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Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Where Do I Keep it All?

Congrats to The Tablescaper who is celebrating her first year blogiversary with a terrific meme and I thought I'd join in the fun.  I'm excited to see how others store all their dishes and pretties.

And since it all has to do with tablescapes, I'm linking to Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday as well.

To the people I know, it seems like I have a lot of dishes/pretties but compared to other bloggers out there, I better go shopping!

This is the Dish Pantry Mr. Delight made for me in the closet of our son's bedroom when he moved out.

These pictures are from last year and I've since "added to my collection" and Mr. Delight is promising to add more shelves in this bottom area.(He really is a "delight"!)



My glasses and stemware are kept in this china cabinet.



I have a closet in a downstairs room that I use for all my tablecloths, runners and placemats.
I used to keep my napkins here as well but
 have moved them to an empty chest of drawers in a spare bedroom as they were continually getting messed up!
 I have grouped them in sets of 4 napkins and put an elastic around each set.






This is another closet in my daughter's old room which is where I store my vases, candle holders and other pretties when not in use.


I got a little "kiddie" step stool that folds up so I can reach the top shelf easily.

Another dresser in this room holds all my candles, a drawer for votives, a drawer for tealights, a drawer for pillars, etc.




Yet another chest of drawers in the basement holds various "supplies" for tablescaping.




Do I dare say, there is ANOTHER dresser in the basement that houses all my smaller candle holders.


I'm pretty sure all tablescapers are looking for the IDEAL storage for their dishes and pretties no matter where they live.  
After trying to come up with the perfect solutions, I've realized no matter how you store things (not just dishes), ultimately you will have to CLEAN and STRAIGHTEN every so often.
There is no ideal method that does not involve some of that!
I'm fortunate though that I didn't get into this hobby until after my kids left home and I can now use their closets and old dressers!

Although it involves a bit of running around (aka exercise) if I put it altogether, I can end up with something like this...and that's the fun of it!

 
 Thanks for stopping by. 
Do you have room for all your "stuff"?

37 comments:

  1. Hi DD! You are way too neat! It takes the fun out of finding things you forgot about! LOL..
    This is fun looking at everyone's stash! So many of us (nuts) out there! :)

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  2. I got tired running from closet to closet and room to room with you. lol

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  3. You are soooo organized!! Maybe this will get me going in that direction. Everyone has so many great little tricks they are using. Thanks for sharing. I am also having a giveaway, stop by and check it out.

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  4. Wow! you have well stocked closets etc. I like how you have everything organized so neatly.I have never seen so many napkins and you set such a pretty table with all your pretties!

    Carolyn

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  5. Very well organized, DD!! I'm impressed with how straightened everything looks.
    Those shelves in the kids closets were a brilliant idea!

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  6. Great storage. I think that once the kids are gone their closets make the best storage. I agree the running around can be fun, not but it is still fun to gather it up and play and make a pretty table just like you have done!

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  7. Oh you are so organized, love your napkins drawer.

    Hugs
    Charo

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  8. I can't believe all those napkins! I'm lucky my kids are out of the house too or I'd never be able to tablescape. I wouldn't have the time or the space. I have turned an extra bedroom into a "dish room" for all my fun things.

    You have a great system here and lots of pretty things. I love the table setting.

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  9. What a great idea to put that elastic around each set of napkins. I'm going to have to steal that idea and also commandeer someone's dresser to put them in. Enjoyed seeing your spaces!

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  10. AnonymousJune 01, 2010

    Oh, you lucky dog! I love your dish closets your hubby has put together for you! You are so very neat with your stashes!!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  11. You sure are organized. Look at thoise bundled napkins! It is so interesting to see where everyone keeps all their dishes. I like the shelves Mr. DD built for you. What a delight!..Christine

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  12. Thank you so much for coming to the party and sharing in the fun. But I think we need to take you shopping! I can see some available space in there!

    If I have to wait for my children to leave home to find more space, I'm in big trouble! You make me realize I didn't show my stash of napkins - and I recently reorganized that area. Ah.. another day.

    I too get a lot of "exercise" when I set my tables. Something is always on another level!

    Thanks so much for joining in the fun!

    - The Tablescaper

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  13. DD,
    Everything is so neat and organized. I love it and your tablescape is lovely.

    Carol

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  14. Wow, you ARE organized! I love the way you've utilized closets so effectively. And I'm coveting your amazing napkin collection! Thanks for sharing your storage solutions!

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  15. wow! love your stemware!and you have them all neat in the closet, so organised! thanks for sharing..

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  16. You mean it's okay to use the kids' rooms once they move out?----woohoo, I'm off to the store!!!!! Seriously, I just want to know how you get them to take their "stuff" with them! You are very organized! I love linens almost as much as I love dishes--you have a great collection!

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  17. You are soooo organized! Everything looks so neat and orderly. I think it was considerate of your children to leave home about the time you started collecting dishes! laurie

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  18. Hello,

    I must say that you make a good case for kicking the children OUT! LOL

    Thanks for letting me peek and dream at your great organizational skills.

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  19. Wow, I need to take lessons on organization from you!
    I am looking forward to seeing a tablescape using the lime/aqua glassware...they are beautiful.

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  20. What wonderful organizing and so pretty and tidy everything looks! So many pretty dishes and linens. thank you for sharing!

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  21. It's so organized! There are so many fun things I wish I could borrow. :)

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  22. Using a dresser to store napkins is a great idea! Unfortunately and fortunately my kids dressers are still full -- three are still at home. I love your beachy table! Joni

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  23. I just wish I was as organized as you!! I have a closet that i've got to put shelves in because I'm running out of bookcase room. I have a problem keeping my linens organized especially.

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  24. Wow, your candle collection is amazing! I love the candles you have over in America. You have some amazing napery too... I love everything you have!

    I love how you have organised everything too-thanks for sharing your great ideas.

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  25. Delightful DD! :) Your storage is fantastic! I too use a dresser for linens. Linens, clothing....what's the difference!?! I love the nautical tablescape! The big shell in the centerpiece is really beautiful!

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  26. All the tablescape items are so well organized and I love all your ideas. I have a panty dish closet and it's packed to the max........

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  27. I love the storage solutions. Now I've an excuse to purchase some more chests? Ya think Hubby'll go for it......me neither.

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  28. i can't believe how much you have,,, its so amazing... I dont' have that much yet.. LOL

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  29. You are so very organized! Your table is beautiful. I love the centerpiece and the floating candles. You did a great job.
    Come by my blog and win a $50 gift certificate from CSN.
    Sherry

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  30. Wow - you are giving me the inspiration to try to get organized! Now if you could give me the perservance to keep at it. . . . What a great "library" of tableware!

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  31. how awesome is that. I dont feel so crazy anymore! Thank you for sharing your fabulos collection.

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  32. Super post. You get to go all over your beloved home collecting things to prepare tablescapes for your guests.

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  33. Wow! I'm a newlywed and just being to amass my collection of tablescaping essentials, now I have an idea of how to keep it more organized.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  34. What organization! Love those shelves in the closets...it is amazing how much "exercise" you get preparing for TT :-)

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  35. Wow! Now I don't feel as bad about all my storage!!! When I owned the store, I had a huge warehouse where home stuff could be stored along with work stuff. Now that I'm "retired", I have had to find creative solutions throughout the house, one of which was to have another storage room built on adjacent to my dressing room. It, along with all the other storage nooks & crannies in the house, is stacked to the hilt. Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to publicly show it. We still maintain an off-site storage space, as well, for some of the larger pieces. I will be glad when my husband moves all of his stupid medical equipment out of there and into his clinic so that I can have more space:-) Your hubby is a treasure for taking the time to create that closet space for you!

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  36. I enjoy your website everytime I go to it. You are so creative and talented. I truly admire all of your designs and tablescapes. I do a monthly cooking class/luncheon and I try each month to do a different and beautiful table for the ladies. Your website has given me many ideas. Please keep adding to it, I love your work. My husband is now making me shelves to house all of my stuff as well. It is such fun, I love planning my table each month. Cordially yours, In The Kitchen With Betty

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  37. Great storage ideas... I especially like the napkins in the dresser drawers! Thanks for sharing some storage inspiration. :) Liz

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