How to Install Overhead Garage Shelving

During our move into our new home we used our garage as a staging area as we brought boxes and furniture into the house. Unfortunately, our home filled up before we completely emptied the garage. We moved into a larger space, but we didn’t want to clutter the inside with gear and stuff that we only used once a year. The simple solution was an overhead garage shelving system that would keep our valuables sheltered and protected, but up off the floor and not stuffed in closets.

We first saw Fleximount overhead garage shelving on the Kim Six Fix, and realized it was the exact storage solution we were looking for. The shelving did wonders to declutter her space, and her garage ceiling was even lower than ours. We reached out to Fleximount and they sent over three of their overhead storage shelves for us to use. We went with two of their 3 x 6 shelves and one 3 x 8 shelf.

Our two-car garage is really only large enough for one car, but with all of our tools, tool cabinets, camping gear, and sports equipment, just squeezing in one car was going to be a tight fit. Fortunately the ceiling in the back of the garage is raised 5 feet, which dramatically increases the volume of the garage space, and makes it ideal for overhead storage.

We started by first installing the 3 x 8 foot shelf. The instructions were simple and all of the necessary hardware was included. The hardware was all very heavy duty. From the bolts to build the shelves as well as the hanging brackets, everything was solid.

The first step was to mark where the ceiling brackets would be installed. They require wood studs, so we used our RYOBI stud finder to locate them, and then measured 16-inches to find each subsequent stud. The Fleximount racks can also be installed into concrete ceilings as well.

We then used a drill to pre-drill holes for our bolts to bit into and used an impact driver to secure the bolts through the brackets and into the ceiling. Once the brackets were determined how low we wanted the shelf to hang. We decided to keep it flush with the lower section of the ceiling which maximized the amount of storage and also looked the best. The height can be adjusted from 22″ to 40″, which is plenty of room to customize your space.

Once the brackets were attached to the ceiling the shelf easily fit onto the bottom of the brackets and was then secured from there. The entire unit felt extremely stable and we had 100% confidence that it was securely installed. 

We then loaded it up with camping gear, fans, and baby stuff. The possessions that we wanted to keep and know exactly where they were, but was also not vital to using on a weekly or even monthly basis.

The alternative to using the Fleximount was to build our own overhead garage shelves, but that DIY process seemed to long for the limited amount of time we had to get our garage organized. These ready to install shelves can be installed in a couple hours and honestly look better than anything we could have done.

If you need to organize your garage, then look no further than the Fleximount garage storage shelves.

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One Desk Styled 3 Ways

Disclosure: The Home Depot provided me with product and compensation. The opinions I have shared about the products are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

I recently teamed up with The Home Depot to feature one of their products in my home, and I had so much fun styling it! The objective was to show you one desk styled 3 ways. I had such a hard time deciding where to keep it permanently because I absolutely loved it in all three places. The thing that I love about desks in general is that they are such versatile pieces of furniture. This one is beautiful! It’s the Anjou White Wash Desk, and it is currently available in “Natural.”

DESK AS ENTRYWAY TABLE

First, I styled the desk as an entryway console table. This particular desk is the perfect size and style to be used for this purpose. I love the modern, clean lines and the mixed materials. The juxtaposition of the dark metal and the whitewashed wood is so pretty. I also love that the drawers provide storage for things like mail and other miscellaneous “stuff” that tends to end up in the entryway drop zone.

I stashed a couple of oversized baskets underneath the table to hold shoes, jackets, backpacks, and anything else my kids generally decide to drop on the floor as soon as they come through the front door. Now there is a place to put it where people won’t trip over it!

The little gold dish is perfect for dropping keys in.

DESK IN MY HOME OFFICE

Next, I used it for its intended purpose, as a desk in my home office, aka “mom cave.” It’s larger than the desk I had in here before, and I love that there is storage since I didn’t have any before. I also like that there’s an option to lock the drawers in place so they can’t slide all the way out, or unlock them so they can. I decided to keep them locked so a certain resident toddler doesn’t come along and yank them out onto the floor.

I made the abstract art above the desk using a drop cloth as the canvas.

I decided to hire a professional stylist to help me with this project. He swore he was of legal working age, but he looked a little young to me. Hmm … At least he was cute.

I decided to let him hang around for a while.

DESK AS BEDSIDE TABLE

Last but not least, I styled the desk as a bedside table. We actually already have a desk on the other side, but this one is so pretty and I actually like it better.

I made the abstract art, and kept the decor simple with a clock, a pair of antlers, and a brass planter which holds an orchid that I’m sure I will promptly kill. (I’m not so good with plant life, but I’m working on it.)

While I loved the desk in each of these three spaces, I ended up keeping it in our entryway. It’s the perfect addition to that space, and I love that it’s more substantial than what we had there before. The added storage is a plus too!

If you love this desk as much as I do, here are a few similar items you might also like:

• Montrose White and Sonoma Oak Computer Desk
• Mason Black Desk
• Tracey Gray Desk
• Canal Northern Oak Desk
• Weathered Oak and Chrome Writing Desk
• Emery Salvaged Oak Desk

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Thanks for visiting!

-Erin

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Sleep Better with the Spoon Mattress

All of the latest studies indicate that a good night’s sleep is more important than we realize. But work, family, and other distractions, can lead to insomnia and sleep deprivation for many people. Once you finally lay down, a comfortable mattress is the key to a sleeping through the night versus tossing and turning and waking up exhausted and sore. The new Spoon mattress is not just another foam bed-in-a-box, they’ve taken a new approach to building a bed you will love.

Spoon Sleep features a state-of-the art supportive sleep technology of Spoon pillars that respond to the body like an innerspring but also withstand the compression or wear and tear of an average sleep. These foam pillars are designed to be the most durable foam in mattresses to-date and literally spoon the body, providing flexible support with
each shifting movement. The memory foam is also a cooling comfort layer that regulates temp and creates a cooler sleep environment.

Spoon is the only mattress brand to feature these pillars. A nice visualization might be how a traditional coil/spring supports the body in key places. Well that’s what these pillars do. They are placed where the shoulders, back and hips require additional pressure point support. Also they are super durable. They lose less than 1% of their volume after 100,000 compressions. To put that in perspective. Other memory foam loses about 10%. That doesn’t seem like much but that’s an inch of “sink” in a 10″ mattresses. Which forms that dreaded sleep pit you can experience as your mattress ages.

A spill-resistant cover guards against spills and accidents and allows for maximum airflow to keep the mattress cool and clean. Designed and manufactured in the US (Chicago actually), the Spoon Sleep mattress is shipped to your door, compressed and easy to move and set-up. 

Going beyond all of the mattress specs and features, we needed to know how the mattress felt after a weeks worth of sleep. Our friend, Matt, suffers from lower back pain. He tried the Spoon mattress and shared his thoughts below.

When the Spoon mattress arrived it was heavy, over 100 lbs. It might be a two-person job to move it into a room, but I was able to just throw it over my shoulder like a lumberjack would a log and carried it upstairs.

The Spoon mattress was wrapped really tight but install was very easy – they provide a tool to cut the shrink wrap without damaging the mattress. Took maybe 15 mins to set up including opening the box.

Prior to the Spoon mattress I had been sleeping on a latex (coil-less) mattress for the past 10 years or so. I suffer from lower back pain, which is what prompted me to try a different mattress. After the first night sleeping on Spoon my back pain was gone and I haven’t experience any since.

The Spoon mattress feels like it runs on the firm side of the spectrum which is a perfect fit for us. It’s truly comfortable whether sitting or lying down. Our previous mattress was very uncomfortable in a seated position. 

The Spoon mattress is a lower profile and puts us closer to the ground – it’s only around 10” high. Our bed frame sits up higher so the lower profile spoon was a nice surprise.

Movements on my side of the mattress don’t transfer over to my girlfriend’s side. She can’t feel my movements at night or when I get out of bed. If only it could mute my occasional snoring then it would be perfect (maybe spoon 2.0 upgrade)!

In a crowded field of bed-in-a-box companies, the Spoon mattress has separated itself with its innovative technology and performance that we can definitely vouch for. 

Available for purchase on Amazon or through their website. Prices start at $700 and feature free shipping, returns and a full 100-night trial period. 

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How To Recycle Your Christmas Tree

A dry Christmas tree is a fire hazard, and also makes a big mess as it drops needles. Here’s how to recycle your Christmas tree and give it a new purpose beyond the holidays.

Christmas trees should not be disposed of in landfills, and most communities have laws prohibiting cut trees and yard waste from being dumped in the trash.

Recycle your Christmas tree by contacting your local recycling center or waste management company for information on where to drop off your tree. Some recycling centers have a separate “treecycle” area for discarded Christmas trees.

Before recycling your tree, make sure you’ve fully undressed it by removing the lights and packing away the ornaments. Make certain all tinsel, hooks and wires have been completely removed.

Recycled Christmas trees are put through a chipper and the mulch is used for erosion control, landscaping or trail surfaces.

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2017 Christmas House Tour

A few weeks ago I agreed to join a Christmas House Tour with a group of my blogger friends. Several weeks can sometimes be enough time to knock out a serious amount of work. So I wasn’t completely out of my mind for allowing myself to think that making this commitment would give me a […]

The post 2017 Christmas House Tour appeared first on Sawdust Girl®.

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Paint with Plaid on Facebook Live

One of the brands I work with a lot (as most of you know) is Plaid®. (Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Plaid, but all opinions are my own.) I love working with them because I get access to fun new products and I’m always learning new things and being challenged to create and try new techniques. A few months ago, Plaid started doing fun “Paint with Plaid” Facebook live stream paint parties, and I have been lucky enough to attend a couple of them in person. This month though, I decided to paint along from home. We painted a Christmas tree, and they made it so easy! I’ve never considered myself to be a very talented artist, but they show you step by step exactly how to make each painting, and the process basically allows anyone to become an artist.

First, I gathered my supplies.

I had a scheduling conflict and wasn’t able to paint along live, but luckily the replays of these events live on their Facebook page and can be accessed at anytime. I had fun just enjoying a relaxing night of painting alone, but this would be such a fun girls’ night in! In fact, I have a post with tips on hosting the perfect craft night, and you can check that out here. I know some couples even do these as a date night at home which would also be fun. Here’s my setup for a craft night I hosted a while back:

I grabbed my laptop and painted along after the kids went to bed one night. It was peaceful and therapeutic and so much fun!

Here’s my final masterpiece!

These Facebook live events are monthly, and you can find out more by following Plaid on Facebook. This is such a fun way to learn the basics of how to create art. This painting in particular would be a really fun and personal gift for your loved ones since it’s something you can create on your own. You can find the supply list for this “Holiday Magic” painting here, and you can watch the replay below. (You can also access the library of past live streams here.)

Also, now through December 31, 2017, you can use promo code “ErinSpain” at checkout at PlaidOnline.com to get 25% off your purchase of $25+.

Will you be creating any handmade gifts or works of art for your loved ones? I would love to hear about it!

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Thanks for visiting!

-Erin

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