My reveal is not quite as dramatic as on HGTV, but I'm pleased with the result. Feedback from Jeri Dansky and her readers was helpful and I saw my space through fresh eyes via the comments of others and by viewing photos of the space. Open shelving looks like open shelving and everything is on display. Since I'm committed to the shelves and like the look when the space is neat and tidy, I decided to make peace with my laundry room through a combination of clean up and attitude adjustment.
Although I had dreamed of matching white containers lined up on the shelves with lots of empty space around them and a
clean catalog look, I learned that I like my striped bins and didn't want to part with them. They work, they're paid for and I think they're cute. Therefore, my "after" is really just a clean up and a hybrid of the comments I received. I accepted that the shelves are open and unless I buy all new matching containers and get rid of my striped bins or screen off the area, it's going to be an eclectic look.
My
little, handled bins from the old cabinet did not work on the new shelves so I swapped them out for
four white bins that do work and cleaned things up. While working on the shelves, I realized that the shelves needed to be adjusted so that they could accommodate a roll of paper towels. Your utility area isn't really working if you can't store extra paper towels there.
I cleaned up the mess on the floor under the shelves and moved the
blue striped crunch can to a high shelf. It's holding reusable grocery bags and another crunch can so it's nice and light and easy to pull down when I need those things. The reusable grocery bags used to hang in my pantry. Since I don't use them very often, this is a better home for them. Also, I think the blue striped crunch can looks nice with the striped bins and even helps the large blue plastic tote relate to the space better. The large blue plastic tote still looks out of scale and out of place but it bothers me a lot less now. In the future, I'll go through its contents again more carefully, purge and consolidate those items in smaller, white containers. Right now, I'm using my time, energy and money in other ways and I'm happy those things have a home and that the large blue tote doesn't scream out at me like it did before.
I went through the extra paper bags stored in the
paper bag holder on the left side and recycled some and neatened up the remaining bags. Now that the bags are lined up and not bulging out of the holder, I don't notice them unless I'm reaching for a bag or putting one away.
The room works much better now and looks neat and organized to me.
Now, it's time to tackle the other side of the room!
If I can go through the contents of the white plastic drawers this week and get rid of those things or find new homes for them, I'm going to look for a small table at the
Alameda flea market on Sunday.
My reveal is not quite as dramatic as on HGTV, but I'm pleased with the result. Feedback from Jeri Dansky and her readers was helpful and I saw my space through fresh eyes via the comments of others and by viewing photos of the space. Open shelving looks like open shelving and everything is on display. Since I'm committed to the shelves and like the look when the space is neat and tidy, I decided to make peace with my laundry room through a combination of clean up and attitude adjustment. 
If I can go through the contents of the white plastic drawers this week and get rid of those things or find new homes for them, I'm going to look for a small table at the Alameda flea market on Sunday.
Here's Lexi checking the clearance under the desk. That can't be comfortable!
Stella took her first trip to Sloat Garden Center on Saturday. She rode in the cart and everyone asked about her.
The green planter contains all the extra plants I over-bought because I didn't read the directions first. We're going to see if they grow for a while and then eat them. In the meantime, it's a test between the Earthbox and my method of stuffing in as much as I can.
As you probably know, we have two fluffy pets. Lexi, our indoor cat who won't even step over a puddle during her rare trips outside is self-cleaning and BROWN. Stella, our fluffy dog who loves to go outside and dances in puddles, requires baths and blow-drying. She's WHITE. This is not the ideal situation. Anyone considering a fluffy pet, think about this.
Stella's pink and black carrier is really cool and well designed but it's sized for adult Stella, not the 3.8 lb. puppy I'm taking everywhere whose feet can't touch the ground.
We took Stella to the beach for the first time today. Apparently, the salt water kills viruses so you can take little puppies to the wet sand and play with less risk. She really liked it and had fun running around in the wind.
I had back to back appointments with my psychologist and psychiatrist today. They're in the same building and the appointments fell on the same day so we ran with it. I spent 90 minutes talking about my frustration with my neurologist and how he's handling my possible thyroid problem. The psychologist gave me a pep talk and some steps to regain control of the situation and the psychiatrist is going to call the neurologist and try to get to the bottom of things. Yea! Some background information: my neurologist tested my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) in December and it was high (5.26) so he re-tested in January and it was still high (4.92). He then sent me back for more tests: TSH again, T3, T4 and thyroid antibodies. Is he an endocrinologist or does he just play one on TV?
Stella's crate is in the kitchen and will some day feature a custom crate pad. We'll put in the order with RDA Tailoring once potty training looks promising and effective.
Stella will ride in style to her first vet appointment on March 2nd.
My cousin checked out the Ikea candidates yesterday and reported back that they don't look too cheap and flimsy in person but might not be the best choice for sitting back, kicking up my feet and reading. I contacted CB2 about the chair I liked last summer and heard good news back today. Yea!!! Last summer I waited and waited for the CB2 store to open in SF in the hopes that this chair would be available in the store and that it would be on sale by then. It did go on sale but it was still an on-line only item so I skipped it. This year I might just do it.
but the rain today makes me think she needs a little slicker. The hat isn't that great but the coat is cute.
Inter-species introductions follow the same basic rules of adoption as same species, i.e., choose a dog that is younger and of the opposite sex of your cat. 
