Monday, September 28, 2009

The Studio Reveal!

What began as a storage building....



...was lovingly (thank you Sweet Hubby) transformed into a bright studio space...



...which was then filled to rafters with LOTS of whimsical, colorful, creative possibilities...it has become my dream studio, and I couldn't be happier!!



(Please keep scrolling - there are LOTS more photos - you can click any photo to enlarge it and see more details)
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I'm bringing the story of the studio transformation full circle today as I participate in Susan's Metamorphosis Monday. In addition, I am participating for the first time in Rhoda's Today's Thrifty Treasures because 95% of everything you will see on this tour was a thrifted treasure. I'll point out the highlights as I go along...(you may want to grab a hot beverage of your choice and get comfy - there are a LOT of photos!!)

I'll start off to the left as you enter the studio door...I've set up a work table against the wall in this space for projects that will need to be spread out...



I framed three of my illustrations with thrifted frames painted black with white polka dots added for whimsy...



Notice the peg rack in the previous photo? Here's how it looked before the transformation...


I paid $1 for the peg rack at an outdoor flea market and $.50 each for the pastel tin buckets at an estate sale. I knew I wanted some storage near the work table, but I wanted something colorful and fun...so I was delighted to find both of these goodies just in the last week.  I cut the peg rack down a bit (it was almost 6 feet long), spray painted it pink, then added white polka dots for fun, and attached two sawtooth hangers to the back. All I did with the buckets was punch two holes in each with a tin punch and thread wired gingham ribbon that I already had through the holes and tie it in a bow onto the peg - pretty easy stuff.  I LOVE how it turned out!!



Further in the studio on the left is the desk area. I flanked my desk (which I've had for years) with two oak bookcases which I already had as well...



I decorated the desk area with all of my favorite kitschy 70's framed embroidery pieces and of course my voluminous collection of stuffed animals  :o)






The paint rack (above) was another awesome thrifted find - just $15.00...and that INCLUDES all the paint you see there - between the front and back of the rack there are 104 bottles of paint, 90% of which are brand new, never opened!! Needless to say I was thrilled with this purchase...



I cut up and used a vintage cutter quilt with cute butterflies as valances on all the windows (easy, no sew project)...I also draped a few vintage embroidered linens over the curtain rod too...



The back third of the studio is mostly storage for all the many china, glass, lamps, and wood pieces awaiting transformation...as well as boxes and boxes of laces, trims, jewelry bits, beads and numerous other crafty goodies...














Moving around now to the right side of the studio you'll see one of my favorite thrifted treasures of all time - my $30 couch! I WISH I had taken a before photo...but trust me, the fabric was not the prettiest...but the couch's bones were good and it was solid...


So with a $19.99 king size discount store quilt, and pieces of leftover bargain quilt that I already had (you may recall I used it to make no-sew valances for my livingroom), my Mom and I tucked and tacked and managed to fashion a no-sew slipcover of sorts for it. I used a couple of flower pins that I had on hand to "gather" the slipcover around the arms of the couch...



Finishing out the right side of the studio is a creamy yellow $25.00 garage sale dresser and mirror which provides even more storage...the drawers are filled with fabric...










And finally, the last corner of the studio...this is an oak corner shelf I already had...



I filled it with more fabric, vintage tablecloths, vintage quilts, and ribbon...





Whew!!  That's the whole thing!! I hope you enjoyed your tour as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you! This project has been a real labor of love, and I am DELIGHTED with how it all came together!!

I simply MUST say thank you to the Lord for His provision, His guidance, and His inspiration for this project - to HIM be all the Glory!!

"He has made everything beautiful in its time..."
Ecclesiastes 3:11

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Now, it's a race to Thursday, October 1st when we open our space at Whispering Willow Gifts and Antiques...lots of gathering, pricing, and re-purposing left to do before then, but it'll be a lot of fun!  I'll be sure to share photos of our space set up next week!  We're so excited!!

Now please head over to Between Naps on the Porch for more Met Monday transformations and Southern Hospitality for more Thrifty Treasures - thanks again to Susan and Rhoda for being such gracious hostesses week to week!!

And thank YOU so much for stopping by...I'd love to hear what you think!!

Have a blessed week friends!!


31 comments:

  1. beautiful!!! I'd die for my own space like that. I love the paint stand. Very useful!

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  2. Anonymous10:01 AM

    What a wonderful, charming studio!!! You are so blessed!

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  3. Beautiful! Ok now I'm officially jealous. I'll have to get on my DH transform my little barn into a craft studio. Just as soon as he finishes transforming my old house into a new old house. ha!
    Love it!

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  4. Beautiful!! I am so envious. Ooops not suppose to be envious, jealous maybe. lol

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  5. Wow! It turned out great!! The space is huge!! Can't wait to see the awesome art that comes out of here!!

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  6. Very nice studio! Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Love your tranformation! Its a thing of beauty! You have alot of supplies, you better get crafting! Stop by for a visit sometime!
    Michelle

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  8. OHMYGOSH Becky! I LOVE your new studio! I was really looking forward to the 'grand reveal', and I wasn't disappointed!! You did a great job. I enlarged every picture and just oogled over all your goodies. What a fun and winsome place to create!..you should enter your studio pics to Where Women Create magazine!
    Blessings!
    Myrna

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  9. How lucky are you to have such a beautiful space. I love it! I'm having a giveaway tomorrow. Stop by if you get a chance and enter to win.

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  10. Not sure my comment posted?? Anyway - love your great space. Would love to have a room for my "stuff", computer, etc.

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  11. it is all so fantastic! i love the name. so glad you shared the pics with us. so many wonderful treasures. love it!
    blessings,
    aimee

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  12. Anonymous10:34 PM

    I bet DH has to drag you out of there every night!! What a fun place to create. I would love to shop your studio- so much great stuff you have on those shelves!!

    blessings
    mary

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  13. Anonymous10:58 PM

    Wow Beck, The space is fantastic! I want to spend as much time creating in there with you as I can. It is just the way you dreamed it would be huh? I love it and I do thank God for all He has done in your life. I am such a proud mama....

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  14. Hello~
    I am so glad I happened across your blog !! I am re-doing my little studio and love others who also have one - too cool ! I do some painting,quilting,sewing,scrapbooking,photographing,decorating and alot of creating !
    Come by my place for a visit -
    Kammy
    Small Home in The Country

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  15. Wow, wow, wow Becky! It has everything a girl could want and more:>) I would live there, lol. What a fabulous space, I love the framed art. I love the colors and the creativity. It is wonderful!

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  16. I'm so jealous. I would love a studio like that. What space! Love the sofa as I am also recovering a chair your giving me ideas. I would love to see the vintage tablecloth on top of the pile, the one with the strawberrys, opened up onto a table. Maybe a tablescape?
    So nice to meet you~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  17. Wow--you shared so much and this is such a cool studio...but you never said what it is you make! I love the couch!! So pretty. The studio looks so homey!!

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  18. Everyone should have a "creativity thrives here" craft room! And your decor is sweet and filled with creative "spark!"

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  19. Wow! I'm sure it is a dream come true for you. Well done.

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  20. I just stumbled upon your blog and fabulous tour of your craft room. Your style is very unique and cheerful, and it really shines through in your pictures. I love filling an empty space with goodies. I even have dreams about an undiscovered empty room in our house that I suddenly find and begin to fill with craft supplies and vintage treasures.

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  21. Talk about a studio! You have got a place for everything. I'm sure you are loving it.
    -Angela

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  22. Oh Becky!!! It has been a while since I have had a chance to visit and I can't believe how fabulous your new studio turned out! You lucky, lucky girl! It is just beautiful! I know you will spend many, many enjoyable hours creating in this wonderful space.

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  23. Oh Becky, this is just fabulous. Everything looks beautiful and so well thought out. I see you enjoying many pleasurable and creative moments in your new studio. Well done! I wish I could see it in person.
    God bless!
    Lallee

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  24. I am a first-time visitor (I came from Carla's blog)and I just love seeing your creative mind at work in your home and your studio. I love HGTV because I just adore a good before and after -- and you're just full of them! Thanks for a fun time browsing through your creative vision! :)

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  25. Love your studio! Your post makes me want to work more on the "vision" I have for my studio space. It's all about the little things that make a work place inviting. Peace!

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  26. Such a beautiful workplace! I think it's the prettiest I've ever seen.

    I see Sandra's comment up a couple from mine. I think you'll enjoy having her as a blog visitor and reading her blog, too. She's a dedicated Christian and writes really well.

    And, she's just plain fun.

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  27. I love your space. It is so well organized and roomy. And you have so many great things to look at. I really like your idea for hanging the little tins. I buy those at Target all the time. I just love them.

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  28. What a dramatic transformation and when your goodies were added it came to life! I'm sure you are enjoying your studio. I know I enjoyed seeing it! Thanks, Connie

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  29. nice space, very big and great for all your collections and fabrics.

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  30. Wowzie! Can I come play?

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  31. Love your transformed space! There's no way anything but delightfully warm and adorable things could come from a studio like this.

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