A few finds from Sonoma stores that will help facilitate the return to school.
Routine keeper: Setting a daily schedule makes a habit out of must-do tasks. Kim Dow Made This will customize a chore chart for you with up to six steps. This task list doubles as art and can do the nudging for you. $10, Kim Dow Made This, PO Box 1282, Healdsburg, kimdowmadethis.com (Kim Dow Made This)
Time keeper: Encourage time-telling and time-tracking outside of that pesky phone. The simplicity of this clock—by Japanese design luminary Riki Watanabe–makes it easy to read and beautifully minimalist. Note: This Sonoma store is online only, but can offer in-store shopping by appointment. $180, Stardust, 270 W Napa S.,, Sonoma, 707- 939-9545, stardust.com (Stardust)
Hanging inbox/outbox: Important school papers can easily end up in piles on tables or cluttering up fridge doors. To tame the look, hang a file near the door, in the office or wherever your command center is located. With a pretty black folder inside, these file hangers look like art, not work. $59, Keyaiira Leather and Fiber, etsy.com/shop/Keyaiira, keyaiira.com (Keyaiira)
Stylish storage: Backpacks, bags and books are no fun to look at in piles by the door. Tame clutter right at the entryway via a bench with ample room for storage. Sonoma Woodworks pieces together old wine barrel staves into Vinoplanks™ to make this gorgeous slatted wood bench. Baskets and bins placed underneath can help check clutter at the door. $2250, Sonoma Millworks,1480-A Grove St, Healdsburg, 707-431-1860, sonomamillworks.com (Sonoma Millworks)
Storage, storage, storage: Coral books, supplies or other educational sundries in pretty baskets. We love these artisan-made Bolga baskets from Ghana for their colors, strong weave and leather handles. Motifs are not pre-designed so all of these functional art pieces are unique. $28 (small) to $65 (large), Cloverdale Nursery, 216 S Cloverdale Blvd, Cloverdale, 707-894-6654, cloverdalenursery.info (Cloverdale Nursery)
Because we can't get enough storage: This bookshelf is made of upcycled wine racks and wine staves from French oak barrels used in Sonoma and Napa wineries. The wines staves are made into Vinoplanks™ of slatted wood which are as pretty as they are strong and sustainable. Keep reading materials and work supplies organized and in view with this good looking shelf. $695, Sonoma Millworks, 1480-A Grove St, Healdsburg, 707-431-1860, sonomamillworks.com (Sonoma Millworks)
Healthy snacks helper: Fruits and veggies can be overlooked in the game of snacking because they’re less convenient to prepare. With this hand-thrown ceramic berry bowl and saucer, you can rinse the fruit and put it right out on the table for eating. The bowl is so cute, you'll want to keep it out all day. And we know that keeping fruit in view helps it get eaten. $36, Roost General Store, 9111 Windsor Rd, Windsor, 707-620-0654, roostgeneralstore.com
Good thoughts: A little encouragement is good for everyone. Have inspiring words visible when the kids leave for school and when they return home. $14, BOHO Bungalow, 3692 Bohemian Highway, 707-874-6030, 125 N Main St., Sebastopol, 707-861-9241, 143 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-874-6030, thebohobungalow.com
Back to school means back to business, but also back to busyness. And while we appreciate the focus routines offer, jam-packed schedules can be daunting. In order to tackle these busy days more effectively, we found a few finds from Sonoma stores that might facilitate your routine at home before school and after school. Click through the above gallery for details.
