I’ve been working on cleaning out, and rearranging my sewing room for the last few weeks. I did a bunch of research, looked at other people’s ideas on flickr, (copied a few,) and started purging junk I will never use. I also managed to talk the husband into selling the daybed that took up way too much room in favor of an antique “murphy” bed that we found on craigslist. It’s really more of a hide-a-bed that folds into a cabinet, but it takes up a LOT less room. I even bought a new set of shelves. In total, I’ve spent about $75. The furniture cost me $25 (after the sale of our daybed), and I spent a fair bit at IKEA buying hangars and boxes, but so far I’m happy.

I even spent a whole evening folding fabric uniformly. I figure if it’s out where I can see it, I’ll be more likely to use it. And hey, I don’t have nearly as much as I thought! I guess it’s time to go shopping. Ok, not really. But I’m pretty happy seeing it all neat and tidy like.

I just wish I could bring myself to photograph it. Unfortunately, as I don’t feel it’s quite done, you get no action shots. Soon though, I promise.  I’m even painting a picture to hang over the sewing desk. I hope it comes out ok. And then I’m going to splurge on this really nice easel for my birthday (only 21 days to go – yikes!)

But in my search on flickr for the best craft room ideas, I came across this completely ludicrous photo. It was posted as sort of an ironic, “yeah whatever” photo, so I don’t feel bad in the slightest ripping it to shreds.

And so I present to you, Pottery Barn’s idea of a craft room.

Honestly, how inaccurate can you get? Most craft rooms are a messy little corner completely over stuffed with way too much junk that the crafter can never find, much less USE. In fact, from what I can tell from my research on creating a good studio, most craft areas are really spread throughout the house in places that are deemed unusable by other members of the family. Under beds, in the back of closets, etc.

So what kind of dreamland do you have to live in to envision a room with enough natural light to be the breakfast nook? Where your work surfaces are clean and shiny? Where are the ink stains and other miscellaneous crap that builds up on the flat surfaces? Who can keep rolls of wrapping paper in an open cubby like that without their 3 year old walking in a chewing on it? And then the dog comes in and knocks it all over and tramples on it.

The lamps are in such a place that any crafter worth her (his) salt would be bent over working hard and suddenly sit up to recieve a severe knock on the head from them. Oh and while we’re at that desk, don’t get me started on the stool. All I can think is I would need to alternately see my chiropractor and massuse every day to recover from sitting on it.

And now I’m just getting nit-picky, but are there any actual crafting supplies in that room? To me it looks like a really nice place to wrap presents and enjoy a cup of tea… but that’s it!

Ok, rant over. Time to go back to cleaning…

Comments

3 Responses to “You have to be kidding me…”

  1. Morrgan on October 11th, 2007 6:40 am

    Hehee, love the comments about the photo. Just looking at that stool makes my back ache. Hmm, I wonder if I’ll ever see my crafting supplies neat and orderly. I suspect I might get too worried about messing them up and wouldn’t dare touch them again. ;)

  2. Kate on October 11th, 2007 7:06 am

    =D Love your comments on that room…the dog knocking over the wrapping paper… I would love to have a gift wrapping room like that! That could not be a crafting room though…for one thing there is no big cushy chair to sink into while stitching. You’d be better off standing than sitting on that stool. It is pretty though…

  3. Jessica on February 5th, 2010 1:54 pm

    I agree with everything you said. And when I studied the picture again, and it occured to me that Pottery Barn does not cater to “real” craftspeople . . . just the ones who spend way too much on furniture so there’s not much left for the overflow of goodies that we pile into our crafting areas.

    Still, it sure is pretty to look at!

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