Well, here it is! The post you’ve all been waiting for – (especially if you’ve read my last post about the mental and physical frustrations we’ve gone through, complete with assorted before pictures) – my attic craft room reveal! I’ll admit it though, since taking these photos, I haven’t gone up there at all. Sad, right? But I’m a bit burnt out by it all and just need to soak up some family time for a while. But I know it’ll be such a treat when I do head back to the attic and get to work.
I don’t even know where to start when it comes to doing a room tour. So I guess I’ll just go around the room.
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Here’s the door. Like I mentioned in my last post, this was the turd room in the house, with a door sized for a hobbit. Pretty much every piece of furniture in this room had to be assembled in place, and will need to be taken apart if it ever needs to leave. Maybe I should call this my craft room in a bottle?
It seems I will be constantly linking up to what I wrote in my previous craft room post, so you should probably just go on ahead and read that first so you’ll understand what I’ll be rambling about here. After much time spent procrastinating thinking about how to decorate “the big wall” (or, “the only wall”), I kind of chickened out and went with a plain old gallery wall. I was tempted to put my 5ft x 4ft painting of Audrey Hepburn up here, but my husband didn’t want to take it away from the living room. Still, I think it turned out for the best this way, since I was able to display an assortment of things that have meaning for me.
The frames are Ikea Ribba frames and assorted frames I found at yard sales/thrift stores that I painted white.
I have hanging:
- a U.S. patent from my previous life
- a few origami prints of my own design
- my first heat transfer vinyl project, depicting my blog logo, framed by an embroidery hoop
- a few photos of family
- colorful prints from Ikea
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- my vintage typebike canvas (made from Garamond font characters)
- a wood scrap lantern that I made for my first SYTYC challenge
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- one of my favorite greeting cards. It says “Act normal, that’s already crazy enough”. Is that true or what?!
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- a pencil drawing I did back in 2009 of JLo. I had just bought a set of charcoal pencils and wanted to try using a grid method to draw something from a photograph. It has been sitting in my drawing pad all this time until now.
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I found a notebook on clearance at HomeGoods and fell in love with the Hello name sticker on the front. Since I was in the whole “how to decorate the craft room in order to reflect your personality” debacle, I felt it was an appropriate gesture to leave the name blank…for now. The blue metal can was a clearance find from the As-Is bins at Ikea.
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And of course, all of these memories and bits of happiness are anchored by my two beautiful Kendall Charcoal card catalogs, for which you can read the story here.
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Where the Magic Happens
Next up is my actual work area. This was the hardest to organize because there was just so much random craft stuff. Most of the small items are stored in the card catalogs, but the larger items were also some of the more random bits and pieces, all of which needed a home.
Saved by Ikea, once again. I did have to wait a while to pick up my new shelving, since I went looking for shelving just as the Expedit was being discontinued. I waited a month or so and picked up the new Kallax shelf instead, which by the way, fit PERFECTLY in the space (I think I had 1 inch to spare across the whole wall – talk about cutting it close). The slightly larger Expedit would have been too big! The shelf is outfitted with Kassett magazine files and boxes to store all sorts of randomness. The wine crates and picnic basket in the corner store scrap yarn and fabric. Oh yeah, those wine crates? Free. Wanna do a little dance with me? I called up a locally owned wine shop and they just gave them to me. It never hurts to ask!
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Would you believe I found an old school camera while going through my childhood memory boxes? It even still has film in it! I took a few photos but haven’t figured out how to get it developed yet. No biggie though, since he looks so gorgeous just sitting there being fabulous. I still can’t believe I had my very own SLR camera and I never even knew it. The little suitcases can be found at Land of Nod.
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This is another iteration of my Ikea craft desk hack. We had to take everything apart to bring the desk into the room anyways, so we decided to adjust the configuration a bit in order to fit the little window nook, and once again we got super lucky and the Ikea Expedit desk fit the nook with just a few inches to spare. That door on the left is the door to the room. We removed it to move furniture and I found it so cute I didn’t want to put it back. It now adds a little touch of rustic to an otherwise boring blank wall. Hanging from it are a few strands from my Lucky Stars Ombre Mobile – J had tangled up most of the mobile anyways, so I salvaged a few strands for decoration.
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My desk is full of favorite things:
- my painted liquor bottle lamp
- a fabric covered cork board – tutorial forthcoming!
- family photos
- a 300mm wafer of one of the computer chips I designed
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- another favorite greeting card. The front of it says “Most often, a smile is started by another smile”. This silly gorilla NEVER fails to make me smile.
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- a wooden name pen holder from 8th grade woodworking class
- spring blooms from our yard in my one and only Le Creuset piece
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- a doofy bird puppet found in my memory bins (along with the Pentax camera). So apparently, I have always been a fan of bright colors.
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- and finally, a $10 worklamp from Harbor Freight. Cheap. Functional. Right up my industrially stylish alley.
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My Inner Dreamer
Last but not least, this is my day-dreaming corner. Or “relax and play Candy Crush” corner. Right now, I only have my stenciled pillow along with a few large Ikea pillows, but I hope to really “pillow it up” into quite the comfy nook, along with maybe another crochet rag rug. I also have an old iMac so there’s a possibility this might become my very own mini home theater. For now, I’m just looking forward to soaking up the sunlight.
And I can’t mention enough how handy my husband was through all this – he removed the old windows (with their dead bees), installed new ones (without the dead bees), reframed everything and handmade those beveled window sills! We also found inexpensive bright white cordless pleated shades at Ikea (I think they’re called Bruddans) that were a perfect fit.
Not too shabby right? I’m so stinking happy with this room, just knowing that my craft things are safely organized, put away and easy to get to when I need them. And those floors! I love my new floors. If you love the floors too, or really anything about this room, then pin a photo to your boards!
More, More!
I only have one other room transformation for you, so go on and check it out. It’s all about the Ikea, again. No surprise there.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out my new room! I hope it provides you with lots of inspiration to create your own haven too!
absolutely gorgeous, I like light and bright, and you made use of every inch! Love it, great job
I’m a HUGE fan of light and bright! Thanks for your lovely comment Molly!
I love your space! I hope you’ve inspired me 😉
Debbie
Thank you Debbie!
I LOVE it, ChiWei! It’s so peaceful and functional with just the right amount of vivacious from your bright accents. Great job, girl! 🙂
That’s awesome, because peaceful and functinal were what I was going for. I need SOME place that’s peaceful and away from the kids 🙂 Too bad J knows how to climb stairs, lol. Thanks so much Bethany!
OMG! Its lovely! I absolutely LOVE everything about it! From the card catalogue to the pillows in the corner. That type bike canvas…I want, do you sell them? You are a very talented lady and what a lovely little craft space you’ve created.
Awww, thanks! I’m not selling the canvas, but I’ll probably make the design as a PDF to sell in my Etsy shop, whenever the baby isn’t crying or pooping or wandering off to chew on cables… Thanks so much for all your support and lovely comments Carolyn!
So, did you make the bike graphic to sell? Where can I find it? Great idea for my NEW craft area.
Ahh, Barb, thank you for reminding me! Yes, I do want to make it a graphic to sell, but I haven’t had the time. I want to do just a regular PDF so hopefully I can get to it soon. But I will let you know!
What a pretty space! So nice!
Thanks Melanie!
I absolutely LOVE it!
Thank you Kara!
Oh goodness, I never thought it was possible to love a room so much. This is incredible! The overall styling and the individual details are spot on!
Wow, thanks for such a lovely comment Jess! And thank you for stopping by, have a great rest of the week!
Such a great makeover! I love the replaced window and how you incorporated little things that make you smile and have special meaning to you.
Thanks Jennifer! Those are the only new windows in the house – it’s such a pleasure to open and close them without squeaking and creaking and wondering if it’ll fall apart on you 🙂
Girl, this is so fabulous I can’t stand it! Every tiny little detail is perfect! I love the door hanging on the wall. I love the nook, and you know I LOVE those card catalogs! What an amazing transformation! I drool. Seriously, so, so great ChiWei. Proud of you and the hubs for making it happen!
Aww Kirsten, you make a girl blush 🙂 Thank you so so much for your comment! Will I see you in Atlanta this summer? Would love to meet and hug you in person!!
LOVE IT!! You are so talented! Can you come design a few rooms in my house please?!
Haha, thank you Kara! I wish every room in my house is this nice…but totally not happening with two kids and ALL their stuff everywhere. 🙂
AMAZING! I just love it! Way to go girl. Let’s have a craft party!
Yeah! It’ll fit a bunch of us, just lounging on the floor 🙂
I love your space!! That gallery wall is gorgeous!! And I love how you have everything stored and organized!
Thank you so much Selene! I’m glad you like the gallery wall, since I did have some doubts while putting it together.
ChiWei – This is SO gorgeous! I love it! Your JLo sketch is such a fantastic memory (and a bit of a giggle – I used to obsessively draw horses, so there are a bunch of those hiding away in boxes somewhere). The card catalogues are drool-worthy, too. I love all of the little bits of personality that you have in your space. It seems light and bright, and still cozy. Well done!
That JLo pic is a little embarrassing but I like how it turned out. I don’t know why I chose her though, of all people. Why didn’t I draw a guy Orlando Bloom or something? Anyways 🙂 And yes, I used to draw horses too, all. the. time. I don’t have those hanging around anymore though. Thank you so much Tara!
It is absolutely wonderful!! I’m hopping by from blogtalk fb page and I am officially a new fan! Such a beautiful space!
Oh, thank you Bee! Yay, so glad to have you!
I love everything about this space! Pinning!
Thank you for the pin Laura!
Amazing! I love it so much…especially all that gorgeous sunlight that is just pouring into the space!
The sunlight is my favorite part – it definitely feels good to lounge in such a bright space 🙂 Thanks Rebecca!
Speechless… omg it’s gorgeous. Seriously…speechless.
Thank you Carolyn!
Great craft room. I’m in the midst of doing mine now. I’m still in the early stages and haven’t even begun to organize my tons of stuff. I’ve got to get on it. Love this.
Shannon ~ bohemianjunktion.com
Thanks Shannon! It takes forever, doesn’t it? But then, everything finds a home and then it doesn’t look like that much….hmm..makes me want to get more. lol
What a fantastic and inspiring craft room. Well Done!
Thank you Carmody!
Wow. Wow. Wow. And…. WOW!!! This doesn’t look remotely like the dark, dingy attic you started with. I’m blown away! Congratulations on having a truly inspiring work space! (And yes, it IS magazine worthy, my friend!)
Thanks so much Laura! I hope some magazine notices, lol 🙂
I love this so much! I am featuring you tomorrow… Thank you for linking up with The Party Bunch!!!
xo
Desiree
Thank you so much for the feature Desiree!
G’Day from Oz! Wow, what a gorgeous room! I love all the little details and the mementos that have so much meaning for you. The framed patent is neat too. You are obviously very clever!
If you have a minute to spare I’d be thrilled if you could pop by and join in with this week’s Say G’day Saturday linky party. It has just started and this would be a fabulous addition!
Best wishes for a great weekend,
Natasha in Oz
I LOVE your craft room!!! the light is beautiful and everything in it is gorgeous! I love that file cabinet on castors… awesome!
Great meeting you yesterday and so glad I found your blog!
Susan
Thanks Susan! It was great meeting you too! I hope you enjoyed the rest of the fair 🙂
such a bright, pretty, inspiring place to work!!
Thank you Jessica!
I love this room! It’s tucked away, bright, organized and still has a ton of personality! You did a wonderful job!
Thanks Shelly!
OMG, ChiWei, your craft room is absolutely stunning! It looks like it came right out of a magazine! I think if this was my craft room, I would never leave!
Hahaha, thanks Marilyn! I do love spending time in there, especially on sunny afternoons 🙂
What a gorgeous space, ChiWei! I love it!
Chi, I loved that working environment. It’s so serene and the whites just draw in lots of inspiration. Thanks a lot for sharing your attic!
This is just BEAUTIFUL! I’ve been agonising over how to turn our loft/attic room into an arts and crafts space for months, so thank you for the inspiration!
What a stunning craft room!! Wow! I could spend all day there!
That is a great creation and a good use of space. I will turn mine into a gaming room.
OMG, ChiWei, your craft room is absolutely stunning! It looks like it came right out of a magazine! I think if this was my craft room, I would never leave!
very good. Thank you for sharing!
very good. Thank you for sharing!
Love your bright beautiful room. My husband built one also… But once I start a project, It turns into a big mess. Then of course, I bring in LOTS of new supplies. I have run out of room. It loos like you do a much better job than I do at keeping every thing in place. You will love it.