Garage Disaster to Dish Delight

So with a week off between Christmas and New Year, we decided to make it productive and finally get to the GARAGE that we've discussed for two years. Time to transform it from the pool table for teenagers "rumpus room" (does anybody remember that name?!) into a functional garage and place to store Rob's fishing stuff (his corner) and my burgeoning collection of dishes, glasses, tablecloths, flatware and centerpieces, etc.

Cleared off the pooltable, gave 8 bookshelves full of books to Goodwill and different schools, then realigned the bookshelves to hold my dish obsession.  We also tore out the old flooring with plans to put in an epoxy type floor but that will be another day. So ignore the floor and imagine my delight in being able to see all my prettilicious things in one place.

There is a pool table under all this clutter. I can't believe we let it get so out of control!

 More disaster....

 It is starting to evolve. Boxed glasses and chargers finding a home...

 Found the hidden pool table, shelves empied and old flooring out...

 Order emerging...

 Dishes in clear plastic bins, tablecloths hanging, post-it notes with inventory on the outside...

 Napkins folded, inventoried, bagged in plastic...

 When all accounted for, sixteen tablecloths - I didn't realize I had so many!

 Wine glasses, water glasses, vases wrapped in plastic, bird bath centerpiece and salt shakers.....

 More plastic wrap for Autumn centerpieces and salt shakers...

 Flatware of different patterns in clear bins...

 Christmas dishes, champagne flutes, bell napkin rings and reindeer name holders...

 Church party water dispensers and porch cushions on top...

 Tablecloths hung and covered with dry cleaner bags (I asked for them and received them for FREE). card table and chairs found a home...

 Flatware, crystal water goblets and Rose Point china in bins...kept the most fragile on the bottom shelves...

 Misc. glasses, plates and flatware awaiting proper storage and placement...

 Design magazines, hammered aluminum cups, crock pot, soup tureen, and rice cooker...

 Chargers, water pitchers and glasses...

More organization is yet to come but it feels so good to have done this much!  Next step will be photographing what is in the boxes and putting picture on the outside.  Also, I've begun an Excel spreadsheet of dishes and flatware inventory so that I know what I have.  Thank you to dear Rob for lifting heavy boxes, renting a dumpster and encouraging us both throughout the week long process.  This metamorphosis would not have happened without his tenacity and the plan to join my first Metamorphosis Monday on Susan's inspiring blog, Between Naps on the Porch!  Thank you both!