Monday, January 24, 2011

*A Place For Everything...

...and everything in its place.* Drawers make life easier and help control clutter, especially if they're organized or specialized drawers. We have a warming drawer I use nearly every day. In our kitchen island we have a *skillet drawer* and *mixing bowl drawer* where we put all our stainless mixing bowls. Every one of our end tables and nightstands have at least three drawers. Drawers are just more *user-friendly* than cabinets to me. Am I the only one who dislikes using under-counter cabinets? Antique table; Spice drawer; Stair steps - grand idea! Thread drawer; Cutlery drawer; Under Step drawers; Island fridge drawers and Warming drawer.   

30 comments:

  1. Blondie's JournalJanuary 24, 2011 at 2:16 AM

    You are absolutely right about the ease of drawers. If you could see the lower cabinets in my kitchen you would be in shock...No space for the little items so they bounce off the larger item and the doors keep everything from falling out! lol!

    Thanks for all the ideas in the photos!

    XO,
    Jane

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  2. From Beyond My Kitchen WindowJanuary 24, 2011 at 3:32 AM

    We have a huge shortage of drawers in my house. If I had to do it all again my nightstands would have lots of drawers. That area always seems to accumulate the most stuff.

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  3. TannaJanuary 24, 2011 at 3:46 AM

    I like BOTH drawers and cabinets! Living in an old house ALL storage becomes precious! LOL! Have a great week, Janean.

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  4. DiannaJanuary 24, 2011 at 4:31 AM

    At one point in my life I didn't mind under counter cabinets. But then AGING happened (lol) and if someone would redesign my kitchen to put everything at above counter top I would be most ecstatic! ;)

    Casual, but elegant china! ;)

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  5. JulieJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:08 AM

    wow...love the drawers. But I DO love that vintage table. beautiful. The cutlery drawer...gasp...so NEAT!!! And the refrigerator Island drawer concept I love. It would be so nice to have that just for holding daily drinks, waters and juices...that's what the frig is opened for the most. I have always always liked under the stairs storage. It is SUCH wasted space, IMHO.
    Thanks for an inspiring post Janean! OH, I would be happy to just have a pot/pan drawer under my oven...The warming drawer would be luxury! rah! But a girl can keep dreaming! :-)

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  6. Becky GarrisonJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:45 AM

    I love drawers, too, but apparently don't have as many as you do. I have a spice drawer, and while not as beautifully organized as the one you shared with us, it is the very best way I've ever found of storing spices! Years ago I went to The Container Store and bought a bunch of square glass jars - kind of like the Stonewall Kitchens jelly jars - and use them for herbs and spices I buy in bulk at a farmers market. Being square, they sit right next to each other and don't 'roll around'. But they also leave plenty of room for spice tins, and other jars. Best thing is they are right at hand when I'm cooking. Oh, and I just LOVE those built in drawers under the stairs - wonderful use of space!

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  7. UnknownJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:46 AM

    Awesome storage ideas. Wish I had them all.

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  8. SuzJanuary 24, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    every year at this time I struggle at keeping at task----organizing
    I have plenty of drawers, that's not the problem
    "Things" seem to like different drawers..have parties in them with mismatched objects....until sometimes I can't even open one..it is so stuffed with restaurant menus and coupons.!!!
    So- that is my January confession..now laugh

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  9. On Crooked CreekJanuary 24, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    Janean,
    I agree with you, totally! Just wish I had more drawers in my kitchen. My son purchased an antique dresser for me on Mother's Day nearly 10 years ago. I use it to house Vintage Linens! It is a life saver for those things we don't use daily, but want to keep in order. Great post! Loved your photos!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  10. SallyJanuary 24, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    Such great places for drawers, and everything so neat! wow

    You make me want to just go in the kitchen,take everything out and start over. I do have to have my junk drawer, though, 'cause if I can't find something, I know it's in there. :)

    Have a wonderful day!!

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  11. HelenJanuary 24, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    This has to be one of my all time favorite posts, Janean.

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  12. SarahJanuary 24, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    Janean, these are great storage ideas. I NEED more storage in this house. Wish I could use some of these ideas. ~ Sarah

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  13. DeannaJanuary 24, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    so neat a post!
    neat places for storage.
    d

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  14. Farm GirlJanuary 24, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    Wow!! I love that green thing in the top picture! Then the shelf under the stairs what a ingenious idea. How is your house stuff going? I have been praying. :)

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  15. Janet - underthewillowJanuary 24, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    the drawers in the stairs is ingenious!...especially for a flat that lacks storage space!

    Janet

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  16. UnknownJanuary 24, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    I'll take any of the above...my 105year old house doesn't have much storage.
    Have you found a house yet? Does it have lots of storage?

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  17. Beverly @ My Sew Sweet StudioJanuary 24, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    You are so right. Drawers are so much better than cupboards. All the kitchen we have designed in our business and for ourselves have always had as many drawers as possible. It is even more important now that I live in an RV. We have added drawers where possible and I have plastic drawers now for my sewing and office stuff.
    Love the stair drawers. and the ones under the stairs too.
    Great post for first of the year organizing ideas.

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  18. ShayJanuary 24, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    Yep -=I'm a drawer lover. Isnt that first set of drawers just too cute?

    I love the under the stairs ones too. Makes me want to live in a house with stairs just so I can have storage like that!

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  19. RitaJanuary 24, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Love all of those drawers. I wish all of my cabinets had the pull-outs on them. It is hard at this age to stoop down and dig back in the back. So drawers are wonderful!

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  20. KarenJanuary 24, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    Oh, I want that spice drawer! Yes, lower cabinets are a pain. I wish mine were pull-out.

    I love my warming drawer and use it when others come over.

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  21. Mari NuñezJanuary 24, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    I crazy for the spice drawers. I think I am under steps drawers for my downstairs bedroom.

    Have a great week :)

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  22. NanaDianaJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    I love hidden storage. I have a several little hidden storage spaces around my house...don't you LOVE the one under the bottom step? How perfect is that? Hugs-Diana

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  23. DebJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    oh my gosh...I would love to have drawers in my stairs....unbelievable....

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  24. DoloresJanuary 25, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    I love drawers! When we had our house built, I wanted only drawers in my kitchen.....drawers make organizing so much easier, and I'm so glad I only have drawers.

    I love the drawers in the stairs and under the stairs..... great idea.

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  25. LindaJanuary 25, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Neat ideas! Yes, yes, I positively hate our cabinets where there are no drawers. The pot one is a complete disaster. But we have a really, REALLY small house and a very modest budget, so I have to make do with what we have. Still, I need to come up with a better solution at some point, especially for the pots. There's absolutely no place to hang them in our kitchen because the ceiling is cathedral and every bit of wall space is used up with cabinets.

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  26. glamourJanuary 25, 2011 at 10:16 AM

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  27. FairfieldHouseJanuary 25, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Janean,

    I love these stair drawer ideas! I've never seen them before and can't wait to share them with Thomas. I always leave your blog feeling inspired.

    Your Friend,
    Deborah
    xoxo

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  28. BarbJanuary 25, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    Hi Janean!

    I love all the drawers - except, it reminds me of all of the organizing I have to do!! What a wonderful idea to have drawers built right into the bottom step of the stairs! I can think of a million things I could use that for - and the warming drawer in the oven - I love mine!!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  29. kimsound studiosJanuary 27, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    Janean, I once worked for a woman who was so organized she actually had a stationary drawer. Inside the drawer was the neatest prop that would allow you to select from five different styles your choice of stationary. My responsibility??? Keep it filled :D I like the idea of using drawer space :D

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  30. MarlaFebruary 9, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    I'm with you. Drawers are the way to go.

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I am so excited you are leaving a sweet comment! Thank you. ~Janean~