just bought a pack of file folders myself. If you need help taming the wild receipts, I also posted my latest DIY project {expanding envelopes} on IHeart Organizing link party and on my own blog. Hope you check it out and find it useful!

    ~ Ferly
    Gifts We Use {to grow, love and serve}
    http://www.GiftsWeUse.blogspot.com

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  4. Absolutely Beautiful!!! You just gave me a wonderful idea for a place to use those labels. I had seen them when I bought the Chalkboard Labels. Thanks!!

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  5. How adorable! I love it. I used the same tags on my DVD binders. I would think you are the bestest if you shared this at my new linky party going on now.

    http://unclutteredlifestyle.blogspot.com/2012/02/un-clutter-it-thursday-10-welcome-to.html

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  6. I love the color!!! Great job!
    It looks like it will keep you super organized!! Love that!
    Following you back! :)
    -U

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  7. Adhesive metal tags? why couldn't I have thought of that one? looks great! Newest follower!

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  8. I love Martha's new line too! Love what you did with this piece, I could definitely use something like it in our kitchen (the catch-all). Found you via IHeart Organizing's link party! www.justhadabrightidea.blogspot.com

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  9. Super cute!! I'm loving me some color in furniture here lately. I just painted one of my cabinets green. :)

    Melissa
    http://t-g-life.blogspot.com/

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  10. I love the new Martha collection. Can't wait to find a project that they will work with!!! Great job on the project!

    Jeanette

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  11. Found your link at the I Heart Organizing link party.
    Love this! The color and labels are wonderful...wish it were still available at IKEA...I'll be looking for something similar...my home office could use something like this.

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  12. I love it!!! Love the colors. WOW I wish I had something like that in my office at home. Great use. Thanks for sharing your project. And thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm your newest follower. :)

    ~Jen

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  13. I found your post through I Heart Organizing's link party. This is a great little revamp! I have been looking at some unfinished boxes like this in an Ikea copycat and didn't even think to add adhesive metal labels. Fabulous!

    Claire @ alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com

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  14. This is absolutely lovely :) Adding those lables just made the whole thing perfect!

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  15. This is seriously adorable! I wish Ikea still had this so I could make one, too. I hate when they discontinue things!

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  16. Cute! I love how you transformed it! I want one now.

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  17. I love the color you chose and I love what you did with the organizer!

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  18. I'm featuring your box on my blog tonight. Great job!

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  19. I adore so much the revamp you gave that piece! The Martha line is uber fantastic and I love how those labels really dressed up that IKEA piece.

    Thanks so much for linking up and sharing!

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  20. Found you via IHeartOrganizing...

    What a beautiful repurposing of a really cool little storage thingy! :)

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  21. I cannot tell you how sad I am that you said it has been discontinued, because that is exactly what I have been looking for, and if it was at Ikea the price was probably right! It looks great with the changes you made!

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  22. Would you be able to post the measurements of the outside box and one of the inside boxes...I think I can sweet talk my dad into making something similar, just looking for the rough sizes, it looks to be a good size. Thanks!! :)

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  23. Ι dοn't even know the way I stopped up here, but I believed this post was great. I do not recognise who you might be but definitely you're
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  24. I wish that I could Pin this! Too cute. It would work great for my sewing corner....if I can ever get a new sewing machine/embroidery machine table and hutch.

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