Studio Tour

At the end of December I was suddenly overcome with the need to revamp my studio. This comes after spending a lot of time thinking about what my next chapter looks like. One thing I know for sure is that it will be centered around this room. I really wanted to make sure this space encouraged my creativity by being a little less busy. I love the results. It began with a coat of white paint, which felt oddly scary to a girl who has always had color on her walls.

As you look in the door, this is your view. One of the most important projects was making this sewing table (pictured in it's before state below) truly functional. Since I was not able to pull a chair under it, sewing was an ergonomic nightmare and not something I was particularly excited to spend time doing. Luckily I'm married to a very handy guy who was able to turn it into the sewing table of my dreams.

My sewing machine now easily fits underneath and he made two levels of shelves to hold these baskets perfectly. I painted it with milk paint in the color Aviary and used an old vintage linen sheet to make a skirt to hide the shelves but show off the legs. However, the very best part is that I can now pull my chair under the table and as a bonus, parking it there when I'm not sitting in it has given me so much more space behind my work area.

My collection of journals hanging out in an antique chicken feeder.

Having access to my supplies right behind my work tables makes the projects flow easier. The shelves on top got a new coat of pale grey paint and the cubby shelves below got new paper backing.

My old aqua cart wasn't working with the room now so it will get used elsewhere and this new blue one fits in perfectly.

To the right of the door is the hardworking closet that my Sweet Man made for me several years ago and it holds the craft trolley/cutting table/extra work space that he made for me more recently. I'm a very lucky girl and I know it.

I look forward to the day when we get our built-in bookshelves made so that I don't have to store these books here anymore but it's working fine for now.

All my pretty papers found a new home in this basket I already had. I have a real weakness for pretty storage and you will find many jars with leftover balls of yarn dotted around the room.

The hutch which is to the right of the work tables, is where most of my yarn stash lives. It got a little upgrade with a new paper backing that matches the cubbies shown above. I could sit and stare at this all day.

Switching out the floral curtains made a huge difference. I still love that fabric but I wanted something quieter. I can't tell you how I fought with the linen fabric for these curtains. I'm not proud of the number of swear words I said during my attempts to make them. My friend Melissa, who is an amazing seamstress, came and spent an entire weekend making it right. I am grateful for her every time I look at them.

Just in case you too enjoy ogling pretty yarn.

My favorite spot in the room is this corner, tucked in just to the left when you walk in the door. It is where I start my day every morning with my tea and knitting. In the last 6 months I have gotten in the habit of getting up a couple of hours before we need to leave for the school run so that I may have a quiet, peaceful start to my day, curled up in that chair.

 Even in summer, this little fireplace lights up my days.

This wall got reworked and quieted. I believe having a cleaner slate really helps my brain not to get overwhelmed. I love having this antique bakery box to use for a revolving creative or seasonal display. The hook and hangers to the right are to hold current/newly finished knitting projects. My in progress sweater is hanging there right now.

But seriously, these curtains!!

I have always enjoyed my creative spaces but I think there is something particularly special about this one. I love that it feels like I've gone back to my Swedish roots. I love coming in here and struggle to make myself leave. I know it is the perfect way to transition into the next stage of my life.