It’s that time of year when we are all craving the sun, water and all outdoor activities.  However, with cool air still surrounding us and a little more time to spend indoors, why not make the most of our excess energy and turn our favorite house hot spots into something more than they currently are?!

Who does not feel a sense of accomplishment by focusing on spaces within our homes that need a little love and making them perform more efficiently for our daily usage? Closets, pantries, laundry rooms, and baths are all spaces that are used on a daily / hourly basis and can get disheveled quickly and put out of order. It’s easy for time to pass and life to carry on and before we know it, our most valued spaces have become the most dysfunctional spaces of our existence. Ugh… what to do???

It is amazing what a little time, effort and imagination can do to turn these spaces into well prepared works of art that you will crave using each time you pass by them. We promise, it is so satisfying to strut in to your newly curated pantry, “shop” for a snack and juice box for the kids and grab a bar from the granola jar for yourself. You will exit with pride and know a job was well done. 

We can guarantee, borrowing a few of these tips will save time and money at the market and provide more economical value in shopping excursions too. It will provide more balance in daily life and routine plus reduce clutter in our mind and environment.

KITCHEN and PANTRY

We know all kitchens are not created equal. Coming in a variety of sizes and configurations, all kitchens can benefit from consistent TLC and organization. We are always on the lookout for items to consider for our clients to keep things fresh, clean and tidy. 

These are a few of our favorites.

Who can resist this beautiful marble organizer set from Williams Sonoma. Full of style and function, the set offers a variety of canisters with lids, paper towel holder, knife holder with Kapoosh insert, bread box and utensil holder. Made of white marble, we feel this set would compliment an assortment of styles from modern to farmhouse kitchens. 

Yes, gold is the new GOLD, how could we ever forget it?! This stunning canister set is the perfect alternative to compliment your gold light fixtures, cabinet hardware and plumbing fixtures. This Williams Sonoma set would look stunning on any countertop color from black to white and anything in between, we guarantee it!

Have kids who love cereal? Who can resist this over the top dispenser to serve the kiddos their favorites. Easy to clean, easy to self-serve, looks fantastic in your pantry.  Gotta have one!

Try this one from Williams Sonoma.

Jars! Jars! Jars! These are a MUST! Mason jars are not just for canning anymore!  Anything goes in a jar. Dry goods, rice, spices, candies, nuts, fruit, vegetables, pastas, grains – anything.

This is a perfect addition to any refrigerator or pantry so be creative with sizes and display or arrange your collection efficiently to accommodate your stock. It’s amazing how organizing in an efficient “pretty” way will promote items to be used or eaten before foods spoil. If it looks appetizing in the pantry or fridge, it disappears quicker, hmmmm….funny how that works! Mason Jars are available anywhere from amazon to meijers.

**PS make certain to follow proper food preparation before storing refrigerated foods.

Can good dispensers are a fun way to arrange your cans, keeps things arranged and your inventory front and center showcasing your very own super market!

CLOSETS

Nothing makes life simpler that a well displayed closet. Starting your day by waking up and walking in to your closet to “shop” for the perfect outfit that will represent you for the day can be exhausting. Whether it is your favorite pair of yoga pants and flip flops or a navy power suit for a corporate meeting, a well styled closet saves time and frustration in your daily routine. 

Try these few simple low budget tips to create the closet of your desire (no matter the size).

Prep and purge your closet first. This will cleanse your mind and closet. Rid yourself of items that no longer serve their purpose. It may not serve a purpose to you any longer however, by donating items you’ll give them new life to someone who will wear them with pride.

Prioritize colors and arrange in color collections. For example; group all whites, grays, blacks, brown, blues, greens, reds, pinks, prints, etc. together. You will find it amazing how easily you’ll locate your favorite black turtle neck at 7:00 am! It will be like walking in to your very own private boutique each morning. Getting dressed will become less stressful and emotional taking the edge off your morning and putting your energy toward planning your day and not your wardrobe.

Streamline and neutralize your hangers to all one type and color. We love these options from Wayfair, but choose what appeals to your style and needs. Gripper is terrific for keeping those pesky cold shoulder tops in place and the cedar look and smell great.

Try dividers to separate colors, sweaters, blouses, t’s, etc. This tip may assist in your organizing quests.

Prioritize colors and arrange in color collections. Example; group all whites, grays, blacks, brown, blues, greens, reds, pinks, prints, etc… you will find it amazing how easily you will locate your favorite black turtle neck at 7:00 am! It will be like walking in to your very own private boutique each morning. Getting dressed will become less stressful and emotional taking the edge off your morning and putting your energy toward planning your day and not your wardrobe.

BATHS

Next in line to our kitchens, these are the hottest spaces in our homes. Keeping our “props” in front of us and in arms reach is essential for all of us. These are just a few items we think are game changers in making our baths all they can be and keeping it pretty!

These labeled shower bottles from amazon are just the right touch to add in to any shower. With beautifully designed tile and marble showers, it is hard on the eye to fill them with Loreal shampoo and Dial body wash bottles. These bottles are sleek and chic and would compliment any shower or tub.

Bamboo stackable trays from West Elm are perfect for any linen closet to keep inventory of all your favorite first aide, manicure supplies, makeup, skin care supplies and linens organized. 

Coordinate bath accessories. Coordinating your tissue boxes, soap dispensers and trash cans is the perfect way to keep your bath neat and uncluttered. We love this set from Target. Select a color and style that is perfect for your bath, and remember, when in doubt of color choice, choose the color that matches your faucet!

How can we resist sharing this fantastic high style gold framed recess medicine cabinet? This is the perfect addition to any bath needing that extra edge for small bottle or container storage. Each of us have our own collection of creams, vitamins, paste or pills that we love to keep in front of us for accessibility. Recess medicine cabinets are a great solution. Take a look at this one we found from West Elm, available in 5 colors.

HOME OFFICE

With more and more of us working from home, providing ourselves tools to keep organized will help with efficiency as well as beautify our designated work area. Try these stylish pieces to add to your desk area.

Acrylic understated desktop accessories help to keep your pens, pencils, scissors, mail and documents intact and tidy. Nothing spells cluttered more than a messy desk.

Glass boards are all the rage in any office application. Available in an assortment of colors and sizes, we can guarantee you will find the perfect one to suit the needs of you and your family too. Whether its function is evening homework with the kids or preparing for a zoom meeting in the morning, these tools are a great asset to any work space.

Contact LL&A for more information.

Create your very own command center complete with copy machine, stock of paper, ink, calendar, immediate access to documents and supplies.

BASKETS, DID SOMEONE SAY BASKETS (AND BOXES)?

How can any home survive without the perfect basket? We ask ourselves that every day, it’s simply not possible. Whether you find them in the closet, pantry or laundry room, finding the perfect baskets can be a fun and creative quest that will suit the need of each and every room they are needed. Colors, patterns, textures, shapes and sizes, with lids or no lids, so many choices allowing you the chance to have a ball finding just the right ones.

We are obsessed with this assortment of boxes and baskets that are offered at LL&A.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE BAR!

Nothing says slick more than a well-organized and beautifully displayed bar area.  Whether entertaining or just for you, this is a feel good experience for yourself and guests to enjoy. Using glass decanters, sturdy trays, coordinating glassware and wine displays are such an asset to any bar area.

This set of Scalamandre Tray and Ice bucket in green is a stunning addition to a traditional bar.

We love using decanters for your favorite liquors.

Need an additional wine display, try this metal wine rack that holds 8 bottles.

Call our office at 812.282.6606 for more details on boxes, barware and baskets!

Have fun along the way exploring your own ideas and products that make your life easier. We would love to see and hear all about them, make sure to insert your genius projects in the comments!