Tuesday, July 28, 2009

if i were artsy cool this would be called my studio...

...but instead it is called my craft room.
(Enter "before" photo equivalent to the slouching, overweight, ratty haired, pasty white and always frowning person in the make over show)
This is my room before.  I loved the room but seemed like every time I started a simple project, it was a disaster. Even when I cleaned it, it was a little cluttered for my taste.  

(Enter "after" photo equivalent to the always smiling, skinny, tan, confident, happy person on the makeover show)
And this is my room now.  This is the room where I go and I am suddenly not tired anymore. This is where hours pass like minutes.  Really, I love it in here that much.
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It took me a few months to get it just right.  I measured and moved and labeled and moved again and I finally got it to work. There are still a few places that bug me.  But I can accept that.

I was inspired by my survivor of a woman, talented as an artist, sister in law's studio and her large bulletin board she had hanging on her wall.  But, they are expensive.  Even if you are lucky enough to find them at a thrift store.  So, google helped me out and told me to go get a sound board from the hardware store.  It was only $8.  It left a trail of little particles so I found a table cloth at Ross and covered it.  It was too dark so I added the orange (my favorite color right now).  I tacked some ribbon on there to cover the seams and it works well to hold stuff.  

The table was our kitchen table all of our apartment living days.  
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My ribbons.
They are so happy all in the same place and displayed now.  Much easier to grab what I need.
I got the racks for $5 each when Zims went out of business , the buckets at some Roberts outlet store over 5 years ago in Provo for 50 cents each.  Finally using them.
My dad helped me go get the peg board from Lowe's.  It was only $4.  Must have been because of the weird maple color.  But I used the back, so it didn't matter.

The art is by Kathryn Knudsen, she was one of my many art genius room mates in college.  I got  it a while ago and have been nervous about displaying it wrong.  Had to get over that.  Well, kind of, if you look close, you can see it is help up by the non committal person's adhesive, magnets.
The bookshelf, drawers, and the magazine holders are from IKEA.  Have had those drawers ever since we lived in Chicago.  Once upon a time, those held almost ALL of my stuff.  I would like to be one of those people that likes vintage, cool, mismatch-y, bright, colorful, stuff.  When other people do it, I love it.  When I do it, it looks messy.  Instead I am drawn toward structure, straight lines and balance.  Maybe to balance out my chaotic lifestyle.  

The little table is for my kids but usually just gives me more work space.  You know I am short when I am totally comfortable working at that table.  Like, when I want to be close to my ribbons.  I told you I love them.  
  
The tall shelf was from my sister.  It was a regular book shelf and I turned some of the shelves to turn it into a wrapping paper apartment building of sorts.  They like it there, right next to the ribbons.

The whole re-do was motivated by those big shelves.  $30 each from when Steve and Barry's closed.  I wanted to put them side by side and make a huge work space but this room is actually quite small and wouldn't cooperate.  Ended up stacking them instead.  I looked forever for boxes that fit perfectly.  I have had the metal IKEA ones ever since our apartment days.  Used them in the kitchen.  I loved the way the looked so I got a billion more.  Best friend was so nice to pick them up for me on her way up.  

Knocked/sawed/smashed out two shelves and my 12 by 12 paper stash fit vertically.  Just perfect.  I decided that storing paper vertically is the way to go.  Doesn't mess up the whole pile when you need just one.  

The red chair/step stool used to be white.  Previous owner of this house left it.  It was gross.  After a bunch of spray paint, it isn't gross anymore.  People that feel comfortable at the kid table because their feet actually reach the ground need one of these chairs to reach things.  I use it all the time.  Also provides a little more work space when I need it.

I don't like the space right next to my table.  Still working on it.  Until then, it houses my sewing maching, hand me down serger, and other stuff.  I like to have the TV on when I make stuff.  Just do.  
Made this pin cushion caddy last week.  Thought it would help me be a more efficient sewer person.  Got Anna Marie Horner's book from the library and thought I could handle this project.  Hers is all smooth and beautiful.  My looks a little shriveled and confused.  Just pretend like I meant to do it, right?  

Wow.  I wrote a lot.  Know why?  It's because I am in this room.  See?  Time flies in here...

22 comments:

Angela said...

Is this your craft room? I want it!!!

Angela said...

Love it! Can you help me make one someday if I ever move back to the US?!

marilynl said...

I am seriously so jealous. This is the room of my dreams and I'm pretty sure I will never have one. I want to be you right now!

Sean said...

I love it! Maybe you could come do a makeover on my quilt "studio" ;)

Adri said...

Wow... just looking at that room makes me want to be more crafty.

Unknown said...

love love love it. i want to recreate it here!

Abbigail said...

WOW!WOW!WOW! Okay, I am flying you out here to work on mine. Would you come? Yours looks amazing. Mine is super boring. Then again, I don't have pretty ribbons. I am so so so so so impressed. If you will come I will look for flights and bring you. For a weekend? Could you fix mine nice in a weekend? I adore you. Kath's work looks really nice in there too BTW. Good job my dear.

Ryan said...

Well done! Can you come organize my workshop? Maybe we can fly Karl out at the same time and he can help put bookshelves in our living room.

Karl said...

perhaps Christina could start a little cottage industry in personal space organizing...

Courtney said...

GEEORGEOUS!

Malea said...

Hot dang, gurl! You've got skills! That is an amazing work of art!

Michelle said...

Drooling..right..now!

I love it Christina. What a fun little place of refuge from the rest of the world.

On other news... help!

Kathryn said...

You certainly could become a professional organizer! The room is amazing. It sounds like everyone would like your help.

Amy said...

I don't know which to admire more -- the room itself or your talent for organization and style. A true work of art.

Alyse said...

That is amazing...YOU are amazing. I would not even know what to do in there. Love your ribbon organization.

Heath'e' said...

I'm in love, can I move in and just sit and stare! I hope to have my own space one day rather then a dingy corner in my bedroom! I love the ribbon wall, I've been trying to find solutions for mine. Seriously you did a fabulous job!

Nicole said...

Oh my heavens!!! I can't believe how awesome that room is. I want to be a crafty person just because of your craft room. I showed Nate and he thought it was a store at first. I have one friend who will be especially jealous of the amazingness. I'll have to show her.

pamela said...

what an inspiring room. makes me want to go over to my studio and redo it. displaying things (like your ribbon) in an inspiring way makes you want to create. i love it.

**ps. i am abbi's friend. i also know kathy knudsen. talented women!

IH-Texas said...

Love it! So jealous. Enjoy! Hugs - Amie T

Christine said...

Wow! You are seriously amazing! My dream is to finish our basement so that I can have a room like that, although I know it will never be as cool.

Nikki said...

Love it!

Hyeyoung said...

wow, i love your space. as much as i love living here, i do wish for bigger space to have such a room. it's totally fabulous and btw, i remember those wooden boxes in your apartment here.

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