ORGANIZING
I own a company with my husband. For more than a decade, I worked as a user interface designer then, as a Web designer. I enjoyed it but it was time for me to do something else. That is when I started to be an event designer for social events, working mostly on milestone events.
During that time, I started blogging in French. And later on, I switched to an English speaking blog with At Home with Kim Vallee. I never looked back. I found what I was looking for.
Simplify My Life
Less than 2 months ago, we removed all the clutter inside our house. It was more than 10 years of accumulation. Now, we are doing the same at the office in a more drastic way. We are moving to smaller premises because we reoriented our business over the years and we need less space. I feel rejuvenating. Jerome, my husband, also says that its feels like a new start.
I let go of my private office. I am only there a few hours a month anyway since I prefer blogging from my home office. Instead I will share a desk in Jerome’s office. The office is smaller but will be cooler.
Categories:
OFF topics
ORGANIZING
posted @ Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:12 PM | Feedback (2)
I received my FILEX Emma by International Arrivals this week. It looks even better for real. This inspired to go on a quest to find the coolest desk accessories.
I cannot guarantee any of those will stimulate you to work harder but I know you will feel joyful if you surround your desk with cute and whimsical office supplies.
Be Kind to the Earth
Grass Roots is a good source. I found a mini blue box that fits in the palm of your hand and recycled binders there.
Did you know that you could repurpose the ring metals affixed with two screws and t-nuts instead of putting them in the trashcan when the corrugated cardboard binders are too worn?
For Organization
Besides the FILEX folders, the Task clips are pretty cool. You can get the Utility Clips (Do, File, Send, Read), the Timing Clips (Now, Tomorrow, This Week, Someday), and the Importance Task Clips (Urgent, Important, Can Wait, Trivial).
Categories:
HOME + GARDEN
ORGANIZING
posted @ Friday, September 26, 2008 2:12 AM | Feedback (1)
A friend J. asked me yesterday where she could find cute storage boxes in Montreal. She asked for something similar to what is available at The Container Store. Here are the places I suggest.
For the Home
- California Closets in Westmount
- Au Printemps – three stores: Montreal, Outremont and Westmount
- The Bay, downtown Montreal – the House and Home collection is interesting but I did not check lately their inventory.
- IKEA carries a surprising collection.
For Your Desk
- The most complete Semikolon product range in Montreal is probably at Essence du Papier, three stores in Montreal
- Multimags on Saint-Laurent Blvd, before Prince-Arthur, carries a small collection that is worth a visit.
Categories:
HOME + GARDEN
ORGANIZING
HOME office
posted @ Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:04 AM | Feedback (2)
A couple days before Apartment Therapy published a post about Organizing With Magnetic Boards, I spot the Wooden Memo board by Jette Scheib at MoMA store for a guest post I did for Style Sheet.
For the rest, our selections are pretty different.
More Magnetic Bulletin Board Options
I almost select the sisters and brothers of the Bird Shape-Up! Magnetic Bulletin Board by Three by Three: the Flower Dry-Erase Magnetic board for a little girl room and the Arrow Dry-Erase Magnetic board for a boy bedroom.
Categories:
MEDIA buzz
REVIEWS
ORGANIZING
posted @ Thursday, September 18, 2008 12:26 AM | Feedback (0)
It is not the first time that I am telling you this: I wish for a gift-wrapping station at home. A place where I could hang my big wrapping paper rolls and neatly store label holders, ribbons and so on.
The Wall-Mounted Craft Organizer at Pottery Barn gives me all that with an upper shelf to keep the tapes, scissors and ribbons. Four dowels drop into slots to hold wrapping paper rolls.
The bottom picture shows a craft room that almost feels like a little shop. It is charming. Baskets are a great way to store paper pieces, bags and boxes. I like to glue decorative elements near the bows. I guess I could repurpose glass jars from the grocery store.
All these are all charming. With the Holiday season that is coming up soon, I wish I would find the time to setup my own gift station. If I do, you will be the first to know about it.
Categories:
HOME + GARDEN
ORGANIZING
posted @ Thursday, September 11, 2008 4:21 PM | Feedback (0)
This is my daily collection of noteworthy stuff that I saw online.
+ Look at the adorable Wee Girl made by graphic designer Nicole Balch, the owner of stationery studio Pink Loves Brown. If you wish to try making your own, refer to the detailed pictures of the making of this 3-inch doll. I would like to have one. Maybe Nicole can start selling those. Via Making It Lovely
+ In her 10 Etsy Faves for September, Holly Becker introduced Farmstead Organics, a family farm that produces all natural herbal and goat milk soaps. Save some money and go for the family pack. Via Simply Stated
Categories:
HOME + GARDEN
ORGANIZING
posted @ Monday, September 08, 2008 2:05 PM | Feedback (2)
As I browsed through the online photo galleries of Canadian House and Home, these clutter-free pictures caught my eyes. These pictures represent things I wish for.
Getting Rid of the Clutter
I moved into my house more than a decade ago. My husband and I accumulated lots of stuff over the years.
I want my closets and drawers to feel spacious again. We often talk about purging the things we do not used anymore. But we are always too busy; you know the drill, I supposed.
Looking at these well organized pictures is certainly a way to find our motivation. Enjoy the views!
SOURCING:
+ H & H Gallery: Kitchen Storage
+ H & H Gallery: Small Space Solutions
Categories:
HOME + GARDEN
ORGANIZING
posted @ Wednesday, September 03, 2008 1:49 PM | Feedback (2)
This is my daily collection of noteworthy stuff that I saw online.
+ The Archimede Laptop Caddy designed by Leonardo Rossano in 2006 would be handy when I blog in front of the TV. I am tired of putting my laptop on lap. Unfortunately at $950, it is too expensive for my needs. Via Los Angeles Times
+ But the new Ebony Ribbon Storage Box from Martha Stewart Crafts collection is an affordable indulgence. Via Los Angeles Times
Categories:
HOME + GARDEN
ORGANIZING
posted @ Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:32 AM | Feedback (0)
This stuff will create a fun and stimulating desk space for students.
To make your life easier, you also need to get organized. Here are some gears to lessen the stress of the back-to-school frenzy.
Desk Storage Solutions
FileFolder is a versatile desktop filing system. Made with magnetic and durable powder-coated laser-cut steel, the slim desktop file storage can be wall mounted. And it is available from Etsy in black or white. Custom colors can be requested.
Crystal clear acrylic desk accessories make it easy to spot your stuff while solid color storage reduces the clutter effect. We all aim for the polished look shown on the orange bookcase. As a rule of thumb, I suggest solid colors as they both decorate and organize your study area. But stick to one or two harmonizing colors.
Categories:
HOME + GARDEN
ORGANIZING
HOME office
posted @ Sunday, August 17, 2008 2:28 PM | Feedback (0)
This is my daily collection of interesting stuff that I saw on the Web.
+ Key Pete is so cute. Peleg Design imagined this magnetic key holder strong enough to hold 20 keys. It is sold in a package of 6 and it is available in red, blue and green. Stick Key Pete to any magnetic surface. Via Interior Design World
+ I experienced a dreamy moment at the view of an Australian modern architecture home hidden on a hill overlooking a coastal view in Sydney. The house displays a mix of Australian and Japanese sensibilities. Via Dwell Blog
Categories:
HOME + GARDEN
ORGANIZING
posted @ Saturday, August 16, 2008 1:47 PM | Feedback (1)
I am not a fan of magnets on the fridge unless they are really special. On that point, the Dorogaya magnetic calendar clearly qualifies.
This is a great improvement over the typical paper calendar that you see on so many kitchens. Better yet, you will feel great opening the fridge door if you hang a reusable calendar.
The magnetic calendar can have a prominent space on the central message board of any household. You can place one in your home office.
How it works?
Every month is represented by a 3-letter abbreviation chip. Special chips, like Deadline, Arrival, Departure, Drink Day and Don't Drink Day, keep track of important dates and appointments. It seems that the Ukrainian graphic artist Serhiy Chebotaryov created his Dorogaya magnetic calendar with students in mind.
Categories:
ALL occasions
GIFT IDEAS
HOME + GARDEN
ORGANIZING
posted @ Friday, June 27, 2008 1:54 PM | Feedback (0)
I found great stuff on Etsy, which encourage me to spread the word. On the last couple days, I spot these Magnetic Chalkboard Coasters. I did not check who made it until this morning.
I glad I did because the esty seller and I live in the small city. Purpose Design creates these magnetic coasters in black chalkboard and in the green old school chalkboard. The cool thing is that you can store them on the fridge or your message center when you do not use them as coasters.
Travel Spice Kits
Purpose Design also sells framed magnetic spice kits. Her spice kits in a cool hand brushed aluminum tin makes a great idea for Father’s Day. They are ideal to take along traveling, on camping or hiking trips, or for the boat or the cottage.
Purpose Design sells their kits by flavor: everyday herbs and spices, Italian spices, Mexican spices, Indian spices, Southeast Asian spices, Thai spices and even a Chai Tea kit.
Categories:
HOSTESS gifts
GIFT IDEAS
HOUSEWARMING gifts
ORGANIZING
posted @ Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:50 PM | Feedback (2)
These days, I am thinking about how I can set up a studio place to demonstrate actual tabletop settings. I also need a craft station plus a storage cabinet for my props. I am reviewing more and more products, so where do I store them?
My Dilemma
I could convert some spaces at home to serve double duty or I could simulate a dining room at the office. Each option has its pros and cons. Our commercial lease will finish at the end of the year and we do not plan to renew it at this point. So I feel it would be a temporary thing if I do it at our current office location. But it can also be a testing ground to see what works and what is not.
My Inspirations on Flickr
I was in search for some inspirations from the creative crowd. I found plenty on Flickr. I particularly like the happy color card catalog reduc uploaded by bitsandbobbins. This is from an Apartment Therapy Semi Home Tour.
Categories:
HOME + GARDEN
ORGANIZING
posted @ Sunday, April 20, 2008 11:08 PM | Feedback (1)
The March 2008 issue of Canadian House & Home magazine is about clutter control. What I like about that issue is that it does not claim that it is the only way to live.
The decoration magazines are in part responsible for this trend because we all inspire to live in the beautiful styled rooms that we see in the magazines. If you entertain a lot, living in an uncluttered house definitely makes your life simpler since it cuts down the cleaning time.
What is the appeal?
There is something wonderfully charming about living well with less stuff. Even the garage looks chic when all the tools are beautiful displayed on painted green slatwall units. You have more time for yourself once it is done because you do not waste time searching for things. Let’s be frank, the average house is large enough that we do not have to let go of comfort and luxury.
Categories:
TRENDS
HOME + GARDEN
ORGANIZING
posted @ Saturday, February 09, 2008 3:57 PM | Feedback (3)
Crafting develops imagination. Even in this era of video games, making art projects is still something boys and girls like to do. The best way to encourage them to pursuit these activities is to set up a practical dedicated space for them.
1 | Craft desk in the kid bedroom
Every child needs a desk to do his / her homework. Double purpose furniture works the best. Why not create a crafting unit where they can do their homework as well?
If your home is large enough to have a children playroom, it is best to put the art & craft area in the kid playroom. Otherwise, place the craft area in their bedroom.
2 | Open shelving unit
Art projects can make a lot of mess so the key is to provide great storage solutions. Start with containers that neatly store the art supplies. For the kids to put them back in the shelf once they finished, think of an easy way in / out method. Open shelving unit is usually the way to go.
Categories:
HOME + GARDEN
ORGANIZING
posted @ Monday, October 08, 2007 1:25 PM | Feedback (1)
After the craft room, the ultimate luxury is a gift wrapping room. I shared the feeling. I used to wrap gifts for my business. So I am well aware of the needs to quickly wrap gifts with a stunning look.
I saw two stories on magazines about this topic lately. In its October issue, Canadian House & Home talks about less stressful and simpler it is when you got everything on hand.
Martha Stewart Living shows something more elaborate, in the typical Martha way. What I like about Martha’s craft room is that the design makes good use of the attic space.
Canadian House and Home gives tips that anybody can do in their own house or apartment. I mixed my own views for the best tips and tricks on how to live enjoyable gift wrapping sessions.
1 | Make a reserve of wrapping supplies
The first rule is to keep coordinated supplies on stock. Having several paper rolls, tissue papers, ribbons, bows, gifts bags, gift tags and greeting cards eliminate the need to rush to the store ever time you want to give a gift.
Categories:
HOME + GARDEN
ORGANIZING
posted @ Thursday, September 13, 2007 12:29 PM | Feedback (5)