My creative space has been in flux for the last few years. After we refinished out basement in 2009, I commandeered one-third of it for my work area (thank you, honey!). Last fall, I couldn't stand being away from the fireplace and the windows any longer, so I moved a credenza into the dining area and worked from the dining table throughout the cold months. But when the weather turned warm (i.e., no fireplace needed) and the skies turned sunny (i.e., I had no desire to look outside), I began to realize the downfalls of that workspace: minimal storage, no display space, and an inconvenient round table that had to be cleared for dinner every meal. As I considered other areas for a craft/work area, my friend Mary began to tackle her own long-planned craft room design. Hearing about her process and seeing photos of the well-organized results, I longed more than ever for a dedicated workspace of my own. When Mary and I visited our friend Rachel for an art "playdate" and I saw Rachel's creative, inviting craft room, I was officially in find-a-perfect-craft-area mode. Harry encouraged me to list my priorities so we could settle on the right place. My top three desires were proximity to a fireplace, view of the weather (so I could see the rain and snow), and sufficient storage space. In a house as modestly-sized as ours, there weren't many ways to meet all three of these needs so I resigned myself to sacrificing one of them. Yet every time I thought I'd decided on a location, I shied away from it right when we got ready to take action. Then Harry - that brilliant and supportive husband o' mine - suggested, "Why don't we move out the piano and replace it with your desk?" Could it be? Could it really, truly happen?!? YES, it COULD happen! And it did. Over the Fourth of July week(end), we transformed the long wall in the living room from its irritating hodge-podgeness to a cohesive, inspiring work area. Fireplace? Check. View of inclement weather? Check. Ample storage space? Check. I have used my area constantly since then, and have been more prolific and excited about creating since I started working there. I used only things I already had on hand, so it was completely and utterly free. And with the steel skies of autumn and winter fast approaching, I am gleeful as I anticipate crafting at my cozy desk next to the crackling fire while I watch the storms roll in.
Take a look at some other inspiring crafty spaces at Marcy Penner's blog here.
