I've posted about this before a long time ago, but after re-organizing mine the other night I wanted to post about it again--it was that fun. I have to tell you how much I love having all my design ideas & inspiration in one tidy, accessible book! I'm so grateful to my sister for sharing this fantastic idea with me.
When I see something I love (whether it be a paint color, a layout, a color scheme, a piece of furniture, an overall look, etc.), I tear it out, trim it up, slide it into a clear page protector and place it in my binder. About once I year I go through the binder and purge. In the past (pre-design binder days!) I'd see something and think, "surely I'll remember that...I love it!" but alas, I did not. Now I have this binder and I never have to worry about forgetting a great idea ever again. It doesn't take long to put together and the pay off (like the recipe binder) is awesome. I used a simple Office Max binder and then put a portion of the "101 Decorating Makeover Tips" from House Beautiful inside the cover to give it a little personality. Inside I have the pages sectioned off with tabs (bathroom, kitchen, foyer/mud room, etc.). It's a fun project and super useful as well. Give it a go!
P.S. Little S. excitedly rummaged through the pages of my binder in hopes she too would find some excellent design ideas for her future "big girl" bedroom. I'm sure she found something but since she can't communicate past "mama", "papa", "love you", or "uh-oh", I have NO idea what she wants. Perhaps we'll do this again in say...8 years? :)
Thanks for your comment! I only know Shawni through blogging and emailing back and forth. I love photography as well so I have emailed her some questions. I am taking a class right now from Nicole Hill (a little sussy blog) and have been loving it! We have found living here (we've been here now 2 yrs) really really hard! We both LOVE love to eat at nice restraunts and have found some really good ones. Our favorite at the moment is Setabellos and Cucina Tuscana downtown. My house is very Seattle and decorated quite modern and people are totally blown away with this concept of "different"! I love seeing all the recipes you have tried and can't wait to try them myself. The cupcake store you just went too sounds fun. I'll have to give it a try. Anyway, great to meet ya!
ReplyDeleteOh, I was going to comment on this post....I have started doing this exact same thing with my boys school work and projects. Each one has a big binder and they put their "special" work in there. They love to look at it and remember when they did this..etc. It is nice also because I can refer back to it for something and they can as well. Great concept! I am trying to do something similar to all my recipes..any suggestions on what you have done??
We really have so much in common Steph. See post:
ReplyDeletehttp://lobotomeblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/weekend-organizing.html
Happy St. Patty's Day!
I have one of these too Actually I had to have a volume I & II since it got so big. It is fun to look back at what was inspiring to me a few years back also.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous idea! I bet your girl is already brewing up some amazing ideas of her own!
ReplyDeleteI've really got to get with it and start one of these. Currently I have a few pages placed in a file labeled "Nice Things," but how much easier would a binder be? Much more presentable anyway. Thanks for posting this!
ReplyDelete