DesignWrite Wednesday - Tchotchke Monster Control for Back to School? Or Just Run Away From It All?

designsponge via pinterest.com

 I have two teen sons. And like all teens, they can be insufferable and know

...it all. If I could just remember that I know nothing (except laundry, cooking, and coughing up money), life would be good for all of us.

Or perhaps I should just retreat to a little darling Airstream in the backyard, like this one.
I could deal....

But my kids - and my Hero - probably wouldn't last three days. Not to mention Duchess.

So here are some organizing ideas for all the school clutter to come. If you're a crafter or a writer or a mom with busy preteens, tweens, and teens, these are some great ideas for you. Some are repeats of favorites I've posted already ( everybody must have clipboards on their walls by now! ), some are new, but all of them are doable with thrifted buys or upcycled items.

marthastewart.com

These laminate cubes are availble at every department store, as are the canvas bins that fit inside. A hollow core door from the home store makes a good worksurface if you have the space; otherwise, any plywood surface will do. Cover it with a large vinyl tablecloth, stapled to the bottom to make the edges neat, and you've got a wipeable, inexpensive surface that can be replaced easily. 

 Paint Cans... Coffee Cans... Plastic peanut butter jars-- If they're all the same size and washable, they're perfect to glue together on their sides to store pens, scissors, stickers... all those indispensible llittle tchochkes that seem to multiply in the night.











bhg.com
If your cans or jars are big enough, they'll also file notepads.

marthastewart.com

bhg.com

It's a drawer! Glue cork to the bottom, ...er, back, and cover again with pretty fabric to make a shadowbox bulletin board. 

storageandglee.blogspot.com

If you're like me, there's a mystery drawer filled with USB cables and cords for cameras, phones, and whatever else the tchotchke monster spawned overnight. Yes, they're inelegant, but TP rolls are uniform and disposable and there are way too many of them in the landfills. Repurpose them for cord control.... Tchotchke Monsters hate control, even from TP rolls. 

Kitchen storage ideas from houzz.com 

Ikea rails system from poppytalk blog. Simple and clean and space saving for a kitchen or laundry room office spot. 

 Two ways to use chicken wire! The top is from nom-nom-nom.tumblr.com, and the bottom is from a crafter on houzz.com. I made my own version of the bottom one using a thrifted frame (empty and ornate)  and attaching the wire with a staple gun. Easy Peasy!

The Classic Clipboards Idea: One tip: Use a level! This idea is most effective in tight spaces and small walls. Tutorial on making 'CutiePatootie Clipboards at http://christyscuties.blogspot.com/2011/08/cutie-patootie-clipboard.html. 

                                                               eco-etsy.blogspot.com

butterfly boards 

Cleanandscentsible.blogspot.com 

I don't know the answer to my teens' attitudes. I'll be deep in thought, and in walks one who needs to talk about his day, or another who can't find the junque food he prefers. So, I believe I'm going to talk my Hero into building me a gazebo like Mark Twain's, just to get away from it all: 

bachelordegreeonline.com

                                                                       Blazona MD100 from treehugger.com

MyHomeIdeas.com Michael Pelkey's Key West Cottage 

Which one is YOUR favorite? The Airstream, the Blazona MD100 (from Michael Blazona, architect), or the Key West Guest Cottage? 

More writers' retreats: http://www.bachelorsdegreeonline.com/blog/2011/20-most-awe-inspiring-writers-rooms/

15 Modern Sheds: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/garden-shed-roundup.php

Loft and porch spaces : http://www.poteetarchitects.com/loftporch/5.html

A bientot! 

butterfly boards