mouchoux's Profile

I love how you worked in color in such subtle spots. It totally works without being forced. I love it!

I am doing a deep treatment.

I will focus on de-cluttering, purging, organizing and repairing. The main area I want to de-clutter and organize is my loft bed/desk area. I am considering getting rid of the loft bed and want to migrate as much stuff as possible into my 2 closets. This will require some serious organization MacGuyvering!

As I go through the decluttering process, I will also look at my style tray and come up with ideas for replacing furniture, adjusting furniture placement and adding more color. These ideas will then be implemented in my next cure since I have quite a few repairs to do, an outbox that is already huge and will doubtless need to install some gadgets for organization.

I want my place to be organized, clutter-free and more guest friendly.

Whoops, forgot to add my email in case anyone can send me the plans. Vince needs to start charging for his genius. Hopefully after I get a copy of the plans. :)

michellemoulliet@yahoo.com

Hi Colleen,

I live in a 340 square foot studio in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington DC.

I have a loft bed from Ikea, it is a very old model called Stora. It has a desk & bookcases underneath. The bed has actually been the best purchase I ever got from Ikea. I bought the curtain system from Ikea as well and hung up some curtains I bought from West Elm around the bed to divide it from the rest of the room and hide clutter.

I have been searching for a new loft bed or a murphy bed and came up with this place. There is a location in DuPont Circle. http://www.zfurniture.com/ There is a model from their site that looks pretty functional. http://www.zfurniture.com/diallofusi.html

Some other tips:
I have a ladder since my ceilings are 12 ft. high. I store non-essential things above my kitchen cabinets. I got my ladder at the Container Store and it is very sturdy and lightweight.
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=14566554&itemIndex=2&CATID=64240&PRODID=10017516

I also have magnetic bulletin boards and hooks everywhere. Hooks hold the ladder up agains the wall and hold jackets. Magnetic hooks hold pot holders and other sundries to the side of the fridge.

The first thing I did in my condo was to tear out the closet system that was in there. It was a paltry single shelf and closet rod in the middle of the closet. I replaced it with 2 Elfa shelves, a hanging rod and a rolling Elfa storage cart. I also did the same for my laundry closet. You can't afford any wasted space in your closets. You can also do hooks in the sides of your closet or buy one of the metal grid systems from the Container Store to hold laundry supplies, tools or accessories. http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=14566564&itemIndex=1&CATID=74107&PRODID=60329 or http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=14566565&itemIndex=2&CATID=74107&PRODID=60333.

Go vertical as much as you can and keep a minimum of things on your floor.

Get rid of as much stuff as you can. Since you are a homeowner now, you should note everything you get rid of and take it to Goodwill. Claim these donations and you should see a reduction in your taxes at the end of the year.

2 qualities to look for in things that you own and buy: customizable to your own individual use and multifunctional.

You can also get a lot of good ideas by doing the following: Subscribe to the magazine Real Simple, they always have good organizing tips. Check out Tiny Living's online store at http://www.tinyliving.com/store/. Always check www.apartmenttherapy.com - I keep begging for a DC chapter. Hint hint. Get some books on living in small spaces. Ikea has good furnishings and so does West Elm.

Good luck!

Michelle