Kitchen safety

I've organized several kitchens lately that have suffered from the same problem - unsafe food prep utensils. And we're not talking about kitchens that are not clean, we are talking about things that people just don't notice or think of as a hazard in their kitchen. My list looks like this:

1. Rusty tools - wire whisks that are made of an inexpensive material and have rusted from use with liquids. They are also collecting food particles between the wound wire. I make a point of tossing these particular types of whisks whenever I can and replacing it with a safer variety.

2. Crudy can openers - food collects around wheels of the opener and cakes on until the opener isn't even sharp anymore. I toss my can opener into the dishwasher everytime I use it.

3. Old wooden spoons and cutting boards - Wood cooking spoons and cutting boards should be bleached regularly to keep them from collecting bacteria. Better yet, trade in your wooden utensils for some of the newer materials that can be tossed into the dishwasher.

4. Things in the kitchen that shouldn't be - hate to bring this up, but.... cat litter boxes should not be in the kitchen. Neither should insect sprays or any other poisons.

An office makes an appearance

This tiny office had all but disappeared. Our client got fed up trying to find his files, his phone or even a flat surface, so on a Saturday we went in search of his desktop...and we found it!


What we did to save the day? First, Gayle removed the cabinet doors from the overhead. This exposed the shelves so that he can actually use them without bumping his head on the doors.

Gayle also reconfigured the CPU connections so his computer could be moved to the center of the desk and he no longer has to be sitting at an uncomfortable angle to work.

Then we sifted through the piles of paper and archived the old stuff and made a filing system for the current work. And we shopped for organizing tools that would keep his desktop in order. Now, he's a happy camper in his small, but very usable space.

Toni Berry, throwing the throw

We're asking our friend Toni Berry, of Marie Anthoinette Custom Home Interiors, how do you get a "throw" to look like they do in the photos...

"There is indeed an art to throwing a Throw, and nothing warms a chair, bed or sofa like an artfully arranged cozy throw. Here are some Do's and Don'ts to make your throw look just right....

Don't fold a throw in half--it looks far too formal and proper. A throw is a popular, updated dash of color and texture and should look casual and vibrant.
The art of a throw is in the actual motion of throwing. Unfold the throw, ridding it of any folds and wrinkles, and find a point just off-center.
Do hold the throw, allowing it to hang, and just flick the wrist, tossing the throw on a sofa or chair. Leave the throw just as it landed.
Do use a throw to cover mars, rips, or other imperfections in fabric. A throw can be a marvelous decoration and covers a multitude of shortcomings."

No more fumbling now, just throw that Throw!

You can contact Toni at: email: berrys@gloryworks.com or phone: 925.862.9064

My own office reorg

Well, okay! A number of you have asked about the insides of the office armoire clean out and yes, indeed, I did go through the same process with the drawers.


I took everything out of the drawer, sorted, purged and then returned the drawer divider back into place. However, I decided to turn the divider in the other direction, giving me more space in the back of the drawer.



So there you go!