Paper vs. Tea: The Great Towel Debate

First, it was paper vs. plastic. But lately, I feel like a jerk if I even ask for plastic in the check out line. I feel obliged to casually mention how I’ll be picking up after my dog so I actually really need these bags, when the truth is I have six reusable bags in my car that I forgot to bring into the store with me.

Since I find myself at the grocery store nearly every day, I vowed to keep the reusable bags in the front seat so they’ll be in my line of sight when I’m locking up and heading into the store. I discover this works, and I’m living guilt free, and then? I stumble upon this article from the LA Times blog.

Here’s someone who has vowed to reduce paper towel usage and is actually doing it. She writes, “According to The Green Book — the bestselling guide to greening the planet — we are a paper towel-loving nation: A decrease in U.S. household consumption of just three rolls per year would save 120,000 tons of waste and $4.1 million in landfill dumping fees.”  Wow! I think I go through three rolls in a week! Am I the only guilty party here?

Image by © Lawrence Manning/Corbis

It’s not just an environmental issue, it’s an economic one too. The author drops $15 at her local big box store for a jumbo package of paper towels, and then at a similar type store finds a package of 24 bar keep towels for $12. My Kindergartener could do that math. She’s creating less garbage, and her plan has her only doing a load of tea towels and cloth napkins once a month! Hmmm, that doesn’t sound so bad.

To read the full article and discover how she does it, click here. I have to admit, I’m a rather inspired. We can save the planet, one little tea towel at a time.

Keep a design diary

Ever find yourself fingering a new towel set or enchanted by lovely drapery panels when you’re out and about, only to wish you could remember the exact shade of blue you’d painted that bathroom? Returns are no fun, and you never know when you’ll stumble on that well-priced must have item. Should you pull the trigger or not? Dilemma solved. Start a Design Diary for your home.

Image from seejanework.com

It’s an easy practice to start. Pick up a purse (diaper bag, backpack, small suitcase, whatever you’re carrying these days) sized notebook. We like these from See Jane Work.

In your diary you can designate a few pages for each room. Make a list of the items you’re searching for (window treatments, art, towels, bedspreads, lamps, furniture, accessories, etc.). If you’ve painted already and are happy with the outcome, tape the paint chip from the paint store right on the page. Staple in any fabric swatches. (No one will ever notice the small cut from your dust ruffle!) You can also attach pictures from magazines and catalogs that inspire you. That way, when you find yourself at HomeGoods with only 10 minutes to spare before your lunch hour is over or you need to pick up the kids, you can consult your design diary to determine whether that bath mat you’re contemplating will work with your colors, and whether you actually NEED it.

You can also use your design diary as a record for work you’ve had done in your home, and as a place to collect business cards from quality contractors whom you’d like to call again should the need arise.

It’s easy to tailor this concept to your home’s design needs, but making it portable is key. When you have it at the ready, you can avoid the whole “seemed like a good idea at the time” kind of buyer’s remorse that sends you straight back to the returns lane.

style your bookshelf

For a recent client, I recommended that she pare down from two domineering bookshelves in her living room to one with a less imposing design. Editing her book collection and then restyling the new bookshelf seemed like a daunting task to her, but it’s really not so hard if you follow these simple steps.

Edit down your collection

Remove everything from your shelves and start sorting. Sell, donate, or recycle any popular fiction, cookbooks, business or reference guides and children’s books that are either outdated, unused, or damaged.

Keep your prized possessions

Hold on to any books that have sentimental value to you. I have an old copy of Gone With The Wind that my grandmother gave her father for Christmas in 1936, for example; it’s a keeper. A book may have real value if it’s been signed by the author so you’ll want to keep it for sure. Also, hang on to any children’s books written before World War II because they're valuable too. Ultimately, it’s your space, and you’re the one who will be looking at the shelves most often, so keep the books that mean the most to you and reflect you and your family.

Find your shelving style

Once you’ve determined your keepers, you have lots of options with how to display them. Keep in mind, there is no right way to do this, just work it until it feels right to you. Some ways to consider are to group by color, size, or subject matter.

Image courtesy of colourlovers.com

You can shelve your books by varying the heights to achieve a skyline look. You can stack them horizontally; this works especially well for heavy hardcovers on lower shelves. Or, you can go for the traditional staircase style.

Add some accessories

Scour around for some objects that could be used as unexpected bookends. Choose other items you have to showcase–small vases, decorative boxes, picture frames, objects from nature–and work them in so that the sizing of the objects is in proportion. A small vase with a single flower looks great placed on an oversized hardcover book.

Make it work for YOUR home

Designate a basket of children’s books on a lower shelf to keep that often messy hodge-podge looking stylish and accessible. Lean a painting or framed photo on the back of the shelf for a simple and elegant look. Most of all, make it work for your family. And if you get bored with the look, it’s one of the easiest and cheapest things to makeover next week!