Life in Rehab is BACK! Get ready for a slew of new projects for the new year! We just can't promise we know what we're doing!

Visit Life in Rehab's new Etsy shop
And because we're good friends by now,
our readers get 25% off
by entering the promo code
REHAB when you make a purchase!
So deck out, do some early holiday gift shopping,
strut your stuff and make a statement!


I'm on a mission. If I have never EVER not once replied to your comments, you may want to check this out: No Reply?



Wednesday, May 18, 2011

You'll Get a Charge Out of This

We live in an electronic age.
You know how it goes.
The more stuff you get, the more places you need to plug it in.
How many things do you have that require recharging?
Multiply that by six, and you have my tangled cord nightmare.
And my new camera is rechargeable, so x*6+1=y,
as in why am I tripping over things all the time???
We need a solution for this problem. 
 First up, I already had this great charging station that hangs on the wall. I got it, you know, before the fire. 
It's still available at Target for $50, but I waited until it was on sale for $35.
With the walls all painted, it was time to put the silly thing into active duty, and time to teach the oldest the easiest way to hang any piece with two screw holes.
 First, stretch a piece of painter's tape across the piece to be hung over the screw holes. 
Poke through with a pencil.
Repeat on the other side. Do not let the tape droop, keep it taut.
Mark the wall where you want to hang your piece and then take the painter's tape and,
well, stick it to the wall.
There's not a lot of creative ways to say that.
 Check the tape with a level.
 Drill pilot holes in the holes you poked through the tape with a bit about half the size of the screws you're going to use. Make sure you're drilling into solid wood. If not, you'll need anchors for the next part. My house, however, only has drywall where I've put it.
 Um, screw in your screws.


 Make sure they are not completely flush with the wall.
 Hang.
 Okay, one dilemma down.
 Next, the LAN party that ensues at the dining room table. 5 laptops, and they also end up all over the place when we sit down for a meal.
 But there's not only THAT clutter and confusion...
 ...there's THIS.
 Hello, antique ice box.
 I'm probably going to drill a hole in the back later, but this is a 5 minute quick fix that was too simple. I fed that monster power strip out an existing knot hole and plugged it in.
 The excess cord got corralled with an extra long twist tie.
 Platter rack by Rubbermaid, $4.98 at KMart.
 And we have laptop storage and charging capabilities that the Minions are totally okay with. It's easier to stash them here than unplug them and cart them elsewhere.

 And I get my dining room back.
 Hey, don't give me that look.
Not EVERYTHING can be an upcycling project. I have to put stuff away sometimes.
Now get that look off your face or I'll post that laundry folding tutorial I keep threatening to do.



20 comments:

emilysnan said...

hiya OMG i cannot believe i did not think of that trick with the painters tape for drill holw s , i feel soooooo stupid thinking how many picture frames and mirrors hang in my house "hiding" the holes i have mis measured while hanging ..i am literally laughing and crying at myself at the moment , thanks sooooo much for sharing x ps your pc storage is very creative and i was smiling when i saw your laptop on the table with the glass of vino on one side and the phone on the other side doesnt matter where in the world we are we all surf the net the same !
xmaggiex

❦Bayside Gal❦ said...

Now I really know why I follow your blog! You are just too talented. Why in the world would I have ever thought to use tape to get the holes right! Never in a million years. You are my hero!!!!

Jean

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said...

I love that antique icebox!! The Rubbermaid storage idea is genius!!
Hubby does the painter's tape hanging technique and it's been a life (and marriage) saver!

Lookin' good, lady..what kind of red are you drinking?

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Brilliant!

Musings from Kim K. said...

Brilliant. I hate to admit how many laptops are laying around the house each night with cords draping every which way. It's been a long morning at work and that glass of wine certainly looks tempting. Cheers!

Heather said...

I love the trick using tape! You are so smart! We also have an antique ice box. Ours is in the kitchen, and I keep telephone books(why I keep these, I don't know!) and canned goods!

Bambi said...

GENIUS!!!

Jane @ The Borrowed Abode said...

My dear, you are a genius.

Michelle L. said...

Such a clever one, you are! Going to try this tape trick, I am. Love the icebox, I do!!!

Beth@Wiccan Make Some Too said...

Actually sunny, you artfully adhered the tape to the wall! Creative....just saying (don't hit me)

Christie describeHappy said...

Clever! I like it when things all have a home. And seriously.. just say no to a laundry folding post. N.O.

Ami Allison said...

Seriously!! That is GENIUS!

Ami with AliLilly

Michelle @ Dream Home DIY said...

Sunny you are one brilliant woman. We're over here measuring hole distances and wall spacing and you've come up with a PERFECT idea :0)

Cindy @The Flipping Couple said...

WOW! I totally need your problem solving skills to solve all my cord issues around the house. I currently have my laptop cord stretched across our entire bedroom floor. Which is.....stylish? It's also a tripping hazard. Oops.

Janelle said...

I love what you did with the laptops! I have yet to show a picture of it (or maybe I never will) but we currently have 2 laptops on the floor and you know someday, I will find somewhere to stash them when they are not in use.

Jeannies Bottle said...

I think your solution is brilliant!
And I LOVE FOLDING LAUNDRY! True Story.

Bella @ Bella before and after said...

HA HA HA, this is brilliant SUnny. You had a light bulb go off for sure when you did this, lol. I don't have that many laptops yet, but I hear you about the electronic mess none the less, lol.

Thanks for linking up girl.

Also just letting anyone know why read this comment...... since Sunny already knows about it, lol......I'm having a huge giveaway $100 prize total, blog makeovers and necklaces up for grabs to 4 winners. If you think you might be interested, here's the link :) **Blog Makeover Giveaway**

Thanks girl!!
Bella :)

Unknown said...

very good ideas. I love storage and no clutter on my counters and table, but it always seems to happen! UGG I need to get organized too

Jane @ Jane's Junk and Treasures said...

What a great idea!!!
Ha I love it!!!!

Megan Gunyan said...

Love it!!! I, too am wondering why I never thought of this painters tape trick! Brilliant!! What a great idea for laptop charging !! Love it!