Today's Menu: Cooking up a Coat Closet

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Did you see my awesome pantry transformation {HERE}?

I am so happy with the results that it's got me on a transforming itty bitty spaces kick.

I have found myself eyeballing closets, nooks, crannies and mouse holes {I don't actually have any of those...}.

So, what's next?

I have no real defined entry in my home.  You walk into one big dining room, living room blob.  Pinterest has me making big plans to build an entry, but those are BIG plans and right now all I can handle are the teeny tiny ones.  So what goes with entry ways like bacon and eggs?  

Coat closets.

I do have a coat closet and, you guessed it, it is a miniscule one.  I don't want to go knocking down walls or anything so the size is going to have to be what it is.  I do have a paint brush and a brilliantly crafty mind so this cramped closet is getting a makeover.

Here is how we're livin' right now:

Lovely waterfall of papers and all!

Looks like your average family's coat closet.  Too much stuff, not enough room, no where else to go.  Coat closets tend to be a catch all for all things that can't just go on the dining table {God I hate that!  You don't have to set everything on the first flat surface you see upon entering the house!}.

When I first started brainstorming I was thinking, without a doubt, light, soft, shabby chic.  I had a ton of great ideas and I was feeling really great about it until I saw a picture of a living room in my old September 2011 issue of Better Homes & Gardens.  I saw the picture and knew that that was going to be my living room {my own version of course} and then I had one brilliant idea after another popping into my head about how I was going to blend it with the dining room, coat closet and kitchen.  BAM!  DONE!

{Well not done since I still have to do all of the actual work - just a minor detail.}

I have got a lot of tasty ideas and I can't wait to mix 'em up!

Here are a few tangible goodies that have the feel I'm dreaming of:

From top left: Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source

I am undecided on which color I want to use on the walls, but I know I want it to be happy and bright.

I want to eliminate the bar and hang coats and my purse on hooks instead {most of those coats need to go!}.

I want 2 or 3 storage containers for shoes, hats, etc.  I am thinking chicken wire and/or vintage milk boxes...

I want to remove the valiant attempt at mail organization because it is clearly not serving it's intended purpose any longer.

I want to make a pretty little cover for my vacuum.

I want to open the door to this little coat closet and know that I am home!

Step 1:  I think I will start this project with a little bit of fabric.  Pretty vacuum cover here we come!