I spent the weekend tidying up my studio, and I realized I had never posted proper ‘after’ pictures. I’ve shown little snippets here and there, but never the whole thing. Time to remedy that, yes?
The studio is where I package up all of the orders for my shop (Pink Loves Brown). The room may not always be this tidy, but it usually stays fairly neat because everything has a place. That makes my little perfectionist heart happy.
It looked like this originally (eek). Brandon and I put in the bamboo floor ourselves, painted (walls, ceiling, and trim), installed new closet doors, and switched out the ceiling fixture. I made the curtains out of Moda’s uptown “mom’s couch” fabric.
Here’s the view in from the doorway.
This is what I refer to as “the shipping center”. It’s my least favorite side of the room (all of the open storage looks a little cluttered), but it’s very functional and necessary.
I’ve shown this photo of my order sorting process before, but here it is again. I put patterned paper along the back of a shoe cubby from Target.
Here’s the underside of the table with all of the shipping boxes and supplies. The white shelves are also from Target.
I store envelopes for my cards and stationery along the open shelves of my IKEA VÄRDE kitchen island. Most of my crafty supplies are inside the closet. I removed the clothing rail that was originally in there and I assembled shelving from The Container Store to hold everything.
Here’s a peek inside.
I store some extra envelopes and my ironing board behind the door. You can also see a little of my photo shoot setup along the right (which I’ve shown before) tucked into the funny little alcove there. I store extra shipping boxes under that table.
Here’s another view. Those suitcases along the top of the bookcase are for sale in my shop.
So there you have it. My studio!
Tammy
November 23, 2008 at 8:49 amOh I dream of being this organized! I love the color of your walls AND those wonderful curtains!!! Bee-U=T=MUS!
Sarah
December 16, 2008 at 4:03 pmLove your office! I am in the midst of updating my home office/studio and IKEA and Target are always my first choices as well! Love the floor standing metal card holder….where did you find that?
Katie
December 23, 2008 at 7:26 pmJust curious…you have three things in your closet with red handles. Are those printing presses? I’ve never seen anything like that. Thanks!
Fotograf Hamburg
January 6, 2009 at 7:58 amIt’s all looking very nice with a great sense for colour.
Nikki
January 8, 2009 at 4:24 pmAre you kidding me? I can’t even close my mouth – my jaw’s still on the floor. Amazing…
Amy
January 9, 2009 at 6:32 pmAmazing, I’m so jealous of your organizational skills!!!
where did you get your card rack? (the wire one next to the shoe cubby/order processing center?)
jos
January 15, 2009 at 11:03 pmit’s one of the best rooms ever! i always thought things like this only existed in magazines but you actually live in it! i’m so envious! seriously coveting all your stationery and decorative bits like the giant scissors and picture and curtains. oh, i’ll have the ceiling light too, thanks. hee. what’s the room that joins with it, looks really inviting and warm. gosh, your home is like a dream for me. i could never afford to have something like that…
Veda
January 17, 2009 at 10:56 amYour blog is so inspiring Nicole….I am about to do the interiors of my new home…..and wow…such an amazing inspiration u r ! good luck
happy new year!
Best Regards,
Veda
emily quinton
January 22, 2009 at 6:02 amSo beautiful and inspirational! Just can’t keep looking around ;-)
Nathaly
January 23, 2009 at 1:08 amVery lovely, I love it, you just inspire me to make more stuff, thanks
Simone
January 30, 2009 at 11:05 amhow did you get closet doors from Ikea to fit your existing closet? I’m dying to change my closet doors.
Greta
February 3, 2009 at 4:37 pmEverything you have developed and created is utterly inspirational. I adore it all :) xx
Megan
February 4, 2009 at 12:04 amYou are a woman after my own heart! I am also a graphic designer as well as in the middle of starting my own business. It is very inspiring and SUPER helpful to see how others do it, and how to make a functional space not 100% crazy all the time! Good luck girl! Your work (and studio space) is both Lovely and Inspiring!
kerri
February 10, 2009 at 3:24 pmdo you mind sharing your sources for the table and chairs and the name of their designs…. i am new to this whole decorating thing and appreciate any info… expertise! thanks a bunch!
me
February 11, 2009 at 2:55 amwhere did you get the giant scissors from? and how did u make the curtains? is it as simple as sticking a panal at the top and sliding the rid thru, or did u have to pleat it?
Making it Lovely » Blog Archive » Plans for the Library
February 12, 2009 at 5:17 pm[…] this Jonathan Adler light previously, but it was far too large for the space and we used it in my studio instead. I did see this light recently, and it may work since it’s a bit […]
SoBella Creations
February 17, 2009 at 4:47 pmWhat a great work space!
Monday Inspiration: Finding Calm in Chaos « a beautiful ripple effect
February 23, 2009 at 4:32 pm[…] Crayola was just a primer to prepare you for my go-to site for bright, fun colors: Making it Lovely You must check out the photos of Nicole Balch’s (blogger behind Making it Lovely) gorgeous (and colorful) studio! […]
Kellie
February 24, 2009 at 1:57 pmGreat inspiration!! Thank you for sharing!! ;)
Pips
February 25, 2009 at 4:25 amWow, I love your workspace! Thank you for the photos, it’s great to see how you organise everything while making it all look so pretty.
Yolanda
March 3, 2009 at 1:57 pmCan you share the source/style for your closet doors? We have the ubiquitous funhouse mirrors on ours right now, and I *so* want to replace them with something classier!
Sarah
March 4, 2009 at 11:03 amI think I just drooled on my keyboard! This is GORGEOUS – love those floors and the cute table. I wish I had to courage to use such a beautiful bold fabric for my curtains! Perhaps I need a bigger craft room / office before I try.
susan
March 9, 2009 at 8:14 amoh my goodness! it is just perfect. can you come and organize mine for me?
Jennifer
March 9, 2009 at 8:18 amSigh! I can only dream about having such a lovely space and it’s seperate from your studio? Lucky, lucky girl!
design crush: dream studio tour | Makeunder My Life
March 12, 2009 at 3:57 pm[…] Pink Loves Brown, a Chicago based stationary line designed by Nicole, of the popular design blog, Making It Lovely (home of these great […]
Gabby
March 25, 2009 at 1:47 pmWhat are the things in your studio closet with the red handles? Your studio is inspirational! Love it all!
KARA SPENCER
March 29, 2009 at 1:37 pmwow you have the most amazing room, I had to give up my crafting area/study for my baby, English houses are tiny in comparision to the US.
Lovely room and such great organisation
kara
Jacci
March 30, 2009 at 10:02 pmI was wondering how long it took you to go from the Dragon Wall Ugly Room to your finished studio. From beginning to end, how long did you spend redecorating/remodeling this room?
I love it, by the way :)
Jacci
allie z
April 2, 2009 at 9:40 amI was wondering the same as Jacci. Plus, is the table your only work space? I didn’t see a computer, printer, etc either. Do you have those items hidden? :)
Congrats on your new addition (to be)!!
~Allie
Making it Lovely
April 2, 2009 at 11:08 amI use the three tables that are in the room (the white round one, the shipping table, and the butcher-block). And I have a separate office.
I didn’t work on the studio all at once, so the process took place over time. The part that took the longest was ripping out the carpet and installing the bamboo floor, which we did in October of 2007. If you go through the ‘studio’ archives, you can see all of the progress!
Audrey
April 2, 2009 at 6:11 pmI’m looking for an island or work table like the wooden one you have pictured, is it still available for purchase? The one I was originally going to buy is no longer available at IKEA.
Keep up the great designs!!
Audrey
April 2, 2009 at 6:15 pmSorry, I found your reference to it. :P
Nuit
April 3, 2009 at 10:34 amWow Nicole, you really take the word ‘organization’ to a whole new level! this Studio is simply lovely. Congrats…
Kerry
April 6, 2009 at 2:16 pmJust discovered your blog and it’s now become my favourite read! I adore your studio room. it’s exactly what I aspire to. Well done.
Kerry x
Amanda
April 11, 2009 at 2:46 pmThis is such a fantastic transformation of a space! Thanks for sharing, it gives me inspiration to organize my own studio.
kristine
April 19, 2009 at 11:37 amI have a pendant version of that fixture in nickel that I am selling. I never used it. I ended up going for a vintage one I got at a Restore.
Kkreidler@yahoo.com
kristine
April 19, 2009 at 11:39 amOh, I just discovered your blog and your house is perfect. love, love, love it.
Lisa Mainz
April 20, 2009 at 4:44 pmreally impressive – makes me want to go and redo my whole studio
Carla Maria
April 21, 2009 at 3:56 pmOH you gave me lot of inspiration for organize my room office. Excellent style you have, congratulations
Featured on…Making it Lovely! | Inspired Spaces
April 27, 2009 at 10:13 am[…] Thanks so much to Nicole over at Making it Lovely! She added the Jonathan Adler Ceiling Light to her Studio and it looks amazing! Check it out here. […]
kasey
April 29, 2009 at 7:44 amo.k., i’m hooked.
what a lovely little spot you have here.
xo
Meli
May 6, 2009 at 4:20 amWow, this looks awesome. All the little Boxes, very nice.
Franziska
May 15, 2009 at 2:19 pm… my mouth is opened wide, I’m staring at the photos and can hardly breathe. What a beautiful room! What great storing solutions! Which nice arrangement! I will look at the photos again. Thanks for sharing! You made my day!
Jeanne
May 15, 2009 at 5:48 pmYour studio is amazing! I love the fresh look, clean lines and how organized it is. I saw the article about you in the Sunday Tribune Magazine!
Jeanne
Giselle
May 18, 2009 at 9:07 amLove your studio.. The colors are so soft and beautiful..!!
I’d like to know did your light box. I need to make one myself, cause it’s the only way you can get good pictures.
Thanks for sharing and your baby girl is so beautiful, congrats..:)
Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » Are These Curtains Better?
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vana
August 8, 2009 at 11:08 pmI have been looking everywhere for those black wire baskets that hook/hang from the shelves. Would you mind sharing where there came from?
Donita
August 18, 2009 at 11:06 pmI LOVE YOUR STUDIO!!!! How I would love to have my own sewing studio……we rent. :-/
Do you make the little suitcases? They are so neat and with the stationary, love that idea. Thanks for sharing, you are going on my list of people I follow. ;-)
Ann Shumbo
August 24, 2009 at 7:10 pmOMG! I love how organized and gorgeous this looks. I love the light pink walls. It’s so soothing. Is the table from Ikea- the round one? If so, I am in love with that table and wish I had room for it in my office. I can’t wait to go back and look at all the little details. I understand shipping and know how things can get cluttered but I must say you made shipping look so glam.Thanks for posting.
Ann Shumbo
August 24, 2009 at 7:20 pmOMG! I love how organized and gorgeous this looks. I love the light pink walls. It’s so soothing. Is the table from Ikea- the round one? If so, I am in love with that table and wish I had room for it in my office. I can’t wait to go back and look at all the little details. I understand shipping and know how things can get cluttered but I must say you made shipping look so glam. Thanks for posting.
Autumn
August 27, 2009 at 5:28 pmIt’s so fun and lovely! I’m all about everything having a space and yours is so functional and inspirational.
Omomama
September 1, 2009 at 8:17 amWhoa… how nice and tidy! Thank you for the inspiration.
Kristin
September 2, 2009 at 8:47 amOh, I just found your blog and it is such an inspiration. I am loving you studio, it is so feminine and calming. You are very organized, and how I love your wood floors. Thanks for sharing.
Sharon
September 14, 2009 at 2:54 pmbeautiful and functional. I can only get my office/craft room that tidy when I have guests coming over!!!
Jenny
September 29, 2009 at 9:28 pmYou have the most amazing taste! I love your blog!!!
Ramona
October 7, 2009 at 5:03 pmwow! Your studio is very cool – love it!! :)
Kate_82
October 26, 2009 at 6:32 amHi Nicole,
I’ve just discovered your blog and am feeling totally inspired.!! As a fellow lover of all things stationary,paper and pretty i am in total awe of your studio and designs…
Keep up the great work..!!
Kate
Valentina
November 6, 2009 at 6:41 pmSooo absolutley lovely! I am redecorating my room right now, and my desk area is in need of proper paper storage. I have been on such a quest to find the right ones, and i fell in love with all your storage boxes here, where did you get them? The pink ones especially ;)
Jennifer
December 15, 2009 at 10:00 pmI LOVE YOUR STYLE!!!! I LOVE YOUR WORK ROOM!!! WHERE DID YOU GET THAT STYLISH PAPER THAT YOU BACK THE SHOE/BOOKCASE??? I LOVE IT!!
chicsinger
December 21, 2009 at 4:04 pmNice! You could easily curtain off that table where the mailing supplies are, a couple of cup hooks and an adjustable rod would do the trick with the fabric of your choice.
Getting Your Home Office Organized for 2010 | Mamas On The Web
December 22, 2009 at 5:01 pm[…] Balch is the Queen of making organization pretty. Check out her studio to see what I […]
Ayelet
December 29, 2009 at 12:19 pmyou are my hero. pretty and organized.
thanks!!!
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January 28, 2010 at 7:33 pm[…] now this is a studio, that of Nicole Balch, see the pics at her blog, Making it Lovely. (found via (oh hello friend.) you are […]
mchelle
February 2, 2010 at 6:27 pmi love your studio! I’ve been procrastinating to do up my studio but you’ve just inspired me to get busy!
Thea
February 22, 2010 at 2:51 pmI’m speechless! I didn’t think people with such perfectly organized work spaces really existed! This is my impossible dream :)
Patricia Steele
April 20, 2010 at 1:12 pmHi, I’m just new to blogging but came across your site, your office space is amazing, I love the pastel colours. I have looked at some of your products and wonder if you send things to Scotland and what would the postage be.
Thanks Patricia
Marcela Cavalcante
May 19, 2010 at 10:56 amNicole,
Good afternoon! I wonder if you do delivery to Brazil and how much is that set with 03 yellow bags. How much is shipping?
His work is perfect! Beautiful!
Congratulations!
Thank’s
Marcela
Gina
June 20, 2010 at 2:53 pmWow, this is so impressive! I am about to move into a one bedroom apartment, so a total room like this won’t be possible. But it does inspire me to organize all of my scrapbooking and card making stuff. I love it!
henny
August 13, 2010 at 12:25 amMany thank’s for sharing this! I love your studio…
thanks,
henny
Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » Blog Archive » Making Room for Baby
August 19, 2010 at 10:46 am[…] My sweet, colorful, lovely little studio is going to move into the scary basement. I’ll miss you, studio! […]
Robyn
August 20, 2010 at 2:32 pmOk, I HAVE to ask: where did you get those wooden (?) scissors on the wall? They are amazing!!
(Thank you!)
Making it Lovely
August 20, 2010 at 2:40 pmThe scissors were from Pottery Barn.
Robyn
August 20, 2010 at 4:02 pmThank you! I am going to keep searching for some on ebay… hopefully someone grows sick of them so I can grab ’em up! :)
jesslope
September 22, 2010 at 5:20 pmsuch a nice place to work in. great job.
Laurie
October 1, 2010 at 10:15 amHeya,
I just dig this the MOST! Blogged about it at my own blog:
http://buttercupbungalow.blogspot.com/2010/10/well-dressed-workspace.html
This blog is just a delight, and I’ve added it to my blogroll.
Thanks for sharing your talent with the world at large!
Laurie AE
Organization Issues « Wit & Whistle
October 20, 2010 at 11:37 am[…] from: desire to inspire, decor8, ikea, desire to inspire, Making It Lovely Posted in Design InspirationNo Comments »Tags: design, inspiration, office, […]
ShellyJ
January 6, 2011 at 3:37 pmWOW! just found you… what a room :) can I ask where you got those wire baskets that are hanging in some of the Expedit’s boxes?? THanks!
Sharon
January 11, 2011 at 2:18 pmHow beautiful, you are so organized. I am completely envious. I think I tidy my craft room every other day, and it never stays that way … how does that happen?
Kelly
March 25, 2011 at 1:46 pmAH! makes my heart go pitter patter! Great job!
Nicole
April 6, 2011 at 3:18 pmI discovered your blog a couple of weeks ago and I am like stalking you now. lol. I love your entire house! My husband and I are MAYBE/POSSIBLY going to be purchasing our first home which will def be a fixer upper. Where have you purchase any interior doors or closet doors? I LOVE your studio closet doors!
Eva
April 15, 2011 at 4:42 amHello, I’ve found your studio room from google. You do have a nice and neat room. I love how you store your products. Lately, I’m planning to clean up my craft room as well. I’m interested in where you’ve bought those black baskets where you have hang them up in the Expedit bookshelves.
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June 2, 2011 at 3:57 pm[…] I’m still loving my glider and ottoman. I usually keep a water bottle and some books on the side table next to it, and it’s a nice spot for nursing. I also read to Eleanor and August in that chair, rock August to sleep, and occasionally fall asleep myself there. The Artist Stamps print above the table is by The Small Object, and it used to hang in my former studio. […]
Brenda Ourada
June 15, 2011 at 3:16 pmHi –
Love the website – it’s a recent discovery. Can you tell me where you got the round, white table and the chairs that are in your studio? I’ve been looking and looking.
Thanks,
Brenda
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July 12, 2011 at 12:36 pm[…] used to have a great little studio. […]
Ria
July 12, 2011 at 1:57 pmHi Nicole,
Are you going to keep the old white Ikea table in the new basement office? How is it holding up so far?
The green floor in your newly done basement looks amazing. I am excited to see your new office. :)
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January 18, 2012 at 7:10 pm[…] Studio Expedit via Making It Lovely […]
jenni farnes
January 19, 2012 at 9:56 ami saw above that someone had the same question i did…where you got the wire baskets on your shelves…they almost look like drawers. i went to your etsy shop about those darling suitcases, but you’re temporarily closed. do you sell those baskets, too? would LOVE to get those because i just bought the billy bookcases for my studio and would love to make use of the space with those wire baskets…now i’m lusting for those. thanks so much!
ToTheMoonandBack
January 20, 2012 at 9:53 amHi, I would also love to know more about those little wire shelves hanging inside your Expedit. Love your room!
Ikea Expedit | How to Organize your Home, Family, and Life | The Organized Mom
February 9, 2012 at 7:01 am[…] Making it Lovely […]
Kylie
June 1, 2012 at 4:11 amEach picture of your studio that I see… I love more! What an amazing room. Would love to ask where you got those wire baskets that are hanging in some of the Expedit cubes? x
Making it Lovely
June 1, 2012 at 10:14 amThe baskets were from IKEA, made to work with the Expedit.
Tennille
August 17, 2012 at 10:38 pmHi! I just got here via a picture on pinterest. I realize this post is a few years old now but I was wondering if you could tell where you purchased the floral curtains or the fabric for the curtains in your studio. I’ve been searching the net for months for fabric for my daughters room and I just can’t seem to find a floral that is quite right. Until I saw yours…Do you remember where you found them? Thanks a bunch!
Making it Lovely
August 20, 2012 at 9:38 amI made them out of “Mom’s Couch” fabric by Moda.
Jp
September 8, 2012 at 8:46 pmI’m looking to do DIY after looking at all the work you and your husband did on your house. I’ve been looking for flooring and really love dark wood floor. I’m looking at wide width, dark color, bamboo flooring. I really like the flooring you selected for this room. Can you tell me what this is and what you recommend?
Making it Lovely
September 9, 2012 at 9:40 amThe stain we chose was Jacobean.
Monday Inspiration: Finding Calm in Chaos — Carolyn Rubenstein
November 11, 2012 at 11:53 am[…] Crayola was just a primer to prepare you for my go-to site for bright, fun colors: Making it Lovely You must check out the photos of Nicole Balch’s (blogger behind Making it Lovely) gorgeous (and colorful) studio! […]
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January 15, 2013 at 1:32 pm[…] 2008 – I created a super-cute studio for my shop, using one of our home’s […]
Alice
January 28, 2013 at 5:40 pmAhhh, this is perfect too. I love how well organized you are, well you kind of have to be, but still… :) And I like that it’s such a bright space, but it also has a touch of color. I have to add some of these pics to my Pinterest. :)
xox
Alice
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