Homeworks: Save your sanity, organize the house

I don't know of any official campaign, but I've always considered January the month of “getting organized.” It probably has something to do with all the decorating we do in December. Once Christmas is over, the only way I am forced to put everything neatly back where it belongs is to organize things.

IKEA's shoe cabinet can be used in a mud room or foyer.

 One of the tips my mum passed along to me, and one that I've used every year, is to take the task of getting organized one drawer at a time. If you look at the big picture, you'll feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Tackling one drawer, closet or room at a time builds confidence. 

Getting organized inevitably falls into the top 10 category of New Year's resolutions, according to a report by IKEA. To help us all get started, experts at IKEA offer the following tips for organizing the home, one room at a time.

Living room

* We'll start here since the living room has become the multifunctional room of the home. Everyone knows about sleep sofas, but did you know you can get one with built-in storage. If you've got kids whose friends are always spending the night, you can appreciate the idea of having a place for the pillows, afghans, blankets and other linens. 

* Another great idea for the living room or game room is furnishings designed specifically for techno-toys such as folding laptop tables and game trees and ottomans. They not only keep the items safe from the kitten that likes to chew cords, but out of sight and organized.

* Speaking of technology, have you seen this year's selection of wall units? They are slick and some, once assembled, become a wall. What's nice about these -- unlike my beautiful oak entertainment center that only fits one way in our house -- is they can be reconfigured as media equipment evolves. 

* Now that you've got the big things such as your HDTV and stereo equipment organized, look for storage containers of different sizes and shapes but in the same color to help impart a sense of order and unity among the smaller items. Containers are available in a variety of designs from baskets and plastic bins to leather and wood boxes.

Kitchen

Use stainless steel racks and shelves to organize gadgets on a wall.

* When it comes to items designed to organize the home, no other room in the house has a bigger selection (except maybe the garage) than the kitchen. 

* One of the tips from the experts at IKEA is to organize drawers from a bird's eye view. Think about it. When you look for a spoon or a tea towel, you're always looking down. So, get some drawer dividers to section things off.

* Now wipe off that counter. This is another tip I learned by example. If you keep the countertops free from clutter, the whole kitchen looks more organized. To help with this task, look for hooks, shelves and other items that make use of overlooked wall space. A fashionable pot rack, for example, can serve as a space-saver for your cookware and culinary tools and as a decorative piece. 

* Now look below the countertops. Take advantage of every available space. Can you add a slide-out garbage or recycling bin under the kitchen sink? How about a storage rack behind the door for items such as sponges, brushes and plastic wrap. You would be surprised at what a difference organizing a few things like that can do.

In the bedroom

* If you can't stow away items such as lotion, perfume and contact lens solutions in your nightstand (because it's stuffed already), make what you have out in the open look attractive. A fancy silver tray or a mirror will not only keep everything in one organized area, but look nice as well. 

* Maximize the space in your bedroom using ottomans and benches that provide both seating and storage.

Instead of tossing your shoes and boots into the closet, get a shoe rack and consider an over-the-door hookie thing for your purses, too.

Everywhere else

* The same ideas can be applied to other areas of the house like the home office or play room. Containers go a long way to keep toys and office supplies organized.

This wall display by IKEA is both attractive and functional.

* As with the kitchen consider adding shelves and hooks to maximize the space available on a wall and keep clutter on the countertops to a minimum.

* Also, make it a resolution that whatever paper comes into the house gets put away, tossed out or recycled.

Send your comments or home and garden tips to Gina Joseph, The Macomb Daily, 100 Macomb Daily Drive, Mount Clemens, MI 48043, or e-mail them to gina.joseph@macombdaily.com.

If homes could talk

Do you recognize this home?

I'll give you a hint. It's not in Sicily where "women are more dangerous than shotguns."

Stumped?

How about this? It is a Tudor-style home with eight bedrooms, three baths, two fireplaces and a den, spacious enough for a group to discuss the family business.

Still stumped? Here's another hint. This family estate on Staten Island was once the site of a big Italian wedding, where hundreds of people were entertained by a crooner named Johnny Fontane. "Some people (would) pay a lot of money for that information; but then your daughter would lose a father, instead of gaining a husband."

If that one didn't give it away, this one surely will.

You can buy this home if you give the agent an offer he can't refuse.

"Si lei ha ragione, fantastico," as Don Vito Corleone would say. 

You are right; it is the house where they shot "The Godfather." That is, shot as in filmed the movie directed by Francis Ford Coppola (a Detroit native) and starring Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, the aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty.

Oh, and I wasn't kidding when I said you can make the agent an offer. Start with the asking price, which is $2.9 million.

The home was featured by Top Ten Real Estate Deals, an interesting site, which includes a weekly list of historical homes for sale, along with intriguing stories about the architecture and former residents. 

The "Duke's" den.

Other listings have featured California mansions formerly owned by John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe,
and an insider's look at President Obama's "Winter White House" at Paradise Point Plantation Estates in lovely Kailua. 

 

The "Winter White House" pool area at dusk.

As for the fictitious home of Don Corleone, if you take the tour remember, "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

No more public beatings on 'American Idol'

During the days of Simon Cowell, a chubby, mustached singer performing a bad version of Billy Joel's "The Longest Time" in front of Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson, would likely have been scorned.

AP photo/Chris Pizzello

"American Idol" judges, from left, Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson, and host Ryan Seacrest.

The Simon era is over.

Audiences watching the 10th season (premiering tonight at 8 p.m.) will see a kinder, gentler version of “American Idol.” Case in point: Instead of making fun of the man's dreams, the judging team encourages him to become a disc jockey instead of a singer.

"I think with every artist -- and Jennifer and Steven are legendary artists -- you have a lot of warmth and a lot of nurturing," said Jackson, the lone original judge remaining on the panel. "That's what happens. We've seen it in other seasons when we've had artists come in and mentor the singers. They really love on these kids, and I think that's good."

Paula Abdul, who was one of the original judges showed tolerance and compassion. She left and took her kindness with her. Most recently she has become a mentor on the new CBS hip-shaking competition show "Live to Dance." 

The last time the "Idol" judging panel got an injection of niceness, was when the chipper talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres agreed to take a seat behind the table. She stuck it out for one season but said it was hard to judge people and hurt their feelings. 

"We're certainly back to having fun," said executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, who rejoined the singing competition after a two-year hiatus. "At some point along the way, and we're certainly all guilty of it, we started taking ourselves too seriously. I know the ratings are a serious game, but as far as I'm concerned, my job and their job is to generate fun."

Will audiences embrace an "Idol" without criticism and rolling eyes? I would hope they do.

AP contributed to this report.

Kate’s dress? Imagine what it will be like

Now that everyone knows Prince William proposed to Elizabeth Catherine "Kate" Middleton using his mother's 18-carat sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring, the next big question surrounding the royal wedding is what will the gown look like?

Katerina Bocci Tika

"I think it will be traditional but with a twist," said Michigan fashion designer Katerina Bocci of Shelby Township.

Britain's Daily Mail concurred, adding, "It will not be some avant-garde concoction made out of neoprene and stuffed with down feathers."

It's also not likely to be of a one-size-fits-all gown.

"When Princess Diana walked down the aisle in 1981, she wore a gown of Brobdingnagian proportions stitched out of ivory silk taffeta and covered in 10,000 pearls and sequins," said Robin Givhan, in a story for the Washington Post. 

"While the dress would have overwhelmed even the most enormous personality, it practically obliterated the shy, 20-year-old Diana."

Five-years later, when Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew, she too wore a long train, minus a few cars. Her dress also featured huge puffy sleeves, which honestly, were very stylish in the 1980s.

Middleton will be 29 years old when she walks down the aisle and being a confident woman of the 21st century, Bocci is betting on a look that encompasses the historical designs of the past with the stylish trends of a modern bride.

Like a princess gown with a train (not too short, but not too long) that can be removed, to reveal a satin ivory silhouette that highlights Kate's figure in a tasteful, classy sort of way. It would not be covered with pearls and sequins, because they are completely out of style. Instead, Bocci would embroider the gown in beautiful Swarovski stones.

"I would do a cathedral veil and I would put stones on it as well," said Bocci, who was honored with the duty of designing the gown worn by Michigan's First Lady Sue Synder to the Governor's Inaugural Celebration. 

AP Photo/ Fiona Hanson/PA, File

All bets are on British designer Bruce Oldfield.

What is for certain is that Kate will be loyal to Britain.

Among the designers who are likely to be considered: Phillipa Lepley, John Galliano, Jasper Conran and Bruce Oldfield, whose name, moved to the top of the "possible list" following a visit from the bride’s mother and sister, last Thursday.

One name that Bocci would toss into the hat is Vivienne Westwood. 

Vivienne Westwood "Carrie" gown worn

by Sarah Jessica Parker in the "Sex in the City."

"She is very talented," Bocci said. "She's the girl who designed the (slim-fitting) dress for the 'Sex in the City' wedding."

 The gown featured a dart neckline accentuated with an elegant top made of ivory silk satin and finished with ivory silk Radzimir taffeta. 

"She can follow the trends of today," added Bocci.

Looking for information on how to plan your royal wedding. Check out The Macomb Daily and Daily Tribune Bridal Section.