OCD Delight

January 25, 2010 - 8:47 am melanie malone - Love those spice jars and the knife drawer. I despise counter clutter but had no where for a knife drawer,oh if only!

January 25, 2010 - 8:49 am Melissa - The bane of my existance has just been solved. Those crazy Swedes! This is a great idea-- and that knife drawer is just too cool!

January 25, 2010 - 8:52 am Keri R, - Those spice jars are so cute! I will definitely be adding them to the wish list that I have for our next house!

January 25, 2010 - 8:53 am Lorraine - I just bought those spice jars in December. I love them! They fit perfectly inside my cabinet door.

January 25, 2010 - 8:54 am Christy - ooh I gotta have these. My spice cabinet is a wreck.

January 25, 2010 - 8:57 am Darby {MommaSissy} - OCD spices sound good to me. Did they mount it inside the door of the cabinet? It looks like they did... and that knife drawer... ooh la la! Show us more cabinet details please!

January 25, 2010 - 9:36 am Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss - What a great idea! And made perfect with the cute labels. This would be perfect for my OCD self! And I'm with you- I can't read the labels on one of our shelves--- out of reach/sight.

January 25, 2010 - 9:43 am Kat - This might sounds nutty, but I am wondering if you could mount those in a freezer.... that is where all spices are best stored, anyhow, and if you don't have room in the pantry.... :)

January 25, 2010 - 9:48 am The Mom - I have tried all manner of methods for organizing my spices effectively and in the end I returned to that little round spinner tray that has a second "story" you can add on top. I actually have two of these. 'Tis true that some of the spices in the center are a little hard to see, but I have solved that problem by putting the shorter cans and extracts on the outside and the taller bottles on the inside. I also have the second spinner (my word!) loaded with my most commonly used spices so that I always have easy access. Previously, I too, used the stair step shelves but found that I could get more spices on the spinners than I could on the shelves. Hope this helps! The other looks way too labor intensive for me...

January 25, 2010 - 9:56 am Paige - wehave boon on the hunt for good spice storage for oh, i don't know, 5 years!! these are great! and got to love the ikea price tag!! thanks for sharing!

January 25, 2010 - 10:06 am alison g. (brazil) - I love spices, but generally hate spice racks - especially if they are exposed. Spices should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place - generally not the situation on a kitchen counter. I have a "stepped" system, but it inserts into a drawer, so all the labels are visible. I'm also crazy about knife-drawer inserts. Guess you could easily say I too am OCD! ;)

January 25, 2010 - 10:08 am Lori - this weekend i received my southern living magazine in the mail and read "your" article. Way to go - what a great job you did with the decorating :) congrats on being featured in southern living

January 25, 2010 - 10:20 am Stephanie - OCD I am not - but science loving {and a huge nerd!}, I AM! These look like little test tubes of yumminess. AWESOME =)

January 25, 2010 - 10:29 am Lindsey - The labels sold me on the idea...Martha and Ikea are an odd but nice mix! I currently have my most used spices stuck to the side of my microwave in Ikea containers, but they don't open/close very well (oh, Ikea). These look like they would work much better, and guests would never have to know when I am out of garlic salt again ;)

January 25, 2010 - 10:30 am Flory - I'm so grateful to have found your blog... really inspiring =) Please visit mine too if you have time and make a comment for me to improve it. thanks Flory

January 25, 2010 - 10:31 am grace - you really have the oprah effect on me. everything you post, i want:) have a great monday! xo, grace

January 25, 2010 - 10:35 am mag - When I need a spice, I open that cabinet and nearly weep, every time! What a mess, even though I organize it all the time. Your post is making me want to get in my car and drive to IKEA- even in the snow!!

January 25, 2010 - 10:44 am Susie - Whoa. Awesome knife drawer.

January 25, 2010 - 10:52 am alston - love those! so convenient and space saving how they attach to inner door. think i need to check them out the next time i'm in ATL...

January 25, 2010 - 10:56 am t.smith - We just renovated our kitchen, a decision that was the result of a dominoe effect resulting from hurricane Ike damage, you know - "If you're going to take out the bottom cabinets to tile under them, cut one of them out for a new stove, etc., you might think about all new cabinets." Well, to the right of the new stove, we have a funky angled wall. We decided to use the space in between the wall studs, boxed it in, tiled the back as if it is a continuation of the backsplash (white subway tile), framed it with simple wood trim, put adjustable tracks in the sides, then two glass shelves. This gives us three shelves for spice jar storage. The granite countertop continues into the floor of the inset spice box. The tracks aren't that attrative but someday I'll paint them the color of the wood trim. The spices look pretty cool on display and hide alot of the tracks! I've left them in their original store bottles - they're attractive these days, especially if you use all the same brand. Not an idea for everybody's kitchen, but we're enjoying it! Sets our kitchen apart from the other five just like our floorplan in the neighborhood!

January 25, 2010 - 10:58 am Emily - These are just what I've been looking for (FOR A YEAR!). Thanks so much and I am really excited that they are glass and not plastic!

January 25, 2010 - 11:00 am t.smith - Don't mean to hog the post section, but we also had the knife drawer, but decided not to use it. Our four year old granddaughter, who lives with us, has much fun opening a closing the drawersand doors. The knives are up on the countertop instead. Just something to think about when you have little ones around, especially if they are welcomed to help in the kitchen!

January 25, 2010 - 11:36 am doug - love it...the dorky OCD "where all the kitchen stuff goes" part of a project is secretly one of my favorites!

January 25, 2010 - 11:55 am Sarah - I think you read my mind with the spice rack! I've been searching for the perfect one and this fits the bill perfectly... now just need to figure out where to put it!

January 25, 2010 - 12:23 pm jenn - Oooh. Love these! I'm headed to IKEA today. Will have to check them out in person.

January 25, 2010 - 12:28 pm moderneve - agreed. they are being added to the wish list - thanks for sharing!

January 25, 2010 - 1:14 pm Briman - I'm in love! Must have! Now!

January 25, 2010 - 1:25 pm Bailey@ www.peppermintbliss.com - On Topic: I love the organized, functional aspect for me but I think the look might be a bit too modern for my taste. Off Topic: After your post on my blog my bff Laura who I mentioned in the post and actually commented above about Sloane's nursury called me freaking out, "Omg Erika knows who you are!?!? You're FAMOUS" Well really, Erika is just very very gracious so thank you times a million for stopping by. Absolutely made my day.

January 25, 2010 - 1:25 pm Marissa Hester - How I found your blog, I will never know, but I LOVE it. Keep us the good work and the adorable baby! Just so you know, bulk spices are supposedly fresher and much cheaper, so this may be more economical as well as much better looking in the long run. I thought I was the only one in the world who hated stuff on the counters.

January 25, 2010 - 1:40 pm Kate - The Martha Stewart Magazine had a great feature this month on organized spaces, and one the spaces was a fantastic pantry with labeled spices -- you should check it out!

January 25, 2010 - 1:41 pm Abbie - Love those! I'm thinking they might work tucked in one of my cabinet doors. I might just have to make that IKEA trip next month! I bought one of those knife holders a couple of years ago, but my drawer was too short, but I love how organized it is. Chaos in the kitchen makes me crazy.

January 25, 2010 - 3:20 pm lindsey - I did a similar thing at a rental house with a simple wire spice rack from Bed Bath and some of those stick on hooks on 4 corners to make it completely removable (landlord friendly) yet not loose. It took the spices off the counter, saved cabinet space by using the interior of the cabinet door, and put them right next to the stove where you need them the most. I love the matching containers, but the above idea works for most the average person's mixed up collection:)

January 25, 2010 - 3:37 pm Malerie - oh. my. goodness. these are just perfect!

January 25, 2010 - 3:41 pm Megan - Hi! I just found you via your sister's crafty blog:) I just went to Ikea today and I totally would have brought these babies home if I had known they existed!! I think a return trip in my near future is a necessity now!

January 25, 2010 - 4:09 pm KELLY GREEN - I need these too! totally great idea and oh so neat! That knife drawer is a winner too. KG

January 25, 2010 - 4:40 pm GEORGE Interior Design - I just blogged about kitchen organization and totally missed those at IKEA! They look great! Thanks for the eye-opener. :)

January 25, 2010 - 4:52 pm Amanda - I too have a love/hate relatonship with Ikea and I also have the stepped spice rack. I may have to break down and buy one of these. It's such a clean system and so easy to read!

January 25, 2010 - 5:59 pm Kirsten - Great idea. BTW I adore the nursery for your daughter. So beautiful.

January 25, 2010 - 8:37 pm Melise - LOVE it!

January 25, 2010 - 9:13 pm Jacci - When I got to that part about the sprinkles I had to stop for a second and remember which MommaSissy I was reading ;) ~Jacci in Ohio

January 26, 2010 - 12:06 am Traci Zeller Designs - Those are soooo fabulous! My OCD self is IN LOVE!!! Now where could I put those????

January 26, 2010 - 11:38 am Tess - Erika, I work for a fabric store Baranzelli/Silk Surplus. We carry the Ivory and Coral striped fabric that you posted about in the nursery. If you're interested in getting more email me! -Tess

January 26, 2010 - 12:44 pm the domestic fringe - Ok, this is my question... What do you do with all the spices that don't fit in those little jars. I mean, I buy the economy size bottle of a spice and only about a third would fit in the jars. That means I would need double storage. That's the only thing I can't figure out about all the cute spice racks. Love the knife drawer organizer. -FringeGirl

January 26, 2010 - 3:06 pm pve - I want those cabinets, and those spice girls. pve

January 26, 2010 - 11:50 pm Teri - Those just went on my IKEA list!! I am pretty sure they'll fit on the inside of the doors to the cabinet the spices are in!! I also have the step thing, and I don't like that when I get something off of the top or middle- I knock the lower spices down.

January 26, 2010 - 11:52 pm 3 Stinky Boys and Me - Oh my goodness! What an awesome idea! I'm so going to check those out!

January 27, 2010 - 2:08 pm Willow Fan - Love this idea for spices. Looks great!

January 28, 2010 - 9:12 am Sarah - Hi Erika! I found this on another blog that someone had made for their camera and thought of you and Darby. I am posting a link on both of your blogs. I wish I could make one for my camera, but since I have no idea how to sew, that might be impossible! But.... I thought I'd pass it on to you two as I know you love your cameras! http://crapivemade.blogspot.com/2009/11/patchwork-camera-strap-tutorial.html

January 28, 2010 - 9:38 am Jen - Saw the design work you did in the latest issue of Southern Living. Great feature - even mentions your sister! Beautiful work - very impressed! Cheers, Jen

January 28, 2010 - 1:04 pm Geoff - I saw these at IKEA last night - super cool!

January 29, 2010 - 10:31 am saffron - OH SUPER LOVE!!! I bet a feng shui master would be very happy with these :D

January 29, 2010 - 3:09 pm megan @ a life's design - oh, the eye candy! why do you tease us! :)

February 11, 2010 - 3:36 pm CER - pretty sure they got the idea from anna over at doorsixteen [http://www.doorsixteen.com/2009/01/28/spice-jars/] as they've used the exact labels she did. not sure if they mentioned that. my better half and i just installed four sets of these on our cabinet door & they've made such a difference. the spices are alphabetized too -- i love all of their colors!