Tag: Studio

Getting Rid of Things

Guys, what do I do with this metal cabinet? It’s really not in good shape. The doors don’t close properly and the area below the sink is super gross. I’m inclined to put it in the alley in hopes that a scrapper will take it (which is likely).

I’m working away on the rest of the space, coming up with a plan, turning it into a bigger project than I originally intended. You know. As one does. And I’m making progress with all of the stuff, though I didn’t get as far as I’d hoped.

I should list some of it on eBay, but I’m hesitant. I’m thinking specifically of my Gocco machine with screens, bulbs, and tons of ink. Or the three button-making machines and assorted button and magnet supplies. I sold or gave away a ton of paper, envelopes, and cello sleeves when we moved, but I kept a lot of the equipment. In part, it’s because I remember how expensive it all was (who’s going to buy this thing?), and in part because my shop was a huge part of my life. So I hold on to them.

But those shelves? Those can go once they’re cleared off. Eff those things.

July 5, 2016
I Have a Few Craft Supplies

We have plans to spend time with friends and go to a parade for the Fourth, but I’ll also be working around the house. I’m in cleaning and organizing mode, tackling the former kitchen on the third floor. We’ve been using it as a craft room, but it’s not exactly cute or inspiring to be in there right now. One big step toward improving it will be in clearing off the overloaded shelves.

These drawers are gloriously empty, while the shelves are packed. Time to remedy that this weekend.

We also have two more pieces in the garage (from the studio / craft room in the old house) that can be brought up if we need either of them. The bathroom on the third floor is just about finished, and now I want to bring some order to the rest of the space. Hooray for keeping busy, and hooray for clearing out some of the crap we’ve accumulated!

July 1, 2016
The Finished Basement Studio and Play Room

I know, I know. I never really showed the basement after I finished it.

You’re already seen the laundry room and half-bathroom. The storage area has these shelves built, but since we decided (abruptly) to sell, it’s not looking so photo-ready in there. I’m assuming you’re not all that interested in it anyway though, as it really is just a bunch of storage.

Let’s see the parts you might actually want to see, yes? Here we go.

The basement has fairly high ceilings (for Oak Park, at least). We’ve never had any issues with flooding or seepage, even before we remodeled and finished it. The problem, I suppose, and the reason you haven’t seen “after” photos until now is that it’s not really finished the way I imagined it would be. It looks fine, but it’s far less Pinterest-y than it could have been. You know what I mean.

Dude. I know what you’re thinking. Where’s the bunting? The pom-pom everything? The framed Etsy prints? But don’t worry! It’s still plenty twee!

I kid, but I really was going to do a paint-by-numbers mural on the far play room wall. (Next house, perhaps, especially after seeing it in person at Camp Wandawega.)

We had a problem with one cat peeing on the rugs I tried to have in the space before. I don’t know why it started, but once it happened, it just kept on happening. We had to throw the rugs out. The striped rug that’s in the play room side is the one that I bought for August’s room and so far, it is unspoiled. (I’ll tell you a secret though. We only have it out when we’re going to be playing down there. Then it gets rolled up as a precaution.)

Ta da! Finished.

p.s. Our house is for sale today. All official-like with an MLS listing and everything.

June 7, 2013
The Basement Studio and Playroom Plan

All right, I’ve decided on a rug. I had to turn to my good friend Photoshop to help me figure out which would be the best in the space, and this pink and white one looked best. I found it thanks to some of the comments on my post about the basement rug situation, so thanks for the recommendations! I also put a post together with a bunch of my favorite indoor/outdoor rugs over here. Check it out if you’re in the market.

The värde was c/o IKEA, and we’ve had that orange daybed for years. It was originally in our short-lived guest room (now the nursery). It should be good on the playroom side of the basement, and I’m going to skip a rug on that side. Kathryn pointed out that her kids actually prefer a bare floor to slide around on, so we’re going to give it a go.

We’ve had the 4 Seasons in Chicago (first edition) print for a while now too. Brandon gave it to me as a gift, and I’m looking forward to having it up on the walls. And speaking of the walls… I’m rethinking that grellow color. I chose it thinking that the floor on that side would be offset by the black and white rug, taking up most of the space. now that it’s gone though, I’m not sure I like the way it’s looking. I’ve never painted a room white before, but might like it here. I’m still thinking about doing a paint-by-numbers wall mural too. How awesome would that be?

It’s kind of a commitment though, eh? And you know that if we ever move, it will suffer the same fate as the dragon that I painted over when we moved in.

Update:
I made a mockup.

It looks awesome.

May 22, 2012
Basement Studio Progress

Furniture provided in part by IKEA

I’ve made more progress on the basement studio!

I picked up another Expedit (I call them my “cubes”), and a couple of freestanding kitchen counters from IKEA’s Värde line. I’ve always wanted the one with all of the drawers, so I’m glad that I finally have space for it. All of my supplies will go in the drawers, and my products will be lined up on the shelving.

I like to designate a separate center for shipping. Here’s what it looked like in the previous studio space:

I see those pictures and I think “ugh, that looks so messy and disorganized!” But, um, here’s what the new shipping center looks like right now:

Yeah, I have just a wee bit of work to do there. I’m glad to have closed storage now though — that will go a long way in making it look more neat.

The main layout is setup and the big furniture pieces are in place, so I’m going to have to get down there and start organizing. I’m wondering about the windows now. I love playing with color and pattern in window curtains, but the basement windows don’t really call for window treatments. There is a surprising amount of natural light in the basement, and I want to preserve as much of that light as possible. So no curtains? Or yes, but with them mounted extra wide and open all the way? The windows are high and short too, so that may be another reason to eschew treatments.

July 28, 2011
Starting on the Basement Studio (Finally!)

Furniture provided in part by IKEA.

I used to have a great little studio. Remember?

Oh, former studio! You were so good to me and my shop. Then I had a baby. And then another one. And I needed that upstairs bedroom back. So we remodeled and finished the basement to make room, and now (finally!) it’s time to get the new studio up and running. I last showed you the space when it was newly finished and looking rather empty.

Here’s what it looks like these days, with the furniture moved in.

I’m excited to be working with IKEA for this stage of the basement remodel. I already had one of their butcher-block kitchen islands and I’m adding a few more pieces from their Värde line because they work perfectly in craft rooms. And yay, I finally have a space to bring back the striped Stockholm Rand rug! I tried it a couple of years ago in the dining room, but it just wasn’t right for that space.

It’s going to look much better in the studio. I’m bringing another over to the playroom side too for continuity.

I have a lot of organizing and decorating to do. The play room can wait a little, but I’m eager to open Pink Loves Brown up again, and obviously I need everything in place before that can happen.

July 12, 2011