Samantha Walker Studio reveal: Moving in...

This post is part 7 of a 9 part series of my studio reveal...
if you want to catch up on the whole project you can read more in these posts here:

The beginning plans sketched out (don't laugh at the timeline here...Putting it together has truly been a process.)
Starting with a Door
Etching the glass doors
The story of the Printers Cabinet and Armoire (the debate to paint or not to paint...so glad I did not paint!!!)
The Floors
The Paint
Moving in (this post)
The Details
The extras

Moving in...

So if you've been following my studio remodel, fast-forward... a bit...to moving in day! Hooray!

I apologize, I didn't take pictures during some of the steps that just flew by. We had someone come in and install my countertops and lower cabinets. Then it seemed like everything was together.

It felt so good to get all my crafting supplies out of storage. I had a very limited supply of accessible materials, but the majority of my stuff had been stashed away in boxes for almost 2 years!!! That was a crazy long time to be without it.

Of course, after two years, I ended up donating the bulk of it to Primary Children's hospital cancer ward. Thanks, Sariah, for bringing it up for me! I was so glad that the kids could use it!

Getting it organized...
It was overwhelming finally having a space to organize all my crafty stuff in again. I found this old printer's cabinet on KSL classifieds. You can read more about how I acquired it in this blogpost here. If you live in Utah...it's kind of like a local Craigslist but much better. I got the upper oak cabinet used from KSL too.

It's a very eclectic mix and match room, as all of the cabinetry came used. I'm all about saving money!

The flat files...

A few of you have asked me about my flat files. I actually won the files years ago from FLAX art and design. They've come in handy over the years, but they are awkwardly large and impossible to move. 

To remedy that...I had the countertop people install a matching counter on top, so that I could make use of that large space. Then my husband put my unit on casters. That way I can move them like an island around my studio. It's the perfect height to use as a cutting table for fabric. I store my cutting mats and cutting wheels in the top drawer for easy access. I also store wrapping paper, stamps, flattened mailing supplies, large paper and artwork in here. 

If you look to the left, you'll get a glimpse of my scrolly armoire cabinet. This is where I keep my fabric. I found this on KSL for super cheap! It's solid luan wood which is like mahogany. It's super heavy, and built like a beast! No particle board whatsoever. It made me so nervous when they guys carried it down to the basement. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the process. 

My Computer Area, and the Cute Chair delema...

This is my computer corner...it's the area of my studio that I use most. 

I would have made the desk counter longer, but there's a window in the way. Not complaining though. I have two windows to give my space natural light. In fact, I get so much light in here, that it doesn't feel like a basement at all. 

This corner can be a little crowded. It's a work in progress. I have since moved my printer off the side counter to free up my space. 

I'm guessing that the chair caught your eye. Isn't it cute!?! The chair came from Pottery Barn Teen. Don't you love how it coordinates with my space?

Note to self. Cute does not = comfortable.

I need another chair that is ergonomic. 

Ergonomic = ugly. 

(well at least the somewhat comfortable ones I've seen so far.)

Unfortunately, the cute chair works for a few hours, but certainly not for a full days work. 

I'm still shopping for the perfect office chair. They just don't seem to make them for ladies frames. I bought two others at Costco, which didn't fit me right at all. At first they seemed great. But then I got back pain (lumbar in wrong place,) leg pain (seat too deep cut off circulation,) shoulder pain (arm rests wouldn't go low enough,) ...the chairs quickly migrated to my husband's office and kids homework room upstairs. 

Office chair designers, get a clue! Women are NOT built like men. Our frames our smaller. Take notes on the key points I listed above...then make me a chair.

I need a woman's chair. 

Anyone have any suggestions? I've been everywhere...I still haven't found one that's ideal. It would be a bonus if it's cute. If not...I have fabric and can slip-cover it. (I see a future blogpost for that...)

If you are looking for a business idea...why not make a company that specializes in office chairs for women. Just imagine all the women in the work force...we need good chairs too! It's a much-needed category to fill...and if you do...make them cute! 

The best part about my office...
it has double doors that open to our family room where all the action is downstairs. I didn't want to be stashed away in a corner while I worked. (No one puts baby in the corner...movie reference...you won't get it if you were born in the 80's or later.)

Simply put...I don't like to be cut-off from what's going on with my family...but at the same time, it gives me control to close the doors when needed. You can read more about how I etched the glass and painted the doors here.

Next up...I'll show you some of the details I built into my room. They are fun!

Do you have a craft nook or space you are proud of? Feel free to share links in the comments below.

Studio Re-do Update!

I just started working on a different kind of creative project...
and so I thought it might be fun to let you tag along. This post is part of a series of posts about my journey in creating my ultimate craft room.  This is going to be more of a journey over months as the project comes to its fruition. I hope you enjoy the trip! 

The beginning plans sketched out 

Starting with a Door

Etching the glass doors

The story of the Printers Cabinet and Armoire (the debate to paint or not to paint...so glad I did not paint!!!) (that's this post...then I take a break for a while...)

The Floors

The Paint

Moving in

The Details 

The extras 

We are actually redoing the entire basement in our home...

There was actually only one area finished but to get to that area , you have to walk over bare concrete floors, walls with exposed insulation, open ceilings showing off the rafters...not to mention, the basement is cold and uninspiring.  The wiring in the basement was also a little off...lights flicker, and don't even try to plug in a space heater or it will pop the breaker. 

You may recall that I recently moved my studio into the little basement bedroom, with help from my intern this past summer. I went from the larger badly finished room into the far room with two windows (we got rid of the guest bed so we could do that), hoping that it would encourage me to get down there more often...but it didn't work so well.  I get extremely cold, then I can't work...all I can think about is how cold I am.  Even more concerning, the kids don't want to hang out with me down there, so I have to run up the stairs to break up their arguments and get them glasses of water, etc...plus I miss all the fun stuff that goes on during the day, like the funny things my kids say.  

So it really comes down to the fact that I don't like to be isolated from my family when I 'm working, so in order for me to want to hang out in my basement and set up shop down there, it is essential that my studio open up into a central family area so I can be in the center of all the family chaos.  That area has to be a fun gathering spot for the kids...we've got some fun plans there, but that's another story. Being in the middle of it all...That's the way I like it (most days.) If you read last months creative hop post I showed you the doors to my studio...so I'll have a little control over the chaos. ;o) 

This month...we've made a bit more progress...so I'm sharing another few additions to the project as well as some "before" pictures.  

Okay...so are you ready???

Before...

I was storing my paper vertically in wire cubes...and overflow in the closet on shelves...it's been a great system--very functional, but I have been dreaming of using something with a bit more character.  I thought about refinishing a china hutch, painting it aqua and converting it for paper storage...but then...

Then...

"THIS" came on the market in the online KSL classified ads. 

(that's like our local Craigslist...only 1000 times better because it's actually user friendly.) 

So what is "THIS" exactly???

Well, I'll tell you what "THIS" is...

It's an antique printer's cabinet from the early 1900's by Hamilton Manufacturing Co.  It's solid oak with logo stamped drawer pulls and "This" is going to convert into my paper and misc. storage area. I just need to add masonite shelves to the slots...and find a few printers trays to sort out my nick knacks.  

The Story about "This":

Getting "This" was quite a feat...

I was the ads first responder...and the piece was promised me if I could come get it by day's end. However...my husband wasn't around today, and I couldn't find a family member or neighbor to help me with a truck or trailer. 

The owner of "this" called me in the afternoon and told me that there was now a problem, because 6 other people now wanted "this."  Especially one particularly pushy woman who kept on text messaging him asking if I had picked it up yet. Then it happened...she offered him a substantial amount more money than what he had originally listed "this" for.  His original price was really great...really really great! Hence, so many people lined up for it. This lady had the gaul of texting him that I was probably just "that woman from Lehi who buys things on KSL, then paints and resells them at a significantly higher price to unsuspecting buyers." 

Whatever!

Well...I may be a woman from Lehi...but not "that" woman from Lehi. (no offense to that furniture refinisher...she probably works really hard at her business...I just didn't like the way this other lady tried to make me look like a villain without knowing anything about me....now that is just not nice.) I assured him that I had major plans for "this" and that "this" would be going into my studio renovation project, that it was the perfect fit for my paper cabinet, and perfect height for my cutting counter, and that it was just the "character" piece that I needed to give my space spice.  

Then he told me, that because of their financial situation, his wife would kill him if he didn't go with this other lady's offer. I was devastated...because I didn't have the means to get up their in the morning, I was outbid in a bidding war that I didn't even know existed.  I talked with him at length on the phone telling him how much I disliked the situation, and that if I matched her price would he hold it for me until I found a way to get it.  He said "only if you can come really soon"...as he couldn't promise if he would just sell it to her if she offered more again.  So I called a few more people...in a frenzy, as I was not happy about this piece slipping away from me after I had committed to buy it and it was supposedly being held for me. 

Realizing that I couldn't find anyone to help me at a moments notice...I went out to my side yard to look at the truck and the trailer just sitting there.  Yes, I had means...but I had never driven our truck while attached to our trailer before.  A dear patient friend of mine who had driven a trailer before volunteered to come over, hook me up and coach me on driving it. (She would have come with me too, but her baby was sleeping.) After we hooked it up...I took it on a few test spins around the block and felt confident.  I called the man back and told him that I was on my way. 

Even though I didn't want to pay more...I had to think to myself...if he had originally priced it at what I was going to pay, would I have been interested and still think that it was a good deal...my answer was YES. Even at the higher price, it was still a fabulous find at a deal better than cabinetry would be for that space...so I was still happy. 

I may not have been so willing to match her price so readily, but you have to understand...this piece is the perfect fit for the space which I had planned for paper storage...AND the history of this piece is perfect for someone who studied graphic design in college back in the day when they taught you how to spec type with a pica ruler. If you know what I'm talking about, then you are a kindred spirit indeed. ;o)  

Alright...so here's my basement studio plan...

Now you might be able to visualize how perfect a find "this" was for me...

Do you see the aqua space in the upper right corner...

that is the area I planned for paper storage and cutting counter...if you place the printer's cabinet into that space...it is darn near perfect!  (minus the 2.5 inches into the window space area...but hey...I'll happily live with that minor nuance.) ***Updated to add...I mismeasured...it fits perfectly!***

Now back to the story (sorry so long...thanks to anyone still hanging with me...)

So I drove the trailer on the freeway from Lehi to West Jordan...and do you know what...

It was easy!  

Yup...I don't know why I was nervous to take it out in the first place.  I just allowed myself the space and enough breaking room in case of any sudden stops.  It was smooth sailing.  So I got there, and we loaded it in...that's another story...but I've been longwinded so I'll spare you the details there....and then I happily drove "this" to it's new home.  Yeah!  

Okay...now for a few more "before" pictures...

These are my crafting tables now...yes, practical...no, not particularly inspiring...that will change...

This is my sewing area...not ideal, but I have been grateful that I do have a place to sew.

My old cutting table... (above)
it's going to go away...I'm bringing my flat files into the room and will build them into a rolling island that can be placed in the center of my room...or rolled out if they aren't convenient at any particular moment.

This is the closet in my current room... (left)
It's great place for storage...but we will be taking it out and converting the space into my main painting and crafting area. It will be a continuous "U" shaped counter with two corner desk stations...one for my arts and crafts, and one for the kids...or future assistant computer area when I get to that point.

See the fabric stacked in here...(below)

Now see where it's all going...
Isn't this GORGEOUS????

I love it!  It is a HUGE Armoire. The orange strap is not part of the furniture, but rather the strap that is holding it to the cart that we wheeled it into the garage with. The metal scroll doors will allow for pretty fabric bolts to show through the doors...sigh...totally in love with this find!  We also got this on KSL...for a steal...it was only $150.  It's solid luan wood...similar to Mohagony...it was made in Indonesia.  It's even more beautiful in person.  It will go in the lower left corner of the room, by the sliding barn door...something fun to greet me when I go into my studio in the mornings...sigh.

You see this wall here...(below)
This is the wall that will be opened up into the family room area...looking forward to that so much! It will be nice to have a view on the kids, and have them feel that they can just come into my room and "hang out with Mom."  Notice on the room plan, I have a window seat sketched in...it's right next to my computer desk...the place where I spend most of my time...they can come in and hang out there.  

This door wall will be made into a solid wall...

but if you look outside of the door...you can see hints of the bare concrete, and insulation to give you a picture of what the rest of the basement looks like...this will become the wall that the fabric armoire will be on when the room is finished.  

Back to the rest of the plan...

the lower right corner will be a corner computer desk area with upper cabinets and shelving...it will match the crafting area laminate counter tops and cabinetry there.  I'm searching KSL for cabinetry...hopefully white or cream...and a great price.  If you are in the Utah area and you are redoing a kitchen...let me know if you have old cabinets you want to get rid of. ;o)