The Studio Makeover - REVEALED!!

I have been so excited to post my studio makeover, but I have been pulled away on other projects the last few days. Sorry to keep you hanging on like that, I know it has been a month since I posted those dreadful before photos. So let me get to it here and share the new and improved, and most importantly, organized studio. For starters, I finally have a large, clean work surface pictured above. I can cut fabric, lay out supplies, plan projects, etc. I also picked up that shelf so that I could get my fabrics out where I can see them. As you can tell, I have lots of room to expand the fabric collection - WOO HOO!

 

You know what? I did lose the tv after all. There wasn't enough space for it so we moved it to the bedroom. Then after only a week of being there, the picture went out. Try as we might, we can't get it to work. It is like 15 years old, so go figure. Time to e-cycle. Oh, and did you notice the new color on the walls? My favorite! It goes so far in making this room feel like a new space all together. In fact, it is so odd looking at the before pictures now. That's why I love to take before photos, as painful as they are. I turned an old tapestry from Urban Outfitters into the curtain panel there on the door. I also added the big green vintage buttons to the top.

 

When I was in the midst of reorganizing and tossing all of the stuff I no longer used, my dear neighbors asked if I would have any use for a small drafting table. Would I? It is there, pictured above and I love it so. It is the perfect size, and very sturdy. Another very capable work surface and a perfect spot to paint and draw. I love it Thomas and Erika, thank you so much!

 

I borrowed this idea of hanging fabric over dowel rods from here. It is a very cheerful sight to look up and see all of the fabric while drudging away at the computer. I also use this space as a sort of inspiration and mood wall, putting up different fabric combos and "living" with them for a while before fully committing. I have saved so much fabric this way, already. It's like the old adage, measure twice, cut once. Mine is slightly different and less eloquent and is something like, throw some fabric on the wall, stare at it, walk away, stare some more, him, haw, debate, visualize, imagine, cut once.

Ah, here is one of my favorite new things, my inspiration board. Let me show you what this piece was in its former life.

I found this great big frame (and lovely art) at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. I was hunting for it because I saw this tutorial and thought it was such a cool way to fashion a pin board. So, I took the art out and spray painted the frame. I ordered these 12" x 12" cork squares and mounted them to the backside of the art which was just thick chip board. Then I covered the cork with linen and used my trusty staple gun to get everything taut. Once I had the corkboard piece assembled just so, I inserted it back in the frame and was able to use the orginal hardware to secure it in place. Easy peasy. The hardest part really has hanging it since it didn't have a hook or any semblance of a former life as a hanging object. I had to add my own screw eyes and wire. Voila, inspiration board.

 

My first worthy subject makes its way to the board. This is a Thoreau quote that I wrote down years ago and it always seems to reappear at the right time. I found it while rummaging through everything in hot pursuit of organization. It seems that all this time that quote was just looking for a home, and now it has found it, right on my brand new inspiration board. Oh, I almost forgot! Check out these cute vintage button thumbtacks.

 

This idea is from the In The Tweeds blog as well and was too cute, I could not resist. Especially since I have tons of vintage buttons. I can see myself making hundreds more of these, way more than I will ever need or use.

Oh, look! The valance matches the curtain panel on the door. Remember when I mentioned that I would be removing the closet door that opened inwards on the room and prohibited anything to be placed behind it and therefore leaving the best part of the room unused, the part of the room where the window is? Yes, so I removed the door. It was super easy and the result is so much better. Now I can sew right in front of the window and have a little view. You may notice that is Ryan's old desk, he has moved completely out of this room. I didn't force him out though, I offered him space in the closet (HA!) or next to the door, but he didn't want it. He prefers to work on his laptop in various places in the house, including in front of the TV watching the Phillies take the NL pennant. GO PHILLIES! Yes, they did beat the hometown team, but Ryan lived in Philadelphia for 6 years, and so his heart is with the Phillies and my heart is with Ryan. But, I really really digress...jeesh. Back to the studio makeover!

 

This piece, that now resides next to my sewing machine was also found at the inimitable Rose Bowl Flea Market. I'm not really sure about the former life here, that's why this piece really speaks to me. My best guess is that it may have been in someone's garage workshop and I like to believe there was a little chart hanging on the wall somewhere that corresponded to each numbered box to tell the contents. Not sure, but it definitely met my criteria when searching for containers to house my sewing notions. I love the painted numbers and the rustic look of this wooden box, so I didn't want to paint it, instead I just scrubbed it within an inch of its life.

This little tin was also found on my hunting for canisters trip.

Do you remember what an abomination the closet was? How things were just thrown in there and the shelves were overloaded with stuff? I went through the whole thing with a fine toothed comb and figured out better systems for all of it. I either donated, or got rid of all of the stuff that was truly not needed and kept only that with which I could not part. The result? A closet with empty shelves. What? I've never in my life had a closet with empty shelves. This is truly a great feeling, oh the possibility! What can I put in this found space? I should mention here that we had considered moving the dresser from the closet to the bedroom, but we decided that the dresser is too ugly to be seen by anyone besides us (and all of the readers of this blog.) See what fascinating secrets you are privy to around here?

 

I love this yarn art so much. I bought this several years ago now, right after Ryan and I moved in together. I got it at the Santa Monica Salvation Army. Ryan really hated it when I brought it home, so it has spent its life with us in really inconspicuous places, such as above the doorway in the pantry. Now that I have this bright and cheerful studio, there is no better place for these soft little birds. They are much happier already, I can tell.

 

 

 

I should mention that I made those three fabric covered cubes in the photos above for my fabric scraps and yarn. They are from the Cozy Cubes project in Anna Maria Horner's book Seams To Me. It was quite ambitious for me to do three as I learned midway through, but very satisfying in the end. What is it about labeled containers that makes such a difference? It's that mise en place thing, right?

Remember when I told you about my nieces and all of the fabulous art that they create. This piece above was done by Kali, a few years ago now. I really love it, the colors, the composition and shapes. It's just beautiful and perfect here in this studio. If it does not inspire creativity, what will?

 

 

 

This past week, my Aunt Donna sent me a big box full of treasures. It was a total surprise, and I was just giddy. Over the years, I have let her know of the things in her house that I just love. I would drop little hints like, "If you're ever looking to get rid of so and so..." or "Before you put that beauty in the garage sale make sure you call me." So, with her excellent memory, she gathered all of my favorites and sent them to me. Isn't that so sweet? She just sold her house and is in the process of paring down. In the box was this green trash can, along with two others of the coolest trash cans I have ever seen, seriously, they just don't make them like they used to. There was also these really cool 70s style towels, my Grandma's ceramic cat and a few other things that I will show you later. It was the perfect thing to show up while I was putting my new room together. Thank you so much Aunt Donna, I love all of it! Oh, Aunt Donna, I also got the bracelet that you sent and it is just beautiful. Thank you!

 

Oh, I love this little white butterfly too. It is a napkin holder that I have turned into a mail sorter. I found it at a going out of business sale at a Hollywood prop house. It used to be brass and kind of tarnished, but I spray painted it white and it is good as new. While I am here and very long winded, I need to tell you about the sketch of Zipper on the right. Our previous apartment was much smaller than the one we are in now and we had one bedroom where we slept and kept the computer. It should also be mentioned, that Zipper is the most nocturnal cat I have ever met. So one night, Ryan and I were fast asleep until we awoke suddenly at 5 AM to really loud techno music blasting right in our bedroom. When we opened our eyes, all we could see was Zipper's silhouette in front of the lit computer monitor. He had stepped on the keyboard and unpaused the music. So Ryan drew that sketch to sort of immortalize the moment, and I kept it and framed it. Oh Zipper! This is perfect segue to let you know that Zipper totally approves of this studio makeover.

 

If you made it this far, you are awesome! Thank you for your interest in my studio makeover. It was so much fun and a lot of work, but now I feel completely ready and inspired to roll up my sleeves and make stuff! More of that coming soon!

Happy Thursday!