Monday, July 11, 2011

Where Bloggers Create: My Studio Evolving

I purchased Pottery Barn's largest dining room table about eight years ago. I was just beginning to cook a lot, and I was hosting many dinners for friends and family. I don't remember the dimensions, but I do remember that the folks at Pottery Barn made me measure my room twice to make sure the table would fit...apparently that model was returned A LOT.

When I began my business a year ago, I needed SPACE! My house is small...I have a garage, but in New Jersey, there is only a small window of time when one can work in a little room with no heat or air-conditioning...and besides, I was storing all of my unfinished furniture in the garage. In addition, I was beginning to collect interesting pieces for my home as well as my shop, and my rooms were getting more crowded...not less....I was becoming desperate for work space.

In the spring of last year, I found myself in front of my beloved dining room table, eying the 12 x 12 room which was only used about three times per year. I was moving toward the unthinkable decision...I was going to sell my dining room table. It sold on Craigslist in one week for $700....half the price I paid for it.

I immediately sunk the money into my fledgling business, and began to set up my workspace. Chippy and vintage cabinets were purchased, a much-coveted library card cabinet was run down (I followed the dealer to a flea market & grabbed it), furniture was moved from other rooms in the house...and I finally created a couple of "inspiration boards". I fell in love with my new studio, and arranged my materials and tools in a way which pleased my newly creative eye. When I found a complete set of vintage seltzer bottles in their wooden caddy, I sold the bottles, and kept the caddy, sanding it down to a buttery smooth finish, and arranging scissors, pens, rulers, etc. in its divided openings. A salvaged drawer holds business cards, stamps, and notepads. The library card cabinet hides spools of thread, bits of lace, and other small items. When I saw a large, picnic-style table with a matching bench at an estate sale, I left a low bid...then fretted and worried all day that I would lose it. I got it...and had to take it apart at the sale to get it in my car. I sanded it and waxed it but DID NOT paint it...very unusual for me. I get a thrill every time I run my hand across its soft, satiny finish....working on it is sheer pleasure.

I have been fortunate enough to create a space that I love to use. It is still evolving...but here's what it looks like today:





























I am linking up to:



My Desert Cottage


I can't wait to see all the studio spaces from the very talented women in blog-world. Thanks for looking at my pictures, and if you're linked to "Where Bloggers Create"...I can't wait to see your space as well!!

Mona Kay

32 comments:

  1. LOOKS GREAT!! I need you to come out and look at my potential office space!! (ie. one of the kids rooms!)

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  2. Looks great MK, hope you are doing well.

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  3. I love it! I adore the library card cabinet.

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  4. Your space is evolving nicely! It's so fun to see everyone's creative spaces!

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  5. I'm enjoying the "creative space" event. I especially like spaces like yours, where items are re-purposed with such flair. Just lovely.

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  6. Oh, i love vintage craft spaces, yours looks adorabel!
    Love from a Belgian crafter,
    Sonja

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  7. Wow! This is such a beautiful space. I love all of the furniture and drawers and such that you are using for organization, they are so lovely :) Thanks for sharing!

    ~Alli

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  8. Love it all but that gray cupboard/cabinet steals the show. YUM!

    Thank you for sharing with us where your heart lives...

    CREATE WITH JOY~

    Blessings...Rebecca

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  9. There's a nice vintage feel to your space that I like very much. I bet you love working and creating there. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  10. It's really wonderful! I am a firm believer in turning seldom used rooms into fabulous art studios!! Yeah for you! Thank you so much for sharing your studio and the story behind it with all of us. Have a great weekend!
    xo,
    Karen

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  11. I am so enjoying my little visits to everyone's creative spaces. So fun and inspiring...

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  12. Wonderful gray cupboard! Have a nice weekend! Twyla

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  13. I Love the Chippy, Shabby Fabulous Studio you have.... That Table is Wonderful... I had to become a new follower, hope you will get a chance to stop on by~
    Cheryl

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  14. Wonderful space ~ you have so many amazing storage pieces! Love the old library card catalog!

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  15. Love it. I specially love your use of old drawers.
    Michele

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  16. What a great decision.... we too, live in a tiny cottage... no room goes to waste here, for sure! I know it was hard to get rid of the table, but you're getting to live your passion. Good for you!

    Your room looks awesome...

    Warm blessings,
    Spencer

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  17. Your new space is beautiful! Who needs a formal dining room anyway? I love, love, love what you did with that picnic table! It looks gorgeous just sanded and waxed. I like your gray chair and armoire as accents to the natural wood too. What a lovely place to work!

    xoxo
    Amanda

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  18. Your creative space oozes vintage. It's beautiful. I love how you've repurposed the pieces of furniture that you've acquired and remade them to reflect you.
    Thanks for sharing your space and ideas, I've enjoyed it.

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  19. everyones spaces are so inspiring hugs Sara

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  20. As we evolve and grow why not our work space too. What a wonderful space you have to work in! Just lovely! TFS!!!

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  21. What a beautiful, welcoming creative space. I think it's one of my favourite on the tour.

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  22. Your studio looks like it came right out of the pottery barn catalog. very stylish and eclectic. I love it!

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  23. Hi Mona! What a wonderful room, I am in love with that gray cabinet/hutch. Actually I am in love with the whole room! Just my style. I could sit and look at it all day! I need a room like that!

    Hope you have a beautiful day up there in NJ! Looks like another scorcher here !

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  24. It looks so old and warm and cozy. Very comforting colors and items in your space!!:)

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  25. A lovely vintage style studio to create in! Love the calm colors.

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  26. I love the way you set up your post with the description first followed by the photos. Your room is beautiful! Thank you for sharing your special space.
    Terry
    P.S. I live in NJ too.

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  27. I am re-visiting all the spaces starting with A. I was in such a hurry last time round to see more, I must have missed some blogs or didn't give the Post Comments procedure time to complete itself, soooo if you are getting two comments from me ......
    I love nothing more than Vintage and I love the Vintage space where you create. It is beautiful thank you for allowing me to visit and for the inspiration!
    Cheryl

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  28. I love the darlin lavender sachets you make.. It is alway a pleasure to see swhat others are creating and the space they have to wrok in.. Keep up the great work.

    Joelle

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  29. There is nothing like the joy of sitting up your own personal space to create and I felt that joy all over again when I read your blog!!!
    I love the library card cabinet!!! Great space!!!
    I hope you get a chance to drop by my space!!

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