baby green: Storage Stars

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Storage Stars

Whether you consider yourself an organized person or not, you're sure to have heard the old adage "a place for everything and everything in its place" at least once before in your life. It's a timeworn value that's very much alive in my house. But as both professional organizer and interior designer, the "place" must always be just as pretty as it practical.

My files live in 3 identical dark woven pandan boxes. My socks and underthings know only labeled canvas bins as their homes. Everything from the sporting equipment by my entryway to the cooking utensils in my kitchen to the Q-tips in my bathroom are all stored in appropriately sized wicker containers. Every functional storage piece I chose reflects my style and love of natural materials, is pretty to look at while serving its valuable purpose. Aside from in my attic where temperature and an imminent leak someday are factors, there are hardly any plastic tubs under my roof. (My one exception: OXO's BPA-free POP Containers for food staples like rice and pasta and for my son's markers and crayons. Plastic, yes, but still pretty cute.)

I'm pleased to see more aesthetically pleasing storage pieces on the market than ever before, for every style and taste, for children and adults alike. Function is just a given for these beauties.

Printed Canvas Storage Bins from Garnet Hill in 3 new patterns range from $28 - $48.

Handmade Senegalese Storage Baskets from Serena & Lily, on sale for $54 - $118 (shown in Aqua/Orange, also available in White/Natural, Pink and Blue).

Cargo Naturals File Box in Bluestone from Home Decorators is made from 100% recycled, post-consumer material and available in 3 other colors $36 (the collection also includes magazine butlers and boxes of various sizes).

Ikat Woven Storage Bins from West Elm range from $39 - $59.

Firenze Handbag Storage $21.99 and Open Bin $14.99, two styles from the somewhat preppy fabric-covered Firenze Storage Collection available at The Container Store.

Ikat Storage Stool $149 from Viva Terra.

Target Home Milk Crate in Paulowinia Wood $24.99 from Target.

Every healthy kitchen could use the organizational efficiency of this Farmers Market Epergne $75 from Sundance.

Patterned Storage Vanity Stool $79.99 from Bed, Bath & Beyond.

I prefer the original flea market version, but if you don't have the time to scour endless stalls, then these Industrial Baskets and Liners - Set of 3 $239 from Restoration Hardware Baby & Child are quite authentic looking.