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I wasn't going to decorate my craft room, but I have been organizing it and have decided I can spend a LITTLE time and money in there to make it a room I can create in, one that is fun to go into and I will enjoy going in there.

Here is what I have so far:
Vintage suitcases hold many of my supplies. This desk is my sewing machine. Not sure how painting that cabinet would hold up. I suppose if I didn't paint the surface that unfolds and holds the machine, I could do that.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: daciab,

I'm keeping that wall of Norman Rockwell pictures.

The floor is glitter linoleum that I would consider painting with floor paint.

Here are some black metal baskets I just purchased. They will stay. They have a tan and white liner in them.

I was thinking I would paint the trim white and use 2 inch white wood blinds on the windows.

Here is some black accessories I just hung up. The bottom clipboard holds my project-to-do list. While cleaning out this room I found a TON of supplies I had bought that I forgot about. So now, I have this list very visible to remind me.

Ideas I'm looking for:
Paint color
Painted floor ideas
Color scheme (rest of the house is fall colors)
design scheme (rest of the house is rich ranch or Cattle Barron style)
This is a private room so it can be unique in style and color.
Curtain ideas.
Anything else!

What is staying in the room:
Paneling (I can paint)
Sewing desk (I can paint)
bookcase with wire baskets
linoleum (I can paint)
A kitchen table is coming in there with white legs and natural oak top.
An oak desk is coming in there with dark mahogany or redwood stain.
A medium oak color dresser (I can't paint or do anything with it! - DHs from childhood)
One wall of Norman Rockwell artwork

More photos of the room can be seen here:
http://user.midlands.net/dacia/Craft.html

Here is a photo of the dresser. In the next year, I might be able to find a replacement for this dresser and move this one to a guest room. But I can't paint it.

What type of crafts do you enjoy doing? How large is the space?

I once converted a spare bedroom into a craft studio. I was into silk and dried floral work, stenciling, sewing embellishment, jewelry making, paper embossing, etc. Some of the things I found essential included...

A LARGE, TALL WORK TABLE THAT MY DH BUILT
A MAT TO PROTECT THE CARPETING UNDER IT
AMPLE LIGHTING (CRAFTERS RECOMMEND OTT LIGHTS)
A LG. WASTE BIN
INEXPENSIVE BOOK SHELVES
PLASIC BINS AND BOXES WITH LABELS FOR ID
A PEG BOARD WALL WITH HOOKS AND SMALL SHELVES
LG. BINS FOR LARGER MATERIALS
ANOLD DINING TABLE WITH CUTTING MAT AND SEWING MACHINE
TWIN WICKER SHELVING UNITS FOR MORE STORAGE
A CUSTOM MADE MULTI DOWEL RACK FOR RIBBON SPOOLS (fit into dead space behind a door)
BULLETIN BOARDS FOR NOTES, PICTURES, CALENDAR
A POCKETED WALL MOUNT RACK FOR HOW-TO BOOKS, FILES
A TOOL BOX FOR TOOLS OF TRADES

Organization and storage are key to a functioning space. Both save time and
money. Natural and task lighting as well as a comfortable work station are also
Essential. You won't linger long if you aren't comfortable either sitting or standing. My DH designed my work table so that my back would not hurt since I tend to stand at it a lot..Sumilarly, a chair should be as comfortable. Feature a space that appeals to your design esthetics in every way. Invest in organization components that are colorful and functional. Use colors that you love and that spark your creativity.

Thanks, Froo Froo. I guess I should have said that. I make veils, handbags, garters, and other accessories for brides. For me personally, I sew home decor stuff and gifts for friends and family. I don't quilt. I paint: watercolor, acrylic, reverse glass. I decoupage. I do photography. I make paper crafts. I do a LOT of different things.

I've got the storage and items for my crafts taken care of. I don't like craft rooms where all the supplies are on display.

What I am looking for is color and styles mostly. When you walk in the room, you won't be able to tell it is a craft room. You will think it is an office or sitting room. Most of the crafts are hidden in the large closet, dresser, and in those suitcases.

DaciaB, the single most dramatic change will come when you paint the paneled walls. It will be amazing. I can't tell you specifically what color to paint, but I will remind you to test the paint color you choose before you paint the whole room. I would keep the wall color very light so that you will have maximum viability and light for the work that you do. (darker colors will actually absorb the light making it difficult to see for close work)

Before you paint any of your furniture pieces see what they look like against newly painted walls. Lighter walls and your mid-toned furniture pieces might just look great.

Oh, and painted paneling looks country-ish and casual. It sounds like that look will be perfect within the context of your home.

One color I was considering is what I used on the top of the guest bathroom wall here. (I think I have some left. $free$) It would go with the new baskets I bought and be neutral enough to change out accents later.

I would choose a color even lighter than that.

cocok, OK, thanks! I will do some looking. Maybe I will look at a lighter color on that paint strip. I have the darker color to that in my kitchen. I just love this tan/beige as it doesn't turn yellow or pink like a lot of them do. I also don't want it to be too similar to the baskets.

Saved myself a trip:
http://www.olympic.com/color/p...brandied-pears-c15-2
Bathroom is PonyTail C15-3
Kitchen is Earthy Ocher C15-4

Big swatch in this photo is Brandied Pears C15-2. Lightest shade is Horseradish. I will look at those two first. I know I want white painted trim in this room.

Since you're willing to paint the paneling, that's the 1st thing I'd do. Not only is the paneling dated, but it's dark and I don't know about you, but when I'm doing my needlework, I want/need light. So I'd go with white. I love the black and white accents and the old suitcases - excellent storage! I think a black/white/tan or taupe combo is stunning, but from what you say about the rest of your home, perhaps too "modern" for your taste. But you could maybe display some of your projects or use open storage for materials to provide pops of color. I'd also definitely paint the sewing table - HGTV magazine has had some excellent suggestions for "trash to treasure" makeovers. I'm also a fan of Rockwell so I'd keep the pics. Are you actually going to use the sewing table as a sewing table? If so, I'd use the wall above the table for an "Idea" bulletin board, or open shelving for storage and move the pics to another wall where they are more of a focal point. I'm going to go back to your post and look at more photos, but may be back with other suggestions. Oh, and about the dresser - I'd move it to another room, if possible. It looks too "bedroom-y" to really fit the craft-room theme.

OK - I'm back. Froo Froo makes a couple good points about task lighting and comfort, and I see you said that you are going to have a work table b/c you stand alot. But I'd still put a comfy chair in there somewhere. The room looks small in the pics, but maybe a nice padded slipper chair at the sewing desk? As for curtains, I'd leave the window uncovered, just for the natural light, and stick with a valance - maybe something in a b&w floral or geometric to complement your accessories or something in an accent color. If you want privacy at night how about a roller shade? Something that would be hidden behind the valance during the day but could be lowered at night so the neighbors couldn't peep and steal your ideas! :-)

Thanks, Cocok for saying that you would chose a lighter color. I bought a gallon of Brandied Pears this weekend! I can't wait to say goodbye to this paneling.

blmack, you are right - that is the first thing I should do: paint the paneling. I will let this room evolve like our other ones have. I will keep working on it and I will find the best fabric, scrapbook paper, or artwork that I want to use to decorate the room.

I also decided, I will paint the sewing table a white or cream color to lighten it up.

Thank you everyone. sometimes it is good to just put my thoughts down to help me make a decision.

Dacia,

How fun to have your own space for crafting! Love the suitcases and paint selections.

A few ideas here.

http://tipnut.com/organize-sew...pplies-buncha-links/

Check out the added towel bars on this one. Easy to hang items to have close by.

http://www.ikeahackers.net/200...-for-craft-room.html

How to make a wall hanging thread rack.

http://creativehomemakers.blog...g-thread-holder.html

Thanks, Beau's Rose. I love the second link making cabinets out of kitchen cabinets. Once I get all of my furniture in there, I will see what else I might need. I love the bobbins with the thread on the third link. Mine are in a drawer in the sewing cabinet.

DH is making me a ribbon organizer that will go inside the closet door.

I like this chair from Target. I am hoping I find a chair, fabric for curtains or curtains, or artwork to set the color scheme.

For now, I will paint and go from there.

Check out some of these fabric collections. There may be some coordinates that will work with the chair.

http://www.calicocorners.com/c...ections.do?leftnav=1


More collections here that might work.

http://www.calicocorners.com/c...ections.do?leftnav=1

Have fun!

Thanks, Rose. I saved a few of those fabric collections to my pinterest idea board here:
http://pinterest.com/daciabb/craft-room-ideas/

Here is the ribbon organizer DH is making for me.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: daciab,

I have a spice rack that I will use this way. Like I said earlier, I have the organizing stuff figured out. Just looking for ideas on the decorating. I'm painting it next month! So excited to say goodbye to this paneling.

do your brides visit?

sjf, no, If I have a local bride I take samples to them in their home or workplace. For non-local brides, I work with them over email, text, and phone and I mail their creation to them.

i'd like to see a floor lamp (craft one?) and eliminate having to remove the table lamp off your stash in the suitcases...and as for them? one of those heavy duty plant holders on wheels to access them, if need be from the desk/chair...(anything to save your back)

sjf, good idea. I think I will put the lamp on the table and/or desk and not put anything like that on top of the suitcases. I did buy the paint and painting the walls is first before I decide anything else. I am going to look for a pattern. Pattern in the form of a chair, curtains, or artwork to set my color scheme. Since I sew, this might also be a fabric for the chair cover and curtains. I was playing around with color this weekend. See photo. I found this McCoy pottery plant pot that doesn't go in any other room in my house. So, why not design a whole room around it? It is just an idea at this point until I find that pattern.