September-the ads for organizers and stocking up on supplies abound. Those visual cues should be your incentive to take stock of your personal situation to see what organizing projects you need to tackle.

Take advantage of the milder weather to check out your attic and garage. What are you storing that you haven't used in the past year-or more? If you can't readily come up with a need, then donate, sell or dispose. What remains in each area should be labeled and stored for easy and safe access. Make a master list for each area to avoid unnecessary purchases. (Just did this for our home, what a difference it makes!)

It's also the perfect time to take stock of your gardening and outdoor needs. If you entertained or spent time outdoors more or less than before, (or would have liked to), what do/don't you need? Take advantage of end of season sales if you have storage space. Most items will be on sale in the spring, so why store them for months? One of a kind or hard to find items are the better buys.

Think of this as your "Fall Harvest". You'll have less to do when winter comes and you may even have a few items to put on your holiday Wish List!

Speaking of getting organized, is the effort of keeping passwords for all of your log-in sites becoming a nightmare? This web password notebook available from Levenger.com may be the answer.

Store web addresses, usernames, passwords and software information all in one place in this compact indexed book. Measures 4 3/4"W by 7"H.

A new feature of The Redesigner's Notebook will be terms you may be reading about or run across in decorating projects. As we become more aware of the impact of our actions on the environment, choosing products that are environmentally friendly in their manufacture and use will be more important and more available. We rely on truthful advertising when making our choices and that is where the term, "greenwashing" comes in.

Similar to the term, "whitewashing", it is used to describe the selective use of facts to support a manufacturer's claim that a product is "green" and environmentally friendly. In some cases, the product itself may be, but the manufacturing process uses more fossil fuels and the oversea shipping costs or trucking costs outweigh or even negate any "green" gains.

As the trend toward better ecologically and environmentally sound practices and products grows, so will the understanding of what makes a product "green". Controls and laws will be put in place to help the consumer make better choices. In the meantime, be aware that not all green products are what they seem.

Hanging seasonal decorations and flower baskets has just gotten easier with Hang-Alls. Once the permanent anchors are installed, just add the hooks and attach your decorations or drape your lights. So much easier, safer and considerably more attractive than nails, tape or cup hooks.

Hang All Kit contains 32-white nylon recessed paintable anchors and 32-galvanized hooks, one anchor driver, one drill bit and instructions. Each hook will hold an estimated 10 pound weight limit.

Did you know that September is National Preparedness Month? Would you be prepared for a sudden disaster? Would your family? Don't leave this important job to chance.

We have been fortunate in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that our weather doesn't usually subject us to violent storms, though we have had severe weather alerts and our brushes with tornados and heavy snowstorms. And of course we cannot forget 9/11 and what could have happened.

The tropical storms that are threatening the coastal states right now should be a reminder to plan and prepare for peace of mind and for safety.

Click on the link below for more information about:

• Getting a Kit
• Making a Plan
• Being Informed
• Getting Involved

The recent issue of The Sunday Painter, a newsletter from PaintIdeas.com, featured this great organizer project for busy families.

Easily customized to fit your space and even your decor, this may be the perfect low-tech solution to keeping on track and on schedule.

Last month I told you about a remarkable product called Bella and Birch, a "dry paint" that goes on the wall similar to wall paper to give you the look of a faux textured finish without the mess or the need to know any techniques. I was preparing to use the product myself on a project and report back to you about how it worked.

Well, even the best made plans can hit road blocks and the project has been delayed. However, I have made back up plans so next month I should have a report and photos to share with you.

In the meantime, click on the link below to see and read more about this amazing product from Proctor and Gamble.

Built-in bookcases are a decorative and functional part of your home's architecture that are often over looked as a way to quickly change the look and feel of a room.

In this music room, the bookcase was used both for book storage and collectible display. It was functional, and provided color in the room but didn't blend with the function of the room.

The uniqueness of each nutcracker was lost in the massed grouping. To counter that, most were relocated and used in smaller clusters in the family room where more color was needed.

The book and record collection was sorted and grouped to be used in several areas. Combined with musical accessories, this bookcase became more integrated into the music room. The bookcase showcases the owners' personalities and interests and music themed collectibles while storing even more than it had previously.

As the blooming season for your plants closes, continue to look to your garden for material for your floral arrangements.

Though Crepe Myrtle, Purple Cone Flowers, Sedum, Sunflowers and more are still in bloom, consider that in a few weeks you will have a different landscape.

The dried seed pods of these plants can be as interesting as the flowers. Combine them with fresh foliage and berries for color and texture. Non traditional choices are Hosta leaves, St. John's Wort (including berries), Chocolate Eupatorium, Dusty Miller, Coleus leaves and Santolina. Tuck in a few fresh flowers from your garden or florist to add a softer feel and more color.

Plan your composition so that the colors and textures have some contrast but also blend well. Too many plants and textures can look messy. For example, combine blue-green Hosta leaves with multicolored Coleus leaves, red Mums, fresh or dried Sunflowers and Purple Cone Flower seed heads.

If you find that you have lots of choices, divide them into two or more arrangements and spread the bounty through the house! Not enough choices? Get together with a neighbor and combine your options and your efforts.

It's another opportunity to use your creativity!



(For information on the print shown, click on the picture or the link below.)

The Redesigner's Notebook is devoted to tips and articles relating to interior redesign, decorating, entertaining, organizing and related subjects.

If you have an interest or question that you would like to see addressed, or a community event that you would like to see included that relates to these subjects please contact me. Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated!
~ Pam Faulkner, Faulkner House Interior Redesign