Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Workin' on my Workroom

I picked up the latest issue of "Where Women Create" last week. Not only does this publication make me want to spruce up my workroom, it inspires me to get busy too. Usually that's what I do -- get busy and make something.



Not this time. I decided my workroom needed a little change. Not a big change, but something. It's a really small room so with having to take into consideration closet doors, a window, Internet and TV cables, there isn't much variation with furniture placement. I decided to bring in a little bookshelf that I store in the garage as a prop for shows. What the heck? Why not use it? I moved an old storage piece to the other side of the room and placed the bookshelf on top of my old farm table . I stacked all the cigar boxes and glass jars that house some of my treasures on it. Imagine - more work space on the table top! More workspace is such a bonus. Since my rolls of paper are always a mess and tend to fall out of the old hops baskets, I brought in my market cart. It works great - at least until I need my cart again. I'll deal with that later.



I got this idea from another magazine. I had just taken this old wire dish drainer out to the garage. What was I thinkin'? It makes the best holder for files and pencils!



I didn't do much to this storage piece except clean out the cubbies. I found some great stuff I had forgotten about! Eventually I will add some old pulls to the bottom drawer.

This is where I placed the old storage piece that had been on the farm table. I keep all my stamps, ink, scraps of lace, ribbon, etc. in it. Love it. It sets on another bookshelf where I store my old pics, postcards, etc. behind a little curtain.


Okay, this is where I could use some input. I removed the drawers to a couple of cheap, cardboard storage pieces and repurposed it to hold my wire project baskets. They are tucked under the farm table. Here's my dilemma: Should I paint the icky brown/ivy cardboard boxes ivory or should I add a skirt to the table and hide the storage underneath all together? I know an old, linen skirt would look great, but I would have to push it aside every time I want to remove a basket from under the table. Function or aesthetics? Let me know what you think.


All of that moving and re-organizing led to a lot of cleaning and dusting. What a great feeling! My little mannequin even seems happier!

Now, I really do need to get busy and work on some projects. Let me know what you think: should I paint or make a skirt? M.

17 comments:

Gail said...

Alright Martha,
Loving your changes! What I would do is find some really cool fabric and instead of having one long wide swath of fabric I would cut several strips that could hang down, so it wouldn't be an issue when you need to push them aside to get something out. Otherwise, and this is just me, I'd feel like whatever was under there shoud always look "good", or in order. And that's just not how I usually roll, know what I mean?
It all looks great! Isn't it fun to re-organize your space?

Florence said...

I think a nice linen curtain would look real nice. I too picked up the new magazine Where Women Create. I am so inspired. I have a really nice cabin studio I should be working in but it is full to the brim with hardly no room to move around. I have to make a goal for myself to get with it and clean it out. thanks for sharing your space.

Gail said...

Sorry Martha, what I meant to say was and that's just how I usually roll.....not "that's just NOT how I usually roll....I'm all about the pretty!
Take care, I know you'll make it look great!

Tina said...

Your workroon looks really pretty and so inspiring.

Barbara Jean said...

Martha,
Your work room looks great. (oh, for mine to be so tidy). =0)

Re table: I like curtains on things.
To make it easier to get it out of the way, i put my curtains on hooks over a round rod. That way they move easy, but look nice.
I have used little brass looking small rings with hooks, and have even used shower cutain rings! I would use a spring rod betwen the legs to do it. (They are readily avaialbe at thrift stores and garage sales.)
No harm done to table.

Can't wait to see what you do. I know it will look nice.

Hope Monticello is going well.

blessings,
barbara jean

Shell said...

It looks great! Im envious! My 23 yo moved back home and my office/guest/craft room is now his makeshift bedroom as well! Can you say crafting mayhem in my breakfast nook and dinning area?

Oh well, love having him back home!

Shell in Snohomish

Charmingdesigns said...

Oh Martha, everything is so neat and tidy!!! I know whatever you decide it will be lovely! Laurie

Nancy said...

Hi Martha...

Love your new look...You have some wonderful pieces to work with...your room will be charming.

Happy Mother's Day!
Hugs, Nancy

Christa from Chloe Rose said...

Oh Martha, your studio looks wonderful......I need to get busy on mine!!! I need to pick up a copy of that magazine. I had a little ad for Chloe Rose in it under Lollishops and want to check it out. Thank you for sharing your space, it's always fun to see how everyone organizes their treasures.

Blessings,

Christa

Maide said...

This shabby looking mannequin is
stunning.
Youre place is very romantic :-)
Love it !

Greetings
Maide

Artsy Fartsy Junkin Finds said...

What a fabulous room!! Love the old chippy farm table and mannequin! Many Blessings, Janna

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Wow...everything looks amazing!! Love your style!! Chrissy

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Love your workroom - it looks just wonderful. As for your dilemma, I say go with the paint. Much more practical.

Journal Swag said...

I say paint! Holy Moley! There is no way I'd let you see my disaster! There is no way you could survive my workroom. Seriously. You'd have "the big one." Oh yes, Joy has helped me in the past, but I've never finished, and then everything got dumped in the middle again so Hubster could build shelves. I got a darling little vintage table and chair. Wonder if I'll ever show it to anyone! I think I need an intervention.

Sheila

Journal Swag said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, you meant the table! I say skirt!

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

What a fab workroom! I love it!

Blessings,
Spencer

rusty rabbit said...

would you be willing to give step- by-step instructions for assembling a granny cart liner? regardless of the dimensions, it would be great to have an order of assembly. The one you made for diane is so cool. I have 2 carts i would love to line. see you at molly mo's in august. guinnevere the vintage clothing lady

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