So…remember the sweet metal treats I recently picked up for almost nothing at a church yard sale? Slowly but surely, they have been finding their homes. Wanna see?
The filmstrip case fits perfectly into the IKEA EXPEDIT bookshelf up here in the loft office, right next to my desk.
For now, it’s organizing all those loose crinkly papers I’m constantly digging out of my purse. You know the ones. Not sure they are the most worthy recipients of this surprisingly spacious space (each drawer goes back 15 whole inches!) – but for now it’s cleared up quite a bit of mess. And since I’m a frequent buyer/returner, plus I’m self-employed, I do save my receipts.
I emptied out most of the old filmstrip cases that I discovered after I bought this cabinet, and made new labels for each drawer – but the bottom drawer is still filled with the original occupants. I’ll empty it soon. For now I think it’s fun to have them there, with the old label. Plus I haven’t decided what I’m going to do with all of those yummy cases, or the drawers…
So many possibilities.
Then there’s this little fellow.
I love how this entire piece is one single unit – with a filing box on top, a couple of drawers in the middle, and room for magazines or books down below. And it’s on wheels! Do you know what a sucker I am for anything metal and on wheels?!
Sigh.
I wish I had room for it right next to my desk, but I think I’ve found the next best location. There’s a tiny bit of floor at the end of my office that leads to a walk-in storage closet. Because I need to use every square inch of my miniscule office space, I’ve tried putting a shelf there before – but everything has either been too deep to walk past easily, or too wide to open the closet door all the way. This one? Voila!
And room for the door to open all the way.
I like.
I’m using the filing box to store R-kids’ most recent drawings, keepsakes, school pictures, etc. I needed a convenient place to stash them before they eventually get moved to the larger boxes that are stored in the attic.
In theory.
If I ever finish getting that system organized….
Anyway!
I do so enjoy taking old, weird things and giving them new life. Especially when I can move them into a role they weren’t originally intended for.
Which reminds me, there’s one other office gem I’m appreciating lately.
I love to wear rings, but for some reason I just cannot seem to type with a ring on. I don’t know what it is. Maybe my rings are too big, or my fingers too spindly, but it just throws off my balance to have one finger heavier than the rest. Or something. So I’ve always had piles of rings accumulating all over my desk.
The other day I noticed an old bell sitting around – one that R-kids use to get my attention when they are sick. And – presto.
Pretty. And neat.
by julie rybarczyk
