It was time at Coteau Valley Farm to give the pantry a little TLC. So I made the managerial decision to organize and implement the project in order to make the pantry look like a well ordered room full of useful space and bright paint. I began working through all the steps in my mind about how the pantry would look when the job was completed. I then rolled up my sleeves and got to work. I immediately ordered some storage containers and baskets for storing food, some things that were useful to make it look professional and well organized. I did not really know where to start so I just typed the word pantry into the Amazon search bar and about a million ideas appeared on the Amazon website. Ideas well thought out by Amazon employees who work tirelessly to sell me the finest products at any time of the day or night, we owe them some gratitude for their endless commitment to consumers. Even here in the far northeast corner of South Dakota, Amazon will deliver packages to your front steps in about two days time, in my opinion that is pretty quick service. Anyhow, and meanwhile, I patiently awaited the short two days for delivery, kind of like waiting for the Pony Express only with big moving vans, and the orders began piling onto my doorsteps. I carefully looked each box over to check for any damage to the outside of the box. As I opened a few of the boxes I noticed they needed to be assembled which I was unaware of when I bought them. This sort of annoyed me as they did not specify that they were not put together. I am unsure if it said they needed to be assembled or not but even if it did say assembly required, why didn't the picture show a pile of pieces needing put together instead of the finished product? Still, I was happy I had a few supplies to get the job started and I knew that it was time to pat myself on the back for having purchased them so quickly and with no glitches, so I told myself, great job, keep it moving. My next step was one that was a little out of order, assuming there was a proper order to this project. Perhaps it should have been completed before I made any decisions to tidy up the pantry, but it was not and I hastily went down the hall to open the pantry door and I just kind of looked around inside the pantry, because I wanted to know exactly how bad the situation was inside. Honestly, I just had vaguely noticed a big mess a few days earlier and the plan sprouted in my mind quickly upon noticing that mess. Either way, upon opening the door I knew instantly I probably should not have decided to powder up the pantry. The pantry was a huge mess and at first it may have seemed like a real piece of cake job to accomplish, in my mind way back then, when I thought it should be cleaned. Standing there in the doorway of the pantry things changed and I knew right away after looking inside the pantry that it was not going to be easy and I did not want to clean up the pantry at all. I was really put out for a minute because I new that I had already lost interest and had no desire to proceed. I had to come up with a backup plan quick. I can't really remember how I conned my husband into 'helping out' but I think it was when I just was real honest and said, "I am redoing the pantry, alone, and I got it under control." After that I noticed he quickly made some hasty decisions and took over the finer details of the project, like doing it, and my plans started really rolling and I knew at that time that I had made a good decision to start this project. I mean, come on man, the pantry was a mess it really needed to be given that love. I can be honest now and tell you, much like most of my plans that I quickly make, I did not really think about just how hard the job would be to actually finish. Although the pantry looks empty and it does not look like a large amount of things on the shelves... surprise, there was a lot of pantry food in that room. In fact, it was a cringe-worthy amount of work and one that may have or may not have broke a weaker person's will to continue on and manage such a big job. The reality is, I was not too phased by the set backs I was coming upon and I kept focused. Shockingly, the next job happened to be harder, the removal of the shelves inside the pantry, it was hands down a lip tightener and eye opener. I learned quickly that all the shelves had these individual hooks and brackets that held them in place and attached to the wall. Once the shelves were removed the brackets needed to have this tight, detailed painting, very close to them and the moldings also needed precise painting around them, which is hard. Oh, I almost forgot the ceiling needed painted (which was another surprise). "Wow, oh wow, yea." I was so happy my husband was so willing to do the work, let's just say that it paid off in the end to let him know my plans! The paint he used is a beautiful blue with bright white ceiling paint. The pantry now looks really nice and organized, and clean. I am also pleased with all the baskets and canisters and things I bought to situate the pantry food. After they were assembled, they looked exactly like what I pressed buy for initially, and that was a good thing to see. All in all, this was a really well planned project that I am super happy with the final outcome. Let me know what you think of the outcome and also, please give me the 'old high five' for my creative thinking when I was in a bind with all the hang-ups I ran into along the way. It's fun to find ways to get through the pit-falls and overcome any anxiety that a busy project entails and in the end everything looks great! I am excited to say that since this project went so much better than I'd planned. I've already begun another project. The laundry room is in tall order for a facelift. I ordered a new washer and dryer and although it will take a bit longer to arrive than the pantry items, the washer and dryer will soon be delivered by my friends at Home Depot. I cannot even wait to tell my husband my plans and let him know how, I got this under control! ;) Check out the before and after picture above.
Let me know what you think!
Wow! What a job! Louise you are it! :)
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