Oh Martha! My love, hate relationship with the Queen of Good Things

I've always had a love, hate relationship with Martha Stewart. I have a few of her decorating books. At one time I even subscribed to her magazine. I always got frustrated because she made everything look so darn easy and perfect. I on the other hand struggle with picture placement in my own home. The curse of a decorator is never being satisfied with your own home. Maybe I should take The Nester's advise, "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." I've never considered myself in the same league as Martha. I do come up with some pretty cool ideas sometimes which gives me that tingling feeling like when you were in school and you knew the answer to the science question. I never "see" what others "see" in me though. My mother calls me Martha Stewart and it drives me crazy (sorry Mom). I don't have O.C.D., 50 "idea people" on hand, or tons of cash (she still has a few dollars in her account). Anyhoo...

I guess I like to pour salt in my wounds because I signed up to receive her Enewsletter. Every week I receive the Martha Stewart Newsletter via email. Some of the time I see the same old thing (color coded bins, apothecary jars in the bathroom, etc.) until today. Eureka! I was perusing the organizing category and found this little marvel. It is a home office made out of a storage trunk. Those hope chests and unused toy boxes now have a purpose instead of sitting in the basement collecting dust. These mini-offices are perfect for a teen bedroom or dorm, small apartment or home. Placing a box cushion on top would also give you extra seating.

I have attached a picture and directions directly from the Martha Stewart Website. If you have any great storage tips and would like to share them, please leave them in the comments section and I'll post a few.


The directions from the website are as follows:

• To make the bulletin board: Cut a piece of 1/2-inch-thick cork (available at office-supply stores) to fit the underside of the lid; affix it with craft glue.
• To make the sliding supply organizer: Cut two strips of molding to fit inside the long sides of the chest; use small nails to attach a strip along each side, several inches below the lip, to support a tray (as pictured).
• To make the tray: Cut a piece of kraft paper the length and width you'd like the tray to be (make sure it will be wide enough to rest on the strips of molding), and mark the depth needed on the template. Bring the paper to a home-supply store that sells wooden drawer organizers, and arrange enough organizers on top of the paper to cover the surface. At home, paint the organizers to match the chest, and let dry. Use wood glue to attach to one another.
• To create a filing system: Insert adjustable hanging file-folder frames inside the chest.

Happy Organizing!