From Crap-tastic to Craft-tastic (Closet makeover #1)

With the exception of Martha Stewart and professional organizers, I am willing to bet everybody has a junk drawer, an accumulated stuff pile, or if you are like me, a shameful-on-the verge- of hoarding closet. Or 2...Or 3...Don't judge me...

The first closet I am tackling is the closet in the spare aka "girly" room. This isn't the worst closet in the house but it was just enough messy to make me kind of crazy.

It began as this (eek!) waayyyy back in 2012. Then I proceeded to ignore it for a very, very long time. Out of sight, out of mind.

 Um ... it got a little better (kinda) in 2014, as I purged some of the stuff . 

 Then I tried to organize it a bit more  but it still wasn't working for me

Poor Billy the Snowman. I would leave him out in the room but he freaks out my dogs and
I am afraid I would come home to twigs and fluff!

I re-used various pieces from around the house. The closet organizer pieces were at one time used in  my kitchen for storage, now they are actually being used in a closet, ha!

 The white cubbies were once part of my creative corner makeover. Honestly- it was so cramped I gave up on using it. But now THIS is more along the lines of what I had envisioned. The worktop (the sewing machine is sitting on) came from Ikea for $0.75. It was a piece of something it has holes from screws/ pegs but I don't care. I attached it to the repurposed laminate shelf with L brackets. It is a super-snug fit. I don't think even if I had measured it, would the fit be as perfect, haha. The foot stool slides in when not in use, but there is room to sit as well.

And when the curtains are closed, my cat Sam-Sam curls up on the footstool.
He has claimed his perfect napping spot!

The worklight is from Ikea (which I purchased maybe  4 yrs ago?)  I ran out of cable cord tacks, was too lazy/ cold to run out buy any so I made my own use cable ties and nail brads. The trick is to take a lighter, heat the tip of the nail and press it into the cable tie. I snipped them into 1 1/2 inch pieces and they worked like a charm to secure the cord.  The power strip mounted on the inside corner of the closet. Plenty of outlets for the sewing machine or a glue gun.

There is plenty of room for fabrics, notions and what-nots. For larger sewing or  craft projects I have a folding table can be easily retrieved for use. It isn't over the top or magazine worthy, but this  demonstrates creative solutions when faced with limited space and budget constraints.  

Carving out a little creative space

Living in an old house is full of challenges. Making modern sized things fit into not modern spaces is no fun! There are all sorts of weird little nooks and crannies. (Dang it! now I am hungry for an English muffin).

Case in point--I would love to have a craft room. But seeing as how we only have a 2 bedroom house, I am not left with many options. Space is at a premium. I guess my girly spare bedroom sorta becomes the craft space by default. And if you click back on that link you will see there is a list of things to do in there. Which I haven't done one stinkin' thing!  Ok--not true. I have done a few things on the list. I just haven't finished them. Don't judge me...

The room needs to function as a bedroom,craft room and study/office. That's a whole lotta function for a little room. The office closet nook I had downstairs was bumped for storage practicality.  Additionally  I am going back to college in a few short weeks and needed a better suited study environment than the living room or dining room.

Well I had a little awkward space behind the door of the bedroom. Originally it was stacked up with totes and what not. Not very pleasant to look at from my guest's perspective and definitely not conducive to creativity.

The area is not big enough to work on crafts but enough space to be creative and inspiring! A nice little nook to stash the my gift wrap and pick out a  special occasion card. Not to shabby for some found space and using stuff I already had lying around. The "table top" is actually 2 shelves from an old pantry cabinet. I used L brackets to connect them. They were a perfect match in to height to the scrap-booking/ craft organizer cabinets. (Which I bought for 50% of Michael's last year). The opening isn't wide enough for a chair but I can stash my tools and craft box there.

Now when you are in the room it definitely feels more serene.

Unless you look in the closet (which I don't recommend) because it is a hot mess.  
Don't say you weren't warned...

Don't judge me! haha
I know- I know--it is bad! However, this is on my list of to do next. No seriously! This is where the office/ desk area / craft supplies storage is going to be situated. That way when I am finished studying, paying bills, crafting, blogging or facebooking I can close the curtains. If I am in the middle of stuff and  someone is staying overnight (which in reality happens maybe 1 or 2x per year) I can just pull the curtains--outta sight outta mind!  So stay tuned!

My dream creative space

I was trolling the web for inspiration and came across The Inspired Room blog and she posed the question of what would you want in your dream creative space. Well I immediately began daydreaming.....

My dream creative space would be more than the 3X 6 ft. windowless closet I currently occupy. If money were no option, I would be to finish the attic space above my garage. Pop the roof for more head room (or install dormers at the least), install salvaged barn wood floors with all of their lovely patina (sealed with a satin urethane for easy clean up), have windows facing south and skylights for maximum light.  Install french doors on the east exposure opening out to diminutive balcony that overlooks my yard, gardens and creek-- with room enough for a chair and small table to enjoy a cup of tea while resting from all the creative hard work!

As for color–I envision zones traveling through the room. Cooler colors gradiating to warmer colors as the orientation of room changes from a west to east exposure. Shades water, earth and sky–after all mother nature is a prolific artist.

These photos are NOT my space but is similar to what I envision...

Organization is a must! Lots of bookcases to hold my many books and reference materials. Cubbies for bins. Shelves for storage boxes. Also some peg, bulletin and magnetic boards. A must for inspirations boards. From the center beam I would install 3 fabulous and funky chandeliers salvaged from local thrift stores. After all what girl doesn't want a chandelier?!




A super comfy chair  and ottoman with a good reading light, when I need to research and find inspiration. Several large work tables (1 standard height and 1 bar height). Of course it would be outfitted with AC for the sweltering humid summer days and a nice little pot-belly would stove for those frigid winter days. And a mini fridge because a girl can’t be bothered to schlep ALLLL the way down the stairs and in the house when she is on a creative roll. Light, bright and beautiful…Can’t you just picture it?