Studio Reveal: extras

This post is part 9 of 9...

detailing my 2-year studio remodel project in my basement. This project was no small task. My husband did most of the work. I drew up some rough plans, then I started collecting used items from many sources, while he built and installed. I found antique doors and a printers cabinet,  all my cabinetry and more! It was a good thing that I started collecting some of these items before we started building, as we had to move walls just to make some of the special pieces of furniture fit. 

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 this post

The Paint

Moving in

The Details 

The extras 
This has been fun! I want to thank you for following along.

And now for the last and final post...


So what does every home office/craft room need... 

A bathroom, of course!
Well, actually...you might wonder what this really has to do with my studio...but it is actually a super duper important part of the project.

In all reality...

My diet Pepsi habit made me do it. It's practically a necessity; that I would seriously miss if I had to live without it.

When I have projects going on...I seriously live in my basement. During those times...I often drink diet Pepsi--especially when I pull late nights, or get soggy in the afternoon. So I wanted to be sure that a bathroom as part of my studio wing. Otherwise, I'd be wearing out the stairs, running up and down them to find a bathroom every 30 minutes (okay...slight exaggeration.)

My bathroom also has other surprising crafty benefits. It has a deep soaker tub where I find myself relaxing many nights. And you know what...You'd be amazed at what effect that has on my creative mind. I come up with some of my best ideas, when in that mode of meditation.

We got the vanity used from a home that was completely gutted at the time, as the owners were doing a serious Craftsman/Mission style remodel. I'd love to see their finished project.

The alcove for the toilet is a funny story. The sewer pipe mount that was pre-plumbed in our basement was situated too close to our basement wall. The builders basically screwed up. We bought a shorter depth (toilet to wall) fixture, but it still wouldn't fit. So Jonathan had to get creative. He cut a space in between the studs that allowed the toilet to fit. Then he lined the alcove with breadboard and framed it to make it a "special feature" in the bathroom. People always think it was designed that way on purpose for design reasons. You could say that it was done, accidentally on purpose.

The Break Room...

I love bargains, and getting creative with other peoples discards! This is another perfect example of bringing an eclectic mix of used items together in one room.

Most of the items in this room were used items. I got the knotty alder kitchen cabinets from KSL Classifieds. They were only $250 and even came with a granite countertop...but sadly that broke in the process and wasn't quite long enough.

The booth was also a KSL find for a great price. I was hoping to do a 50's style diner down here...but you can't get too picky when working with used items. We were thrilled to find a booth of any kind for our little space.

I found this tiffany-style chandelier (click to see how pretty it is) on Amazon.com, but didn't want to pay $300 for a booth Chandelier. I actually found a very similar one (used) from ebay. It brightens up this otherwise grey corner, and helps tie in the burgundy color of the booth. The color was not my first choice, but it's not bad.

The tile backsplash was a Costco find, and we got the travertine floor tiles as a palette deal from Home Depot.

This little space is where I keep my drinks, and studio-snacks. There is an under-the-counter-fridge--that we also found on KSL. Drinks and snacks are definitely a necessity for creative people. Agree? I'll have lunch here too. In the summer, to save me time, I often feed the kids down here.

The awesome part about this space...is that we were able to make it work into our plan in the first place.

We literally bought the booth, and my fabric armoire (that is on the other side of the wall--labeled "fabric shelving" in the picture below) before designing where our walls would go. And that was a good thing too.

You see...We did not have much space to work with, so we carefully designed the walls around those two pieces of furniture...right down to the last inch. We literally fit the booth on one side of the wall, and my fabric armoire on the other. It was meant to be! There wasn't another inch to spare.

Work has been so much more enjoyable in this totally customized space! 

Do you have a craft nook or room that you are proud of? I love seeing where and how others create, and I know others do too. Please feel free to share links in the comments area below. I'd love to see them!

Samantha Walker Studio Reveal: The details

Caution...this post is part 8 of 9 detailing my studio reveal...
If you want to start from the beginning, you can follow in order in these posts below:

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
The Details this post
The extras (next post)

Pieces Schmeeses...
Now, if you are like me...you've collected lots of little craft trinkets over the years. It can be embarrassing how much we collect. With all these little embellishments to keep track of, it can be overwhelming when trying to find something. That's why I got this printers cabinet for my studio. Look at all those compartments! This helps keep me organized in a big way!

I got the printers cabinet mostly empty, (no drawers) so I had to buy drawers off of e-bay. Problem is...printers drawers are popular. People love making shadow boxes with them. It was hard to find the right year of cabinet too. So instead of filling the entire printers cabinet up with drawers...

I left room for paper storage units that fit perfectly. See the four cubes on the lower right. I then had my husband cut 1/4 inch sheets of masonite that I could slide onto the rails of the printers cabinet to make additional shelves for other sizes of paper. 

The Chandelier...
You can get a glimpse of my chandelier in the photo to the right. 

It's one of my favorite details about my space. I got it from overstock.com. 

Funny story...It was the second one I had purchased. I fell in love with another one, I was sure it was "it," but it was too big. 

I didn't want to hit my head on dangle-y crystals in order to walk across the room. I couldn't part with it though, so I upgraded my dining room chandelier. (see below...this was the first one I found. I had a little fun with it at Christmas time.) 

Anyway...I found a smaller one, in a totally different style, but it was the perfect size. It's compact and full of dazzling crystals. It added that little feminine touch that I was searching for--like a jeweled crown for my space.

Bonus: It also scatters rainbows around the room if the sun's just right.

I hate ironing...why was this decision so important. 
As a sewist, I wanted an ironing board that I could tuck away. I didn't want to have to drag out a full size ironing board and then stash it away somewhere. I have very little left in the way of closet space after the remodel, as what used to be a "storage" basement, was now becoming a living space. 

I looked at all kinds of options, I looked at having a drawer ironing board installed. (see picture below...lovely, isn't it...that's not mine.) It was a great option...and probably my first choice, but then I found a set of base cabinets on KSL at an unbeatable price...$25 each!!! But, the drawers in them were not quite the right size. So that idea was fizzled. Sigh. 

Then I thought about an "over the door" ironing board, that I could hang in the bathroom. Then reality sunk in...it wouldn't be close enough to my sewing machine. If you sew, you know that you don't want to be shuffling around into another room to press seams between steps...you want it right there. It's all about convenience. 

Next thought...what about an in-the-wall ironing board...but I was running out of wall space with all the cabinets and shelves I had planned. Literally, there was only one piece of wall space left...It just happened to be right next to my sewing machine set up, but it was where I had countertops planned. The plans I drew, had countertops in somewhat of a symmetrical U. I function well with symmetry...so I didn't want to deviate from that original vision. Ugh...are you a symmetrical person? Sometimes it sucks. 

So I did some research. Pinterest...google, anywhere online...I tried to see if anyone had installed an in-the-wall ironing board over a countertop. I guess it was a weird option...no one had. I wasn't sure if it would work. I was about out of "tuck-away-options"...so I decided I'd just go for it. How awkward could it be? 

Well...it turns out, it's only a little awkward. There's a little twisting involved when I iron, but it's not bad at all, and I'm glad I put it in. I love that when I close the door, it's neatly tucked away, but easy to get to when I need it. Perfect!

Fabric...too much fabric...no such thing...
Yes, I have a lot of fabric. I'm a fabric designer. It comes with the territory.

To be fair...most of this was in storage for 2 years while we remodeled--that's why so many new bolts. My machine was also on the fritz. I have since upgraded in a major way to a new Janome MC15000. Now I can sew!

The problem with too much fabric is where to put it. I do give a lot away to family and neighbors. They sew projects for me, and in return get some fabric to keep. It works for all of us. My husband's solution would be to get rid of all of it. Since that isn't a viable option...I was lucky enough to find the perfect solution for storing bolts of fabric. I found this old iron scroll armoire on KSL classifieds. And what do you know...It's the perfect depth for fabric bolts. That makes me giddy!

Fabric Overflow... 
I had shelves built for more fabric...and I just got permission from my husband that I can take over the under-the-stairs storage space if I need more overflow. I just had two new lines released...that meant even more fabric.

What about Precuts?
...well...I've got that covered too...

and you just thought that was a normal chair...

This chair has a great little "secret compartment" in it. I can get several precut stacks in here. I can also stash them away in the drawers under my counters. I have another drawer for scraps too.

I also have a few empty drawers for sewing projects in progress. The only problem about that...when I stick a project in the drawer...I tend to forget about it. So often I'll leave something out until it's finished.

Ribbon storage was also an issue...

Most of my ribbon had been put away in ziplocks and stored away during the remodel. It was a tangled mess. I had been to so many scrapbook events in years past, where we would "swap" ribbon cuttings. I may have participated a few times too many, because my collection was a little ridiculous. I was determined to get it out so I could use it. I found these "modified rain gutter" ribbon storage units during an online "flash-sale" for $9.99 each (regular price was something ridiculous like $50.)  They have worked perfectly for me, and I'm using my ribbon a lot more as it's easy to pick the right one.

The details have made such a difference in my studio. If I know where things are...I can use them. If I can use them, then I'm crafting. If I'm crafting I'm happy. 

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

Studio Remodel...The Floors

Intro:

This post is part of a series of 9 posts detailing my 2-year studio remodel project in my basement. This project was no small task. My husband did most of the work. I drew up some rough plans, then I started collecting used items from many sources, while he built and installed. I found antique doors and a printers cabinet,  all my cabinetry and more! It was a good thing that I started collecting some of these items before we started building, as we had to move walls just to make some of the special pieces of furniture fit. 

In this post, I'll tell you about my floors.

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 this post

The Paint

Moving in

The Details 

The extras 

Remember how I said that this remodel project took blood, sweat and tears...

Well...picking the floors may seem like a simple task...but it took me weeks and weeks to decide what kind of flooring I would put in my studio. Bamboo? Hardwood, Laminate...what would it be. It was almost agonizing. I wanted to pick something that would last, and that I'd love forever.

We searched at Lumber Liquidators (was so disappointed in them...they advertised great prices, but things didn't seem quite right when we were there...too many house brands that I couldn't compare.) 

We tried Costco, they had awesome bamboo flooring. We ended up getting some, and redid the office floors upstairs. But I wasn't sold on it for my studio. My floors needed a little more character.

We shopped the flooring isles at Lowes, and Home Depot...and finally, my husband pointed out a very unusual laminate. It was called Maui Whitewash. 

At first, I couldn't imagine it in my studio as I had a picture of a medium/light wood with rustic finish in my head. It wasn't that I didn't like it...it was probably more due to the sample being so small, and I thought it might look better in a commercial setting. 

We left the store...still undecided. I swear at least 8 weeks passed before I could commit to a flooring.

We eventually came back later...and then, I pictured it. 

I could see how this was the perfect floor for my studio. I couldn't picture another after that...and so, the floor installation began.

And I loved how it turned out!

Isn't it unusual?

I like that it has a rustic crafty feel to it.

It makes me want to go in there and be creative.

I've been in my studio for 9 months or so now...(yes, this is a very delayed blog-post...probably something to do with me building a website this last year...) 

And I still love my floors.

I can't wait to show you what's next...

--Sam

Samantha Walker Studio Reveal!

Part 6 of 9 in a series of post detailing my studio remodel.

It's been a looooong time since my first studio makeover post here. I was planning on giving you updates along the way, and only managed to get in this update here. Well two years (and a few weeks later) I'm bringing to you the final reveal...in segments...I'll warn you..I may drag it out just a bit to show you what steps we took along the way...but I have to tell you about the blood, sweat, and tears that it took, in order to get it all done.

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

The Details 

The extras 

The Paint:

There was a lot of planning to get this far, and I was finally picking paint colors.

I chose Behr paint from home depot in the color Tidepools. It's a nice cool aqua. It's not too bright.. It's a really yummy soothing blue, with a touch of green, to give it a hint of aqua. It's not quite as dark as robin's egg, and it's not quite one of those trendy minty blues...it falls somewhere in between. This color was just what I needed for spending long days...and I'll admit it...long nights in the studio.


The walls are primed...

And Now for a bit of Random trivia with a very random photo...but yet so important to this whole remodel...

Look at the photo below...

See that big red arrow?
I’m using this arrow to point to the most important thing about this picture. You’ll miss it if I don’t put the arrow there.

See there off to the left, falling off the side of the photo? This is Tracy.

She is really important to this whole project, and I'll tell you why in just a moment...

You may know her from customer service at my website. She’s person who will help you when you have random questions or need a little help. She’s also one of my favoritest peoples in the whole entire world.

(You can’t see, but my hands are stretching out to show you how much I love my friend Tracy. I love her this much...arms stretched out wide.)

Here’s one reason why...(and I could pick many...but that would really side-track from this studio remodel post...as if I hadn’t sidetracked enough...)

oh, yeah...one reason why I love Tracy...

She volunteered to paint my studio.

Yes, she did all the painting...and she did a marvelous job! She’s really good at painting, and I can’t tell her enough how much I appreciated it.

Thank You Tracy!!! Everyone needs a Tracy in their lives for sure!

Oh yeah...that smaller arrow...

well that points to my dog Fritz. You can’t see him very well, he’s hiding behind the wall there, but he is my “studio companion.” He's also the "studio jester" with his silly antics. I love my dog too.

See how pretty that blue is!

To be continued...

Next up...the floors...

--Sam