Repurposing What You Already Have

In the April 2013 issue of Real Simple Magazine, I saw this idea:
It was a short article about using candle sticks in a new way.  Here, they're used as vases.  They also suggested using the sticks as tiers between trays or as a fancy holder for bangle bracelets.  It got me thinking about all the everyday things around the house that can be used in new ways...to make your life easier and more organized.  Here are some of my favorites:
  • Toilet paper/paper towel tubes: Corral wrapping paper, electrical cords, string, ribbon; Stack them vertically in a  drawer to hold pairs of socks, tights or scarves.
  • Wine corks: Use them to hold anything sharp - for needles in a sewing kit, as an earring holder, for safety pins in the "junk" drawer
  • Any box or bottle with a small opening (think baby wipes tub or cheese shaker): Great for holding rolls of string/yarn that you want to pull out of the opening.
  •  Over-the-door show bags: Amazing for just about anything! Separate and hold accessories belts, scarves, socks, barrettes and jewelry; Hold spice packets in the kitchen; Sort make-up and vitamins in the bathroom; Keep small toys up off the ground in the playroom...and so much more!
  • Ladders: Old, rickety ladders that aren't great to stand on still have some life in them around the house! Lean them against a wall to hold extra blankets or drape sweaters dramatically.  While doing some research, I found some amazing bookshelves made from ladders on Bored Panda:
 
  • Six-pack bottle holders: I use one under my kitchen sink to hold foil, cling wrap and baggies vertically in the bottle slots. They're also useful for confining sauces in the kitchen, beauty products in the bedroom or remotes in the family room. Cover them with wrapping paper or collages to match any decor.  And, if they break or rip....finding a replacement is never a big investment!
 Need more inspiration? Do an image search for "repurpose" or something like that. You'll find TONS more than you ever imagined! Just like this article...that may or may not have sidetracked me tonight.  So many great, creative ideas!

Unpacking

Today I helped a couple move into a two bedroom apartment.  Each of the new residents were there, as well as two friends, and myself.  We worked for only four hours and unpacked a large majority of their boxes and crates!  It was a great day! Some lessons learned and ideas to share when it's your turn to help unpack:

  • As boxes and furniture make their way into the home, have the movers put them directly into the room the contents will belong.  This, of course, implies the boxes are all labeled properly.  It prevents extra lifting and shuffling things around.
  • Decide where furniture will be placed before unpacking anything.  It's horrible to fill a china cabinet or bookcase, just to realize you want it some place else.
  • Tackle one area at a time.  Then, move on to the next space.  It's okay to start with small spaces if the larger rooms are too overwhelming at first.  For example, the bathroom.  Or, today, we started with unpacking the lady-of-the-house's clothes' closet. 
And, we actually set it up completely; we didn't just pull things out of the box.
  •  Spread out all of one type of item at a time.  Perhaps that's clothes or plates and spoons.  It allows you to assess how much space you'll need to store all these items, as well as pick out your favorites.  Here, you see a handy friend unpacking and sorting all the couple's books.  Categorized stacks were shelved once she was able to determine how much shelf space each category needed.
  •  As you're comparing favorites and finding that there might be more than you thought of something, have a donation box or bag nearby.  Fill it up as you sort and unpack.
  • If there are duplicates of anything that you won't need at hand, put them into a storage area to "shop" from when you run out - before going to the store.
  • Break down boxes as they become empty.  It'll save on floor space and allow you to appreciate all the hard work you've done.  Recycle, store or pass them along to someone else to use.
      

    Now, with the help of just a couple friends, for just an afternoon and a pizza delivery, this couple can enjoy their first night in their new home.  Bookshelves filled, table to sit at, kitchen to cook in and tub to soak in.  It wasn't complete....but, it was home.

    Why Professionalism Matters

    As President of the NAPO-Chicago chapter, I quarterly write a piece for our newsletter.  This week I've decided to share my last  letter, as I think it relates to all professions.

    I was recently brought in on a large-scale project. The family was in dire need of a variety of services that a third party was coordinating. The project head had an assistant that was supposed to be my contact. In the weeks leading up to the project, there were a lot of communication problems. Information was missing; information was provided in an untimely manner and so on. Not only was this frustrating, but it hindered the success of the project as a whole.

    Instead of placing blame on who did or didn't do what they “should” have done, I'd rather concentrate on the importance of why all of us should embrace our professional side so that we can walk away from our clients knowing we conducted ourselves appropriately.

    Each of us has a vision as to what kind of company and services we'd like to represent. Regardless of the details of that vision, we probably can all agree that we want our clients and our peers to agree that we are, in fact, a professional. I conducted a bit of research as to what most people agree makes a professional. Most sources agree that there are some key areas that are important to creating this image:
    • Dress and speak the part
    • Write well
    • Be on time/Honor commitments
    • Communicate early and often
    • Have the infrastructure you need for the job at hand
    • Mind your hygiene
    • Don't make excuses or lie
    • Don't talk about clients behind their backs
    • Be positive
    • Offer to help
    • Don't air your dirty laundry
    Even the best of us can use a reminder. How often are you running just a few minutes late? When have you agreed to tackle a project, thinking you'll figure it out when the time comes (lacking the proper infrastructure)? When did you walk in to a session already wanting to go home? We've all fell below par on some of these at one time or another. And, we're human; we're not going to be perfect. But, professional does not mean perfect. It means we are respecting those we're working with. We're respecting the problems we are there to help solve. We're respecting emotions and attitudes. Most importantly, we're respecting ourselves.

    Reverse the list above:
    • Dressing and speaking poorly
    • Writing in a nonsensical manner
    • Being late/Forgetting commitments
    • Lacking communication
    • Lacking infrastructure
    • Ignoring hygiene needs
    • Making excuses and lying
    • Gossiping
    • Being negative
    • Only looking out for yourself
    • Airing all your secrets
    Just reading this list over, we can all imagine how unreliable, uncomfortable and undesirable that working situation has become – even if just one or a couple of these are occurring. These characteristics have created a counterproductive workplace – for anyone involved. Productivity and job satisfaction will fall. Not to mention your over all physical and mental well-being.

    Having worked in a less than professional situation, I'd rather not do so again. What does that mean for me and my company? It means I will refer work I'm not interested in or prepared for. I will do my best to stay positive and timely. I won't give excuses. Primarily, I will respect myself enough to let those working on projects with me know when they are acting unprofessional.

    Collections

    Humans love to collect things.  We really do.  From what I've heard and read, it's likely a habit from our hunting and gathering days - the desire to hoard what we can because soon there won't be any food or supplies for the taking (due to weather, animal herds moving, etc.).

    As you may have noticed, those days are long over.  Our DNA has allowed us to hang on to some of those characteristics from our ancestors.  Most of these traits are good - like our "fight or flight" instincts.  But, for some of us, collecting has become a large part of our lives, our homes and our identities.

    There are tons of shows on TV now that showcase people and their collections.  Antiques, memorabilia, media, clothes, toys, you name it...someone wants a lot of it!  Sometimes it can be lucrative, sure.  And, sometimes it can become an obsession and take over a space.

    How do we stop it before it begins?  How do we put a halt to it when we realize it's more than we can handle or hold or showcase?

    Gather ALL the collection in one spot.  That's right - all of it!  Get those boxes out of storage and out from under the bed.  Unpack the items and set them all out.  I understand this might mean there would be hundreds of snow globes suddenly overtaking your dining room instead of throughout the house and packed in to boxes.  Good.  That's what we want.

    Now that you can see the entire collection, you'll be able to start making some decisions.  First, go through all the items to assess if any are no longer acceptable pieces of your collection.  For example, are there broken pieces?  Discolored, ruined, ripped or otherwise undesirable?  If so, toss or donate (if the item is still usable by someone who is not a collector). 

    Second, group the collection, if possible.  By designer, by theme, by year, etc.  This won't be applicable to every collection, but is helpful when it does applies.

    Now, go through the collection and really ask yourself some tough questions:
    1) Do I love this item? Does it bring joy to my life and my space? 
    2) Does it remind me of a time or person I'd like to forget?
    3) Do I remember why I have this item?  When or where I acquired it?
    4) Does this still add value to my collection? Am I honoring it as a piece of this collection (or has it been hidden away for who knows how long)?
    5) Would I value the space it would open up and the cash I may earn by passing this item along to someone who would enjoy it more than I enjoy the item itself?

    If it will help you, have a friend (or designer or professional organizer) walk you through these questions - FOR EACH ITEM OF THE COLLECTION!  And, answer honestly.  The items that you decide to keep as part of your collection should be displayed, safely, such that you can enjoy your collection you've worked so hard to accrue.

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