So here’s the thing: bloggers generally only photograph the prettied-up versions of their homes. We spend hours and hours making sure that everything is just so before snapping our pics. We then run those perfectly posed pics through a rigorous regime of re-sizing, editing, watermarking, collaging, and so on.
Not today.
Today I am laying bare the very worst spot in my home. Ironically, I use it on an almost daily basis. And by “use”, I mean that I retrieve supplies from its gaping maw and then proceed to make a giant mess elsewhere in the house. My husband finds this endearing. (Obviously.)
Well, he will just have to find some other character flaw cute quirk to love, because my craft and sewing space is getting a MAKEOVER! As part of the $100 Room Challenge, hosted by Erin at Lemons, Lavender, and Laundry, I will give it not only a thorough cleaning but a whole new look… on a $100 budget!
For what you are about to witness, I am truly and deeply sorry. This is the raw, uncensored, un-Pinterest-worthy “Before” of my craft and sewing room. Things are getting VERY real here on Flourish & Knot today.
Really, I am so sorry.
Ok, here goes…
I wasn’t kidding when I said it was bad! I mean, take a look at that blue bucket just hanging off the edge of the table. Or how about the bag of fabric scraps (on the shelf) that is also an inch away from tumbling to the floor. Not that the floor is a stranger to random junk. If you look closely under the table, you’ll notice a single black feather. Perhaps it’s symbolic of my craft space taking flight with the challenge?
Or it’s just a feather that I didn’t bother to clean up. One of the two.
Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
That bookcase is getting a facelift as part of the challenge. It lived for many years in my grandmother’s apartment, and is SUPER solid. It just need some help.
I tried to organize my supplies. I really did. It’s just that they keep exploding from their containers every time I do a project! It really isn’t my fault.
Okay all those bags heaped in the corner are kind of my fault. I think the grocery bag contains many many cans of metallic spray paint. Also please note the stray Christmas wired ribbon escaping from the bag. And why are the drawers in the corner empty, you ask? Well, I “organized” my fabric about a month ago, and it is sitting in nice, colour-coordinated piles… on the floor.
This is definitely a problem spot that needs resolving. (Surely I deserve some recognition for at least admitting there’s a problem?) I need to stop keeping EVERY SINGLE GIFT BAG I HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN. So this will need to be culled.
Okay, that’s enough horror for one day, I think. Let’s move on to the pretty pretty inspiration!
Wheeeeee! So colourful and cheerful! And organized! And nary a stray black feather in sight!
We just came back from a trip to Erick’s family in Mexico, so I’m super inspired by the bright, vibrant colours of Mexican traditional folk art. This is a generally dark area (it’s in our basement), so it needs all the sparking up it can get.
Here are some of the pics I’m using as inspiration for the actual organization of the space. Click on the picture to check out the original source.
If you want to see more of my inspiration and ideas for this space, you can check out my $100 Room Challenge Pinterest board!
[pin_board url=”https://www.pinterest.com/flourishandknot/100-craft-sewing-space-makeover/?etslf=2638&eq=%24100″]
My plan for the next four weeks is this:
- Paint the bookcase navy with some kind of contrasting colour (white?) or wallpaper on the back
- Upholster a stool for the table
- Make covers for the sewing machine and serger
- Replace the broken pot light in the far corner
- Window treatment
- Giant pegboard for all my sewing supplies and for a lot of craft stuff
- Baskets for the rest of the supplies
- Actually organize my fabric… but will need more than those four drawers. Hm.
- Bring down a second, matching, smaller table/counter. This may be permanently set up with my sewing machine?
- Frame some art – gallery wall?
And all for $100. Bring it.
Want to see what my friends are doing with $100? Get your $100 Room Challenge fix here!
I can totally relate to your “before”! Actually, my craft room resembles your before right now… complete with stray Christmas ribbons and all! I adore all of the bright, bold colors in your inspiration and I can’t wait to see how you bring them into your space!
Hahaha Emily! Thank goodness I’m not the only one!!
Can’t wait to watch it come together!
Oh my…this all sounds SO familiar! The problem with doing crafts, or sewing…is that these activities require us to pull out lots of stuff…and have space to create things! The trick is to make the clean-up process easy, I think. Somehow I am never very inspired to do the clean up!
Hahahaha yup that’s me! It’s not creative or blog-worthy to clean up… Why oh why aren’t there magic cleaning fairies??
Ugh, I would have to clean for a month to take a ‘before’ picture, LOL. Good luck, you have bones—and well, not much stuff, add 40 years accumulation on top of that. That’s a problem. Now get going and make me feel even older (and messier). Grins, Sandi
Hahaha Sandi! Thanks for the encouragement!
A little organizing is going to go a LONG way in this space. I just did the same with my craft/storage closet, and it made such a difference.
I think a blow torch would probably go farther but we’ll try organizing first! 😉
I love budget room makeovers the best, I can’t wait to see what you do in here!
Thank you, Roxanne!
Welcome to the $100 Room Challenge! I am so happy to decided to join this round. I LOVE your inspiration for this space. I think bright colors for perfect for crafting spaces… Just an idea: Since you have all that fabric, you could use that on the back of the bookshelf (vs. paint or wallpaper). I did that to a shelf in our powder room and love it. Maybe you already have a paint or wallpaper picked out… Just a thought. I’m so excited to see what you end up doing in here. Good luck!
Ooooooh what a super idea!!! I may just do that.
It’s going to be such a fun space!
We’re going to tackle these rooms together! We can do it! And my inspiration pics are looking a lot like yours!
Hahaha! Great minds, right?
I love the color pallet you chose. It is so fun and uplifting. It is going to look amazing!
Thank you!! I’ve been working on it today and I am ready to rock and roll!
I can definitely relate to this before! Can’t wait to folllow along and see what you end up with!
I’m so glad someone else understands my starting point…
Oh, I have a craft room/office to makeover – will be following to see how yours turns out! I am working on our guest bathroom – that took more urgent need over the craft room – lol. 🙂
I hear you, Christina!