February 18, 2013

Redoing My Craft Room

I love my new Craft Room, but had no idea it was going to take me almost 2 weeks to complete! 


 All I really had to do was clean and reorganize, but one thing lead to another

You know how it goes, I took everything out of the room, then thought..Well, why don't I repaint....Add more shelves...Change the fabric around the counters.....And on and on....


Now, if you're looking for a drool worthy shabby, romantic, craft room.....Opp's, you won't find it here!

 I really love that look but, I work best in a total utilitarian room.  If you have ever looked at my HOME TOUR you will see that I have a look I've termed, "Minimalist Shabby".  I like clean surfaces, total organization, no clutter.....I'm so boring!

Here was the room before, only it didn't look like this, it was a total mess!


The only way to clean it was to totally empty the room...Oh gosh the mess drove me crazy!  I filled up the guest room, hallway, bathtub, and dining table
 First up was painting.  I'm horrible at picking paint colors from little paint chips so I asked my friend Celestina Marie and she suggested a Behr paint called "Heirloom lace" (280E-1)...Oh, I loved the name and the color even more, it's a barely pink color.

Next up was adding a shelf over the window.  I wanted it low enough so I could reach it, but that meant the wire closet shelf had to straddle the window which required "L" brackets to hold it up


The ribbon holders are from Barr Display, they were meant for slat walls, but hooked perfectly on the wire closet shelf.


One whole wall in my 9 X 11 room is a slat wall.  I get many emails asking where I got the slat wall, it was from Barr Display along with the baskets.  The baskets are easy to ship, but not the slat wall, so my advise would be to see if any of your home improvement stores have slat walls or could order one.


All of the baskets in the slat wall where sorted and I still have room for more...Yea!
I do all of my crafting on the folded table below the wall


With Christmas money from Mom, I headed to Ikea and had so much fun picking out boxes and storage bins..I loved these boxes, they were linen covered with the perfect handles for grabbing them off the shelf




I also got the bins in the bottom of the fabric closet from Ikea.  I used comic book backing boards to wrap my fabric on.


My Mom found this great cabinet at an antiques sale.  The glass was missing so I used foam board and covered it with fabric.  It was the perfect place to store all of my adhesives, buttons, and ink pads.  


I recovered the stools

And used this lucious brown fabric for the front of the sewing and computer desk.  And used two pieces of foam core from the dollar store glued together and covered with corresponding fabric for a bulletin board.

I couldn't figure out how to finish off the window


 I knew I needed to bring the brown fabric up above the counter to balance the brown on the bottom but, I didn't want to mess with curtains by the sewing machines.  To the rescue was Angelina at JoJo and Eloise.  She suggested using the fabric on bulletin boards by the windows, then my brother suggested running narrow strips of the bulletin board up the sides of the window.  Genius..The window now looks finished and I can use it for fabric swatches and pins too.


After I labeled all of the boxes, took two huge bags to the Goodwill and three to the garbage...I was DONE!


I have to tell you, I am in total organization heaven!

I love my craft room or is it a sewing room, maybe a studio....I think we should all just call our rooms what they are...

Play Rooms!

Happy Crafting
Carol



79 comments:

Bente said...

The room is fantastic. Can`t believe how much stuff you have. It must be heaven to work there.

Have a creative and lovely day.

Hugs

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Carol, Holy Moly!! It looks stunning!! You have it so organized too and what wonderful things you have used for organization and display!!

Thanks so much for the inspiration!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Bluebirdbasketry said...

Wow, wow,wow. This is not just a playroom, it is the Disneyworld of playrooms! It looks just wonderful, Carol. You have inspired me to empty my craft corner of the basement and get organized.

Se

Anonymous said...

Carol, you have one beautiful craft room! And the ribbon and fabric! Girl, I could shop your craft room and find as much as the fabric store we have here (New Brunswick, Canada)!

Old Time Cindy said...

Now that's the way to do it! So much organization. I was just trying to explain this concept to hubby after he said I was a little compulsive. I said in order to be creative, my environment cannot be in chaos. With your 'room', your creativity will flow freely...and make your happy!
Farmhouse hugs,
Cindy

Heart Vintage Design said...

Wow, what a transformation, not that there was anything wrong with the old one. I will not let you into my house until it looks like that lol.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

My goodness Carol I wish that I had a tiny bit of your energy to take on that task! It was well worth the effort because it looks absolutely magazine worthy. It's so pretty and so organized. I'd be afraid of messing it up and would probably end up just looking at it!
Love the colors and fabrics that you chose. So sweet from end to end.

hugs
Sissie

Debra Ganas said...

Word for the day...............INSPIRED!!!!
I better get busy!

Debra

BucksCountyFolkArt said...

SCRUMPSH!!! And it's all so clean, orderly, and fresh! I'm guessing you won't be leaving it for a while. : )

miss flibbertigibbet said...

Wow...what a LOT of work! It looks SO organized now....I'm sure you're loving it!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

You did a great job, Carol! It looks wonderful, and I love seeing all your supplies and fabrics. Those boxes above the window are great. My craft/sewing room is so small that I have to take everything out to organize, too. It was really meant to be a storage room.

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Wow Carol!
this room looks so purposeful and well intended!
I would love to be that organized and have such a uniformed, neat and tidy place to play!
I love the chocolate and pink polk-dots!

have fun wit it!
Pat

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

This is way beyond just utilitarian. It is beautiful! I am building a craft room in our basement and trying to get it organized the way I want. Like you I have a ton of stuff because I do so many crafts.

You have some great storage ideas. I'm going to order some of those comic book protectors for my fabric.

I'd love it if you would link this up to my new linky party, "What We Accomplished Wednesday." It goes live about 6:00 PM eastern time on Tuesday night. Have a great week!

Hugs,
Deborah

NanaDiana said...

Carol- I am so jealous! No, seriously....J-E-A-L-O-U-S! I don't covet much but I sure wish I had a space like this to craft/play in! You did a wonderful job and I just love it. I saved the paint color, too, to my files. Don't you just LOVE that Celestina Marie? I just adore her!

Happy Crafting! You did a wonderful job!!!!! xo Diana

Trisha said...

What a great job you did on your craft room. So inspiring.

Sandy~Romantique Inspirations~ said...

Wow Carol, you put a lot of work into this.... and it looks great, very functional and neat. I like everything organized and tidy too and you certainly achieved that!
Very Well Done!!

Hugs~

Betty@SouthernGrace said...

Wowsers! I am totally impressed. It's like a little craft store. That is amazing!

Marilyn said...

Why do I always wait to get something done like this? It looks great and so easy to work in. I did laugh at the pile in the bathtub, though! I think I'd need two bathtubs to get the job done. Must go now and fold some laundry and wash a few dishes. Have a great week of creating.♥♫

Wanda said...

What an inspiration, I need to do this as we will soon be moving and I need to get everything into the new room which I haven't seen as it isn't built yet. So I need to do a serious de stash. I am in love with the bulletin board by the window how great for pinning your sewing projects to. Thanks for the tour, and the inspiration. TTFN

Ann said...

Great job cleaning up and reorganizing. I am a new follower of your blog and would love it if you would follow my blog too. I always love making new craft friends.

Unknown said...

You did such a great job. I also have a craft room on my third floor. It is great need of organization. I have some cabinets that I got from a closed party store, but they are full to over flowing. HAHA. You have inspired me to get moving and redo mine.

Thanks for the pics.

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Carol,
WOW it turned out fabulous. I am in heaven with the fabric browns and pink. Love it and the organization is awesome. Every detail is perfect and the bins are wonderful. I have them from Ikea too, the ones for holding books. Going back for more.
The ribbons are right where you need them and love your fabrics so neat and tidy.

You sure did an amazing job and I am so glad the wall color worked out. I am so loving it here too and repainted our master with the second color on that chip. It is lighter when on the wall and so yummy. Makes the furniture pop. I think I'll be painting my kitchen with the Heirloom lace too. Have it in the L.Room and love it. Not pink really but a very pale pale light pink or a creamy ice cream.

Thank you for sharing your redo. I was so anxious to see it.
I know you are having a blast creating in there.

Hugs, Celestina Marie

Diane said...

I'd say VERY drool-worthy!!

Nancy Carr said...

What a GREAT room!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Ok, now I'm really speechless! What a beautiful and organized space for creating. It's not only functional with all your supplies right where you need them, but it's all so pretty to look at too. I had to laugh when you moved things into your bathtub. It's amazing what we fit in our creative spaces. Great job Carol.

pogonip said...

It not only looks gorgeous but is obviously functional. You've almost got me convinced that organized is good. Great job, Carol!!

Anonymous said...

Working on elderberry jam and saw your post and had to come over to see your space!! I don't know what you mean - it looks fantastic! Love the fabrics you used. The ribbon rack is really a neat idea and also the foam board on either side of the window. Love those tall closet type cabinets on either side of the window too!Did you show us what you keep in those? Love peeking inside cabinets!

Went out to the land Sat to check our bee hives and we lost both hives this winter. :( The hive here at the house seems to be ok still. It was beautiful weather this weekend- today we woke up to snow! So want Spring to arrive but know I am expecting way too much this early!

bee blessed
mary

gayegirl said...

Oh I just love your room, please come and sort mine out for me. I reckon you must feel as if you have died and gone to heaven.
Have the most enjoyable crafting times now and keep it tidy!!!!
Love Gaye xx

farmhouse-story said...

i think i could go shopping in your pretty room, carol!! you have some wicked organizational skills--enjoy creating and thanks for sharing!

Perfectly Printed said...

LOVE IT! Looks Great!

Chris

Perfectly Printed said...

LOVE IT! Looks Great!

Chris

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I Love your "Play Room"!!! The ribbons all in a row is a great idea!
You can come over and redo my play room!
Warmly,
deb

marda said...

Your work room-play room looks just
grand. So beautifully organized and everything easily at hand. I'm a wee bit jealous of it all!
Love that wall paint, it's such a restful color to work in. A great choice in that brown fabric too. Thanks for the great pictures.

Debbie @DewdropGables said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I'm in the process of redoing our rec room into my craft room. It is quite the task so I understand your frustration. But the end is so worth it! I love your new 'play room'!
Debbie :)

DownTheLaneWithDaisy said...

Just awesome! I love the foam boards on the side of the windos. Where did you buy that fabulous folded table? So functional and unobtrusive! I cant wait to finish my studio/playroom? Ps you need more pink ribbon,!! Lol

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

What a beautiful work space you created/organized. I love the idea for organizing the ribbon -- mine is ALL over the place! You have a beautiful place to work!

shabbied up grannie said...

Carol , its stunning , and as you have room to hang some more slats I'm sure you could stow me away in there so I can play too LOL

Have lots of fun crafting in your new room

Bev xx

fixitfaerie said...

Oh my gosh Carol- your room turned out so cute, and organized. I think you did an excellent job in arranging all of your craft supplies. Now it will be so much more convenient when you go to find something. Thanks for sharing. Blessings Paula

Dawnll said...

Oh my goodness I so want to come and play in your play room! I LOVE,LOVE the colors and openness.
Thanks for sharing with us sweetie

Anonymous said...

Looks fabulous! By the way, is your brother married? Sounds like a man I could relate to. Kidding! ; ) Patty/BC

Createology said...

Carol your Play Room is a dream come true. Very organized and softly colorful. I love how you are able to see and use your supplies. Every detail and storage solution is brilliant. Well done dear!!! Happy Hearts are Creative Hearts...

Unknown said...

Absolutely fabulous! What a crafting paradise! To tell you the truth, I would rather organize my supplies than do the artwork. I will look forward to seeing some fabulous projects come out of your new room.
Best wishes-Claudia

Shelly said...

Ironically, I've been working on my craft space as well over the last two weeks. I've thrown out about 4 bags and have one for donation. So hard to let supplies go when you don't know what might come in handy on a project. However, it is inspiring me to create again, having a clean space is going to make me so happy.
You've done a great job, it looks great and I know for sure how much work it was.

Ginger said...

Carol, what a great transformation, I love it. You are so organized!! I wouldn't want to mess it up! Beautiful job.
Gnger

Stampindamour said...

Carol - ♥ it!!!

PattieJ said...

It looks beautiful!! I LOVE those ribbon holders!! So nice to have everything at your fingertips like that!

Pattie

P.S I ordered a full size dress form from Barr and it's on it's way to Chicago right now!! I'm so excited!! I just hope I can age it without messing it up!!! :|

nelda said...

So inspiring! Thanks for sharing...I am determined to finish up my sewing room. I got so discouraged when I started pulling things out and filled up the guest bathroom. After seeing your pics, I had to laugh. Now I know I can do it too!

Unknown said...

Oh Carol, Im loving loving loving your play room!!!! I think it is indeed lovely and sweet and the creative avalanche that comes out of here is stunning! Thank you for showing us dear! :)

Hugs,

Chenille Cottage said...

Oh, Carol! Your studio is gorgeous. I love all the neopolitan ice cream touches you have given it. The skirt on your table is so elegant. I love the light that streams in on your work space. Just look at all the beautiful detail...elegantly printed pink tags, soft white shelving, boxes and trims. Your stools are charming.
I love it all, my friend!
Blessings,
Carolynn xoxo

Maureen Wyatt said...

Wow, you have been some busy girl! I only dream of doing my room up that way. At the moment, I can barely walk in my craft room.

Teresa said...

I Can't comment... the envy doesn't allow it.
I'm so envious of your space. And no, before you ask, I don't craft in such BIG way but I want that room to live in it. Really! Now!!!!

I can almost see the Cinderella fairies bustling through it in order to accomplish the suitable-for-a-Prince Gown or Precious Shoe.

Need to go over ALLLLL details until I'm over the envy and just stuck to endless admiration for your Gift and Taste.

Enjoy!

Teresa

Cheryl @ Bingle Bears said...

WOW!! I loved your "play room" before the transformation, but I love it ever SO much more NOW! It's fabulous!!

Hugs,
Cheryl

Maureen said...

Awesome Carol! I just love looking at other people's workspaces and yours is fantastic! Love the idea of the covered corkboard by the window. Genius! Very pretty and organized room.

Diann said...

Okay, would it be rude of me to just sit here and totally let my envy show? Probably! What a great space Carol! Beautiful and my dream playroom!

Angelina- JoJo & Eloise said...

Oh, I LOVE it Auntie Carol. I especially love all the pictures with all your Stuff scattered about the house. : ) Makes me feel better about having the same amount of Hoarded things :) The colors actually came out Lovely and the organization of the boxes and the wall is fantastic. Now I just need to get on your Mom's Christmas list, so I can get some Ikea money LOL!! The window looks FANTASTIC and I love the fabric choice. I bet you find yourself walking by the room and just looking at your new PLAYROOM :)
xo
Angelina

Debbiedoos said...

I am super jealous of your craft room. I just envision you crafting away, all organized and whistling away. Me on the other hand, I'm a hot mess!

Urban Farmhouse Chic said...

Great job! Just going to ignore the mess around me and click my heels together. Darn, still doesn't look like yours!

Anonymous said...

wow! I am impressed and just a wee bit (lot) jealous. What a great space to work .... "play". I am in the process of redoing mine too. When I finish my studio/office will be a studio/office/grandgirl'sguest room. LOL Mine won't be as sweet as yours though.

Laurel Stephens said...

I'm an organization nut, so my idea of a really good time is seeing other blogger's creative spaces. You have so many good ideas here, and your space is really pretty and charming. I can just picture you having a great time in your "playroom."

Unknown said...

Okay....so I'm jealous! My sewing room is a disaster. I have all of this cutesy little junk that I just seem to HAVE to display. I'm going to get right on making my room look as pretty as yours!....later HAHA!

Lori V said...

Your Studio is fabulous. A little bit of HEAVEN on earth. ENJOY!!!!

Ana said...

Oh Carol,
Your play room is beautiful. Such a pretty place to be creative in. Now I want a play room too :-) Enjoy!

Hugs and Kisses,
❤Ana

Stacy's Shabby Shoppe said...

My goodness Carol, your room is totally amazing! I actually have the same paint color, but I have it on my ceiling in my bedroom! My walls are white, but the light pink gives me room a very soft glow which I love! Good job woman! You are amazing! xo

Sheilagh said...

A M A Z I N G !!!!

Anonymous said...

Carol, Your room is absolutely stunning. I love the ribbon holder and how neatly it just sits out of the way but handy and close. Love the color of your room as well. You did a wonderful job. I too went through this in December I think it was and I found things I didn't know I had, lost pieces and parts belonging to another "thing" else where. I'm happier doing my craft now than ever before.


Well done!!
Hugs
Tammy

Debbie said...

Drool alert! Drool Alert! You're wrong, this is just wonderful and I am drooling. I love the new fabric choice, it's still pinkishly "Carol" but updated and so pretty. It would definitely make me feel more creative just to walk in there.

mail4rosey said...

You did go all out, and it was worth every effort. It looks superb!

Debbi said...

and I thought I had a lot of supplies! Very nice re-do Carol. Such a good use of space. I have a 10x14 studio, but it has a monster corner desk unit, which when we got it was a great organizer for my day job and online job..now that I am 100% art focused it is one big elephant in here! You are so inspiring, I may have to figure out how to get it out of here!

Unknown said...

WOW! It's like having your own JoAnne's in your home! I would sleep in that room. ;)
It's wonderful!!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

such a beautiful place to create your crafts and projects. It's like your very own space and you have so many wonderful accessories.

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Wow! I love your organized play room. Will you come and organize me! Nancy

Ivy and Elephants said...

Your craft room is just over the top gorgeous!!! I love that ribbon rack over the window, ... GENIUS!!!
Hugs,
Patti

GardenOfDaisies said...

Your pink craft room is so pretty! And so well organized. The neutral background allows the crafty bits to really shine as the decoration for the room.

Rebecca Nelson said...

SWOOOOONING here my friend. Love your room and your ORGANIZATION! YUM!

I love my studio but I'm finding it hard to work in sometimes. I wish I had a big/long ugleeee table that would be OK with splats of paint and glue. :) Maybe I'll put one in my GAW-ROG! :)

xoRebecca

Annesphamily said...


Oh this is dreamy! I want to play in your craft room! I love everything you did! Great accomplishment! Have a super weekend! Hugs Anne

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

This phrase "drool worthy" always gets my goat, girl. Your spaces, like mine, serve your needs. While the spaces and ideas of others might make me "drool," I have found in my heart covetousness and envy creeping in.

I am IN my Creation Station-- the purging of it, the reorganizing of it, the rethinking of it. Instead of "How can this serve my guests?" it's, "How can this space serve me first?" It's such a huge space, I've had to really look at it after 1.5 years of living here. You know what I mean: REALLY look at it. Not drool-worthy, but eye-opening.

Your Closet never ceases to inspire me. It's transparency and honesty which ministers to me. I mean that word. It feeds, sustains, nourishes and encourages me. May that be what I "drool" over-- not possessions, not materialism, not things. Instead, the right attitude, the proper stewardship and appropriateness.

I remember Alexandra Stoddard's mantra: Simple, Appropriate, Beautiful. 'Nough said.

Thank you, Carol. This post fed my soul.

Kelley~

Little Miss Maggie said...

I am beyond envious of your organizational skills. I so wish my craft room looked like this. I love it. Everything has a place and everything is in its place. Fantastic.

Carolyn said...

Can you come play with me?

Unknown said...

I just showed these pix to my husband with tears running down my cheeks! Think he'll get out the hammer and nails and start on my craft room? LOL thanks for sharing your beautiful room. Just started following you. Hugs from Cathy in Chicago