Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Hooked and Hung Up


I have found the key.
The key to a solution.
The solution to the problem.
The problem being that no one in this family grasps the concepts of "closet," "clothes hangers," or "hanging clothes on hangers, in closets."

We are good and earnest people, collectively, individually. And yet we cannot seem to manage to overcome our particular challenge in the realm of closet and hanger mastery. Sometimes the problem is not with the user, but with the system. So, we are going to change the system.


Here is one glimpse of the problem: Jackets, coats, hoodies, sweaters, cardigans, vests, windbreakers, bowlers, scarves, wraps, and parkas, abandoned on every surface. On chairs. On tables. On desks. On the floor! (shocking)


Here is one glimpse at the key to what I hope will be the solution: Hooks!


Lots of hooks.

I have a had a few coat hooks stashed away, from a thrift shop or two, and my darling Santa~husband spoiled me with a wonderful stocking stuffer, so my collection grew, and I have decided that since they do not match, and little else matches in our Bird House, that we are going to go with the flow... and let my inferior decorating sensibilities take over. All of the hooks, new and old, are going on one wall. And if one wall dedicated to a dozen coats, bags, scarves and hats looks a mess... well, at least it is only one wall, and not the entire house!

Everyone gets their own hook, or two, and everyone gets a grace period when I will harp on them relentlessly to hang it up! I think this is going to work. And if it doesn't, well, they will have to leave.

Just kidding.

Or was I?


The boys made me watch Inception and now I am not sure when things are real, or if I am caught in the fourth level of someone's dream. Maybe this isn't even my cold. Maybe I am in Hawaii, and we don't need coat hooks. Hmmmm...

22 comments:

Alison said...

Ooo, brilliant! And I think there will be something beautiful about a life of coats, sweaters etc. clustered all together--a story of seasons, activities and events.

We expect pictures, of course. ;)

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Pictures. I promise. I cannot wait to see all the hooks on the wall, and all of the junk off the surfaces!

Miriam said...

Wonderful idea! There's something so guilt-provoking about a minimalist aesthetic, where everything is hidden behind doors. I much prefer the evidence of a good life all around me, but with some kind of order - the kind of order hooks will provide!

I think I need to hang some hooks near my ironing board, which is only rarely used for ironing but which functions every day as a place to drop, drape or place things...

Emily Cole said...

We had the same problem! We also put up hooks... but I had to get the generic ones at Lowe's... I think a wall of hooks will be wonderful and perfect!

Kara said...

"Maybe I am in Hawaii and we don't need coat hooks.." Literally laughing out loud at that line. Love it! Also, I remember reading some organization book that talked about making systems that work for you instead of forcing yourself into the systems... like if you always dump your mail in the kitchen, you need to make an official space in the kitchen for mail. So, right on, hooks!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Miriam... you hit on it... I admire a certain degree of minimalist aesthetic, but in lieu of that, I would just like to get coats off the table/chairs/floors! Oh, and my ironing board, when I can see it, is definitely a place that could stand the relief of alternate storage devices!

Em... I almost bought six hooks at the hardware store, especially since they will hardly be seen, but I already had my assortment started, and Geoff flattered me by saying, *go with your eclectic thing!* So, did it solve your problem?

Kara... I was dreaming, wasn't I? Oh well. I hope this system is the one for us! Next up: Where am I dumping mail?

judy in ky said...

I like your eclectic hook collection. I have some nice-looking ones lying around here, too, but no one in my house knows how to fasten them to the wall. I'm not kidding!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Judy, I am counting on Geoff to show me how to do it right. How about I get some good photos of the process, then you and I will learn together?

Amanda at 32˙North said...

I love a good hook! There were some neat ceramic-ish painted ones at Cost Plus mixed in with other pretty hardware. The letter ones... Anthropologie?

KC Randy said...

It was so funny to run across this article - we JUST got through putting up hooks in our house! And yes, they're already full...

And there's still clothes all over the floor. Must need more hooks!

Missy said...

Love the coat hook idea...we have two rows of 6 right beside the garage door. One for the talls and one row for the smalls ;-) Yet, I still find one particular smalls coat, mittens, hats, clothes peeled off right in front of the door.

Missy said...

p.s. love the vintage hooks!

d.a. said...

If it weren't for the dang scorpions crawling up the walls and hiding behind (or on!!) the clothes, I'd love to use more wall hooks...

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

D.A. ... no! Oh, no, no, no! Scorpions are definitely not good. We were on the lookout when we spent summers in Mexico. So, where are your clothes safest?

Missy... dear friend! We have one of those *peelers* too, but hopefully our hook plans will appeal to her sense of order. Happy New Year.

KC Randy... I thought one hook per family member would be sufficient, but I think I should put up as many hooks as reasonably fit, and then a few more in each room. We are on similar missions, yes?!

Hello Amanda... you guessed right, and I did find some nice over the door hooks at Cost Plus... good for bathrobes in the bathroom!

KP said...

My Mum tried something similar, though when it wasn't working, she got militant. Any clothes she found lying on a random surface got put straight away into a sack for the bin. That put manners on us pretty quick.

Susan said...

We have that problem with "transitional" clothes...you know, the ones that aren't quite dirty and you can wear them a time or two more (like jeans), but where do you put them? Not back in the drawer. Beautiful, eclectic, artistic hooks!! Yay, you, for a brilliant idea! Now I will be on the search for some of my own.

judy in ky said...

Natalie... oh yes, please put up a tutorial. We have NO diy skills here!

warren said...

We just bought a big chest...if the kids dump it, it goes in there...and they have to cope if it gets dirty or messed up...mean, huh?

ArtyZen said...

Nothing like a good hook for comments to hang on and you have a lovely selection here - of hooks AND comments! I'll be following your example for my 'peelers' (what a lovely expression)once we've got walls of our own to hang things from!
Happy New Year - may it be well hung. (Do I mean that?)

Cheyenne -Millie said...

Jackets, scarves, and hoodies in disarray! Are you sure some of the humans in this house didn't whiz by your house and therefore contribute to the problem?

Anonymous said...

I love your collection of hooks and handles. What a fun idea to spread a little whimsy around.

Housecoats and sweaters lying around are fair game for cats looking for a new nest -- at least in my household.

Tracy said...

Those are sooo PRETTY... and a VERY good idea, Natalie! Many thanks for the birthday wishes at my place. Hoping you had a BEAUTIFUL day too. ;We'll be home for New Year's Eve as usual. We like to be home with our kitty Charlie, as he hates the sound of fireworks going off around here. We have some bubbly in the fridge chilling for some excitement though. ;o) I'm looking forward to the New Year! Wishing you & yours much PEACE, LOVE & JOY in 2011! ((HUGS))