Ta dah! The craft-acular reveal...

Please pardon my absence from blogland this past week, I've been hard at work during nap-time (which is usually when I catch up on blogs) sanding and painting in the garage. Because what better week to finally get to the sanding and painting than the week summer finally decides to arrive with the heat and humidity! My hair looks like a poodle and I'm very thirsty :) but I suffered through and am happy to now have a little place of my own in the basement, whereas before this I never wanted to spend any time down there, much to Sarah and Jason's dismay. I still have to move all my things down there (I want the paint/poly to cure until after we get back from the beach) and need to add all the little touches, but I wanted to show you all my new space now that it's all set up. I apologize in advance if the pictures are lousy - I'm not a photographer, and it's in my basement - oh well. Without further ado, here is the result of all that hard work, with full credit to Matt for his fine craftsmanship, as noted below!

Yes, that's it - way in the back of the play room (actually, it takes up probably 1/3 of the playroom - sorry kids!) is my new 'crafty' area. Moving in a little closer,

There you see the knock-off Pottery Barn craft desk made with the ClosetMaid cubicles. I still need to put the little plastic do-dads on all the screws, and no the bar stools don't match, but what you can't see is the nice molding Matt put around the MDF table top he made to go on the cubicles. The perfect finishing touch.

Another view of the table. William is under STRICT instructions to NOT crawl through the holes in the bookcases, or CLIMB them AT ALL. Or I will kill him. Well, maybe not kill, but he'll be in BIG BIG TROUBLE. Do you see those barstools? Those solid oak, like-new barstools? $2 on ebay. For the pair. That would be, let's see, $1 each. (What kind of nimrod sells barstools on ebay starting at $2?) They haven't been painted yet because I just don't have it in me right now, and they don't need it. But it bugs me that they don't match :) Moving on:

This is the future home of my sewing machine. The desk if from Craig's List, and it's perfect for sewing - I love the bump-out on the front with lots of room behind it, and the drawers will be awesome for all the stuff you need to keep handy; it has a laminate top which, once I thought about it, will be perfect because it won't get scratched up by needles & scissors and stuff. The wall cabinet was hand-crafted by Matt (THANK YOU!). It's huge and perfect. I was looking for old kitchen cabinets to paint, but couldn't find any & didn't want to buy new. This is exactly what I wanted and I love it. You don't really get the 'scale' of everything from the pictures, but the desk is 53" wide and the wall cabinet is 48". I can't wait to load it up with books, baskets and all the boxes of STUFF I have scattered all over the house.

This lovely, well-cared for piece

turned into this after sanding/priming/painting/poly. I paid $6 for this chair at Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. Hee hee!


I think we spent maybe $325 total for everything, and I sold the table and chairs that used to sit under that light fixture for $300 on Craig's List. Not too shabby when my whim of an idea only cost a net of $25 plus some labor on both our parts. Matt had all the construction done within a weekend, and the painting went a lot faster than I expected - maybe a week, start to finish. The worst part was the chair. I think I hate that chair. That chair is why the stools are not white yet. I had to move on and get to the other desk (as of today wearing a fresh coat of grey primer) and two chairs that are still in the garage. Matt would like to get the cars back in it by the end of the weekend :)

Comments

  1. You guys did a FANTASTIC job!!! Everything looks great! Let me know how long it takes William to climb.... Anthony would have been up there in 2.2 seconds lol.... With these boys its inevitable :) Make sure you post pics when you have it all accessorized!
    PS I <3 the chairs lines.....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awesome job! Such a great deal for $25! I now have no excuse as to why my craft area is not done.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is AWESOME!!!!! I am so proud of you!! And you didn't have to pay those awful Pottery Bran prices for the desk of your dreams!!!


    YAY!!

    ~Becca

    ReplyDelete
  4. Not too shabby? Oh, it's simply amazing! I need a table like that with cubbies. Though, I do think it would be very, very hard to keep the little ones from climbing and crawling on it. Your husband did a fantastic job. Now all you have to do is MAKE YOURSELF enjoy your space. I have a space but I have to make myself take time for it. There are so many other things that never get done (I know you know what I mean).

    ReplyDelete
  5. WOW!! That looks awesome!! Seriously awesome girl.

    $2 for the barstools?? $1 each?? On Ebay?? That didn't even cover the fees. Was it local??

    Geez! You guys rock!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jen -
    That is AWESOME! I love your makeover. That desk you made is amazing.

    And those barstools were such a steal! Yay! You will have such a wonderful time crafting away in your new craft area!

    XOXO
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gorgeous! What a neat area for storage and creativity. It is inspirational, for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  8. That is so neat! I love it, it's going to be nice to be able to have your own area to craft while the kids are playing!
    And I noticed the molding around the edges of the top! Nice touch!
    Macey

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh wow! What a great craft area and storage! Mine gets loaded up with stuff that is definitely NOT crafty and I sew at our dining room table...
    Lucky you! To have such a crafty husband too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. isnt paint amazing? well and your husband of course....lol
    great job!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I could be VERY happy in that set up. The desk is awesome and I could do so much sewing!

    ReplyDelete
  12. This all looks AMAZING! Now I want a craft corner too!

    ReplyDelete
  13. It looks FABULOUS! You and Matt do great work!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow, I've got some major envy!!
    The setup is perfectly awesome! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. WOW! That is absolutely gorgeous! I am a little envious, I must say :) The greatest part is that it's right next to the kids' play area. They can play, you can craft . . . well, in a perfect world, anyway. How fun! Congratulations ;)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm new to your blog and this is a GREAT space! You and your husband did a wonderful job and I can imagine that it will be a space that you will LOVE. I'll have to stay tuned to see it all decorated.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jen~
    I love it! I know you are excited to finally have a work area. My hats off to both of you for making it all come together. Look forward to seeing some more pictures.
    ~Amy~

    ReplyDelete
  18. okay. Now get your butt over to my house. I need some HELP.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love love love your craft and sewing center. Yay, a "me" space. I'm sure you'll turn out some amazing projects from that special spot.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have an award for you! And you don't have to do some brain wracking, head ache enducing "define yourself" post to get it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Okay, you've inspired me! I just need to go hunting for what I need now. I mean, that desk is pretty darn cute. :) Maybe I'll find something at the flea market coming up?

    Also, wanted to let you know I sent you an email...just in case it goes to your spam folder.

    ReplyDelete
  22. LOVE love love the crafty table idea. hmmm ...

    ReplyDelete
  23. I! LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE! IT! Love it love it love it and am so jealous!!! Great job.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow!! It looks just like the one in Pottery Barn. You guys are too much!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. IT'S SO FAB!!

    love, love, love it!!!!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comments are awesome :) Leave one!

Popular Posts