Wednesday, May 5, 2010

April Get-Organized Challenge

Day 3 of April Get-Organized Challenge recap

Ah, my glass cabinets. When we were looking to build this house, we went to every model home in Ohio (just about) that our builder had to get ideas for our home. When we went into the model that had this island with these cabinets, it took my breath away. I was sold. I knew I had to have these. I was instantly thinking of all the Longabergers I could order to fill up these beauts.

Then we moved in. Reality check. They are kind of shallow so platters don't fit, big baskets don't fit (that's ok, I have lots of little ones), and if you rearrange the shelves to accommodate taller things, they don't look good through the doors. AND then my in-laws downsized and I got all their old stuff in addition to other people in my family's old stuff. They would say, I quote, "we know you like antiques, and you have that big new house, here you go." Me, being the people pleaser would just say, I quote, "oh, you are so sweet, I like these, thanks."

Then I would come home and try to cram them in here. And here "they" (old stuff) sat for 5 years. I did use a lot of the stuff in the right side cabinets for parties but I had a lot of stuff I didn't want.
See. This is my dining room table with all the stuff I had to get rid of. Gone. Off to Goodwill. It doesn't look like much here, weird photo angle, but it filled the entire back of my van, passenger seat and the floor between Parker and Tanner. It felt so good to get rid of all that unused china and stuff.

I will say, I felt a teeny bit bad getting rid of it, but we got our own china when we got married and I like it better, honestly. And my mom has given me some really cool pieces from Anthropologie that fit well with my Longabergers and everyday Fiesta Ware so I decided I didn't feel bad enough to keep them anymore. AND, if/when we move, I am quite certain I won't have room in my new home for other people's old stuff.
Here is the finished reorganization. (Please ignore the top of my island, it was a busy day and stuff was everywhere... you know, life happens.) I only kept my most favorite things. There is no rhyme or reason, just stuff I like. Some is old, some is oldish, some is new, some is silly, I don't care, I do however know I love how much better these cabinets look. I am always amazed at how much relief I feel after finishing a project I procrastinated on for so long.
Far left cabinets... with the doors open, so you can actually see...

Far right cabinets...

Middle cabinet...

3 comments:

Kerri said...

I love this cabinet island...so much storage! It does feel so good when you finish a project..often times I think about doing it way longer that it actually takes just to get it done! I wish I had some of your engergy this week!

Kristin said...

the cabinets look great!

Jen said...

I love that you are doing your April Challenge in May. That is my way of getting things done too.
Amazing how much room you have in the cainet now. I have lots of others peoples old stuff too. It is hard to say no when they offer it to me...then it just takes up room wherever I cram it. Good for you. Nicely done!