Sunday, July 26, 2009

The craft room tour

I figured it was time to give a tour of the space where I do all my work. This room used to be a porch and the previous owners of our house remodeled it into a sunroom. The idea of another room was nice, but it was really almost useless because you can't put furniture into it without blocking vital walkways or doors. So after 2 years of staring at an ugly empty room I decided to make it into something I could use.

My husband installed a regular kitchen counter from Lowes ($79) by screwing 2x2's into the studs on both sides and just setting the counter on top. If you look really closely in a couple pics you can see the 2x2 but I don't mind. Then we looked for something to support the center. I found that cabinet on the clearance at Lowe's because it was a special or kitchen wall cabinet that was sent in the wrong color. It was marked $25. The blinds also came from Lowes. The large window was $28 and the two smaller windows were $16. The chairs were found on clearance at Steinmart for $35 each. The wall shelves were $4 each. So the total amount spent in my room makeover was around $230. Everything else in the room from curtains to baskets and pictures were all old un-used items pulled from the garage or other rooms in my house.

I realize the papasan chair is old and outdated, but I LOVE that thing. I keep looking for a new one to replace it with, but i have yet to find a chair as comfy as that thing.
This is where I normally sit down and work. That desk light came from IKEA (thanks mom) and is AWESOME for evening and night work. I keep my favorite stamps, my embossing powders and a few punches handy on the shelves right over my workspace. I keep my favorite inspiration magazines handy and a little desk organizer with most used tools and supplies like hole poker, glue dots, tape, exacto knife, pencil and a few other small things. The jars of flowers in the window where a clearance buy that I haven't figured out where to store yet. I keep whatever paint colors I am currently working with in the window as well for easy touch up access.
Underneath my side of the desk I have lots of storage options. I realize none of them match but oh well :). This little caddy came from Brylane Home for $19. It's supposed to be a shoe caddy but holds all my embellishements, punches, inks and other tools handy. It has wheels so I can roll it out when I am working and then roll it away to clean up.
Also under my workspace side of the desk is a little 3 shelf closet organizer with baskets. Each basket holds more stuff. One holds all my dies, another one embossing folders and the top is misc junk :).
Onto the other side of the desk. I usually stand when I work over here. My cricut is used here, as is the cuttlebug and papercutter. I keep a few more stamps here, these are less used but still loved. I hope to fill up that middle shelf with lots of cricut cart boxes. :)
On the countertop I have my markers, paintbrushes, small pieces of ribbon and buttons. Scrapbooks I am currently working on are stored here and the basket holds small paper pads.
Underneath is mypaper storage and hidden behind paper storage is another little cabinets. It mostly holds paint supplies. Now, the center cabinet. I try really hard to keep this tidy and organized, but it's impossible. I keep all my eyelets, brads and tools in here. Ribbon is all on the second shelf, bottom shelf is odds and ends from gitter and beads to my mini paper sewing machine.
One thing I didn't take a photo of, is behind this cabinet I have a sterilite 3 drawer organizer that holds all my yarn and knitting/crocheting stuff. I don't do yarn work as much so I keep it hidden away and only pull it out as needed.

Here is the view behind the desk. That cabinet stores my envelops, mailing supplies, ready to start wood pieces and lots more.

Last but not least, my view. Part of the reason I love my room. Lots of natural light and good scenery. The only negative I have about my room is that is it very small (8x10) and is a major walkway. The dining room leads through here to go outside as does the living room, both by windowed patio doors. It's my dream one day to change the doorways into something else and remodel this room to be more useful and pretty but for now it's nice and serves it's purpose.

Thanks for visiting my room!

6 comments:

Christie Cottage said...

I think it's a wonderful layout and I love that you are a thrifty shopper.

The natural light is wonderful too.

Thanks for sharing!


http://christiecottage.blogspot.com

Knit2getherInLove said...

Alicia,
What a great workspace! You are blessed!

I am in the laundry room next to the oil tank! That is the only room in the house that can currently fit my knitting machines.

Anonymous said...

WOW! That is such a beautiful and well organized space! Soooo nice! Thanks for showing us the pics...I don't think I'll show you where I work...it's embarassing after seeing your space!

Anonymous said...

I love it. I especially love the bargain shopping.

Embellished Bayou said...

Even with it's shortcomings, it's a fabulous space & much better than an empty, wasted room! Great job!

jannypie said...

Thanks for the blog comment! Your room looks very inviting and organized, and more props to you for keeping it that way!!