Master Closet Makeover Reveal

This might possibly be the most excited about a makeover that I have ever been!  Yesterday I shared with you about my closet dreams and some of my selections for the closet makeover.  You can read about that here.
Before you see my closet makeover you need to see the before.  It isn't pretty... it is pretty junky!  I can't even believe that I'm sharing this with the world but, to appreciate what I have now you need to see the before.

In my previous post I did say that I had to rehome many things from my closet, you can kinda see that now.  There was so many things in the closet that just didn't belong there and I mean lots!  Some of it was shuffled to other closets, some of it was sold at a consignment sale and lots went to Salvation Army!

So after years and years of  dreaming about a closest makeover...here it is!

One thing I'd like to point out, I did not stage my closet for photos.  This is everything that should belong in my closet.  It is either hanging up or in storage containers.  I'm sure you are wondering why I have my pants hanging like this, I despise that crease that often times happens across the middle of them and this keeps that from happening.  Yes, they do take up more space this way but I'm okay with that since ironing is not my fav chore!

 As the seasons change I am certain that I will move my colder weather attire to the back of the closet and the summer stuff up to the front.  All of my t-shirts are folded in the off white fabric bins on the shelves.  Scarves are also stored in the smaller fabric bins.

The small 3 drawer container houses makeup that I either have extras of or is not being used at the moment.

The shelving at the end of the closet holds bins that contain items not used too often like my machine for asthma.  I'm happy that doesn't have to come out too often!  In the drawers are my unmentionables.  Command hooks hold some of my costume jewelry pieces.

The 3 drawer tote holds my numerous pairs of shoes, mostly flip flops.  Not sure why I still have most of those since I can hardly wear them since my foot has been broken.

The storage tubs are from WalMart and were the color I searched everywhere for.  There are tubs for purses and my reuseable bags.  I have an extra tub that I will put blankets in when they come off the bed in the summer.  Why tubs?  My closet often gets dusty so this keeps everything dust free!

Since the closet underwent the transformation I have truly enjoyed it.  It has been easy to keep everything organized.  No more just throwing clothes on the shelves to deal with later.  The closet system was easy to install with easy to follow instructions.  It is a closet system that I'd definitely use in any of our other closets.  Honey's closet is next on the list!  This is not an ad and I was not paid for my opinions with the Rubbermaid Home Free Series.

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Master Closet Makeover {part 1}

Until house #3 we had not had a closet that had anything other than your standard wire components.
Houses 3&4 both had custom closets that were divine.  The photo below is of the Oklahoma house prior to our moving in.  When we would tell people where we lived they would always say "oh you have the house with the closet."  Seriously ya'll they said that.  It was pretty dang incredible.

This photos has all of our stuff in it.   Honey's side of the closet mirrors this side.  This closet was as large as my kitchen in our current home.

Note the stucco room on the second floor, that entire space is the closet.

Then we moved to Auburn and we were back to the standard wire set up.  Let me just say I really missed those closets!  To say that I wanted a closet makeover would be an understatement.  The 3 things stopping me from changing my closest were cost, I had no idea what I really wanted or how to do it.  I can't even begin to tell you the hours I've logged on Pinterest, Lowe's and Home Depot's websites trying to plan out or pick out a closet system.  Initially, I thought I wanted a system like I had in the previous homes that looked like wood.  Then a few of my fav bloggers began to sing the praises of Elfa from The Container Store.  Enter the closet of my dreams...until the reality of the expense of their system.  On the day that I wrote down exactly what I'd need from their website and the corresponding cost I closed the tab on my computer and walked away.   I'm certain their system is worth every single dime, it just wasn't in my budget.   More months pass and in frustration I google "closet systems like Elfa."  Rubbermaid's Closet systems popped right up.

 Finally, I have something I can work with on 2 fronts affordability and function.  Please know that this is not an ad, this is not a sponsored post for Rubbermaid.

Long before my handyman started the demo on the closet I began the purge.  This happened even before I selected a paint color.  This was a smart move as all my clothing laid on the living room sofa for well over a week.  I'd also made the decision to make sure the contents of my closet belonged there and if not were rehomed to a new location.  In regards to paint, my first thought was to paint something pretty, maybe a blush or soft turqoise.  Then I decided maybe just a nice clean neutral would be best.  It was a smart move to go neutral considering the weeks and I do mean weeks I spent searching for "pretty storage bins."

Next came flooring.  Have I mentioned that we have a 15 year old bulemic cat.  Oh and his favorite spot to be bulemic is in MY closet! #nobueno

With carpet out as an option, I opted for laminate flooring(easy cleanup)it is after all a closet so no need for something super pricy. I found a very affordable option and by very translate that to cheap laminate.  I heaved 2 boxes into the shopping cart and headed out.  Best I recall they were just a bit over $15 per box.  As I headed to check out, I couldn't miss this large display of clearance laminate.  Ya'll it was $10 a box and looked exactly like what was already in my cart.  Flooring for $20....SCORE!!!!

It turned out to be perfect for this project!

Be sure and come back tomorrow as I share the makeover reveal!

For the Love of Blue Willow

If you've followed this blog for any length of time you know that I positively adore all things blue and white.  There has always been Blue Willow in my life.  As a wedding gift, my parents were given an 8 place setting along with serving pieces by my Father's parents.  Doesn't that sound like an incredible gift?  I wish someone would "gift" me more Blue Willow!

 Here is the problem, my mother never and I do mean never liked it.  She so disliked the pattern/plates that she allowed us (me&Sister) to play in the dirt with them.  Ya'll I played house and made many a mud pie with Blue Willow!

Now if you've either stopped laughing or crying I'll continue...

It wasn't until I moved to Auburn in 1983 that any of us realized the value of those "dirt" plates.  There was an antique show in the local mall and I couldn't believe there were Blue Willow dinner plates with a price tag of $50.

  I recall the phone conversation I had with Mother, her disbelief of their value.  My next trip home I made sure a piece came home with me.

It is truly something I can't explain but I'm drawn to blue and white.  Surely it was imprinted on my mind as a tot!

My love of Blue Willow has never been stronger.  My collection or obsession which ever you'd like to call it continues to grow.   The majority of my collection has come from thrift stores and antique stores alike.  Of my Mother's original set I probably only have less than 4 pieces which is really a shame.  When you play in the dirt with anything you can't imagine it will be around years later though.  Sometimes I vow I will never buy another piece....then I come to my senses!

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