Office Closet Reno: Part III

I'm back again... this time with a large, much needed glass of chardonnay in my hand, paint on my toes, and wood shavings in my hair.<br /><br />It's been a long weekend.<br /><br />But I'm glad this phase of the office closet reno is over.<br /><br />Bear with me on the lack of in progress pictures... everything that could go wrong, did, and I was at the point of just trying to get it done to remember to document it correctly.<br /><br />Let's rewind one week ago, when the closet looked like this after phase one:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfFN1Zr8J0zXypeLdbJI0EUjxA5d2RQIBFsmIiu0YfMIdiCn-aZTc6Z1lk2E1T_qvNX_QnJqsCN3AkmpBzzobvoXzYnhHQ01kjAuPh1nCQaDidpPeQjdaOd9znyk6s-0eosVodzPbq51h/s1600/IMG_4524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfFN1Zr8J0zXypeLdbJI0EUjxA5d2RQIBFsmIiu0YfMIdiCn-aZTc6Z1lk2E1T_qvNX_QnJqsCN3AkmpBzzobvoXzYnhHQ01kjAuPh1nCQaDidpPeQjdaOd9znyk6s-0eosVodzPbq51h/s640/IMG_4524.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had completed my built-in wall pockets and was ready to move onto the more difficult task of built in shelves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I knew I wanted to build it basically the same way—three pieces of wood affixed to the wall which would support one long shelf.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I went to Home Depot (I know, I said I would only go to Lowe's from now on, but Lowe's doesn't have large pieces of MDF! Get with the program, guys)... The crappy part was that I had to buy an entire sheet of it (which was $30 and like 4'x6' or something), but since it all couldn't fit in our little car, we couldn't take the rest of it home with us. Let's call this bummer of the weekend #1. Anyway, after making my closet measurements and having them cut them for me, this is what I had to work with:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Caap5VhPfHqA1lVN29mKNyZCOxhN_rqSwT9EUxxiOPNzH1URXGf0tS7P1fxKDAD3dUwvJNBLdj_GrqvSsnBCwJmsOoltHSTJPMO-VP184smIpuJLNXxFZMuJ_Egkl_aUB_goJtmi4UJK/s1600/IMG_4529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Caap5VhPfHqA1lVN29mKNyZCOxhN_rqSwT9EUxxiOPNzH1URXGf0tS7P1fxKDAD3dUwvJNBLdj_GrqvSsnBCwJmsOoltHSTJPMO-VP184smIpuJLNXxFZMuJ_Egkl_aUB_goJtmi4UJK/s640/IMG_4529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was actually missing two of those small pieces on the top right which were my side supports, because the guy forgot to cut them (shall we say bummer #2?), but luckily there were scraps left over long enough for me to use our miter saw and make the cuts. Disaster averted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I proceeded to give them them all a few coats of white semi-gloss paint, and we hauled them into the office to start putting it all together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know we're missing a couple steps here but this is the next picture I shot:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSNrt59KjQu7iYcJbFf2-z6XkyxkhPz_ycTpU3LVFllWHabdXFQz4zuilvdAEDd3tCTFilrJX7NHQbCtFrPqrBOy87gt_PUelQW0jJk0ivLkdy4xCSpUqn2y_XlpcIw88v6FeSbc-TJ8k/s1600/IMG_4530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSNrt59KjQu7iYcJbFf2-z6XkyxkhPz_ycTpU3LVFllWHabdXFQz4zuilvdAEDd3tCTFilrJX7NHQbCtFrPqrBOy87gt_PUelQW0jJk0ivLkdy4xCSpUqn2y_XlpcIw88v6FeSbc-TJ8k/s640/IMG_4530.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the first stage of the bottom shelf. We tried to drill into the studs. Our studfinder is a little confused though, and it told us it was in different places every time. So we had to just trust our instincts. Does this count as bummer #3? Pretty sure the right support is not in a stud at all. But it seems quite solid, and Brad said it was OK, so I will trust him until it crashes on me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, here's the next picture I remembered to take:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3filYGueLt6RR8f4E87u1QMFigAK5Qs0Vzm4UMp4hBSHhHzmrOvdB7-oPfanoQRZCvwNH8ckstrd4Rljn3bv7TSpxcmh5bL0NXRu_PTRjw5L1ixGt7S-LUtDt7_abriRueFMvHVv1Oxa/s1600/IMG_4531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3filYGueLt6RR8f4E87u1QMFigAK5Qs0Vzm4UMp4hBSHhHzmrOvdB7-oPfanoQRZCvwNH8ckstrd4Rljn3bv7TSpxcmh5bL0NXRu_PTRjw5L1ixGt7S-LUtDt7_abriRueFMvHVv1Oxa/s640/IMG_4531.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Alright, making some progress here. The shelf top was a good fit pretty close to the wall on both sides. You aren't going to get an exact fit (unless your house was built by people who really care about your welfare and any future projects you may do, which does not describe the people that built ours)... so our walls definitely had some wonkiness beacuse this closet is far from a perfect rectangle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We used our nail gun to attach the top to all sides, and began to repeat the process for the top shelf...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UDZsiKwwMaV16Wo7b9cGGliNpSon-q1uYwy8qFKRWU0HEKzOnPFjrguoj9BAluj7c4urL-9ORsKbC1EycVH_3qo1PnZS5Y4IfrA0z4n1kjQIjaj4YWhDM7EnazUFCnznIuvwTAU35cjU/s1600/IMG_4533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UDZsiKwwMaV16Wo7b9cGGliNpSon-q1uYwy8qFKRWU0HEKzOnPFjrguoj9BAluj7c4urL-9ORsKbC1EycVH_3qo1PnZS5Y4IfrA0z4n1kjQIjaj4YWhDM7EnazUFCnznIuvwTAU35cjU/s640/IMG_4533.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's Brad doing the muscle work for me (thanks sweetie), but about 5 minutes after this picture was taken he quit on me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was bummer #4... the shelf was too big to squeeze into the closet. It was not the shelf's fault, it was actually cut identical to the bottom shelf (which was actually a little too short)... it was, of course, the closet walls that were not straight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So after a lot of pulling and tugging and @*&#!%-ing, we were left with this wall carnage:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFQt2yI-eycl0GbobhJ9Ug-13Fpzrrm3Jqe5OFljUT6g35MwZqneu74rPlk749U_g5hb8JF08pidsGoreg0QZPHETdDgLKyjinQVC_VHF7FyokkVloRVLdipwY1Vbe8J5NVJsKWVfRe5Z/s1600/IMG_4534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFQt2yI-eycl0GbobhJ9Ug-13Fpzrrm3Jqe5OFljUT6g35MwZqneu74rPlk749U_g5hb8JF08pidsGoreg0QZPHETdDgLKyjinQVC_VHF7FyokkVloRVLdipwY1Vbe8J5NVJsKWVfRe5Z/s640/IMG_4534.jpg" width="546" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...which was found on both sides of the closet, and a lot worse in person.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope your Saturday night was better than ours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But Sunday was a fresh start, so I headed off to Garden Ridge, World Market, and Lowe's for some finishing pieces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can I go off on a tangent for a quick sec? If you do not live by a Garden Ridge, I am sorry. My life was Garden Ridge-less until I moved to Florida last September, and it has changed me. I am a believer. This place is 3 acres of pure heaven. Just look at this aisle of baskets....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFWHkNEjWMrDPwmgp_kK_QMQUwrho8b79OzA4ljfS1OuM73cIQ_5C-nzynVIWfUnjdbLbhTDA_wekJB8OIrjq6NtvHqh-88pA8EXUt2VVuMmfslrvg1GhfOxdMWqC0NLXDfwD6AJlBZTw/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFWHkNEjWMrDPwmgp_kK_QMQUwrho8b79OzA4ljfS1OuM73cIQ_5C-nzynVIWfUnjdbLbhTDA_wekJB8OIrjq6NtvHqh-88pA8EXUt2VVuMmfslrvg1GhfOxdMWqC0NLXDfwD6AJlBZTw/s640/IMG_0006.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the stuff dreams are made of, people. And it gets better. These baskets are CHEAP. Price cheap, not quality. Check out these gems I found:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uoKlSIdrL3l6-9geGzmLGAyaZI3fJmPTuBCg2PTbpWgaQKoXugudHpCVZQxQRWIPqGVWArgDeJ6KnLILYAIkPxXBthhImY9gaGaYrCcq02BZBgDdDycaJErnedDknIev3EQx9tc0ubp7/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uoKlSIdrL3l6-9geGzmLGAyaZI3fJmPTuBCg2PTbpWgaQKoXugudHpCVZQxQRWIPqGVWArgDeJ6KnLILYAIkPxXBthhImY9gaGaYrCcq02BZBgDdDycaJErnedDknIev3EQx9tc0ubp7/s640/IMG_0008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't you just love these woven baskets? In all sizes and colors, and check out the price tag. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's another one of my favs...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9PN4qwdSQx70R7nhEs4DFF2SoUg2xy50ybEbvWvNToJ5E_kVpWJ-ICWIDBvmtXqVqCJzGdQDVV1KD-KuDnVzoyMx3PmDfHwdv32UE8UIj6pIxZaaJZi-gIFHe_Sx3zvSFJB4ZUS9w-dd/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9PN4qwdSQx70R7nhEs4DFF2SoUg2xy50ybEbvWvNToJ5E_kVpWJ-ICWIDBvmtXqVqCJzGdQDVV1KD-KuDnVzoyMx3PmDfHwdv32UE8UIj6pIxZaaJZi-gIFHe_Sx3zvSFJB4ZUS9w-dd/s640/IMG_0009.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This basket is perfect for magazines, blankets, even throw pillow storage beside a couch (it's a LOT larger than it looks in person). Love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, I picked up a few baskets here for my top shelf storage, and a teal storage box from World Market (which I got for free with a $10 Birthday coupon!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also stopped by Lowe's to get some thin strips cut for the fronts of the shelves. I'm not a big fan of seeing the supports so I wanted to attach front pieces to make the shelves look more substantial and solid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back at home, our closet was now looking like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQuQnl55bzCTMiRORudhsEAAWTGqys6qONJEd6pWk-HqibfVBapNq34ckuqMkESLE7VtwJ_Dh57PcWhPQzXgHq6AJ_loOl9CgIdE_42Pt1yTKYfmmZKGSFzlSseE-zYJziirQzzhP5jje/s1600/IMG_4557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQuQnl55bzCTMiRORudhsEAAWTGqys6qONJEd6pWk-HqibfVBapNq34ckuqMkESLE7VtwJ_Dh57PcWhPQzXgHq6AJ_loOl9CgIdE_42Pt1yTKYfmmZKGSFzlSseE-zYJziirQzzhP5jje/s640/IMG_4557.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Almost ready for the final step!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Brad painted the pieces, and once dry, we went to attach them and..... ready for bummer #5? They were a full half inch too short. I specifically told the guy 63 7/16" long... he somehow didn't pay attention to the 7/16" part, which I had repeated at least 3 times... and cut them to exactly 63". How does this happen? Lowe's, if you're reading this, you just lost points with me.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>So, I just added a lot of caulk and spackle and it worked out ok in the end. Not the ideal way to go, but I'd rather not drive all the way back to the hardware store for the 4th time in one weekend. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the last minute, I decided to give our old black trash can a quick facelift with my favorite spraypaint brand:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzApQj9KlqWXTxsK-y8UScgWaoq2emyOquSyVMG7OJeNT9eSkUB-tlXtfMQnoOk_jmbj1vi7DYzqW8KJcWBvzzxw_XpFna6JHtsipgYVdul8u7ly4_y7-Jm94Z80NGjtlC_oh168-aoFvD/s1600/IMG_4558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzApQj9KlqWXTxsK-y8UScgWaoq2emyOquSyVMG7OJeNT9eSkUB-tlXtfMQnoOk_jmbj1vi7DYzqW8KJcWBvzzxw_XpFna6JHtsipgYVdul8u7ly4_y7-Jm94Z80NGjtlC_oh168-aoFvD/s640/IMG_4558.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx1xZrEZQHGNZUGkNbzv4f1OwFxShCzjf0IaJkBHlVqdYgUGnd0KADPrLZAc6w9IhnwZAVdFYtO3XMDRccRrv9QPyZBwpDiHMG63ngZNW7TIglbJ5X4XhSLXsU8Rgk1ai2GZLsQmWUDzu/s1600/IMG_4560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx1xZrEZQHGNZUGkNbzv4f1OwFxShCzjf0IaJkBHlVqdYgUGnd0KADPrLZAc6w9IhnwZAVdFYtO3XMDRccRrv9QPyZBwpDiHMG63ngZNW7TIglbJ5X4XhSLXsU8Rgk1ai2GZLsQmWUDzu/s640/IMG_4560.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(after pics in just a sec...)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While I was putting on the finishing touches, there was some major pond action in the backyard. The alligator came out to socialize, Brad threw half a carton of eggs at him (and apparently eggs aren't a gator food group?), and he also discovered a ginormous "4 or 5 foot" turtle:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvqIbPqXgkAhDv7sSYRuoVumI1xyGfnl1KpzrY-8Kqr0sRGK8ND84Q14n3k5PqtReH8jmfiBp7bl1Il_Wv2WeHljjafdxmGhsnOQtKxafkHhqAxv8hDZN4ZGncDq9vd4PTg3yofYqPg_o/s1600/IMG_4553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvqIbPqXgkAhDv7sSYRuoVumI1xyGfnl1KpzrY-8Kqr0sRGK8ND84Q14n3k5PqtReH8jmfiBp7bl1Il_Wv2WeHljjafdxmGhsnOQtKxafkHhqAxv8hDZN4ZGncDq9vd4PTg3yofYqPg_o/s640/IMG_4553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, that's the latest from the pond. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First let's recap to 2 weeks ago:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEind9-Q4Z5qYmxTVlnLTzBJ6S1R1upcRgps9Wm4iG1E1HzpaViP0lo9IM2KiF2bqmblz5hsbQn6R8IbzbS3fzrZ11HPicq9z4jTYWsvhx0VZQBxMcJsFOhV4Xz21pETyAuD6mERDJUxTbDJ/s1600/IMG_4382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEind9-Q4Z5qYmxTVlnLTzBJ6S1R1upcRgps9Wm4iG1E1HzpaViP0lo9IM2KiF2bqmblz5hsbQn6R8IbzbS3fzrZ11HPicq9z4jTYWsvhx0VZQBxMcJsFOhV4Xz21pETyAuD6mERDJUxTbDJ/s640/IMG_4382.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now to the official after shots of Stage III:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nCnvOUPRoC1Ia0eglz6JkL0FyyrB6BTZhyroCN3nNUvAZ-PxQLzMqru22f6ojeIK1Fbq7aPp7AxHKr_Pg-JQEY22D5s3tDgAJwHGa08aUuTvFu6jB0JJ6rexysYlKN7AJqJr9cIRkyey/s1600/IMG_4563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nCnvOUPRoC1Ia0eglz6JkL0FyyrB6BTZhyroCN3nNUvAZ-PxQLzMqru22f6ojeIK1Fbq7aPp7AxHKr_Pg-JQEY22D5s3tDgAJwHGa08aUuTvFu6jB0JJ6rexysYlKN7AJqJr9cIRkyey/s640/IMG_4563.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWON7EJs6Wpbrfv-_DM9In6V-NW-hkxxjhnT0yraGI0vkMgwaLMXZvKkbHla6ljdqmZ6uu3ABJzGl2y7a3kYT20TBppA3O8qg5wzcFsoLcS7loZImZAk-PrNCnnbIjLGoqoca-E14sTGA/s1600/IMG_4565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWON7EJs6Wpbrfv-_DM9In6V-NW-hkxxjhnT0yraGI0vkMgwaLMXZvKkbHla6ljdqmZ6uu3ABJzGl2y7a3kYT20TBppA3O8qg5wzcFsoLcS7loZImZAk-PrNCnnbIjLGoqoca-E14sTGA/s640/IMG_4565.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZQ57mu5uRqIF-EhJ4Qehw6LyzA7sZTPDPSLa2BX6YD6k7-CqEfVSwcW1nUacvxJeFLZQWyTrr70lp-qje2AFA337g5fpoBTHc_ig03hX9BP1UFyvnMAjMV9-8msGB6qIocGpRYwZ2wON/s1600/IMG_4561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZQ57mu5uRqIF-EhJ4Qehw6LyzA7sZTPDPSLa2BX6YD6k7-CqEfVSwcW1nUacvxJeFLZQWyTrr70lp-qje2AFA337g5fpoBTHc_ig03hX9BP1UFyvnMAjMV9-8msGB6qIocGpRYwZ2wON/s640/IMG_4561.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LK03rvzjqS7j1FEXKSHUei19pE4va7Ap8-0V-JhsOKrONthgxu65HCIBVEtswkihwfuj1waj00kvMxwKpTgApxmq2qziOvktEZ_FTL1nlscptkqjIHFdQzXoYZISns6_KxsAUPWNws9t/s1600/IMG_4569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LK03rvzjqS7j1FEXKSHUei19pE4va7Ap8-0V-JhsOKrONthgxu65HCIBVEtswkihwfuj1waj00kvMxwKpTgApxmq2qziOvktEZ_FTL1nlscptkqjIHFdQzXoYZISns6_KxsAUPWNws9t/s640/IMG_4569.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dGQQ3HDViHGOpCDlXcvbAGS5nj_VWH40JQyj-aRFqYaxt1P6dRu1_cpNpW08SOOsFj9XMQGMMqzG0MoZn2cD6D-Q-EoQCoOejR8ZfQhDvUPZ3L25GmkFb2ad-GKUPTGINLlmSIbxr1Qh/s1600/IMG_4572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dGQQ3HDViHGOpCDlXcvbAGS5nj_VWH40JQyj-aRFqYaxt1P6dRu1_cpNpW08SOOsFj9XMQGMMqzG0MoZn2cD6D-Q-EoQCoOejR8ZfQhDvUPZ3L25GmkFb2ad-GKUPTGINLlmSIbxr1Qh/s640/IMG_4572.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that's how it's looking this very minute. So glad I got that out of the way, and that the space is now super efficient. This isn't the end of the transformation... I still need to add some organizational apparatus to the blank walls in the back and right side. When I find that perfect thing, you'll all be the first to know! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>I also need to decide if I'm going to re-attach the white bi-fold doors or add curtains. What do you all think? I don't want it to get too busy with too many patterns and colors, but the doors are kind of pointless since the closet will never be closed. Or maybe just leave it as is? I'm interested to hear your thoughts!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Alright, time to finish this third glass of wine and relax my achy body for the remaining two hours of consciousness I have for the weekend... thanks for reading :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsA7Uy52lAyLiSzByPbboaJ-OF0UIOI9qdd_R7WkkTMiWyCxeezXgd40bLPh8Wh_MBiYMnpH8eaa2NrLYDhBBh21T72NHrq3-b2DoeFZCsmD97vRDypFUtqgRojE9pHHZxQQSQzwVRBSO/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsA7Uy52lAyLiSzByPbboaJ-OF0UIOI9qdd_R7WkkTMiWyCxeezXgd40bLPh8Wh_MBiYMnpH8eaa2NrLYDhBBh21T72NHrq3-b2DoeFZCsmD97vRDypFUtqgRojE9pHHZxQQSQzwVRBSO/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Office Closet Reno: Part III

I'm back again... this time with a large, much needed glass of chardonnay in my hand, paint on my toes, and wood shavings in my hair. It...

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Printable binder templates for your Binder Filing System

Good morning and Happy Friday everyone!<br /><br />I was so happy to hear that many of you are going to overhaul your filing system to the binder method after IHeartOrganizing featured <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2011/04/reader-space-jennas-fantastic-filing.html">my story</a>. That is great news!<br /><br />Someone asked me how I made my binder labels, and I realized that this is not something everyone will be able to easily do (I made mine in a program I use for all of my designs, Adobe Illustrator). I would love to help make things easier for those of you who are taking the plunge, so I'm offering free PDF downloads of the patterns I used for my binders and magazine holder labels!<br /><br />Let me first explain how to use these files:<br /><br />-I printed all of mine one 13x19 sheet, because the binders are actually a bit taller than 11". There are three patterns for 1.5" binders, and six patterns for 2" binders. I also printed out three 2" x 3" squares for my magazine holders. <br /><br />-They are all lined up next to each other to reduce the amount of cuts you have to make. I used an xacto knife and ruler to divide mine, but you can use scissors if you have a really steady hand!<br /><br />-I've removed my labels from the background so that you can add your own specific text based on your own needs.<br /><br />Now, if you don't have a printer capable of printing 13x19 (or you don't want to pay Kinko's/Fedex or your local printer to make the prints), there is still hope. I have divided the labels into three standard 8.5x11" sheets. On the third sheet I added more 2"x3" cards that you can use for anything! (And keep in mind you can always print multiple copies of the same sheet if you need more 1.5" labels or want multiple copies of one pattern!)<br /><br />After you click on the link to access the PDF, in the left hand corner click on the "File" dropdown menu under Google docs, and select "download original". Save it to your compter and repeat with the other files you need, and you're set!<br /><br /><strong>Important:</strong> When you go to print these, make sure your printer is set to print at 100% (Do NOT scale to fit page!). This will assure they are the correct sizes to fit in the binder spine. If you have a borderless printer, make sure to checkmark the "borderless" option in your printer settings. If you do not have a borderless printer, the top and bottoms will be slightly cut off but that should be okay!<br /><br />Also, I would highly recommend printing on some heavy weight paper (cardstock would be perfect). I used heavyweight paper and if it was any lighter, I would have had problems pushing it down the spine without it bunching up. If you use something flat and hard like a ruler to help guide it down, that helps a lot.<br /><br />Here are the templates:<br /><br /> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0BzGdjEp8UHTWY2FkNjMwNTgtMzkyZS00NjU3LWJkYjktMGJkZWZmNmU4YzAy&hl=en" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" r6="true" src="http://i52.tinypic.com/2d91z44.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Click to download a 13x19 sheet with all labels</em></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0BzGdjEp8UHTWYjljZjFkYzctMjUxMC00NWQ5LTgyZjYtNjNjYjU2YTk1Y2M2&hl=en" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="http://i54.tinypic.com/afcvlw.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Click to download 8.5x11" sheet #1</em></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0BzGdjEp8UHTWMjZlYzczODQtMzE3Zi00MzNkLThkYjctYWRjYWIxN2IzNDQ5&hl=en" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="http://i55.tinypic.com/316991i.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Click to download 8.5x11" sheet #2</em></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0BzGdjEp8UHTWZDhmNjMwMjItM2M3NS00ODUyLWE2MDEtOTcyNDY2Y2RiMzRh&hl=en" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="http://i52.tinypic.com/2s1nha1.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Click to download 8.5x11" sheet #3</em></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><em>(psssst... I know it says 8x10 in the PDF names, but they really are 8.5x11", excuse the brain fart!)</em><br /><br />Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions! And if you complete the project, I'd love to see pictures and hear your story too!<br /><br />Be back Sunday with another office closet update :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsA7Uy52lAyLiSzByPbboaJ-OF0UIOI9qdd_R7WkkTMiWyCxeezXgd40bLPh8Wh_MBiYMnpH8eaa2NrLYDhBBh21T72NHrq3-b2DoeFZCsmD97vRDypFUtqgRojE9pHHZxQQSQzwVRBSO/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsA7Uy52lAyLiSzByPbboaJ-OF0UIOI9qdd_R7WkkTMiWyCxeezXgd40bLPh8Wh_MBiYMnpH8eaa2NrLYDhBBh21T72NHrq3-b2DoeFZCsmD97vRDypFUtqgRojE9pHHZxQQSQzwVRBSO/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

Printable binder templates for your Binder Filing System

Good morning and Happy Friday everyone! I was so happy to hear that many of you are going to overhaul your filing system to the binder metho...

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My Favorite Appliances | Budget Friendly & Great Looking | Affordable Commercial Looking Appliances

<div class="zzz_imgzoom" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; position: relative;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcLgZsZDk6n6-h3nhTAsBcf-RJPzSWIY5TfwJjnNDt6ae6bcQR0CulAYiQ2SAmEMkBEMp-kT-X8cIA7GrfTYsXSsuZkhEuF-y06YtuvyMRMpMkWzz9F-lWfuDaiR-C0uIsYsnLUyFN-Qx/s1600/02279523000-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9-k06Maha8PTnyRbOnjwD-4-APKKK-cViOPz_YpI1QwNsCtXZwPxueaQK8FqUmYEQDl1zYJuuH5A7NpQXC0PfkyhDVXmCHDIX3FQtgkYgnhAd4MAUcr6RFy2nV-VNZ2i8QFz2qEUcTun/s1600/farmhouse-sink-rohl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9-k06Maha8PTnyRbOnjwD-4-APKKK-cViOPz_YpI1QwNsCtXZwPxueaQK8FqUmYEQDl1zYJuuH5A7NpQXC0PfkyhDVXmCHDIX3FQtgkYgnhAd4MAUcr6RFy2nV-VNZ2i8QFz2qEUcTun/s400/farmhouse-sink-rohl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiuq1KhuS3GOzvHNqhPldRLMYRu4vCOfEQuG6yX4xyHiyZgaUrXutywimJopeQzI0d_ATwOjE3wifJccVot72R28-BkkvTuSIO70-Yp7F5C02lh5I48hzpDDVVEeDTV4FvxgDf4_n0tt3/s1600/15462_d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div> As mentioned before, I'm helping my sister put together her new custom home.  In this post, I've compiled some of my favorite elements that I think make a great kitchen - for function and asthetics.<br /><br />Above : I love farmhouse apron front sinks.  While I love light blue, I don't know if I would paint my cabinets blue... unless it was a little cottage or beach house - that would be perfect.   I also love this polished nickel elevated faucet. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswG9VArEcj5b0XS5ecve7vPWGz4Ox0fjad57s6iD0FjrIKCEoOqx3H86BekmShqOeOgKhi30B-pPAEnW-JlTiK1Nbbd68N53kJWfHRk0vR-_nX5DL64Vi8MFNm9Cxfo4dh_L7O_f7scHv/s1600/04640483000-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswG9VArEcj5b0XS5ecve7vPWGz4Ox0fjad57s6iD0FjrIKCEoOqx3H86BekmShqOeOgKhi30B-pPAEnW-JlTiK1Nbbd68N53kJWfHRk0vR-_nX5DL64Vi8MFNm9Cxfo4dh_L7O_f7scHv/s640/04640483000-1.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I really like Sear's Kenmore Pro line of appliances.  I think they have the "Viking" look and functionality without the price.  This refrigerator is a major refrigerator.  The tiles are fantastic, as well as the commercial kitchen look - it will be a long time before this goes out of style, if it ever would. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name="more"></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcLgZsZDk6n6-h3nhTAsBcf-RJPzSWIY5TfwJjnNDt6ae6bcQR0CulAYiQ2SAmEMkBEMp-kT-X8cIA7GrfTYsXSsuZkhEuF-y06YtuvyMRMpMkWzz9F-lWfuDaiR-C0uIsYsnLUyFN-Qx/s1600/02279523000-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcLgZsZDk6n6-h3nhTAsBcf-RJPzSWIY5TfwJjnNDt6ae6bcQR0CulAYiQ2SAmEMkBEMp-kT-X8cIA7GrfTYsXSsuZkhEuF-y06YtuvyMRMpMkWzz9F-lWfuDaiR-C0uIsYsnLUyFN-Qx/s400/02279523000-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlyuxc6M5ettmyBi_U_Om0MWV3yFrSbpjd_ldPLXQJUQIfG_AO0lRRn9qq_JS7C75klElGJ_ZhYVLFr5TjiZhwzF2AtQBd-Pm9iAH8uHw0wXgGfLoAh5OGsDC9_Ccdbo4Zd0FmI6-hzVC/s1600/10048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't think you have to have matching brand appliances for your kitchen, but you do have to be careful with stainless steel.  Different brands contain different qualities of metals that make them look different "colors."  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I happen to LOVE this Sears Pro range - it is big, but not too big, it is commercial looking, and it is all stainless - no black or red knobs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlt6ON-rJcOOkJnZbbUvcJbIDu1MJCbp6k7qL7P4ZiZrVGn3pQR7FtsrpMrj8SBn8ULeNjqYjxSqbijRrRUT2wlLCS2QQISgEMMW55cWxKq1HPQqMGjBu2sk6ScffD6xBYlSJs9Uw6qTL/s1600/02242003000-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlt6ON-rJcOOkJnZbbUvcJbIDu1MJCbp6k7qL7P4ZiZrVGn3pQR7FtsrpMrj8SBn8ULeNjqYjxSqbijRrRUT2wlLCS2QQISgEMMW55cWxKq1HPQqMGjBu2sk6ScffD6xBYlSJs9Uw6qTL/s640/02242003000-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And the matching double ovens... yes, I would do full range and oven with a set of double ovens.  Have you ever baked cookies?!?!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do you have a favorite appliance/brand?</div>

My Favorite Appliances | Budget Friendly & Great Looking | Affordable Commercial Looking Appliances

 As mentioned before, I'm helping my sister put together her new custom home.  In this post, I've compiled some of my favorite eleme...

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