The Organized Life, Behind the Curtain
Do you have a butler’s pantry?
This is my fantasy butler’s pantry…..sigh…..I do have a butler, though!
This is James, he’s Johnny on the spot with the 5 o’clock martini…another fantasy….but he is nice and quiet and he sure can keep a secret!
In reality…this is my butler’s pantry baker’s rack…
YIKES! I really need to do something about this…
terrible!
I have even left myself little reminders…
Okay, today’s the day!! In my fantasy life, my house is always neat and clean and perfectly staged. In reality, Super Boy, Big E, and CC are in and out and things can be, well, messy…Now, I wouldn’t change a thing~well, maybe one or two 🙂 ~ but I can make adjustments! Super Boy is over here a lot and Legos are his toy of choice. This low shelf belongs to him and it is where his Legos get corralled between visits. When he comes in the toys are handy, he is ready to play, and he is in the kitchen, but not underfoot.
So, I had an idea…
I had a wide table runner that I used for Easter so I draped it over the middle shelf
When Super Boy arrives, it can be quickly and easily just lifted and laid out of the way…
plus it matches my studio chair on the other side of the kitchen~
Up close everything is still visible from the side~ the dog bowl stashed underneath for Big Ben~ But from a distance you just see the bright chevron
The baker’s rack is tucked into a corner between the kitchen and the dining room adjacent to the pantry. It is really a perfect spot for transitional things, things I am about to use, or that need putting away.
Today I am going to start fresh, put everything away that I’m not using, and arrange things on the shelves that I am going to use for an upcoming brunch. After the party they can be returned here for a quick put away, and then when time permits, I can change it up. That’s my grand plan anyway!
I want to keep this baker’s rack pretty, practical, and functional…
Right now it’s the staging area for tomorrow’s brunch. The brunch accessories and decor are color coordinated and ready
The napkins and silverware are tied into bundles, and the dishes are stacked and ready to set out for the buffet~ It will only take a few minutes now to set up for the brunch~
Don’t you love the feeling of a freshly cleaned and organized space?
Let’s see how long I can keep it this way! I can make a mess faster than a 5 year old with a shelf full of Legos!
Note: It has been a few days since the brunch now, and I must say so far my plan is working!
The brunch things have been put away and I have a fresh new look on the shelves, crisp black and white for hot summer days~
I discovered that hanging a galvanized tray is a perfect storage solution and a cover for the side view~
This fabric is great right now in a summer bright, but it is prone to wrinkle, I will be on the look out for better choices for the upcoming seasons…
burlap maybe, for fall? What do you think?
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I’m joining these fabulous parties:
No Minimalist Here, Open House Thursday
It’s Overflowing, Share Your Creativity
Alderberry Hill, Make the Scene Monday
Uncommon Designs, Monday Funday
The Dedicated House, Make it Pretty Monday
Betweeen Naps on the Porch, Metamorphosis Monday
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I was thinking of burlap, too! The black accessories looks great with the yellow!
I like your solution. I wish I had a butler’s pantry too. The vignettes are beautiful!
I adore your solution to the problem and best of all you made me laugh!
Great solution! And I love the tray as additional camouflage. Can you come organize my mess of a new apartment?!
Ha! Can you imagine those people on HGTV that go into peoples houses and clean up and organize all their crap?!! You couldn’t pay me enough!!!
I don’t know HOW they do it!
Oh, wow…you’ll have fun coming up with lots of different fabrics!!! Burlap, denim, sparkly…the list is endless!!!
You did a great job with your rearranging! I saw your comment to Cowboys & Crossbones above, and I have to say that I would actually get a real kick out of going into people’s homes and organizing!!! I LOVE to do that!! It’s my life’s passion!!!! My body won’t let me do it right now, of course, but when I’m feeling good, I’m all over it!!!!!!!!
Maybe Super Boy will let you further corral his fun time toys into a nice, deep decorated basket to add a little more style to the rack without compromising his fun? I know little boys can be iffy about stuff like that, but if the basket has fun stuff on the front of it that appeals to him, he might go for it. That way, the exposed sides are still very attractive and everything is all pulled together! Just a thought! 🙂
That is a great idea about the basket, Alycia! I do have 4 or 5 canvas cubbies stashed behind the couch in the family room full of planes, blocks and dinosaurs! For right now I have to keep the legos on the shelf because they come apart if tossed into a basket and then somebody [like moi!] has to rebuild them! Somedays he lines all the buildings and vehicles up in a very organized fashion, which is pretty endearing~ I do so appreciate your comments, I am already designing another “curtain” in my mind!!
What a clever solution to use your runner for decorative camouflage Jenna! I could use a rack (or two 🙂 for a staging area. In my fantasy world, I have a butler’s pantry, butler and someone to come around and pick up my Legos 🙂
What a clever idea to hide the toys! I was thinking burlap for fall too! Guess great minds think alike. I’m visiting from the It’s Overflowing link party.
Christy @ Creating a Beautiful Life
I like your fantasy butler’s closet too! Wouldn’t it be nice if we had that much room. But you’ve done a good job of improvising. Looks great.
Love your “use what I have” ingenuity! What a great mom; keep the kid’s creative play space and make it work for entertaining the grown-ups too! My first visit here from LoveGrowsWild link party.
Thanks so much Faith!
Oops, now that I’ve read your “About Me”, I should have said you are a great Grandmom. Like your style. This won’t be my last visit! Cheers from one southern girl to another.
No problem, I was flattered!! You are welcome any time!
Great idea using the wide runner!! And I love your butler, James! I am trying to convince my husband we need one to call Mr. Carson (after the Downton Abbey character).
Kenley