Mudroom Reveal

Finally!



I started on this project about a year ago so let me recap a little. This is what it looked like before as an awkward shaped under the stairs closet.

These shelves were difficult to build because of the angles. We even ended up partitioning off the right side because the low ceiling made it unusable.

We added shoe storage, beadboard and hooks on one wall.

Now, it's all painted, organized and the flooring is in.

 





This area on the left wall is all we need to keep my kids organized. I like having a wall calendar to remind me of upcoming dates. I am really bad about checking my phone calendar in advance. Each of my boys have a folder with their names on it for school papers, including weekly homework packets. A pinboard is a must since I seem to have an out of sight, out of mind mentality no matter how important the paper is.

 

Check out this storage! We had a Costco open up near us recently and my husband loaded up on paper products and drinks. I was nervous we wouldn't have enough space for everything, but I reorganized a bit and was able to fit it all.

Shoes, shoes and more shoes! At least there is a door so I don't have to worry about Mario using them as chew toys. That dog truly has a shoe fetish. Well, if someone forgets to shut the door he might eat a shoe, but it's usually my husband's. Mario recently chewed up his sandal and "marked" his backpack, but left everyone else's things alone. I think Mario sees my husband as competition for alpha male in this house.

Look at all this pink! You can finally tell a girl lives here.

Don't laugh! If you are thinking this light looks like a deck light then you would be right. This is the only light I liked for this closet. A bonus is it was only $7.

The basket on the top shelf is perfect for gloves. We don't use them much, but when we do one is always missing. Keeping the basket up high keeps the kids' little mitts off them. 

We have so many paper products store in here I decided to just write "paper" on the basket chalk label. Now, that I see it in a picture it looks a little strange. I also store extra cleaning products and seasonal décor in these baskets so you never really know what's going to be in there. Maybe I should just write "?" or "guess."

 

I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have this space. It's a mudroom, pantry overflow, storage room, and school organization center all in one under the stairs closet. It's definitely the hardest working room in our house besides the kitchen. For a closet it's not too hard on the eyes either!

 

New Homebuilding Trends

If you've seen my Pinterest page you might have noticed I've been stalking model homes again. I showed you new home trends last year and was impressed, but what I have seen this year far surpasses what I posted last year. Take a look at these model homes near me.

All of these homes are suburban homes by Huntington and Highland homebuilders. The ceiling beams, marble, lighting, huge vent hoods, wainscoting, and double doors are features I haven't seen before in typical model homes. Have you taken a look around what is being built in your area lately?

Merry Christmas!

I hope you are having a great Christmas! Here is our family photo from Christmas Eve. We didn't send out cards this year so I pulled this together last night in just a few minutes.

Our Christmas traditions stay the same, but it always feels a bit different every year as the kids get older. We have our share of sweet moments.

And, then there are the grumpy moments.

 

 

They are equally precious to me. Have a great holiday!



 

 



Gift Wrapping: How to Tie a Bow with Ribbon

I just love a beautifully wrapped gift, especially with a big satin bow on top usually only seen in fancy stores. You know the ones with ribbon that come undone in one long piece like this?

If you've ever wondered how do they do that or you just want to avoid stick-on bows this year then this is the tutorial for you.


Step 1

Start by measuring out the tail of the ribbon you see on the left. You will need to leave enough room to make the bunny ear of the bow, plus the tail. Lay it across the center of your gift with the backside of the ribbon (dull side of a satin ribbon or unprinted side) facing up. Then turn the ribbon downwards to make a little pocket. The shiny side of the satin ribbon will be facing up going in this downward direction.

You do not need to pre-cut the ribbon as you see here. Keep it attached to the spool so you will have the proper amount of ribbon.

 

 

 The "pocket"

Step 2

Wrap the ribbon around the back of the gift.

Step 3

Pull the ribbon down and underneath the other ribbon where the "pocket" is.

You've now made the vertical part of the ribbon.



 

 

Step 4

 

Now, it's time to wrap it horizontally. Hold the center with a finger or thumb.

and wrap the ribbon around the backside of the gift.





and continue to wrap the ribbon all the way across to the other side going underneath the vertical ribbon.

You're left with two tails. Now, it's time to make the bow.

 

 

Step 5

 

Instead of making a knot, just make two bunny ears and tie them together.



Step 6

Now, fluff up your bow and turn the backside of the left tail to face upwards so all you see is the shiny side of a satin ribbon or the printed side if you have a pattern. Cut the ribbon from the spool so the tails are equal lengths. I chose to cut my ends once more in a dovetail. Add a tag and ornamentation if you choose.

If you add greenery, consider using a hot glue gun to make it secure. Ornaments can be looped through the ribbon before the bow is tied.

This takes a lot of ribbon! Considering I have about 40 presents to wrap it's not possible to make this type of bow on all of them, especially large gifts. Most of these ribbons are tied on the smaller ones like the candy cane striped one below.

I want to show you a few alternatives of decorating with ribbon so you aren't breaking the bank. The green and red ribbon combo on the right was made with smaller scraps. I also varied the placement of the ribbons not for aesthetics, but to make stacking them on top of each other under the tree easier. The burlap snowflake ribbon is hot glued together at the edges and used on the larger gifts. It is easy to just slide if off the gift as if it were a sleeve. You have to keep in mind someone has to unwrap these!

With the exception of the burlap ribbon, everything you see here was purchased at Wal-Mart! The satin and fabric ribbon was not easy to find, but they do have it. I found mine in the garden area outside and a small Christmas section in the craft area. If finding elegant wrapping paper is difficult, look for solids in the birthday section. You can always pair it with a ribbon for a nice color contrast. Pretty and budget friendly!