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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

barn storage

If you own a lot of stuff, good storage is a necessity. Making it fun is what my mother's barn is all about. Some day I will spend the afternoon snapping photos of opened cabinets and drawers... the incredible supplies filling them still makes my jaw drop! So much more than just the haberdashery of yesterday's post. Remember... my mother rarely buys new, she just knows where to look and what is worth rescuing. These skills are the reason a single parent/nursery school teacher found a way to buy her first home/barn. It's also why she's able to fill it up with such treasures. It doesn't have to take a lot of money to make dreams come true... just resourcefulness, creativity and a vision. All right, you all know how much I love her!

Let's move on to what you see when you walk up the barn stairs to the studio. To the left, you see yesterday's post. To the right you see this:

Remember to click on any photo to see more details. The steel bookshelf was a score at Salvation Army on the first day that my mother arrived for her winter trip. No one who worked there had any idea what it was or how it worked. We did and we were absolutely giddy! It's almost identical to the Sapien Bookcase from Design Within Reach, which ranges in price from $200-400. We carted it right out of there to create our favorite blend of modern and vintage for only $15 and two sore backs (quite heavy for the two of us to carry it through the snow and up the stairs, but we did it!). The armoire is from this post about moving in (look at how empty those wire racks looked back in July).


It's now filled with very special fabric... she has tubs of every kind of cloth, but these are her favorites! Some of mine, too.


To give it a little more impact, my mother lined the shelves with Chinese newspaper from our local Asian market. She wanted some inexpensive graphic interest next to the great textures of the Barkcloth. See how she used the fold of the paper to create the edge. Then she used pinking shears to make it look like little pennants. It reminds me a tiny bit of my newspaper bunting.

Now you can see where I get my love for newspaper! If you'd like some more unique storage ideas, check out this post on upcycled ladders from Grace at Poetic Home. The barn ladder shelf is featured along with some amazing other ladders. If you enjoy the barn, you'll love Grace's aesthetic. She's incredible!

Now, have any of you wondered what my mother's first project was in her new sewing corner, with all of her supplies at her fingertips? It couldn't have been more perfect... after all, she was here just in time to celebrate her youngest grandchild's fourth birthday. That's my only clue. I'll be back tomorrow to introduce my mother's first little sewing project at the barn. Have a beautiful day!

21 comments:

  1. Such a fascinating look into the barn. Your mum is obviously a very resourceful lady and I say again - what an eye!
    I am really enjoying this little peek inside.
    Have a very good day.
    Nickyx

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  2. I love the bookcase! I want one... I do have one of those invisible shelves that has yet to be put up when we finally get around to deocorating the bedroom.

    I love the newspaper as bunting too.

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  3. Everything about ;your mom's barn makes me smile. It is so full of creativity, history and maya*made and mom style. I can't wait to see what your mom has sewn.

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  4. wow two talented ladies. thanks as usual for sharing your talent and your mum's. does she have room for me there? it is lovely.

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  5. Oooo joy! Such inspiration. Such great photos. I could not help but smile.

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  6. Oooo joy! Such inspiration. Such great photos. I could not help but smile.

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  7. Creative genius clearly runs in your family. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing these lovely, fun, and affordable ideas.

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  8. Amazing. I love the fan!

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  9. I may have to steal the newspaper bunting idea - I love it!

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  10. Yay, another barn post. Can I be your mom?

    I love the way it is decorated, and I love the way the roots of your aesthetic can be seen your mom's.

    And I love repurposing and the old/new style.

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  11. I have to thank you for these posts for two reasons. One because they are so lovely and delightful and two because they have inspired me to re-organize my own space. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation!

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  12. I truly admire you and your mother for your creativity and resourcefulness. The newspaper idea is beautiful and ingenious! I can't believe I let so many of my grandmother's Chinese newspapers go to the wayside when they could have been used so cutely!

    The bookcase is a SCORE! I really like how the modern aesthetic mixes with the vintage elements of the barn.

    And can you imagine my surprise when I was reading the post and saw my name?! Thank you SO much Maya for your kindest words! Coming from someone so creative and talented as yourself, I am truly touched :)

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  13. oh man !! I LOVE the bookshelf!! What a great eclectic vibe you guys have going on in there!!

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  14. That was the loveliest 7 minutes I have had all day!!! Thank-you

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  15. That was the loveliest 7 minutes I have had all day!!! Thank-you

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  16. How wonderful to have a Mom who is so creative and inspiring

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  17. The newspaper on the shelves is so, so cute!
    What an amazing, cozy place.

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  18. that shelf lining is phenomenal. cheap & fantastic.
    love it.

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  19. I have been staring at the sweet newspaper pendants trying to figure out the perfect place to adorn a shelf in my home...sigh...xo t

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  20. I love the newspaper idea for lining shelve- doesn't the ink rub off on the fabric, though? Or does she put something between the paper & the fabric?

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  21. Thanks all! Katherine, my mother put something between the newspaper and the light colored fabrics to protect them. Great question!

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