because the before in this situation was positively shameful.
our downstairs closet has always been called the “art closet” because instead of hanging coats (which we never really need) we always stored our basic kid art supplies inside, along with their school stuff. (backpacks, etc) in various forms, such as a rolling plastic cart or an ill fitting bookshelf. the results were always a complete disaster. kids papers and backpacks and musical instruments thrown haphazardly inside, peeking out the bottom of the door even when it was shut. it drove me a little more insane each day. but, i let it sit like that for almost four years. so you can imagine how insane i really am.
i got the idea in mind to add more shelving about six months ago, and i finally had a chance to hire someone to do it two weeks ago. once the shelves were put up, the walls looked a hot mess. i realized i would have to paint the inside of the closet.
sidenote: ever since we moved here, i have wanted to paint my laundry closet a shocking, fun color, just to have a little happy surprise when i opened the doors. but i havent ever actually done that. i am too scared to move my machines. they were really hard to get in there, and even just thinking about moving them makes me feel anxiety ridden.
so, to satisfy my whole “shocking, fun color in a closet” desire, i purchased hot pink paint for the art closet.
(lowe’s : rasberry blush)
i also scurried about finding baskets and jars (target & at home) to hold all of their art supplies.
i also bought the kids all NEW art supplies. new crayons, colored pencils, markers. glue sticks, tempura paints, watercolor paper. puff balls, googly eyes, pipe cleaners. paint brushes, pencils, erasers. totally stocked them up. they needed it. we havent updated our stuff since the beginning of the the previous school year, so i didnt feel wasteful getting rid of some of the old stuff. also, after reading and being really, really inspired by this book, The Creative Family, by Amanda Blake Soule, i wanted to do as she suggested and give them good quality art supplies to create with.
i started sunday morning at 10:30, when jeff left for the gym. the kiddos were all happily occupied with club penguin (internet game) and el dorado (our favorite cartoon movie). we were all in our jammies.
they each came downstairs every so often to see what i was up to, and help. help sort things into jars. help toss out trash and recycle out the paper and plastic from the new supplies’ packaging. help fill up the shelves once i was finished painting. anna begged to help me paint, but i just couldnt quite hand it over to her, i had no tape or anything else protecting the floors, baseboards, or shelves. (but i promised her that the next painting project she could have at it. and she made me promise whatever it was, it would be pink.)
jeff came home while i was only about 1/2 way through painting. he passed and said, “pink, tara?! pink?!” and i looked at him with the eyes that mean “praise me now or lose me forever!!” and so he said, “but i like it!” and i said, “its a CLOSET man. A CLOSET. chillax!”
we finished at 4:30. we did have some breaks for lunch time and other stuff (fights, consequences, computer support), so all in all, it took me about five hours to finish. we were still in our jammies.
and here it is, in all of its care bear splendor. (thanks lisa.) 
that green basket on the floor holds our oilcloth tablecloths that protect the table and floor from artsy messes. i bought them from a sweet woman in mexico who sells oilcloth purses out of her house and hangs them from her fence so driversby can purchase. i knocked on her front door praying she spoke at least some english so she could understand what i wanted. and she did. and she made me two in three hours, while we hung out in rosarito beach.
so if you are still reading, thank you. for some reason i really wanted to write about my process. i feel like i accomplished something huge, that has been on my to do list forever. so i feel really great today.
when i first started my blog, i did this thing called One Project A Week. (OPAW) i think once a week will be too much for me, so i am going to do one project a month. (OPAM) anyone want to join me? im going to call this project my april OPAM. and my project for may is going to be to fill the 9 20×20 frames you can barely see in the top photo with the last 7 images it needs. once i do that, i will take a photo. i could post my before on may 1st, and my after on the last day of may. you all could post on your blogs too, and link in the comments here. wouldnt that be fun? we could all goad each other into finishing.
(and guess what, i already took that before picture).
132 Comments
It looks awesome!! The pink is perfect and fun, great work my dear!
ah, it all looks so very pretty (thank you ikea, we love you!). i would like to join the OPAM campaign! and on a monthly basis, it seems very practical. we have an new little addition joining us this fall, so this will help me get all organized before it all becomes a mess again! and ps, i wish we could take advantage of you while you are in the slc, but, hopefully in a couple years. thanks for your inspiring work, have a really great day!
Wow! That looks awesome! That pop of color is just incredible!
Love it!
xo,
Carmen
great closet! I really like the shelves & the color!
Love your sweet blog. So happy to see a new entry from in my blog reader you every time you update. Love your outlook on life. Your style..your photography….and your OPAM idea. I was just standing in the middle of the house wondering which project to tackle first. I’m in
I’m with you on the project a month. I’m not sure what my May project will be, but there are plenty of things to choose from!
That closet looks awesome. When we moved into our house, we had lived in apartments for almost three years, and were sick of white. We wanted color! So, we put blue stripes in the living room, an orangey-yellow called ember in the kitchen with firetruck red trim, and asparagus green in the spare bedroom. In the downstairs office/library/scrap-room we went crazy-hot pink, lime green and bright purple. A different color on each wall (the fourth is floor to ceiling closet). It’s our favorite room because it’s so different and fun. It’s a great creative space, and people are always shocked when they walk in there.
Sorry for the novel.
All that to say that I absolutely love the pink in the closet. The world is full of beautiful colors and everyone has their own style-I love when our spaces reflect that.
I so need one project a month.
We’ve been in our house a year and things need work.
Our last two homes were major fixer uppers w/ months and months of major work.
My momentum for such things has left the building (never really entered).
But this might be the push i need.
thanks!
such a fun idea! Love the color and all the little jars. thanks for sharing.
I’m in! I’m interpreting this as “on my list forever” type projects, so the first one I’ll tackle (in May) is the quilt for my master bed. We’ve been using mismatched blankies for too long, it’s time to grow up and have a real quilt. Good luck on your 20×20 frames!!
Wow. Love it, start to finish, but really AM Jonesing a before shot. Eric probably would handle the color okay, but the part about no tape or stuff to protect the floors would surely put him in his grave. That’s why we never paint around here. The prep work takes, like, 14 hours for a 2 hour paint job. I’m still gonna show him your pictures, though
I love your closet so much! I just adore it. I never would have thought pink would look so great but wow, it really does. I am up for the OPAM, but I think I will start in May. Thanks for sharing!
i love this!! love it, love it, love it!!
you inspire me in so many different ways, girl!
I’m gonna do it to our art closet too.
What a cool fun thing.
Oh…I’m game that sounds like fun the OPAW ….i’m w/ you a once a week project would be too much…too funny about the laundry room - that is what I want to do as well….not i got to find me a closet for art supplies…have you seen this room too - she did a fun job as well in her art closet…. http://pamgarrison.typepad.com/pamgarrison/2008/02/ode-to-alicia-o.html
love your photos!!!
absolutely love it! you have inspired me to do some home improvements too! thanks tara!
Dear TW- I so would like for you to come and do this to my hall closet (AKA: Craft hell). Thanks for the bit of inspiration. I now need to get busy and make this MAY OPAM! Oh, where do you get those great frames?
I love this!! my front closet is in desperate need of a makeover like this. my favorite part is the pink walls…i never would have thought of that! i’ve always wanted to paint one of my rooms orange and could never muster up the courage…i could definitely do the closet orange! thanks for the inspiration!! …and i’m up for the OPAM challenge!
tara. LOVE the pink (although i’m not notoriously a pink-lover myself).
where’d you get the frames?? my best guess is IKEA….but I WANT THEM!!! (okay. i won’t steal yours. you just gotta tell me where you got ‘em!)
thanks. in advance, i mean
i LOVE your blog. seriously, LOVE!
Great job Tara - love the color. I love those bold colors along with your cool baskets.
LOVE IT! I love your style! Dying to ask how your photos are mounted…the photos that we see to the right of the closet! Is that on matboard or like a 1/2in canvas??? Thanks! Keep up the amazing work!
this is inspiring! I am joining you for OPAI-think I can do 1 a month.
I’m so in on this. I have a list going of projects here and there that keeps getting longer and longer. Thanks for giving me a goal and an idea to hold me to it! Love your blog and photography!
Tara,
Long-time follower of your work, first-time poster … but your closet project inspired me to post MY weekend project which was putting the finishing touches on my new den! I wish I had a before picture (again, as you noted) because this room was majorly boring before a new coat of paint, several IKEA purchases and a few etsy purchases mixed in:
http://gailwernerphotography.blogspot.com/2008/04/my-new-favorite-spot-in-house.html
Thanks for sharing your projects in addition to your great photography - you are so stinkin’ creative!
the pink is definitely a happy surprise!
i was going to ask to see the arrangement of frames! so i’m looking forward to the after photo.
It’s about time you got those 19 3/4 x 19 3/4 frames filled!!!
I lurk on your blog ALL THE TIME! Love your photos and find them very inspirational. Something about this wonderful tidy closet inspired me by surprise. Makes me want to freshen up and tidy all the little forgotten spaces in my house.
I remember your OPAWs. I actually did it with you for awhile. good kick in the pants. I’m totally going to play along. I’m counting reorganizing my pantry yesterday as April’s. lol
I so love that art closet!! My son is only 17 months old, but I think I’m going to order that book right now too (already have it on my wishlist!!). I want him to have the same access to arts and crafts like you offer to your kiddos!!
I love the idea of OPAM! You couldn’t have posted on a better day for me - all I’ve been thinking about today is finding time for all those little things that need doing but keep getting ignored. Hmmm… what to do for May? Maybe I’ll finally finish my daughter’s room or the plantings in front of the house… Thanks for the inspiration!
it looks great! i think it’s wonderful to have little pockets of fun in the house. OPAM sounds like a great idea.
(oh, and LOL at the “praise me now or lose me forever” look!)
how fun is this?! i’m in for the opam thing. i can handle that and i have a few projects on my to-do list. let’s do it!
Tara, you never cease to amaze and inspire me. whether it is your photography, inspirational words or tidbits from your life. I love your blog, it is definatly one of my daily visits. I will be joining you on your one project a month. Again thanks for just being you!!
It’s PERFECT!!! I love it…love it I tell you…hehe! And I SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO was checking out that picture of Drew on the wall before I even saw your OPAM thing. Love the idea and can’t wait to see the finished project. Once Again……..You inspire me girl!
that is awesome! what a great idea to store art supplies. we actually did paint our laundry room a bold color. the room is red and the appliances are white. i know, red isn’t that shocking, but its a bold color for us since the rest of our house is neutral. alot of people thought we were crazy for soing that, but its kinda fun.
I can’t tell if I’m inspired or jealous! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your closet. The color os perfect and the art supplies all organized and simply… oh, how I want that closet!
I love it… OPAM… I can probably handle that, and God knows… I’ve got projects!
I’m going to add that book to my summer reads, and designate a cupboard in our home for art (since we haven’t an extra closet kicking around… we do need our coats here in VT
awesome job! the pink is so unexpected just love it, the baskets, jars, oil cloth are perfect. excellent idea to buy all new art supplies (recently looked at “the creative family book on amazon). your kids are just going to love it, so easy for them to be creative.
i will totally join in one project a month!
I love your closet! I am with you on the OPAM. It sounds better than OPAW anyway. My skirt I just finished will count as my April. Love the closet! I am in the process of turning our kitchen’s pantry into a great art/fabric closet with stuff organized and labeled and not just thrown in.
I love this! I have been doing lots of organizing in our house lately and this totally inspires me to break out some wild colours for the closets. Especially when I’m too afraid to do it on the main walls. And, I like the OPAM idea. I’ll have to think about that one.
so STINKING cute Tara! you have totally inspired me to take on my kid’s art cupboard (not as big as your closet, before summer, so the kiddos will have lots of art stuff when school gets out!!! Thanks!!
Where did you get the 20×20 frames? I LOVE those!!
Your closet turned out so cute! It’s so fun to look at!
R
oh, the fabulous-ness. i LOVE it. awesome. and, such a genius of an idea OPAM…i think i’ll try this. it’s so easy to get caught up in life stuff. and so many to-do lists with nothing ever really getting done. isn’t it amazing how accomplished we feel after doing something like this? so done, i’m on it…off to figure out which project i’ll start next! ;). -c
ok - i’m so in. very inspired by your productivity!! and can i ask you how/where you did the prints on the wall that is peeking in your first photo (drew, i think). I’d love to do that but can’t fathom how to hang them on the wall! thanks sweets and your new blog and website are eye candy (josie loves her feet on one of the faqs pages).
Great Idea! Unfortunately, my before pics might land me on Oprah’s clutter or hoarders shows! I would love to get one project a month done though.
Tara, what an awesome idea!! I need something to get me motivated for all the little projects that we have around our house. I am an RN and my husband is in the army. We have four kids (his and mine), and we rush EVERY single weekend, picking up and dropping off kids. I am hoping this will get me off of my tush and start working on some projects. Our house is 110 years old, and although it was remodeled before we bought it, there are tons of little things that need to be done. On top of the empty walls that are screaming for attention, and of course all the other little projects that I have going!! You have me motivated!! I am off to plan my May project! Thanks for the idea!! ~Stacee~
a photo a day.. a project a month.. i might need a calendar..LOL LOVE the cupboard.. (ROTFL at - praise me now or lose me forever.. I am SO using that!) I LOVE the idea of over the top fun colours in the cupboard…(and jeff.. it COULD be a feature wall..LOL) … I was going to start with a herb garden (easy project i was getting too).. but.. my big.. I NEED TO DO IT project would be a photo of all three of us.. there isnt a single one! so.. thats me… a family photo.
Tara, I LOVE that colour
I’ve been planning something along the same lines - I want vibrant colours on the inside of my kitchen cabinets, so that when I open a door I get ZINGED with happiness. We’ve only been here 3 1/2 years, so I guess I still have time, eh? Now let’s see how long your cupboard can stay looking that tidy LOL.
fantastic!!
love the color
and the OPAM idea.
we’ll be moving on may 1st so this will give me incentive
to paint the new house…rust orange is NOT going to match my couch!!
LOL
Awesome awesome idea:)
An art closet is such a beautiful thing!! I am soooo jealous and wish I had one too! I love your OPAM idea. Don’t know if I am brave enough to commit though!?!
Good for you! Doesn’t it feel absolutely wonderful? I have had an extremely messy desk (area) off to the side of my living room. It’s just the catch all ~ for mail, scrapbook supplies,etc…Just finished cleaning up the desk, the surrounding floor, the chair, the basket on the floor. Mind you, it’s been like this for approximately 3 years - since before my little one was born!! It’s like I have a whole new living room! Didn’t take a picture of it, as it would have been WAY too embarassing! As I scrapbook supplies crammed everywhere (I’m a hoarder), my goal is to clean up and clear out!
So, girl, I’m with you on the OPAM!! Congrats on project #1!
woah!! awesome job. I also have a shameful closet that I hate and need to redo.
Tara, so very awesome!!! I love your OPAM! I have been meaning to do a project like this too, but I have a bookcase not a closet. I love the pink, the jars, baskets and everything. Good job woman.
ok so-the pictures you see to the right of the closet are in glass clip frames from IKEA.
that is my project for May, so you will have to wait to see more of them!
i am so excited. i loved your opaw way back then. opam works better for me, too. count me in. i don’t have a blog (my life is entirely too boring) so could i e-mail my before and after pics to you? what a great idea. the closet looks fab. i love childrens art supplies. they just make me happy.
hope all is well
ria
What a great idea Tara!! I have lots of projects that need to be done. I will have to give it some thought about what I should set as a May project. I will post it again later.
LOVE IT!!! I go a little crazy with paint myself sometimes…
Awesome!!! I love the pink :0) Great choice of color.
I am actually working on redecorating our bedroom.. Hubby is gone for a few more months and I thought I would surprise him with a new room. lol As is, it is bright pink and orange.. I think he has put up with it for 3 years very well and I wanted to do something fun while he was gone.. this has been an ongoing thing for the last month, just picking things up here and there, which I hope will all be put together by the end of June-ish. lol
Congrats on your closet.. I adore it!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the pink!
This is such a good idea! I wish I had a closet for this! We need one!
Love this entire post … love the new new blog … love the new energy. As I still try and better myself in eliciting support for my creative endeavors from my nearest and dearest I LOVE … that you shared, “praise me now or lose me forever” comment. I could hand out a few of those myself.
Good for you on all accounts. Yay Tara! Keep that good momentum going!
move over martha!!!
Seriously, you are my new organization goddess.(:
there’s nothing like getting stuff crossed off your to do list. I think OPAM will be fun. Once a month is about all I can handle, too.
I LOVE that shocking pink!! its so fun and bright and unexpected. totally cool.
Totally RAD!!! I love the idea of a pink closet…my clothes closet, which is in our hall so I guess it is really our hall closet is painted a fab 70s rusty orange and I never loved it until today! Thanks so much! Love all those organized art supplies too! THanks for sharin, Tara!
have a great week~
ohh, what a sweet and scary idea! to be sure to actually accomplish something big each month! ohiwannadoit! yay!
WOW!!!! What initiative!!!! You’ve got some lucky kiddos!
argh! i should stop reading your blog. every time i see a new house project finished i feel so guilty that i don’t take the initiative myself to just get on with it and get creative in our house. i want to head right down to the hardware store and start it right away.
seriously, i think i will also be jumping on the OPAM wagon and finally tackle my own danky closet. i love your decorating style and that you obviously love taking chances and they really pay off. well done tara! it looks fan-bloody-tastic!!
WOW! I have not been by in a while… way tooo long! Hung out for a bit with your mom and T at a wedding a while back and heard how proud they are of you and your sisters
as they should be ~ such and awesome family.
Anyway, LOVE LOVE your new blog! I am going to jump on the opam with you because my old house needs some tlc. I have never hung anything in my stairway, and I really need to.. that’s my challenge… that or the bathroom… or the closets… or the family room blank walls.. or… or… you get the point! I’m in ~ thanks for the inspiration and it will make me come back at reegular intervals and not be missing out on your amazing generous self. Thanks again for sharing. Nice to “see” you again!
Tara,
Love the OPAM idea…I have so many “projects” to do this summer…mostly involving keeping my kids scrapbooks up to date. I used to be so on the ball..until baby number 3. Now she is two and does not even have a photo album. It is horrible! Anyway…I love the 20×20 frames, where did you get them? I have the perfect place for something like that! I will take a before picture too!
Leslie Tucker
I lovin’ the pink! How fun!!
I would love to join in on the OPAM. I have so many things on my to do list!!!
Isn’t it great to see what kids come up with when you give them free reign on the art supplies.
It is such a great thing to be creative!
Can’t wait to see what you fill the frames with for next month.
I love what you did with the art closet….LOVE LOVE LOVE it! That burst of color when you open the door is awesome!! Enjoy!
I’m so there…My May project of the month will be to clean out our under-the-stairs storage closet…right now, I just throw anything and everything in there that i don’t want to see…it totally needs to be rearranged and reorganized…So you’ll hold me to it, right? I’ll take before pics this week…and I’m hoping to accomplish the organizing this weekend - we’ll see!!!
Hugs!
Looks so fun! I have lots of unfinished projects so I’ll join in. In May, go through all my old magazines and pull out the recipes I want to keep and put them in the recipe binder I bought last month. Then recycle the magazines!
i too fall into that trap when reading blogs and would honestly hate to make another woman feel that way.
look at my project posts as inspiration for when you are ready.
there is a season in our lives for everything!!
This looks freaking awesome! I totally want to do this now!
i love it! the pink is fab. count me in for opam!
love this tara and i am IN for the may project!
Hi Tara,
I LOVE your pink closet!!! I have always said I was going to paint my garage a shocking color that I would never dare paint in my house. I still want to, but even thinking about cleaning out the garage gives my a panic attack.
Anywho…I am totally in on OPAM. What a fun and motivating idea. Thanks!
i’m so in.
NICE SHELVES!!! The workmanship looks awesome… on the shelves… and the paint! I’ll totally join your monthly project campaign. Can my hubby help me accomplish the projects?? Is that fair? For April… I did a chalkboard painted door on my pantry! LOVE IT! For may… hmmm. Finish the quilt for my little Rylie…? I’ll think on it… but I’m in.
I love your OPAM idea! I’m totally going to do it! Your art closet looks great!! I bet the kids love it!! Thanks for being an inspiration!
I love it! It makes me want to paint the insides of my closets a fantastic color too. They are all boring white right now. And an art closet to tops. Love it.
P.S. I’ve been lurking but you found my link (your link
and so here I am.
Love the concept, love the color! I so need to work on my house!
i am in. I did a few projects way back when you started the OPAW…and like you I let it go earlyin the game. I need motivation. I am off to take my before pic now!
thanks for the inspiration!
I LOVE this! I hope you don’t mind if I borrow this as inspiration to tame my dd’s art supplies. I love the jars - so cute.
OPAM… I think I might join in on this, too. I have so many projects waiting to be finished, a little challenge might be just the thing.
Thanks for the inspiration!
I LOVE IT!! Absolutely fabulous! I love the happy color and the shock of opening the closet to something happy. My project this week is to get some hooks hung up in the hall bath, mirrors installed on my girls’ closet doors and a super cool curtain hung in my daughter’s room. The curtain needs to be up today since her birthday is tomorrow and I want it all done for her!
Have a wonderful day!
Jen
i LOVE the pink. i, unfortunately, am renting and fairly limited in what i can do to my place. though, i suppose i can figure something out- right? there is always something to be organized or made better. i’ll take the next day to figure it out. oh! i’ll work on my quilt. ideation at its best (rambling comments)
OMG….love, love, love this! The color is gorgeous….now you have me thinking…hmmm…..I know the perfect closet to do this in!!! Thanks for sharing Tara.
i L*O*V*E the color…i want a cool “art closet” like yours!!!
-p
When I saw the first pic, I was really wanting to see that wall with the pictures so I was very happy to hear that’s your next project. I can’t wait to see it. The closet turned out fab and I love, love, love the color. As I type I’m trying to think of what my project will be…so very many to choose from.
i am buying that jar for crayons today - perfect solution for crayons you wise one.
you rock - love it
Where did you get the 20×20 frames on your wall (your next project?) Love them! Also, where did you get the big letters and #s you have all over your house?
That is effing sweet! I now want to go to Lowe’s, get that color and paint some room in my house that. It just looks fun and happy. Love that.
Oh man, I wish I could’ve seen a ‘before shot’…then I could really vicariously experience that sense of accomplishment….my whole craft room looks like a tornado went through. It will be more like OPHY…One project a half-year…Sigh. Your closet looks awesome! Way to go!
Tara-It is beautiful and I absolutely love it!
love it!
i love this! i have painted all of the insides of our closets & people think i’m crazy! it’s good to know i’m not alone. haha!
can’t wait to see your next project!!
love, love, love this closet - everything from the pink to the baskets is perfect and happy. i have a dreaded coat closet too that holds no coats (thanks to our fine oc weather) but holds so much crap i get scared to ope the door sometimes. i’m totally in on your project a month and i may make my closet my first project. did you just find a friend for the shelves or did you find a handy man?
OK Tara… can we pretty please see morepics of your house?!?!?! I’m especially interested in your photos and how you’ve displayed them…..
Also, quick question… are Tara ,like tear-uh, or does it rhyme with car, Tahr-uh)? Just curious!
i’m in OPAM here I come. This month is decorate the new bedrooms in the newly finished basement…. happy colors of astree (blue) and english sAGE ( a lime-ish green) are already on the walls.
What a great idea… I love it.. now let me see if i can follow thru. one a month doesn’t seem too difficult.. humm i say that now! hahaha love the closet tara.. and the pink rocks!!
is that a pencil sharpener on the bottom shelf? whatever it is, i’m diggin it & think i probably need one! haha!!
Hi Tara! Love the oilcloth — there’s a store here that sells lots of other items made from the same oilcloth as well as just the oilcloth…. best thing to see is the bike bags
check them out. http://www.kitschkitchen.nl/home/home_uk.php
I may join you on the one project a month.
I love the closet! I also love the idea of one project a month. I know that I could use that extra push to get some stuff done. Count me in!!!
i L-O-V-E love this idea…i remember the project a week & thinking ‘i shuld do that’ but never doing it…this is can handle:)…thanks!…now i have to narrow it down…ps the creative family totally inspired me too (how could it not?) & i got rid of lots of stuff, making our living room a fun place for my kiddos to use their imagination..& that’s always a good thing:)
Tara…that closet is awesome. Makes me want to paint one of mine.
Also, I’m so in for the OPAM! Where do I sign up?
Ok, that closet seriously rocks (as my dd would say). You have totally inspired me - I have a closet that is currently storing games, but could very easily be converted to something like this. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
Oh my, I love this so much!! Great colour! It makes me look forward to when my little one is old enough to do artsy things (at the same time I’m having a hard time with her growing up already). As a former child care worker, I LOVE that stuff. I’m playing along with the OPAM. I already have my May project worked out- painting and hanging nine photo frames on the wall. I’m obsessed with fixing up/decorating my house atm, so this is great timing!
I LOVE IT!!!!!!! It makes me feel happy just looking at it! I never thought of painting a closet or something like that (you know - a space that you and your family are likely the only ones to ever see). But now that I think of it - that makes it all the more special! I really think it’s a fantastic idea and might have to make McGiver replicate something like it in our home so I have my own little piece of happiness too! I also got a huge kick out of the Shrek car shadow! Sammie and Kailey burst out laughing when they figured out the resemblence! Only Mckenna could bring Shrek to life out of a car shadow! That’s why we love her so much!
aww thanks tara
you do give me inspiration and i am totally jumping on board with the OPAM concept. sometimes you need the kick up the butt to get a move on.
I won’t know how to act when I open the door…..It is so organized.And I LOVE the color!! Great job… I am so proud of you and your OPAM (Love the name….wonder why??)
I am MORE proud of how you relish in the moment…soaking in the clamoring of feet on the stairs and a smiling Husband I know you adore. Of how you can make us squirm,cry and smile and remind us of what’s important. Much more important than organized closets…..It’s the moments. Those moments that keep us sane when….
1. The kids don’t do their Homework
2. You have to pick up yet another pair of underwear off the floor
3. They fight in the car all the way to your vacation destination
4. Jeff wants another back rub…..again
Somewhere along the way they become teens….(Jeff remains forever young)
1. The kids still don’t do their homework because now they are on the cell phone or on My Space.
2. Your still picking up underwear but now some of the pairs look more like a piece of string (I can’t wait to hear Jeff say My daughter is wearing what??)
3 They still fight….alot. But just not in the car. Because now they don’t even want to be seen with you let alone go on vacation with you.
4.Jeff will still want his back rubs. But it will be Ok. Because he told me not to long ago that he could not imagine being married to anyone else…. And you tell me he is your best friend,lover,and no one else can make you laugh like he can…
So continue to relish the moments. Savor each and every one because the moments become memories in what seems like a blink of an eye…..And you are my constant reminder that even though a beautifully organized pink closet, clean floors or folded laundry gives us (Me)a SENSE of accomplishment. It is not what makes us accomplished being’s……
Why is it so hard to remember to “stop and smell the roses”????
love you
Mom
I definitely thought this was going to end with shelves falling or something bad! So glad it was a happy ending!! AND, I am totally in love with the shocking pink! I wish my husband would let me get away with something like that, but in all reality, our home isn’t the cool artsy home I wish it could be. haha And I have just added “chillax” to my vocabulary…THAT is a great word!!!!
Long time lurker, first comment… the closet is flat out amazing!! I’ve been toying with that same idea for my kitchen cabinets for a while, but I keep chickening out. You’ve inspired me to get off my butt and just do it! And I’m totally in with OPAM… the only question is, what to tackle first??
OMGosh! I totally love the pink closet. I am so going to copy you with my pantry. I would love to have some wild color in my house and that is the perfect solution. I am thinkin’ turquoise…maybe teal.
OH my goodness I love that closet!
WOW! I love your closet!!! way to go! I am totally in OPAM. My DD is four now and can help. We are reading the Creative Family now and are super inspired(thanks EF for posting it on her blog).Our fam super loves all the pics,you are one talented girl
I am in! OPAM is what I NEED!! Bring it on SISTA!!!!!!
your mom is a total rockstar. i can definitely see where you get it…it’s in your blood.
hey tara, LOVE THE COLOR!!! it’s just stunning, and it’s so beautiful for the eyes to see. Truly a great choice! alice
i cannot be the only one who gets happy from an organized closet. can i?
anyhow… i take you up on your challenge. wait until you see MY before pic. you will think it is a city dump. seriously.
Awesome Tara! I love the color! It just jumps right out at you! Thanks for sharing!
I am with Jessi as I am another blogstalker coming out of the woodwork! I have followed you for awhile and have always found great inspiration in your photo’s. I am all over the OPAM as I have just the wall that needs some loving. My before picture is here (http://sparklythingsdee-ann.blogspot.com/2008/05/little-challenge.html)
I love your closet! Great idea.
first time posting, but i totally love you.. im sure you get it all the time. in my life, i try to emulate your pictures and photography and creativity.. i know. i’m weird. i absolutely LOVE the closet. L.O.V.E. it.. anyways. thats all.. thanks
I’m also going to do a portion of the walls with black chalkboard paint - thanks to inspiration from you,Tara! My husband refuses to do the kitchen cabinets that way, so I’m going to have an area in the studio near a big window where kids can create their own “backdrop!” I’m so excited!
Oops - posted the first part of that in another section - I’m talking about the new studio I’m moving into - in TWO WEEKS! My current landlord’s untreated and severe mental illness led to an early termination of my lease (by me) - so I’m planning to move in on May 15 instead of June 15. And I have a huge family sitting on May 17. AAaaahhh.
Wow! I would love to be this organized!
I LOVE that closet!! I have so much boring functionality blah, blah, blah in my house. I would love to have a fun suprise like that! Hmmm…..OPAM…..sounds like I need to join in!
Fabulous closet. LOVE the pink. I am so totally going to do OPAM. Thanks for a wonderful idea!!!!!
I changed my project when I saw the state of our laundry room. LOL ALL DONE AND finished… THANK YOU for the challenge! http://paintedwithlight.typepad.com/lanne/2008/05/being-brave.html BRING ON JUNE!
Thanks Tara for letting me know about those photos to the right in the clip frames from Ikea!
Your closet totally inspired me. So, I re-did mine, too. Here’s a post about mine with a few photos: http://dickmanfam.blogspot.com/2008/05/new-entry-closet.html
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