Tweaking the Front Entry

We don't have a home office but our front entry expedit does a good job of covering up our paperwork in its drawers and cupboards. It does seem strange that I am writing up this post a day after I started packing up some of the files and paperwork from this area. I have no clue how the front entry in our new home will be set up. It is quite a deal larger and darker than this rental.

Not our furniture here in the entry

Right next to the front door I have two sorting bags from IKEA. Documents and receipts with personal info are put into the top one to be later shredded. As you can see my recycling bag is chock full of paper and cardboard recycling.

Then I have a fireproof locked box for the essential documents - Wills, Passports, Birth/Marriage certificates and Insurance papers. I think I should put a few treasured photos and a few USB photo sticks in as well (folks who lose their house in a fire usually regret losing photos the most).

Next I have a portable suspended file for all those Appliance Manuals and Warranties.

 I have to be careful to stay on top of the mail and prevent the top of this expedit unit from attracting clutter. It's a bit of a 'drop zone' for my husband and I.

I am linking up with 101 Home Organisation at A Bowl Full of Lemons

Tweaking the Bathroom

This is our ensuite bathroom. It is huge and so much more modern than the one in our new home. Wait until you see that!

Shower

Vanity

Bath

This is the bath in our ensuite. In truth we have only ever used the huge bath twice in three years (for our 3 kids on scorching hot days) because it takes so much water to fill it!

Toilet

Drawers
These can get so messy - oh my!

                                                                             Mine

                                                                            Mixed

                                                                               His

Under the Vanity

I went through all the unused toiletries and threw a lot out. Extra toiletries were put into a box in the master closet.


Linking up with A Bowl Full of Lemons - Home Organisation 101

Tweaking the Family/Meals Room

Apart from the Kitchen this room is the MOST utilised. My kids watch tv and dvds, build cubbies, cut up small bits of paper, create LEGO structures and eat and drink.  (The kids helped to clean it all up though).

So here are the Before, During and After Photos

Even though I supervise quite well from the kitchen, they sure do know how to turn it from tidy to a mess in a very short amount of time. It's their gift. Some say it's their right.

The couches are actually chocolate brown but I am keeping the blue covers on for now. You would not believe the crumbs I find on these covers even though they are supposed to eat at the table.

I have given away the round IKEA table and some stools and chairs and brought the air hockey game in from the garage.

I have downsized the amount of LEGO as well. The rest is in storage. 

I have given away the orange shelves and drawers and donated a lot of craft supplies to the PreKindy. Even the board games have been culled.

My husband has given me permission to buy a NEW meals table when we move to our new house. He would like to see the back of this one but it has been with me since 1997 and I would like to give it a fresh coat of paint at the very least. 

It looks like a great Family and Meals room NOW but no doubt this room will be a mess again soon enough. 

Tweaking the Master Bedroom

Far from the sanctuary that we are encouraged to make it, our master bedroom becomes a bit of a dumping ground for unsorted laundry....

oh and any other things that the kid's drag in.

So this room took me more than a month to sort out because of all the flannelette sheet sets to vacuum seal and put away under the bed.

Floor Space

My Bedside
So enjoy these BEFORE, DURING and AFTER photos...

Husband's Bedside

Tall Boy

Dresser




It is definitely better to walk in with the laundry all gone. It has become my sanctuary again.


Linking up with Home Organisation 101 over at A Bowl Full of Lemons

Dining and Lounge Room Tweak

This room was virtually empty when we moved in 3 years ago.  (Apart from the packing boxes that stuck around for about a year!) We had little furniture to put in here.

When I bought the three piece lounge about 1 1/2 years ago, it allowed me to create 3 distinct areas within this HUGE room.

Lounge and TV Area

BEFORE                                                                      AFTER

I still have not managed to convince Duncan to give up his installation of the WTC1&2. He wants to take them to our new house. Thankfully the Titanic is gone.

Quiet Reading

BEFORE                                                                       AFTER

 Bookshelf - We added the double Billy bookcases from IKEA about 1 1/2 years ago. I would like to buy the glass doors to add on to these.

BEFORE                                                                       AFTER

Dining Area

BEFORE                                                                       AFTER

The dining table and chairs belonged to my husband's grandparents. They have that mid-century Parker and Chiswell furniture look and I would love to give them a refurbish. I like the fact that the table can be extended.

 Sideboard - I have plans to change the handles on this piece.

INSIDE

BOOKSHELF

BEFORE                                                                        AFTER

Duncan's LEGO and paper models of the Tower Bridge have pride of place on top. The green bags were full of children's books for me to cover with clear contact for the School and Preschool. They are nearly done.

Music Corner

Then I bought a couple of floor rugs and created a 4th area for playing piano. One day we may be able to afford a real one.

I use dark couch covers to protect my lounges from my three children. I know they don't look great but they will save the original upholstery for now. 

I am linking up with Home Organisation 101 at A Bowl Full of Lemons.