****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
This little treasure of a book turned out to be much more than I expected. Scattered amid the practical and the stylish is a sense of humor that keeps the tone peppy and fun. Advice like "not putting a mirror in the dining room at a level where you catch yourself in "mid-chew" had me both howling and nodding my head in agreement. In the middle of kitchen organizing ideas, Koll & Ellis admonish us that "ancient powdered oregano" will do little to enhance our cuisine! (How old are YOUR spices?)Immediately, they helped us solve a problem we have had for years. Not being blessed with an entryway or foyer of any sort, I disliked having guests walk right into the living room. We had installed a hardwood entry section cut into the carpet, but it still lacked definition. After reading this book, we changed the way the furniture was arranged, added a few items and "created" organization and a "space" where there was none. We turned our sofa with the back perpendicular to the doorway. This created a long barrier to walking right into the room. On the wall opposite the sofa back, we put a console table with three woven storage baskets with lids on the bottom shelf, adding tons of DVD storage. This gave us a "zone" that ushered guests into the room in a structured and organized manner.You will especially like the Cool Weather/Warm weather tips. There are sidebar notes on most pages, and excellent photographs which show real, liveable rooms, not show houses. Examples of new fresh ideas of storage abound.This book got us thinking...Being organized is the result of being mindful. When you think about it, it doesn't take that much longer. The authors suggest to us that neatness creates order,calmness and a positive energy. Keeping the kitchen counters free of unnecessary items and clutter has made ours more fun to use. This can apply to your refrigerator, medicine cabinet and junk drawers!You will love this book, and it will spur you on to think of your own ideas for organizing your home and creating a home. This book would make an excellent gift for friends and loved ones. It should be "Standard Issue" for Newlyweds and new homeowners!
