I've finally admitted to myself that the perfect lighting combined with everything finally finished and up on walls and tidy, is just never going to happen.
But it doesn't matter because the studio isn't a stage set, it's a real space that is worked in and played in and that's how I want you to see it.
I also want you to see what I see, so that you can see how happy it makes me. Because sitting in this room is very special for me. And for so many reasons. Obviously I'm just about the luckiest person ever to have such a great space that's all my own (no swiping Jim!), and yes it is wonderful to be surrounded by so much beautiful fabric. But it's not just that.
My studio is on the same floor as Bella's bedroom and I love that. I love it in the evening when I can retreat in to my own space whilst knowing that Bella is safe and sound and happy across the way, in her big girl bed (I don't think I've even mentioned yet that Bella has been sleeping in a bed since we got back from New York). It really does make me feel safe and happy. You know, like I can't be all bad if I have a room like this and a daughter like that. All on the same floor.
This is the view from my armchair. And it really is my idea of beauty.
The cabinets are from Ikea, as is the desk and the chest of drawers. Actually it might just be quicker to say that pretty much everything is from Ikea!
I want to show you a proper picture of the right hand corner, but for now you can just see one of Emily's prints hanging on the wall and one of Tif's slips hanging beside it.
The picture frames are waiting patiently to filled with yet more of Ashley's prints (done) and are then going to hang in the sitting room.
I haven't sorted the bookshelf yet, so it's a big jumble of vintage and new craft books along side my Living Etc's and Elle Deco's. I'm such a geek that I'm actually saving the job of sorting it all for when I need cheering up or a special treat. I do so love to sort books.
The shelves themselves were stained dark brown when I bought them (Ikea), but I wanted them white, so I painted them with 3 coats of undercoat and 4 coats of gloss! And they actually still need more coats.
The baskets hold all my vintage dress/craft patterns, as well as some of my stationary.
The pile of magazines next to my armchair are all waiting to be read!
When this was just the spare room we built a wall of cupboards, using cheap carcasses from Ikea and cutting sheets of MDF for the doors. I always meant to paint the doors but never got around to it.
When we decided that this was going to be just my studio I had the idea to use the doors as a combined chalkboard and notice board.
So I glued cork on to two of the doors and then made patchwork covers, using the linen that I brought back from New York. I used my staple gun to attach the linen.
The two middle doors are both chalkboards and magnetic boards. I just painted them both with magnetic chalkboard paint and now use them to try and stay organised with my orders. The little strips of wood that you can see are my favourite magnets of all time (not something I ever expected to have a favourite of). They too are from Ikea. And when I bought them I intended to glue strips of printed cotton on to them, to brighten them up but I really love the simplicity of the plain wood, so I'm keeping them as they are for now.
The magazine holder is just pinned to the board and at the moment holds a selection of Japanese books and new magazines that I'm finding particularly inspiring.
And finally, this is Marshall enjoying a different view.
This is so lovely - I hope you have many happy crafting afternoons (and evenings) here!
About the swap, I am so sorry that you have to send everything again. I'm happy to wait another couple of weeks in case it's just lost in the mail...I'm sure you have way too much to do already.
Posted by: paula | June 14, 2007 at 11:57 PM
Oooh! A visual feast. Thank you. DH is laughing out loud at your views and mine. I'm looking at 2 playmobil horses,glitter that has gotten everywhere, an empty can of lager and jammy dodger crumbs. This is my life! Yours is so pretty. I really have got a thing for those glass cabinets. Do they mind being stalked?
p.s you posted early tonight!?
Posted by: bigbucketgirl | June 15, 2007 at 12:14 AM
I could live in your studio! I don't think a studio should be too neat, you wouldn't feel like getting stuck into a project if it was. I also love the glass cupboards for fabric, I was going to use the Ikea cube shelves (expedit) but maybe not anymore, also love the alex drawer unit. Enjoy!
Posted by: Sharyn | June 15, 2007 at 12:27 AM
Your studio is really beautiful! What a wonderful place to craft + sit + enjoy. And you know I love those linen covered doors + magazine holder!! So great!
Posted by: sally | June 15, 2007 at 12:46 AM
Nice place to enjoy any crafting! I would love to change the guest/office room I'm sitting in now for something like you did. I love Ikea for all it's storage solutions and price points. I have mixed a lot of Ikea stuff with nicer pieces of furniture and people never know it.
Enjoy your spot and I'll be dreaming of mine.
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 15, 2007 at 12:50 AM
Oh I have just discovered your blog and am making my way leisurely through some of your previous posts. Your studio/workroom is beautiful and so very well organised! I love the tip for the cork board and magnetic board. Such a beautiful colour too. I look forward to reading more!
Posted by: Gillian | June 15, 2007 at 12:51 AM
Wow, it looks dreamy. And I can assure you that you're not all bad. In fact, I think you've got very little bad in you. It's a lovely space for a lovely lady.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | June 15, 2007 at 01:54 AM
It is so nice to vicariously enjoy someone else's pretty space . . . thank you for showing us!
Posted by: liz r. | June 15, 2007 at 01:59 AM
my favorite view is the one from the arm chair...looking straight at those lovely cabinets just full to the brim with fabrics, and not just any old fabrics, your fabrics...you have such good taste Manda...this space is lovely just like it's owner
Posted by: Tif | June 15, 2007 at 02:11 AM
Wow, your studio looks amazing!
In fact I am going to bookmark this to save for someday in case I have a full studio of my own to decorate. (Right now, my husband and I share a space because we don't have that much room. I would love to paint, but we live in a rental so no luck there...)
I didn't realize you had a kitty. Very cute:)
Posted by: Chara Michele | June 15, 2007 at 03:40 AM
Oooh very, very pretty studio! So peaceful and full of inspiration. I'm sure that you'll enjoy many creative days (& nights) there. Thanks for sharing with us. :-)
Tami
Posted by: Lemon Tree Tales | June 15, 2007 at 05:03 AM
Wow! I am now sitting in my very blah sewing room/basement admiring your very beautiful, simple and inspiring space. I'm turning 7 shades of green. Fantastic job!
Posted by: miguette | June 15, 2007 at 05:50 AM
I LOVE YOUR SPACE!
Rachel x
Posted by: Hilda May | June 15, 2007 at 07:33 AM
All the photos are making me studio sick.Now I've been in there it's part mine you know.It's the law!
Posted by: Kristy | June 15, 2007 at 07:56 AM
You lucky thing...what a gorgeous studio.
It is a real milestone when they first sleep in a big bed. Bet she feels big like mummy and daddy now:-)
Alison x
Posted by: Alison | June 15, 2007 at 09:14 AM
Do you take lodgers?!!
That chair looks like the comfiest place in the world right now, although I think I would be up and down like a yoyo to look at all your lovely things!
Posted by: Rebecca | June 15, 2007 at 09:25 AM
Wow, your studio looks fantastic I could spend days in a room like that, what fun having such a great space to create in, you deserve it totally!
Posted by: lucy | June 15, 2007 at 09:25 AM
WOW You are so lucky to have a gorgeous studio like this!
Posted by: lazylol | June 15, 2007 at 09:49 AM
Oh my!!! I have been wanting to see these pictures for so long, it looks stunning. I am a big Ikea furniture buyer and I have most of your furniture in different colours, you know you must have REAL STYLE because my house looks no way as yummy as yours. Thanks for the eye candy. Its a beautiful room and all that fabric. You deserve it.
Suzie Sews
Posted by: Suzie sews | June 15, 2007 at 10:07 AM
It's BEAUTIFUL!
Posted by: celine | June 15, 2007 at 10:17 AM
MORE! not enough I'm afraid. Start at the top left hand corner of your studio and don't stop snapping til you're out the door. Plus want close ups of the sewing machine. I'm a geek. Humour me.
Posted by: Qalballah | June 15, 2007 at 10:51 AM
what a beautiful, fun, inspiring, energetic, just for you....room.
well done!
Posted by: Sue | June 15, 2007 at 12:19 PM
It looks like a spread from 'Where women create' Manda! The thing that strikes me most is the total absence of ugly crap. I have colonized the office for all my stuff, but it is full of ugly crap - laminator, shredder, Easter ornaments still not put away... Actually, perhaps if I just tidied up...
Love your magazine holder too - I often feel they are to pretty to just get put on the shelf.
Posted by: Ali | June 15, 2007 at 12:24 PM
I'm glad I finally got to see it too.
At least now I shouldn't have to be blindfolded when I bring you cups of hot water and lemon!
Tee-hee!
Posted by: Jim | June 15, 2007 at 12:54 PM
It looks wonderful, a really inspiring space to work in. The fabric filled cupboards are amazing, minw is in boxes but I think I'll take a leaf out of your book and put it on shelves where I can enjoy it
Posted by: Jo | June 15, 2007 at 01:16 PM