You Said It: “Call It the ‘Really Useful Stuff’ Drawer” and More
Houzz design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord this week
Becky Harris
February 8, 2014
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
This week on Houzz I toured amazing houses, learned about why Austin stays weird and got excited about neatening up my spiderweb-covered potting shed for spring. But what was most important to me was getting help for my New Year’s resolution to get more organized. February is a time when a lot of us have lost steam and given up. That’s why I love reading ideabooks; often there is a great tip that addresses exactly what my problem is and presents a solution that’s very doable. Here’s a look at 10 ideas from Houzz that struck a chord with me this week.
“By setting up systems, you’ll ensure that things get done seamlessly and quickly — but also correctly. If your daughter’s soccer uniform is never clean on game day, a laundry schedule is a system you could use.” — Jessica McClendon
This story is full of very helpful ideas for tackling organizational problem areas. I’m already putting to use McClendon’s suggestion to pile things in a basket and deal with them all at once for 30 minutes at the end of the week.
Full story: Want to Streamline Your Life? Get a System
This story is full of very helpful ideas for tackling organizational problem areas. I’m already putting to use McClendon’s suggestion to pile things in a basket and deal with them all at once for 30 minutes at the end of the week.
Full story: Want to Streamline Your Life? Get a System
“It is amazing how much and how many different kinds of storage can be packed into a very tall and narrow or shallow space.” — Kathryn Peltier
Mostly I’m jealous of this pullout cabinet, as my mops and broom are shoved in between the refrigerator and cabinets. But it’s true; there are so many solutions and so many ways to make the most of dead space you may not have even noticed in your kitchen.
Full story: Going Up: Vertical Storage Holds More Kitchen Stuff
Mostly I’m jealous of this pullout cabinet, as my mops and broom are shoved in between the refrigerator and cabinets. But it’s true; there are so many solutions and so many ways to make the most of dead space you may not have even noticed in your kitchen.
Full story: Going Up: Vertical Storage Holds More Kitchen Stuff
“Let’s begin by not calling this the junk drawer — call it the “really useful stuff” drawer instead. Batteries, scissors, stamps … this is stuff you need! No actual junk belongs in there.” — Laura Gaskill
Oy vey; I need to tackle my “really useful stuff” drawer this weekend. It has too many really useful things competing for space, so I can’t find anything I’m looking for.
Full story: Organizing Secrets: It’s the Little Things
Oy vey; I need to tackle my “really useful stuff” drawer this weekend. It has too many really useful things competing for space, so I can’t find anything I’m looking for.
Full story: Organizing Secrets: It’s the Little Things
“It’s got that whole ’60s counterculture vibe like you’ll find in San Francisco, where people are allowed — and highly encouraged — to be weird.” — Mitchell Parker
It’s hard to ignore how many cool, progressive projects are coming out of Austin, Texas; I feel like I’m always picking out houses for Houzz Tours from there. I’ve always wondered what they were putting in the water in Austin. Parker, a former resident, presents an interesting analysis of why creativity is thriving in this city.
Full story: What’s Fueling Austin’s Edgy Modern Architecture?
It’s hard to ignore how many cool, progressive projects are coming out of Austin, Texas; I feel like I’m always picking out houses for Houzz Tours from there. I’ve always wondered what they were putting in the water in Austin. Parker, a former resident, presents an interesting analysis of why creativity is thriving in this city.
Full story: What’s Fueling Austin’s Edgy Modern Architecture?
“Whether it’s used for a damp application or a high-traffic zone, tile flooring with a pattern directs the eye downward, offering visual delight to you and your guests.” — Kurt Cyr
The new ways to tile never cease to amaze me. I’ve always been mad for plaid, so this tartan floor dazzled me.
Full story: Fit to Be Tiled: Get Some Pattern on the Floor for Excitement Underfoot
The new ways to tile never cease to amaze me. I’ve always been mad for plaid, so this tartan floor dazzled me.
Full story: Fit to Be Tiled: Get Some Pattern on the Floor for Excitement Underfoot
“Add hooks on the door for a casual entry and storage place for your garden hat, apron and boots.” — Charmean Neithart
Gearing up for gardening can be tough when you don’t have all of your tools and apparel in one place. I would add to look out for creepy crawlies in your boots or gardening Crocs before stepping into them.
Full story: 10 Favorite Shed Features for Comfort and Joy
Gearing up for gardening can be tough when you don’t have all of your tools and apparel in one place. I would add to look out for creepy crawlies in your boots or gardening Crocs before stepping into them.
Full story: 10 Favorite Shed Features for Comfort and Joy
“Out in the garage, under a big pile of foam, I found the little shabby white dresser table I used years ago in our first house. With knobs missing and a disgusting coat of dirt, it needed new life, and I welcomed the challenge.” — Shelly Leer
This new-pulls project is one that even the most DIY-challenged can tackle, and it’s a great way to freshen up a piece that’s been relegated to the attic.
Full story: Refresh an Old Dresser With Leather Belt Handles
This new-pulls project is one that even the most DIY-challenged can tackle, and it’s a great way to freshen up a piece that’s been relegated to the attic.
Full story: Refresh an Old Dresser With Leather Belt Handles
“The yellow platform beneath the skylight is a favorite spot for naps.” — Mitchell Parker
This is the feel-good story of the week. I love to read about people who love animals so much that they adapt their homes to make their furry friends happy. The catwalks and other special places throughout home builder Peter Cohen’s house warmed my heart.
Full story: Incredible Home Catwalks Make for Purr-fectly Happy Felines
This is the feel-good story of the week. I love to read about people who love animals so much that they adapt their homes to make their furry friends happy. The catwalks and other special places throughout home builder Peter Cohen’s house warmed my heart.
Full story: Incredible Home Catwalks Make for Purr-fectly Happy Felines
“Ho built many of the pieces in this project, including this hallway light fixture. He cut a channel in the back of the birch tree trunks and inserted an LED light strip for a soft, even glow.” — Annie Thornton
When current or budding architects treat their own homes as fieldwork or a design lab, some of the most interesting elements result. And for some reason, they often involve branches and trunks. I have a sneaking suspicion that designer Jason Ho will soon be inundated with questions about exactly how he crafted this stunning birch light fixture.
Full story: Houzz Tour: Nature Suggests a Toronto Home’s Palette
When current or budding architects treat their own homes as fieldwork or a design lab, some of the most interesting elements result. And for some reason, they often involve branches and trunks. I have a sneaking suspicion that designer Jason Ho will soon be inundated with questions about exactly how he crafted this stunning birch light fixture.
Full story: Houzz Tour: Nature Suggests a Toronto Home’s Palette
“In the evening we usually turn on music through our television and have a family dance session with our very musically inclined son. It’s moments like that that definitely sum up the vibe and energy of our home.” — Finley Acosta-Rubio, as told to Mina Brinkey
As we get into the weekend, let’s think of Acosta-Rubio’s home and what truly makes a home. If you find yourself fretting over the latest trend in area rugs or tile, let it go and remember what’s really important — creating a place where your family will forge lasting memories.
Full story: My Houzz: On Top of the Worldly in Florida
Did Houzz inspire an idea, a project or a daydream for you this week? Do you have plans for a weekend project? Please let us know in the Comments section.
As we get into the weekend, let’s think of Acosta-Rubio’s home and what truly makes a home. If you find yourself fretting over the latest trend in area rugs or tile, let it go and remember what’s really important — creating a place where your family will forge lasting memories.
Full story: My Houzz: On Top of the Worldly in Florida
Did Houzz inspire an idea, a project or a daydream for you this week? Do you have plans for a weekend project? Please let us know in the Comments section.
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I am always delighted to see so many beautiful modern homes in Austin on this site. I lived there for over 20 years, bought a big old 1920's Arts and Crafts style house in a terrible state, about 10 blocks from U. T., renovated it top to bottom, then sold it. We wish we could have stayed there forever. We could see the U.T tower glow at night from the upstairs windows. But my husband and I are both very allergic and were both really suffering physically and were forced to move to drier climes. But my best memories and best friends ever were there, and I miss it terribly. If property taxes weren't so high, I might try to move back in a few years.
But to get to the point, what exactly did you learn about why Austin stays weird? I'm SO glad to hear that it still is! I graduated high school in Houston in 1973 and that same year discovered Austin. It was a little hippie oasis in the most beautiful town I'd ever seen. The population was cut in half each summer and Christmas when the U.T. students vacated in a mass exodus, making the small town even smaller, and so beautifully quiet. I wanted to move to Austin from Houston the first time i laid eyes on it, many years before I was finally able to. And the day I walked into the old house in Clarksville that I would share with a roommate--the owner of the Magnolia restaurants, his wife, and my mate, I knew I was home. Nothing ever felt more like home before, or since. In fact, that first day when I walked into the house, I was greeted by my roommate, Kent Cole and his first words when he opened the door, towering over me at 6'2" with a big warm grin, were "Welcome Home." The four of us lived together for several wonderful years as I settled in and fell in love with Austin more each day. To my circle of friends, mostly artists, musicians, and writers, who had lived there many years, it was obvious what "Keep Austin weird" meant -- although that sentiment wasn't expressed until the late 90's, but I have I always wondered how and why others perceive it as "weird." Do all those international students at UT know? Does the government know? ...