The Shelving Store: Home Storage and Organization Tips

Reclaiming Old Spaces: Home Office for Less

2012-01-26T16:44:00.001-05:00

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Overwhelmed by the scope of a home makeover? Staring down the barrel of a budget blaster is enough to shake anyone's nerves, but renovations don't have to cost an arm and a leg. We're here to give you some easy tips for redoing a room, and prove how quick and easy it was... with pictures!

First thing that you'll want to do in a home renovation is clean house. But why shower if I'm just going to get dirty again?! Well, eat your vegetables and we'll tell you: it's because you're going to encounter a lot of household clutter in the mean time. Having a pre-clean plan helps to make the final touches that much easier (and more final). Depending on how much you'll have to remove, you may be able to contact a few local treasure hunters to pay you for your bounty.


Roadshows. They Happen.

Once you get paid for some of those old treasures (thank you, Craigslist!) you'll have a bit of spending cash and a bit more room. Should you invest that money in contractors and designers? Goodness, no! Use that dough to get paint, a brush, and some inexpensive items from TheShelvingStore.com, like our Umbra bulletboard.

A lot of blogs advertise easy remodeling tips but don't show results. Well, we're here to challenge all of those imposters with some genuine, fresh, proprietary shelving material. We're sure because we built it and used our phones to blog about it like teenagers.

See, we used to have this behemoth closet that was really pretty, but taking up too much space.

We wanted to turn it into something else because we plan on hiring some new employees soon. So what'd we do? Sold it on craigslist, used the money to buy paint, and added our own unique twist.

See the Umbra bulletboard? There's also a Umbra Hookaboo in Natural across the doorway. So we put some funky fresh colors, repurposed an old chair, and put some classic garage sale photos on the wall

For our space, we needed to create an office environment. Doing that was simple since a desk is nothing but an overstated shelf! We used a 24"d x 48"w chrome wire shelf to create a workspace and three 14"d x 24"w chrome wire shelves to create a small filing cabinet next to the desk. The next trick, and this is the most important part, is to get the right size shelving liner for your chrome wire desk to make a perfectly smooth, stable workspace that can support up to 300 lbs.

And there you have it: from closet to office is no time flat! Save some time, effort, and cash by consulting the storage professionals at The Shelving Store. Visit us online or come check out our show room at 1444 E 11 mile Madison Heights, MI 48071.

Standing Work Desk

2011-11-10T16:31:00.001-05:00

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Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, in this post you will be presented with the facts that overwhelmingly conclude beyond the shadow of a doubt that this standing desk is guilty... of being incredibly useful.We call to the stand our first witness. In an effort to protect her anonymity, we will call her 'A Federal Government Attorney Working in Detroit.' So, Mrs. A Federal Government Attorney Working in Detroit, are you familiar with this standing desk, and if so, has it been of use?

"This is a waste of time. When you called me in as an expert witness in my field, I didn't realize it would be to testify in a mock trial about how my workspace has been improved by this wonderful 30"d x 48"w x 40"h desktop. Sure, the polyurethane casters allow me to load the desk up with tons of heavy Law Books and still roll it to any convenient location in my building, but I have cases to try. I don't have time for this nonsense."

So you're saying it IS useful! Aha! Made with casters? I believe we have a picture of this. Members of the jury, we would like to submit a photo of this desk caught in the act of being useful, which we will now refer to as Exhibit A.

Exhibit A

Do you deny that you are utilizing this raised tabletop to write legal briefs on the fly while referencing materials that are stored on that floating shelf below?

"Who's denying it? I just told you that the work desk has made my life easier. I'm on my feet all day, I don't have time to settle in at my office desk. Also, you're a terrible prosecutor; Exhibit A should be inadmissible on the grounds that you don't know what you're talking about. That's no floating shelf, it's a cantilever shelf. It only attaches to two posts, leaving open space in the front for easy access and a clean finish."

Ma'am, please stick to the subject at hand. Exhibit A proves that you're using this tabletop to the fullest extent possible. Clearly you are an accomplice. Just admit it, tell us how you did it. Out with it, confess already!

"Alright! Alright. It was easy. I just went to theshelvingstore.com and ordered a 30"d x 48"w wire shelf, put a note in to get some 44" round posts custom cut to 40", added that cantilever shelf I mentioned along with those casters, and bought some wire shelf liners to create a desktop."

But how do you keep it so stable while it's rolling around?

"That's the easiest part! Hanger rails. They were with me from the start. I couldn't have done it without them."

I think we've heard enough. Judge, care to weigh in?

Yes, I think I've heard enough. I'm getting one!

A Unique Way to Organize Your Car

2011-10-13T16:58:00.003-04:00

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There is something that people aren't addressing, a major issue that could be the root cause of all road rage, moving violations, and getting caught at every red light. That issue: car clutter.

Millions of driving Americans are ensured against collision, but crash into clutter whenever they strap on the seat belt. We here at The Shelving Store would like to raise awareness about this mess of a pest and do something about it. After all, you can't go through life without proper use of a cup holder!

Oh, THERE'S the toilet paper! Thought I lost it.

While driving, everything should have its proper place. Reaching across the center console while going 75 down the freeway just to feel the ground for sunglasses that "were right there" is a terrible reason to get into an accident. A clean car is less costly: by cutting the distraction of searching your vehicle while driving, you reduce the likelihood of getting a ticket (and are a much more conscientious driver!).

It is for that exact rationale that want to make shelves mandatory in transit. Gone are the days with a chicken in every pot, now are the times of a shelf in every trunk!

Okay, so we're not selling anyone on the new political dream. But this is a great idea! One of our friends decided to take action against his messy car and created a mobile shelving unit (if only our casters got such good mileage). With the nifty idea of bungee cords to keep things from sliding, this car has been converted into a mobile IT Service Center. You could do the same, but you wouldn't have to be in IT Service. You could be Batman! Or even just make grocery shopping easier to load up and go.

Where bungees didn't work, wire shelf ledges did the job (after all, it's what they're meant for). We're honestly impressed! Maybe a shelf in every car isn't such a bad idea after all.

It's Official- We're Excellent

2011-09-23T11:03:00.001-04:00

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How are you? I hope you're excellent too, because we've received some good news. Well, yes, our Umbra Birdie Hooks are flying off the shelves (that's why they come with mounting hardware), but that's not we're announcing (but thanks for asking)! You might consider picking up a set, they come three to a nest and are the most well behaved pets you'll ever have. Plus, they're magnetic. I'm told that has healing properties; magnetic birds. Anway, why did we call this press conference? Sorry, I got distracted by these cute birds that live in the wall... oh, yeah, good news!

We're proud to announce our STELLA Service Seal! Get it, like Stellar service? Hey, we didn't write that one, they're actually called that. The seal is given to those online retailers that provide excellent customer service. It's not one of those Facebook awards that you win by popular vote, this is something we've really worked towards.

STELLA, who does such important work that they constantly shout their name in all caps, is an independent evaluating agency that has over 350 metrics they use to judge an online store's customer service. Yes, from the ordering to returns, they experience it first hand and look at the resources retailers supply for customer help, satisfaction, and service. We're very proud of our Excellent rating and promise not to let it go to our head, change our name to "Your Excellency," or convert our warehouse into a castle. We'll stick to providing excellent customer service and excellent products. That way, we can keep everyone happy by flipping the birds.... in our inventory. The Umbra Birdies magnet pets: they're proud of us too.

Creative Storage for Dorms

2011-08-24T10:41:00.006-04:00

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Instantly make your dorm more spacious with creative storage from The Shelving Store. We have a great selection of creative storage options for dorm rooms. Shop through our selection of wall book shelves, standing book shelves and shoe storage for closets.

Bookshelves work great in dorm rooms because they are great for storing books, knick knacks, school supplies, CD's, DVD's and so much more. College dorm rooms are always in need of some additional storage, and displaying some of your favorite books other decorative items is easy with a modern bookcase. Shop our great selection here at The Shelving Store.

Shoe Storage is a cinch here at The Shelving Store. With, shoe storage organization products that are fully customizable, you can store as many or as little shoes as you need. Our Stackable 4 tier shoe storage rack is great for any dorm closet or dorm entry way. It's small enough to stow in your car on move in day and looks great and simple.

Our ShoeTrap Boxes come in 3 different sizes for boots and purses, flats and sandals and high heels. The boxes can be stacked in endless ways, allowing you to create a unit to store all your shoes in style. 3 decorative wooden finishes are available for ShoeTrap Boxes to match the decor of your dormroom, closet or other area of your dorm in which your unit will be housed. Get that dorm room organized today!

How to Keep a Clean House

2011-08-22T12:54:00.012-04:00

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Stop Clutter at the Source.

With the hustle and bustle of daily life whizzing through your home, it may seem impossible to keep the floor free of debris and the table clear of clutter. If your day off could be better spent relaxing than cleaning, making a few simple adjustments could give you hours of free time each week. The simple plan to keeping clean is a ground-up approach in three areas: the person, process, and product.

The person that does the most damage may be obvious if you live alone, but shared spaces may have a more subtle culprit. That criminal may leave your stuff out or forget to do the dishes, but it’s important to put a name on it: neglect. Now that you recognize your foe, combat it with its weakness! Take proactive steps to ensure neglect has no foothold in your home. Be mindful of the spaces you occupy and how you use them. Focus on what you normally neglect and you will have an excellent game plan for taking on a five minute cleaning spree. Within the week, you’ll notice how these sprees tidy up your home, one project at a time.

Projects are a part of a cleaning process that shapes your home, but they don’t have to take much time. You can create your own process based on your particular daily routine. For many people, that could mean taking your shoes off at the door or filing the mail as soon as you walk in the door. Others may find that their routine takes them past the garbage bins, providing an opportunity to empty the trash regularly. If your means of doing laundry don’t involve hand-scrubbing each fabric, loads can be done passively. Start washing a load before dinner, dry it on a full stomach while relaxing, and fold it snug before bed. By incorporating cleaning into your regular routine, you eliminate the need to spend your days off doing chores.

At this point, we’ve tackled the person and the process, but what about the product? Here, it is not about the cleaning product that you use or the device that sweeps your floors, but each product that you bring into your home. Almost every product is packaged in a jumble of cardboard and plastic, and that mess adds up.

The best way to avoid the excess garbage is to pay attention to how things are packaged in the store. Since a lot of the product’s cost is based in the advertising/packaging materials themselves, buying items with minimal packaging will have the added benefit of saving you money. Bring less clutter into your house and you will have an easier time maintaining your living space.

Save time, effort, and money by incorporating a clean mentality into your daily life. By shedding the burden of weekly chores on your days off, you will reduce your stress levels and find more satisfaction in your home. All it takes is a thoughtful approach with the person, process, and product to change your habits for the better. Become a happier, more productive you today!

Creative Chrome

2011-08-19T16:31:00.009-04:00

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With the arrival of the weekend, we've decided to lose the suits and dip into our painters jeans for a special edition of our Shelving blog. That's right, we wear suits sometimes. But not at this time, because of the special addition and all. You may wonder why we're wearing painters jeans?

Because overalls don't look good on anyone.

So we've rolled up our sleeves and started work on a creative chrome projects to prove just how versatile Chrome Wire shelving is! In two hours, three teams of innovative chromies (like cronies, but friends with chrome) put their design skills to the test in order to create some very impressive functional art.

Art really does mimic real life!

Here you can see our resident racer John as he revs up his chrome cruiser to take on this stationary station wagon. John's creation inspired a particularly work-minded individual who looked at his craft and thought:

This chrome kinda looks like our pallet truck

Note the fuel cylinder on back, the scale of the forklift prongs, and the cozy cab compartment. While impressive overall, it lacks that pneumatic lift that would really lift this design to the top. For the most outstanding creation, we turn to our creative guru, our in-house designer, the one and only: Amy!

Go ahead, be jealous

Talk about talent, check out the creative umbrella made out of four chrome corner shelves. Rain might pour on your picnic, but hiding under that spiral of awesome would certainly keep you dry. Not dry, really, but cool. Super cool. She even outfitted it with some accessories such as a napkin holder and cup holders.

So next time you think about creating a shelving unit, or buying any material, take a look at it in a new light. You might find yourself with an awesome truck, patio set, or anything else your imagination can dream up!

Chrome Wire Shelving for the Office

2011-08-19T15:09:00.001-04:00

Is your office lacking order and storage space? Chrome Wire Shelving is a fantastic fix for any office in need of some updating and organizing. Completely customize your office space with sturdy and easy to assemble Chrome Wire Shelving. The Shelving Store provides trusted Chrome Wire Shelving in a wide variety of options and accessories for ideal customization.

Chrome Wire Shelving is a great alternative for any home office. The Chrome Wire Shelving adds a modern feel to any home office and can be customized to meet space and storage needs. Our Chrome Wire Shelving Units also come with a variety of add ons, such as drawers, document holders and other accessories ideal for the office.

Increase the size of your office work space and expand your work capabilities with sleek Chrome Wire Shelving. Chrome Wire Shelving are ideal for office storage rooms, and office work areas. Chrome Wire Shelving are ideal for storing paper, office supplies and merchandise neatly and in order. The Shelving Store has everything you need to improve your office shelving systems. Shop now!

Get Organized for School

2011-08-10T13:45:00.001-04:00

Getting organized for the new school year is as simple as buying a few boxes and bins for school items, and homework. Boxes and bins have an expansive number of uses ranging from long-term storage to small supply organizers. For bulkier items that you wish to store such as lunch boxes, back packs, team sports equipment and more, be sure to label them so they are easy to find. Stacking bins helps optimize space so you can store more items and still have room to move around. Use a variety of sizes and colors to distinguish the categories in which you are sorting. Stacking bins work great for homework not yet done, completed homework, papers parents need to sign and more.

Shelf bins can provide an easy way to organize printer paper, files, and other small office supplies, especially handy for those high school and college students. They too come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors to help you set apart not yet finished assignments, from graded assignments and much more. Also be sure to go through bins you have not used in the past year or so and get rid of items you know you will never use again. This will help free up space and keep you more organized for the new school year. Good luck!

Photo Shoot!

2011-08-05T15:52:00.007-04:00

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We'd invite you all to come and strut your stuff, but it already happened. We didn't want you crashing our exclusive event only to be upstaged by our chic shelving units. Don't feel bad. You're beautiful in your own right, but do you sparkle like chrome finish on a white background?

Mesmerizing, isn't it? Beautiful and delicate, yet rated for over 600 lbs when in shelf form. All it took was a genius photographer and some expert equipment to bring out the inner light.

That's right: an amazing display of lighting equipment, professional rigging, and a wall of white just to isolate the awesomeness that is the shelving bracket. Do you see it in there? That little thing mounts on any wall to put the goods on display. Workin' it, girl. Photo shoot style.

If you think we'd coordinate a whole day of photography based on one of our many glorious items, we'd think you're about as impractically obsessed with shelving as we are. Unfortunately, market factors meant we had to spend a little time with a lot of different products. Fortunately, that means we didn't have to choose a favorite and make the others feel bad.

The only thing is, that's just one of our many proofs from the shoot. If you're interested in the glamorous world of photography, you might look around our site and consider how well lit the subject is, the composition of the frame, and the beauty that is chrome wire shelving. Stay tuned as we bring you some high definition pictures of new products and specially designed kits.

Hint: hope you like drinking wine.

Announcing a New Sale!

2011-07-28T09:08:00.010-04:00

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An exclusive offer for those who love savings! Visit the showroom in The Shelving Store before the end of August and receive 10% off your in-store purchases on Umbra products. What is an Umbra product? Why, only the neatest decorative shelving there is! See this stack of floating books?

Magic? Or brilliant Umbra product?

The most amazing way to store books that we've ever seen! Hide them in plain sight with the Conceal Floating Book Shelf.

But let's say that's not your cup of tea. Maybe tea isn't your thing. Peraps you'd rather a nice glass of wine. Do not fret, Umbra has you covered. Specifically, Umbra will cover your wine bottle with this cute little Bird Perch Wine Stop.
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After all, what is the opening of a wine bottle except a tiny shelf on which birds can perch? There are also stylized coat racks, over the door decorative hooks, and storage accessories like their line of wall hooks.

So stop by, look in our show room, and see the possibilities of how you can decorate your house!

A Contest? A Contest!

2011-07-21T10:49:00.007-04:00

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Were you aware that we ran a contest? Well, now that you're hearing about it let us clue you in! It's all about the creative use of space because we value space highly, as high as the stratosphere. And think of all the space beyond that, how great would it be to organize the galaxies in a creative way? Maybe that's what a Nebula is, a giant chrome wire shelving unit twinkling like the stars.

Space is infinite, but limited at the same time. That's why we have to make the most of the space we have, because you never seem to have enough room for all of life's stuff. So we did an in-house contest for the creative side of space. Here's the result:

We didn't think people in Michigan were lucky enough to work at the beach. Wait a minute, those are shelves! Dolphin covered, snorkel wearing, grass skirted shelves! Who is this creative genius? Why, that's none other than our very own Christine Hodge, decorator extraordinaire. She earned herself a nice cash bonus and a few jealous coworkers.

But why would we limit a contest to just in-house? We're going to extend the invitation to all of you! Send us a picture of your creativity and you could get make it to our blog, plus the potential to save 10% off your next purchase! You know those chrome wire shelving kits we have for 35% off? Now take 10% off, and you're talking about one of the greatest deals on shelves and an excuse to do something fun! Email your picture to info@shelving.com with "Creative Space" in the title. We can't wait to see what you've done with the place!

What can The Shelving Store for You?

2011-07-20T15:47:00.011-04:00

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As you take your stroll around the internet, you may notice a lot of pop ups are trying to get your attention.

They might distract you with adorable kangaroos and attractive offers, but there's no use denying it: they're in the way. You have to organize those pop ups!

"But The Shelving Store," you shout, "What does this have to do with your incredibly clever pun of a title?!"

Well, overly-enthusiastic but wonderfully perceptive reader, allow us to show you!

What can The Shelving Store for you? All of your favorite Pop-Ups, your Fiction, Mysteries, an entire collection of Encyclopedia Britannica, and more! That's because the Four Shelf Chrome Wire Unit is rated at over 500 lbs per shelf! With such easily adjustable shelves, this impromptu bookcase will last as long as your library does. Even longer, because it's made of chrome! All you need to do to turn any chrome wire shelving unit into storage for your favorite kangaroo Pop-Up is throw on a couple of Plastic Shelf Liners, so books can sit proud and tall!

Internet Pop-Ups won't bother you anymore because you'll be too busy enjoying printed text to get frustrated!

Get Organized for Family Reunions

2011-07-18T10:37:00.001-04:00

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Summer is the perfect time to have a family reunion. Getting organized for a family reunion can be the real task. But don’t fret, The Shelving Store is here to help get your home organized so you can throw the best family reunion yet.

Chrome wire is a customer favorite here at The Shelving Store because it is so versatile. We carry every type of chrome wire shelving imaginable. Create a state-of-the-art drink station for your family reunion with Chrome Wire 2-Shelf Utility Cart, our chrome wire utility carts come with wheels that help you place it in the most convenient and accessible places.

Keep your home nice and clean by having your guests places their shoes on a one shelf chrome wire unit. One shelf chrome wire units allow for your guests to store their shoes and easily find them when they are ready to leave, all while keeping your floors spotless.

When the party’s over and everyone is safely headed home you can store all your party supplies on our handy chrome wire shelving units that are perfect for any garage, basement, or pantry.

Chrome Wire For The 4th Of July

2011-06-29T10:39:00.003-04:00

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Get ready for fun 4th of July festivities with help from The Shelving Store. We have chrome wire shelving units that will help you stay organized during all the 4th fun!

Keep all your beach gear organized using chrome wire shelving in your garage. We carry all different sizes and styles that allow for easy access and organization. For those that are throwing 4th of July BBQ’s and block parties, we have chrome wire storage solutions that can keep all your party supplies in order. When it comes to chrome wire shelving storage solutions the possibilities are endless!

Stock up on our chrome wire shelving and accessories today during our wire overstock sale!

Chrome Wire For Father's Day

2011-06-15T15:15:00.002-04:00

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This Father’s day give dad the gift of organization from The Shelving Store. The entire month of June is our wire overstock sale, where we feature 35% off all chrome wire shelving, which just so happens to make a great gift for dads.

Help dad get the garage organized with chrome wire shelving units from the shelving store. He can store all his tools, athletic gear, and so much more on the chrome wire shelving unit you get him for Father’s day.

Shop our huge selection of chrome wire today and find the perfect unit for your dad this father’s day. Organization is the gift that keeps on giving!

Get Organized For Summer Parties

2011-05-16T09:58:00.003-04:00

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Summer is right around the corner and that means lots of graduation parties, block parties, and of course BBQs, this summer let The Shelving Store help you get organized for summer festivities. The best spot to keep summer supplies is the garage and usually that space is hard to keep clutter free and organized. We’re here to help you solve that problem.

Chrome wire shelving is the perfect solution to getting your garage organized. 5 shelf chrome wire shelving units have plenty of space for you to store pool toys, camping gear, and party supplies for summer. 5 shelf chrome wire shelving will help you to maximize your storage space this summer and make getting ready for summer events a breeze.

Remember summer is the time to relax and have fun, don’t let summer parties stress you out. Get organized with helpful products and tips from The Shelving Store! Your neighbors and friends will be impressed with your organizational skills and if they ask for tips you know where to send them!

Help Mom Get Organized

2011-05-09T09:59:00.002-04:00

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Now that Mother's Day has passed help your mom organize all her wonderful new gifts with chrome wire shelving from the shelving store. Get those garden supplies organized with chrome wire shelving in a shed or in the garage, it'll make gardening this year so much easier!

Your mom will be thrilled that you are getting into the spring cleaning spirit and The Shelving Store has all the supplies you need to get completely organized this spring. Everyone knows moms love having a clean house, and a happy mom means a happy family!

At The Shelving Store we carry decorative shelving that will add fun organizational flair to any room in the house. Our selection of decorative shelving makes organizing fun! If your late on a Mother's Day gift pick up some shelving from The Shelving Store today and give the gift of organization!

Organization Is An Art

2011-04-25T10:43:00.002-04:00

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Organization can be an art. Some people are naturally organized, while some people have to work to perfect the craft. However this photo gives literal meaning to "organization is an art."

A local lamp glass artist in Illinois uses our 4 shelf chrome wire shelving to store her glass pieces in her ultra modern studio! The sleek chrome wire fits perfectly into her modern space while effectively storing her materials!

Thanks for sending us this great photo Julie! We love seeing all the creative ways our customers use our products!

Music in Michigan

2011-04-21T16:41:00.005-04:00

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One of the things we Michiganders love is our music. Detroit has been one of the most influential cities, musically speaking, for over 50 years. From gospel to Motown to Old Time Rock-n-Roll, the traditions are rich. In addition, Michigan is credited with the development of early punk rock and techno music. We have a world class Detroit Symphony Orchestra and numerous noteworthy Blue Grass Festivals throughout the state each year.

With the change in the weather comes the release of the schedules for the outdoor concert venues, which are a tradition for music lovers. Festivals in Hart Plaza along the Detroit River in downtown Detroit boast different musical genres throughout the warmer months. The Detroit Hoedown has been noted as the single largest free outdoor country music festival in the country.

It’s no wonder that we get all excited when one of our customers asked for some assistance in building a stand for some of his favorite guitars. He was able to convert one of our traditional wardrobe kits into a very cool guitar stand.

Send us some of your great ideas for our chrome wire shelving and accessories so that we can share them with others who may have the same needs. Who knows what you will be inspired to create! Just don’t forget to share those creations with us.

Thanks for the photos Gellert!

Spring Lockers

2011-04-18T14:25:00.003-04:00

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With Easter quickly approaching parents are searching for the perfect Easter gifts for their children! A popular gift for children this Easter has been our spring colored lockers - now in new colors! Kids will love these fun lockers, and it will help parents with spring cleaning, because children will gladly clean up their stuff and put it in their locker.

Melissa shared this with us around Christmas time, explaining how the lockers were a perfect gift. Now with Easter approaching, we thought we would share it on the blog in case you are looking for a last minute Easter surprise!

"I ordered 2 mini blue lockers for my boys ages 8 and 5 for Christmas and I just wanted to let you know that of all of the gazillion things they received from us, grandparents and santa that these are the absolute favorites! They've already decorated them w/ magnets and drawings etc. Everything cherished goes into to those lockers. Boy, what a hit! Thanks, I'm so glad I ordered them!"

Hoppy Easter everyone!

Chrome Wire Gardening Solutions

2011-04-11T10:38:00.005-04:00

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Well, it's finally starting to look and feel like spring here in Metro-Detroit. It's a good thing too, because April is National Lawn & Garden Month! Plus, this week is National Garden Week!

It might not be quite warm enough for planting springtime flowers, the risk of frost is still prevalent, but you can jump start your summer garden now indoors with Chrome Wire Shelving!

One of our customers send us this photo of how she transformed her two 48" x 24" x 72" four shelf chrome wire starter units with swivel casters into her very own indoor garden. She uses plant grow lights to get her spring and summer plants started so when the weather turns warm she can transplant the flowers outdoors. This concept is also ideal for bringing herbs and other plants indoors for the winter months.

Happy Gardening!

Easter Traditions

2011-04-07T15:31:00.009-04:00

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While searching for something insightful to blog about, I stumbled upon a list of historical events which occurred during the month of April. I noticed an entry that stated that the first Easter Egg Roll at the White House took place on April 2, 1877! That one little tidbit brought so many memories of Easter rushing back from my childhood and from the days when my daughters were younger. My most vivid memories are of elaborate Easter dresses and lovely little Easter bonnets. Multi-colored hands after the dying of the eggs and Easter brunch with my parents and all 7kids in their Sunday best after Easter morning services, are also remembered with great fondness. Of course, no Easter memory would be complete without the Easter egg hunt and the huge baskets filled to overflowing with all sorts of marvelous, brightly-colored confections featuring sugars in every possible form.

As my own children arrived, I tried to keep most of the same traditions in place. They had the most adorable Easter dresses (bonnets had for the most part become obsolete)! They, too, lived with the stained fingers from the egg dye. It was when it came to all of that candy that I knew it was time to amend some of those traditions. Of course their baskets contained chocolate bunnies and jelly beans, but I wanted to limit the amounts of that and hopefully reduce the dental bills. I searched for alternative ideas. I remember filling their baskets with pastel colored sidewalk chalk and brightly colored jump ropes. Hand painted t-shirts in bunny themes, toe socks in great colors and packets of flower seeds they could nurture replaced the mounds of junk food.

My girls loved bright colors. Their rooms were always painted in the colors they chose. This past week I got such a kick watching a dad who came into the showroom with 4 kids, who all happened to be on spring break from school. Each of the kids picked out one of our brightly colored kids lockers for their rooms. I searched for lockers for my girl’s bedrooms when they were younger but could never find them. What a great Easter gift that would be for some youngster to wake up and find next to their basket! Not only would you possibly eliminate some cavities, but you could help encourage them to clean their rooms by providing them a fun place to organize their treasures!

Spring Events In Metro-Detroit

2011-04-07T09:31:00.005-04:00

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Hey Metro-Detroiters, two of our favorite events are coming up this month at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, MI.

This upcoming weekend (April 8-10) is the annual Spring Home & Garden Show! Here you'll find 25,000 square feet of landscaped gardens and hundreds of home improvement booths and exhibits. Learn about how you can easily transform your home into your dream home with everything from new kitchen counters to a perfectly manicured garden. There will even be entertainment and live broadcasts of with "America's Master Handyman" Glenn Haege of WJR Radio. As you can tell, the Spring Home & Garden show is one of our favorite events - we love helping others update and organize their homes! Be sure to visit the website for more info, and to sign up for an admission price coupon!

The following weekend (April 15-17) is the Michigan International Wine Expo, which is also taking place at the Suburban Collection Showplace! In a previous blog post we discussed Michigan wine to celebrate wine month this April. Now you'll have your chance to sample some delicious Michigan wines and light hors d'oeuvres from the area's premier restaurants. In addition to treating your taste buds, you can also learn about food and wine pairings, participate in a charity auction, and even watch some of our areas top chefs compete in the first ever chef competition. If you visit the website, you can snag a coupon for $5 off admission, and get a list of the wines you can sample! Gather your friends and toast our great state of Michigan, and celebrate wine month!

April Is Michigan Wine Month

2011-04-01T13:00:00.002-04:00

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Despite the negative press that we sometimes encounter, we Michiganders (or Michiganians dependent upon personal preference) love our Motor City and all of the riches that are abundant in the Great Lake State. Detroit is a fabulous sports town, is rich in cultural opportunities, and offers a plethora of multicultural cuisines which can be found in Greektown, Mexican Village, Poletown, and Corktown, to name a few. Within a few short hours you can be at the shores of all five Great Lakes. Our “up north” offers such treasures as Mackinac Island, Sand Dunes, Pictured Rocks, the Porcupine Mountains, the Soo Locks, Copper Mines and Historic Lighthouses. With over 11,000 inland lakes, over 850 golf courses, 100+ state parks, and 14,000 campsites, there is never a shortage of activities.

One of our gems beginning to gain greater notoriety is our Michigan Wineries. The history on winemaking in Michigan dates back to the French explorers in the late 1600’s, who made wine from grapes growing wildly along what is now the Detroit River. Today, there are over 75 top notch wineries in Michigan. From quaint inns to lovely chateaus featuring tastings and weekend jazz concerts to historic, Amish built barns, you can find wineries to fit every taste. We have noticed a substantial increase in the sales of our wine-related products including our chrome wire wine shelving, stemware holders and bottle stoppers, which is always a good sign.

April has been designated as Michigan Wine Month. Visit the official website of the Michigan Wine Industry, which boasts of the accomplishments of this thriving industry in the state and includes links to wine news throughout the state. Check out this fabulous blog at for a calendar of events of wine tastings and tours. If you are a local, plan a day trip to check out some of the upcoming events. If you are planning a visit to the Great Lake State, add a visit to a Michigan winery a priority on your itinerary!