Spicin' it up

It all started when Dan and I decided that my rack was too flimsy.  It needed to be firmer, because being wobbly just wasn't cutting it. It started with a new rack. Then, once we saw how great it looked, we decided to do a whole makeover.  I am talking about my spice rack, of course. What did you think I was talking about?!

Yes, my spice racks were wobbly.  Granted, I did buy them from the dollar store, so I should have kept my expectations low. Every time I would take out one spice, a domino effect would take place and 5 or 6 spices would fall over and out of the cabinet.  Just a bit frustrating. I told this to my engineer husband. Mistake, but a good mistake in the end. I told him that I needed something different. I went to my husband's favorite website for inspiration: Pinterest. Or, is it his least favorite website? Can't remember. :) Since I love my nice sized pantry, I thought I would move my spices into the pantry. These photos were my inspiration:

My doors are double doors, so it wouldn't work on my doors, but on the space on the wall next to my shelves.  Kinda like this:

I thought a few wire baskets screwed into the wall, yada yada yada, and we would be good to go. Quick and simple.  Did I mention I am married to an engineer? Nothing is quick and simple! No easy-peasy here! "If you are going to do it, do it right the first time." I should also mention that he is very much like my dad. He measured, wrote stuff down, used levels, paint, saws and drills.

This is where my spices were before:

Note the spices fallen all over the place. Boo-hiss!

And this is the kick-butt spice rack Dan built for me:

Top

to Bottom

Such a nice firm rack! I even saw him staring at it in admiration last night. Hee hee, sorry for that.

Since my spices were so organized, I looked at the rest of the pantry and decided it needed a little redo as well.

Before picture:

During...it got worse before it got better!

After pictures... a lot of it was just going through things and tossing items that were well beyond their "use by date." I didn't want to spend too much money so I used some containers I had in my cabinets, basement, closets, etc.

Such a successful makeover, don't you think? What's next!? Off to "pin"some more ideas. I am sure Dan can't wait!!