A Dream Begins {A Craft Room Makeover} Reveal

Where Women I Create!

Well it is finally here! My craft room makeover on a budget. I used things I had already to recreate a workable room. I changed my furniture arrangement to better suit me. This is my story!

When my last child left for college, the house was very quite. The empty nest syndrome set in. It took some time to adjust to the calm. I began sorting through pictures and past schoolwork in an office/bedroom with tears in my eyes. The room became a storeroom of memories. I missed my kids but knew it was time to make a change. I started and failed many times. Then right before Memorial Day I cleared the whole room out to start again. Everything went into the hall. Then I had people over and everything went back into the room!!!

I am an artist, a blogger, a wife and mom. Many hats are worn, like most women! I seldom had time for creating at home and now that the kids have gone I needed my own space. I really didn't have the extra money or the motivation to do a whole room. Then I went to the Haven Conference and met some amazing people. I came home pumped and knew I had to use that new found energy.

While I was there I met with Shaw Flooring.  They were doing a contest on redos. If you sent in your redo you got an area rug FREE! I knew that would give me the motivation to finish!

 All the years of volunteering for school, transporting children and making things for the kids had come to a close. It was time to finish what I had started. It was time to get organized. Create a craft room out of this office/bedroom. Somewhere I can work out of. Somewhere to create!

This is how it started....

What a disorganized mess!!!

I ran around the house looking for things to use in different areas of the room. I created different zones in my room. A table for my main workstation and my desk for blogging. I hung crates for storage and mementos. I added a wall of cubbies and shelving to hold jars and bins filled with small crafts. I want this room to express who I am.

 I painted my own canvas valances and hung it over the windows using things I had on hand to keep this redo cost efficient. I scattered around pieces of me by incorporating where I lived, toys I kept from childhood, family pictures, my painted works and more. I used color around the room and mixed contemporary and vintage styles. This room was me!

This was an old catering basket that I turned into a shelf by adding paint sticks across the bottom for my stamps to sit on. The pot lid holds my favorite Purdy brush! The bottom shelf holds my rulers. The basket for my clothspins is a gutter screen.

jars and cubbies

My blogging area!

I used old crates for shelving above my blog station. I made the memo board from an old blackboard.

My storage area for supplies!

Old drawers for storage.

My paintings/valances are titled The Dream Begins. It is so fitting for the room. This space became so much more to me than just a room to make things. By adding character and heart, I made it a space that feels like home! Let the creating begin!

Painted Canvas Valances

Creating a space that represents me, by using what I already have, is what I am trying to accomplish. Let's face it, an office or craft room requires a lot of work! Separating, purging and designing a space that is not only pretty but workable. I mean, I have to make a mess!! That is how I create! When I get this craft room done I will be able to have a place to put my mess in order.

 I am doing this whole space with things I already own. I got the sign up and now the curtains need to get up. I had it all in my mind of what I wanted and then changed it. A woman's prerogative, right? I wanted something different, something that expressed me. I decided to paint a couple of canvases. I was going to paint it like the fabric curtains I wanted till I spoke to my friend Lesley from The Homeless Finch. She said, "Paint something different. If you are going to paint a curtain just buy a curtain." My phone call with her got me thinking! She was right! She inspired me! I did want something I haven't seen anywhere else. Something that adds to my style! Boy, did I do something different!

This is a series of two abstract paintings titled The Dream Begins Since the blog name is dreamingincolor I wanted the painting to represent the dream. Starting with black and white and grey and gradually adding color. Too much info? LOL

 Series I

Series II

There is more color and less black,white and grey, The dream is starting to become.

Since it is the beginning of the dream there are only two colors blue and coral...the colors in my room

I love the way they work in the space! I know its not for everyone but think of something that would work for you. Just paint and hang above your window. You could tape off a pattern like a chevron, paint stripes, even florals, Give it a try. These two canvases were only $22. I keep many in stock and buy on sale or with coupons. Not bad for two windows!

The space is coming along. Lots and Lots of work to do!! Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek!

NO Sew Drapery Cornices

Do you ever notice that when spring and summer comes around, we are all ready to refresh our homes?

Even colors need to be changed to change the mood we are feeling.

 I decided that I wanted to change the colors of my bedroom to a more spring/summer look. Although I show a lot of vintage inspired furniture around here, my bedroom is a more European/contemporary feel. I like mixing things and I appreciate all styles.

 My bedroom walls are beige and there is a lot of black in the furniture and fabrics I chose. The winter color I use is red. Now I want a blue! So I will be adding blue accents but keeping my drapes neutral.

For now! This is a quick easy solution! No sew!! My type of project. This is how they turned out!
Continue to see how it is done!