Wednesday, June 13, 2012

55 Reader Space: A Creative Craft Room

Earlier this week I shared that I have been doing some major studio project planning and inspiration finding.  I have been scouring Pinterest for studios and craft rooms and have been left feeling delightfully inspired.  To top off the fun, I checked my Reader Space submissions and organizing fate brought Jaime and I together....


Jaime wrote:

Hi Jen!
I wanted to share with you a special space full of cuteness and crafty inspiration.  This room was used by the previous owners as a "formal" living room...nothing about our family is formal, so out it went and in came a craft space! It is a place where I create for my Etsy shop, the kids do homework and girlfriend's come to craft.

Keeping it organized is usually easy since it is set up with so many different storage areas, that are all labeled, so there is no way not to know what goes where.  The one thing I am sure to stay on top of, as with everything else in the house, is the surface areas... especially that big island!

Also, having a lot of my supplies in clear jars and sorted by color or type makes it easy to know right where things are when I am crafting.  The pedestal dishes on the island hold all the tools and supplies that are used most.

Making it pretty was the best part!  Once I had everything where I wanted it, I started to think about decor and making it a space that I dreamed of.  I am a yard sale-thrift junkie, so a lot of what I used was re-purposed or vintage.

The main pieces in the room were built by my hubby; the island, sewing desk and shelves above it, were all his creations.  The shelves on the back wall were the cheapo white units from Target with molding and arches added to make it look like one piece.

I can't even begin to tell you how blessed I am to have this room.  Sometimes I still want to pinch myself when I see it. 

Take a peek!
Jaime
http://raisinguprubies.blogspot.com/

And peek I happily did!  Look what I found:


Do you hear the angels singing?







It is a lot to take in all at once, so many moments of amazingness happening!  Feel free to take your time and ooooh and aahhh with me...

    • The main pieces were built to fit the needs of the space {and to save some moolah!}
    • The inexpensive big box store bland bookcases were modified to look like lovely built ins!
    • Storage was well thought out and everything was taken into consideration.
    • So many items were thrifted, showing that you don't have to purchase fancy pants expensive containers to create amazing storage!
    • She used her creative talent to DIY some super swell labels!  A mix and match of different label styles gives her space and storage more character.
    • Crafting comes with so many supplies and items, using vertical space through shelving is a huge win!
    • It is so colorful!  Who wouldn't feel inspired to get their creative craft on in this space?
    • Items being used more frequently stay out on "display".
    • Storing smaller items in clear storage containers allow you to quickly see the contents vs. digging through boxes and bins.
    • I love that she thought about her needs and storage first, making it pretty second.  It's a great reminder that so many inexpensive storage items can be dressed up with some spray paint and pretty paper!
    A special thanks to Jaime for submitting her inspiring craft room, which was perfect timing for my studio storage brainstorming needs!

    So my friends, what is your favorite moment from today's happy space?



    ATTENTION!!  Want to be featured in a Reader Space edition?  Have an awesome organizing story to share?  I am looking for projects that have made a positive impact to your life.  Please submit your story and photos here and I would heart to feature them right here, on the blog!!  Photos should be high resolution and unedited.  Please include a description of the project, including any costs, inspiration, and how it has changed your life and routine for the better!  Oh, and no worries my friends, we will NEVER judge "before" pictures because that just wouldn't be nice!  Only love goes on at this blog!

    55 comments:

    1. How inspiring! Now how would a web designer, choral teacher make a space like that one that dabbles in art when she can?

      Pam

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    2. Love this! This is one of the most inspiring space I have seen.

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    3. oh.

      my.

      gosh!!!!!!!

      Jamie is a craft room rockstar!!!! I love the color scheme and all the fun details! And now I suddenly need a larger house..... haha glorious!

      Jenn @ Peas and Crayons

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    4. WOW!This is beautiful and it reminds me of walking into a fancy craft store...everything labeled and in its place. I especially love the gorgeous island!! Crafting is great, but even better when you can do it with friends! Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing!

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    5. I absolutely LOVE this craft room. It is so organized, colorful, and functional. Thank you so much for sharing! ;)

      xoxo,
      Kristin

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    6. Wow, that is insanely gorgeous! All that color!!! Wow!!!!

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    7. Oh my that is one ridiculous craft room! So envious of the space they have! My sewing machine is in the closet on the floor. Thanks for the eye candy and inspiration!

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    8. Must. Have. The. Room! This is great if we have a place with formal room. I love how this is an all purpose room!

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    9. My oh My! That is dreamy!! I love my own craft room, but this one takes the cake. Can we all just move in for a week and craft our hearts out?? Thanks for sharing!!

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    10. yay! that would be so fun!! thanks ladies...

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      1. Where did you get the jars that you store yarn in? LOVE them!!

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      2. at the Christmas Tree Shop...thanks!
        i dont know how local they are to everyone but a great alternative would be to find glass jars with lids and use some chalkboard paint and a stencil...voila!

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      3. Target and a lot of the craft stores (Hobby Lobby) carry jars like that. And, the new Martha Stewart chalkboard labels from Staples would be perfect!!

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    11. That is so great! My favorite is the craft paper covered binders and the labels made for them. I think I need to do that since the fancy binders are too expensive!

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    12. I'm definitely not a decorator, but this room gave me cold chills! I absolutely adore it and hope to do something similar. My office is lacking in inspiration!

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    13. Lovely! I adore the bookcases and all those baskets! Great job!

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    14. Make sure you check out craftystorage.blogspot.com. There are TONS of ideas on there. I have a great time going through the archives trying to figure out what I would like to have from there!!!

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    15. I think I literally was drooling over these pictures!! Love it.

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    16. Oh my goodness, what a fabulous craft room!!!

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    17. Wow! Who wouldn't want to craft in that room?! I think my favorite part is that she made a formal living room into a craft room! We have a "studio" upstairs, and NEVER use it. I should turn my dining room into a craft room. Guess it would be kind of a pain for people to eat upstairs in the "studio", though, huh? :)

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    18. Love it! So beautiful and bright.

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    19. I stumbled upon your blog a few months ago and am hooked! I also like to be organized and love getting budget friendly ideas from your blog. In fact, I have shared your blog with a few friends and today you were mentioned on a friend's blog, The Memory Journalists. http://www.memoryjournalists.com/blog.cfm?postID=1680&health-and-wellness-tip-get-organized

      Thanks for all of the tips!
      Natalie

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    20. I was squeeking with joy the moment I layed eyes on the ribbon filled candy jars and the repurposed cake stand *_*

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    21. Please please PLEEEZ tell me where that awesome three-tier steel turntable comes from. I love the clear jars holding all the drawing goodies. I'm a big jar person myself and save nearly every jar I empty out. Also, what is/was the original purpose of that turntable. (Can you tell I really love turntables?) Thanks.

      - Gitana the Creative Diva

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      Replies
      1. Hi Gitana!
        The metal caddy was from Pottery Barn (last summer)...the sky's the limit girl! You can use it for whatever you'd like :) I think in the catalog they had it on display with different kinds of fruit...hope that helps!

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    22. Amazing space. So fun, and super organized. You can't help but be inspired to create in a space like that.

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    23. There are no words to describe how much I love love LOVE this room! I think my favorite is the big table in the middle, crafting is always more fun with friends :)

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    24. What an incredible room!! I'd happily craft the day away - this is just so, so... EPIC.

      I both love and am so jealous of the fact that her hubs handmade so many of the items. I wish mine was a carpenter, or could at least put something together for me.

      100% amazing!

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    25. Oh my word!! I'm only getting started and I could only wish to create half of that in my home!

      lifeinsamsbox.blogspot.com

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    26. Shirley said:
      I knoit has been said many times, but I love this room. Could you tell me the size of the room? If someone would try to copy this room it would be very expensive. So I have been collecting for a while now and ready to get started. Thanks for sharing.

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      1. Hi Shirley!
        The size of my space is 11' by 19' ...I'm so glad you like it!!

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    27. This is fantastic! Where is the metal tiered caddy from?

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    28. What a lucky girl! I have had to drool over this room 2 times now!oh goodness...may have to stare at it again before I go. I love everything! ALL the colors are so pretty and inspiring. I don't blame u one bit for changing a 'formal' livingroom---i have always thought what a waste of space. Nice! I love all the storage bins but I really love the basic white bins with the ruffles attached. That is such a girly touch.Oh and the work table in the middle. Beautiful!

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    29. Absolutely great room! I love the amount of storage you have and all the work space! Gives me great inspiration to keep working on my craft room/office.

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    30. I first saw this space on Pinterest, and was immediately drawn to what a beautiful, amazing space this is! I would love to create there. She did such a great job integrating colors, storage and workspace all in one!

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    31. OMGSH, this is an awesome space - it looks very, very useful - a well organized space that would help the creativity just FLOW - and there is room for my friends to join me (a priority!). Awesome - I'm so glad you featured this for us!

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    32. It was a pure delight to look at the photographs. Amazing detailing. Like the use of small chalkboards as labels for boxes. Loved it. Truly inspirational!

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    33. Yes I hear the angels singing and my green monster of envy roaring! LOL! So gorgeous!

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    34. Absolutely breathtaking!! This space is visually stunning and so inspiring - thank you for sharing it with us!! I had such an Aha moment when you shared that the kids used this lovely craft space for homework as well - now I can focus on creating a wonderful craft space of my own that can also do double duty with the kiddos! Thanks again Jen & Jaime for keeping us inspired!

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    35. I love it! I'd love to hear more about the items that were re-purposed -- and where did all those baskets come from? Looks like you used your sewing skills and dressed them up too. So amazing, truly a great job and I feel very inspired!!

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    36. Hi Jamie!
      Most of the canvas bins were from K-Mart last summer...I just spruced them up a bit with ruffled fabric & scrapbooking hardware.
      The pedestal dishes on the island, the canning jars and the vintage pyrex canisters, were all finds at garage sales! :)
      The thread box over the sewing table was an old typesetting box, and an old tool box houses embroidery threads & beads...so glad you love it! thank you ♥

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    37. Oh my gosh- can I come over and craft with you, Jaime? This is gorgeous and truly inspiring! I have a question...how did you add the moldings and arches to the bookcases to make them look like one piece? Also, what type of paint did you use on them? I LOVE everything else too and the best part is that you repurposed old items and used your ingenuity to make things look pretty...you're a truly a gifted crafter :-)

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      1. Hi Julie!
        thank you so much! and thank you for the sweet words! ♥
        ok, so the moldings on the top, bottom & sides are different cuts: the top is crown, the bottom is small baseboard and the pieces in between are called "mullion" (also from the molding section) they were all attached with a nail gun. The arches on top were hand-cut by my hubs with a jigsaw, after he made a template so they would be consistent in shape, then routed the edges...whew! that's a lot i know! i hope that helps some :) loves to you! ♥

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      2. i forgot to tell you about the paint! it was left over gray paint from my master bedroom "Anonymous" by Behr :):)

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    38. Oh oh oh I can't even find words. I'm in love with this room. Jamie you must smile just looking at it!

      Your girls must love it and I bet their friends are pretty happy to be invited over.

      What I love most is that you said poohoo to formal dining room and made it something fantastic!

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    39. It would be so much fun to have an entire room dedicated to crafting and creating. Love it!

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    40. Holy smokes. Talk about Craft Room Perfection. :) The organiztion in this room just makes me all giddy & excited. I would have a hay day in this space.

      New follower! :) http://justplainjade.blogspot.com

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    41. Love this room!!! Where did you get the table and chairs?

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    42. wher did u get the craft table

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