Well hello there! Are you having a great day? Are you living in ALL CAPS?
Good!
Me too!
So…. you know how everyone has a junk drawer? Well we have a junk ROOM.
It’s the catch-all room where I have not only my sewing machine and craft supplies, but also guitars, books, stuff we’re not using, and stuff we don’t know where to put. And this room is RIGHT off the living room, so obviously we keep the door closed pretty much all the time. We recently got one little corner organized with this mid-century hutch, but that’s about it.
The funny thing is that we call it ‘the studio’ to sound fancy. And because it’s supposed to be my creative space. How lucky am I to have a husband that gives me an entire room for crafting/sewing/hoarding?
In that pic above, you may be able to spot some cubbies. Nick brought this unit home from work where it wasn’t needed anymore. He knew it would make my little organizing heart sing.
Not long after that, I found this apothecary-like metal cabinet at a garage sale for $20 bones.
I realized that IF these two pieces were the same height, I could totally put a countertop on them for a workspace in ‘the studio’. The metal cubbies were several inches taller than the drawer cabinet, and Nick didn’t quibble about the opportunity to make some sparks with his grinder.
After some serious clean-up, they both got primed and painted white.
As you can see, I wasted no time organizing some things in that cubby. SO CONVENIENT for markers, chalk, glue, little crafting items, ETC! Also, don’t be fooled by the above pic… ALL THAT CRAP is piled on the other side of the room where you conveniently can’t see. One thing at a time people!
So now I need a countertop, right? We could have done a butcherblock counter like we did in our upstairs bathroom, but we decided to keep things simple and just use poplar planks glued to size. (see this post to learn how we acquire our lumber for super cheap).
He totally needs to do a post on his website to show detailed instructions, and how to use his bad-a Biscuit Joiner. That thing is FUN to use.
Once everything was assembled and the glue was dry, we unclamped it and sanded… starting with a belt sander with 80 grit, then moving to a random orbital sander at 120 grit, then 220 grit. Smooth as a baby’s booty!
The last thing we needed to do was put up a bracing ‘rail’ along the wall so the counter would have a support in addition to sitting on the cubbies. We simply ripped down 1” planks to 2” width, then leveled and marked where it would go with a chalk-line.
We marked the studs, and screwed the board in.
Next, the 11’ counter got hauled in and put in place!
The space at the very end will have a lower counter coming out for my sewing machine. And the space in the middle will be perfect for a couple stools. Do I dare let the twins craft at my counter? I HAVEN’T DECIDED.
The counter still needs to be stained and sealed… I’m debating using one of Rust-Oleum’s new stain colors. So fun right? Do you have an opinion?
Next step is to put up some shelving and maybe pegboard? And a regular height table at the end for sewing. It will be so nice to get everything off the floor and organized! Wouldn’t it be so functional to be able to USE the craft room studio? Such a foreign thought!
Do you have a catch-all junk room? Better yet, do you have a room dedicated to crafting or being creative? Did you know that SOME weird people actually use their ’extra’ room as a guest room? So crazy!
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Totally guilty of a junk room/guest room! lol
Hi! New reader here *waves*. I have just completed decorating my craft room and it is so nice to have an organised creative space! So I highly recommend it.
I like the green but I think you should go with the blue to match the newly papered hutch. I don’t think EVERYTHING in a room has to be mitchy-matchy, but you are going to have a lot going on (colors, textures, shapes) in that room with all your materials. Matching the blues would provide some calm and cohesiveness.
Oh man. Thank goodness I’m not the only one with a junk room. I think the problem is that it’s not big enough to be a catch-all craft and music room. But both are in there. Along with a bunch of crap that needs to be hauled off to Goodwill. And of course, two hamsters and a hedgehog. It’s out of control.
Our basement is our junk room. I have a craft corner that’s messy and my daughter has toys down there too. We don’t usually show it off to people when they come over.
I am so envious…yet not. You have an entire room! But my twins are moving out in the fall and I will have an entire house to do with as I please and that doesn’t comfort me at all. However, I can start considering one of these for my sewing machines (I have multiples and a serger!!) Check out the Lindy Cottage Armoires at the bottom (first one is oak, I believe): http://www.remodelaholic.com/2013/04/armoire-sewing-closet-tutorial/ THIS is what I want, because it can be closed up and keeps your machine out of the dust and such. Plus has much storage for sewing only related items. Can’t wait to see the progress on this (YES I can, take your time…it’s the anticipation that feels the best!) and anything else you have planned. PS: Have you ever checked out French Cleats? (send Nick online to check this out!) In my opinion, this seems to be the niftiest way to hang anything on a wall. Europeans use this method, apparently, to hang cupboards and all kinds of things because it offers the option of moving heavy stuff instead of making them built in, yet with the look of being built in. If I had tools/workshop/etc…. I think I would use this a lot.
I love seeing other peoples craft rooms! I also like the blue stain. I have a craft room my mom and I share. That means 2 sewing tables, a desk, and an old candy case in it from the early 1900s! It definitely could use some organizing though, ITS A MESS!
What a fun idea to make the room a bit more “organized!” Love the green stain the most. I don’t have a catch all room anymore- living with the in laws. But we definitely have a catch all storage unit!
So love this creative solution for your crafting room! (sorry, Studio) I am always partial to green, so that’s my vote for the color top. If I might make a suggestion? I sew a lot, and I mean a lot. I find myself removing my machine from the cabinet to haul it to the kitchen island lots of times so I can stand while I’m working on larger projects. If Nick could make a sewing table section that would normally sit at seat height and then crank up to match your crafting table height, you would be able to use all that table space for larger projects too! Just a thought. 😉
I never thought of standing while sewing! I love the idea of the adjustable table… And Nick would love the challenge! 🙂
I didn’t even think about using my sewing machine at standing height. My back hurts terribly after sewing, so this is genius! Definitely something to think about. And Nick would love the challenge of an adjustable table. GOOD THOUGHT!
It’s slightly challenging at first, but once you get the hang of it, I’m willing to bet you might stand most of the time. :). Let me know how it goes…
I have a catch-all room and it’s driving me CRAZY! It’s also our guest room so whenever we have company I have to get in there and make it presentable. It does have a decent size closet with lots of shelving and even some built-in cubbies! I totally think you should use a “fun color” stain for your counter!!! Can’t wait to see more progress!