Even before we owned a house, even before we were married, Mr. Oodles and I were devoted to watching "This Old House." I realize, in retrospect, that there were only certain parts of it that I enjoyed. I liked the segments featuring Tommy, and I always admired Norm's work. The plumbing and heating guy, though - I just could not get as excited as he did about pipes and ductwork. (Even though I am a very big fan of both plumbing and heating as a general principle. They just aren't very interesting. Lord knows I've tried. I watched the entire This Old House episode that featured a tour of a toilet factory, and let me tell you, it was excruciating.)
Anyway, it occurred to me during Week #2 of my kitchen-cabinet painting project that the only part of This Old House I really liked was the season finale, just as the house was being finished. A decorator would make a brief on-screen appearance, a few paint colors were mentioned, and voila! the house was done, there was a big party, and the credits rolled. I always felt a little cheated. Like maybe the toilet factory should have made a brief on-screen appearance, and more time might have been devoted to paint colors or furniture selection. You know. The fun stuff. I miss the fun stuff.
That's why I painted the little sewing caddy. I needed something just a little bit fun to get me through painting all those cupboards and drawers. When I found the caddy, it was brown, with a polyester doll of some sort glued on the top. It wanted the doll to be ripped off and thrown away, and then it wanted to be red, and now it is.
The thing you forget when you paint your kitchen cupboards is how much stuff is inside of them. And how you really should sort through everything and organize them, since you've got to empty them out anyway. And how that's going to add even more time to a project that can't end quickly enough. Here's what was inside just two drawers. And they really weren't jammed full or all that disorganized. But it was clear I didn't need a lot of what was there.
And so this is how it looks now. Isn't it beautiful?
OK, so that's not exactly true. This is the fantasy version of my kitchen drawer. This is how a magazine would style my kitchen drawer. As if all anyone really needed was a rolling pin, a pastry brush, a pie bird and some measuring cups and spoons. It's the same with closets in magazines. My linen closet would be gorgeous if it only needed to hold six white fluffy towels and an apothecary jar full of cotton balls. My coat closet would be stunning if I only needed it to store three coats, a pair of Wellingtons and an adorable straw tote for the beach.
This is the real kitchen drawer. Not magazine-worthy. But pretty organized.
Anyway, the kitchen cabinet painting is DONE. I could not be happier. There still are walls to paint (and countertops and flooring to install) but the most tedious part is finished. I celebrated by doing something entirely uncharacteristic and purchased tickets to something that's going to be seriously, wildly fun.
That title cracked me up but I was a little worried when I saw the fantasy version of the drawer. Because how could you live without that biscuit cutter? And the melon baller? Relieved you didn't bow to the media's pressure of being lean and trim.
And Norm? I'm pretty sure he had every tool ever invented. I'm betting his drawers are crammed full. (um, that didn't sound quite right, but you know what I mean)
Posted by: Gina at Vintage Junk in My Trunk | March 21, 2011 at 09:15 AM
I know this will sound weird but I love seeing pictures of organized spaces...your "real" drawer is perfect (and makes me want to do a little spring cleaning in my kitchen).
Posted by: julie | March 21, 2011 at 09:24 AM
That little sewing caddy is *&!#@* sweet, doesn't it always brighten your spirits to paint something red? Congrats of finishing painting your *&!#@* cupboards...that is a tedious never ending job.
The only time my kitchen drawers ever get organized is when we move which happens way too *&!#@* much.
Posted by: freckled hen | March 21, 2011 at 09:56 AM
Every time I open the biggest drawer in my kitchen I exclaim right out loud, that woman who lives here really needs to do SOMETHING about this mess - LOL!
Posted by: Kathy | March 21, 2011 at 02:57 PM
Oh boy, you will enjoy those guys, I bet. They seem so nice, don't they?
It's always so nice to open those drawers and actually be able to find what you need. I organized a few drawers in my kitchen. Now, I'm working on the pantry, and wishing for pretty lace lined shelves, and everything in pretty jars. I'm doing a little bit of fancying up, but let's get real....lol!
Posted by: Lena | March 22, 2011 at 02:51 PM
*&!#@* H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S......:) You crack me up...... Like I've said before, red is always a good idea. Can not wait to see your cupboards. Congrats on completing them!
Posted by: Maria (Magia Mia) | March 22, 2011 at 06:33 PM
Whoa -- that's some pretty dang strong language in your post title. Having lived in a few old houses myself, I think I understand what you're going through. Maybe it's time to step into the linen closet for a moment and take a deep whiff of those fluffy towels.
Did you see The Kings Speech? *&!#@*, *&!#@*, *&!#@*!!
Looking forward to your Season Finale.
Posted by: Into Vintage | March 23, 2011 at 12:59 AM