First, let me shout out a disclaimer that I am very blessed that my hubby nor my family care that my 'craft' room is our dining room. However, it bothers me, so I've spent a small amount of money trying to make it look better and to make the face of it look very blended so it fades. When you walk into my house and look left, there it is in all it's messy glory and my problem with it is that a house just isn't supposed to look like that. This should be somewhere else... but... it's not. This is an overview and the room spans to the right which is next.
Another overview showing the two storage shelves, the work tables, and my magazine rack. After the craft cabinet went up and I outgrew it, my DH found these shelves on clearance at a JoAnn's that was going out of business. At first I didn't want them as the craft cabinet he built was so pretty and these were so drab, but he said he couldn't build them for what he could buy them for, so onto the trailer they went. When you walk in, the above picture is what you see - then when you get closer to the dining room, you see the other shelf. Yes, it holds everything, but it's not exactly how I want it to be which is why I'm hoping this challenge will help. Unfortunately, I really can't haul everything out and start with a blank canvas. Not only can I not put this elsewhere for a while, the summer is the only time I have to really crop.
Craft cabinet that my hubby built - which I grew out of the day he put it together. ;) Tools on pegboard (it's a bit empty because I was trying something new on it but took it off for the pics). Under the work table are my sizzix and SU stamping pads, Xyron, binders, Sizzix, etc. Originally, it went in an inconspicuous place that couldn't be seen from the door (hence the size), but we kept moving furniture to accomodate crops and SU classes, so we just shoved the dining room into the useless small living room and converted the dining room.
If you span to the left of the craft cabinet and past the bay windows, there is this niche that my husband built shelves for that used to hold my SU stamp sets. After the purchase of the big shelves, they just now hold display items that we used to make at classes.
Spanning back the other way, past the magazine racks is a hallway to the kitchen that holds my SU paper racks, with my CM paper racks on top. (it's blocking the hallway to keep the dog out :)).My husband got these racks for free as I was outgrowing this rolling vertical file holder (which I loved). I hate these racks mostly because the dust collects on the paper. I've had friends suggest hanging fabric suspended from velcro on it, but I'm very ADD and I just don't think I'll use the paper if I cover it up. Additionally, I don't like having paper in three areas, but I want to keep the SU cardstock separate due to it's size and project needs. I would mind putting the CM paper in with something else, but again it's 10 x 12 where as my vertical holders hold 12 x 12 paper.
In the "what doesn't work for you" category is this bookshelf! The top two shelves hold Photo sorts, File Mates and memorbilia boxes. Then on the left are idea books, on the right are ribbon containers (which I'm not thrilled with but I already own them). Then it's my CM supplies, a sticker box, and a small container of scraps. The next shelf (which is almost the last one you can see here) are Paper holders (which I love). I used to have an IRIS cart holding all of my paper (seen in the picture where the two shelves are at an L) but found it wasn't as user friendly as the vertical shelves.
What works about my room is that I'm lucky to have it and I technically almost have places for everything. (under the table on the big shelves are other craft items so that all crafting items in my house are in one place).
What doesn't work for me is: 1) the layout - but I feel somewhat stuck to it due to the fact that it's what I have to work with. I have a friend (who loves organizing) who convinced me to put the craft cabinet where it is so that it was central for others to work on as a work station. Plus I didnt want it in the middle of the two big cabinets - thought it would be goofy for me. 2) I know function is important - so this is a hard one for me. What I want is a 'pretty' craft room - what I NEED might be everything around me as I'm very ADD and if it's out of sight, it's out of mind. 3) I REALLY like the look of the pretty, tucked away rooms and would love that but I need to not spend too much money as I've already sunk a lot in baskets, boxes, holders, etc.
Any feedback you have is most appreciated.
5 comments:
Jomama, I think if your room is functioning for you it may just be a matter of "finishing" some of your pieces so that you have some frosted "glass" doors. I think you said your hubby was handy; If so then he can get acrylic sheet from the building supply store and hinge the shelving fronts so you have doors you can see through and it won't be visible immediately to visitors. A little paint to make all the pieces match could help with the visual appeal.
I hear you about the ADD. I have to see my supplies or they don't exist.
~Hobbyaholic
April,
First of all I have to tell you THANK you for responding. I am very new to blogging and it took a while to get it all together - I've been checking and checking for comments in response to my posts and you are the first one! ;) you made my day! Hubby and I have discussed both options but the shelves are shallow and a few things hang over - so it's hard to cabinet them - but maybe I could do like the bottom half and make the top half the 'pretty' part? Also, it's a cheap laminate covering on the shelves and I'm afraid paint will chip, but I'm going to try it. I'm thinking if I mottle the paint (sort of like sponge painting) then if it chips, I can touch it up without it being an obvious thing. Laminate doesn't paint well....
Thanks for posting - I hope this challenge works for us.
Jo
I think its great that you have such a big space to work with!! My first thought was that maybe you would be more pleased with your space if you could spraypaint all your shelves to match each other? I know laminate is tough to work on but I think there are paints that will adhere to it.
I love your hubbys craft area that he built for you!! My hubby made me some paper storage cubes --we are lucky to have handy men in our lives.
You were talking about your paper getting dusty-- I read somewhere to put a page protector on the top of each pile-- you can see through it and it keeps the dust away!! That might work???
I too need to see my things. So I use a variety of metal buckets with things sorted by type. All tages in one bucket, all metal embellishments in another. Maybe you could come up with some similar containers to keep on your shelves that are pleasing to look at but functional???
This is a great challenge and I think we are sooo lucky that wookiemouse is hosting it! She seems to have great ideas and I think as we move forward we will all have some great ideas to bounce off each other!
Jomama,
I think you have a great space. Definitely seems like you have a system to use the space most efficiently. And in terms of functionality, most of it is working for you? You're just looking to make it a little prettier? I agree with an earlier comment that trying to make the shelves or the containers the same might help. Have you thought about possibly hanging curtains in front of the cabinets? Maybe even something sheer to allow you to see through? Your stamps look very organized, but possibly putting them in containers might look a little prettier. I hope you won't be offended by any of my suggestions, I am not an expert and my room is most definitely a work in progress. Looking forward to seeing your progress during the challenge.
Annie,
Not at all! I only did all of us hoping for feedback. I don't know how else to reach you your contact doesn't have a place for me to comment, so I hope you see this. Thanks for your time and words.
jo
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