A Look at My Home Office/Craft Room

One of the benefits of moving to this apartment last year is that for the first time in four years I have my own space.  A room to myself where I can write, quilt, sew and do crafts.  Where I can catch up on blogging and listen to the music of my choice, or have complete silence if I choose. 

My Room Now



In our last home -- a 640 SF mountain cabbage (my husband called it a cabin, I called it a cottage, so I dubbed it "cabbage") -- I worked at a makeshift desk in the living room. I didn't do crafts or sew because there just wasn't an appropriate place to do so, in such a small space, without putting everything away at the end of the day.  That's too much interaction with creative materials for my taste; I like to leave my project out until I'm ready to resume work on it.

My Room In Our Last Home



The new home we're now planning will include a studio for my artist husband, and an office/craft room for me. We moved here sans furniture, knowing that we'd make purchases for our new home, so anything I've bought for our apartment has had to be basic furnishings that can be reused in our next home, or things I could dispose of without feeling guilty over the cost.  Translation:  I bought a lot of thrift store, yard sale, second hand stuff that wasn't too large.




The table I now use for sewing and crafts began life as my desk.  I blogged about it in Vintage Table Makeover.





A vintage drop leaf table serves as my desk.  I only need to raise the front leaf to accommodate my computer and other essentials.





A photo I took of my husband walking an Oregon beach, my reading glasses, and a praying angel (a gift from a friend) are all "essentials".




My daily journal is essential, too.





On the wall to the right of my desk hangs a perpetual calendar that I fell in love with on a weekend getaway to Hood River, Oregon.  I had to buy it; especially since it was 1/2 off.  Next to it is something I printed off and taped to the wall: 

Mistakes are proof that you are Trying


Just a little reminder that's it's okay to fail.  As a closet perfectionist, I need that encouragement.




Moving a little further to the right we find this funky piece of furniture.  Dennis picked it up for $20 at Rehab.  It appears to be handmade and was probably used as a hutch. For me it acts as a little cupboard to store fabric and such.  (And I see the contents could use a bit of straightening.)   I didn't bother to paint the cupboard, but will do so when I move it to my new space and decide how to use it there.  The vintage suitcase tucked under the cupboard is a $10 garage sale find, and holds extra office supplies.  The cottage garden oil painting on the wall was painted by Dennis.  Of course, it's a favorite of mine.






I love anything with roses.  The little plate and Homer Laughlin sugar bowl are thrift store finds.  The mini gold heart frame was a gift.  Photos in the frames from left to right: My mother (long deceased) as a young bridesmaid in her sister's wedding.  She's standing next to the groom.  I'm very fond of this photo because my mother looks so stylish and vivacious; Me  My brother found this very worn photo in my dad's wallet, after he died.  It was the only photo he carried of me, and I thought it was so sweet that he had it all that time; My father as a very young man with a dapper cap.




The pair of blue and white porcelain "cuckoo clocks" belonged to my grandfather, who came to America from Belgium as a young man.  They are petite vases that are meant to be hung.  In Grandpa's little cottage they hung on either side of the kitchen door.  I treasure them.





These are a few of the vintage books I own.  The bookends depict the South Tower in San Francisco, and came from a local second hand shop.  Very inexpensive.  Most people would probably pass them by, but I like their chippy look. 



One of them has an inscription on the back.  I think they may have been souvenirs.




I'm crazy about cobalt blue glass!





I found this chippy harp mirror frame in an antique store in Colorado.  I couldn't resist it.  Except for cleaning it up just a bit, I haven't changed it.  It's just this wonderful, naturally aged, crackled, chippy piece.   Here it rests upside down on the ledge, and holds photos of my son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.












My grandchildren are 12 (almost 13) and 10 now, but I still enjoy their baby photos.





Under the shabby chic harp mirror frame are photos of Dennis and myself.  We married four years ago (I was a widow at the time).  These photos were taken a few months before we married.



My church friends gave us this photo with farewell notes written all around it. 
They presented it to us our last Sunday there, before moving to Colorado.






Our wedding invitation




Here's one of my very favorite photos of my grandchildren, taken shortly after my late husband's (their Papa Jim's) passing.  I worked in a downtown high rise at the time and they came to visit me.  My daughter-in-law took the photo, which sits near my desk.







I enjoy listening to music while I work.  Another one of Dennis' cottage garden paintings hangs on the wall.





I like to use baskets found at thrift stores and yard sales for organization.  We found the wire cube shelves at a garage sale.  I think we bought 20 for $5.  Ridiculously cheap and very easy to move and set up.






Vintage tins, a yellow hobnail vase, and a wicker organizer hold sewing notions and tools.  In the background on the right you'll see my over-the-door ironing board.  Very handy.




I just recently started collecting vintage wooden rulers.  These three in the vase were 10 cents each at Rehab.  Priced right for collecting, wouldn't you say?


Thanks for taking the tour of my home office/craft room, and allowing me to share a little of my personal life with you.  Do you have a room of your own?

Whether you have a home office or craft room, or a space carved out of your kitchen or some other room, please share it with us at Every Room In the House.  We're partying in the Home Office/Studio/Craft Room/Study/Den through the month of May, so come and join in the fun.  You may show us your studio, study or den, too, if you like.  Inspire us, or show us your design dilemma.  (Do any of us really have any of those?  Am I kidding?)








I'm sharing at these lovely parties:
Every Room In The House at A Joyful Cottage
Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
You're Gonna Love it Tuesday at Kathe with an E
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique


30 comments

  1. Aww I love all your memories! That porcelain tray for your glasses is super sweet - I've never seen one before (yes I just crawled out from under a rock...)
    Happy Friday!!

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    1. We must have crawled out from under the same rock, Anne. :) When I saw the tray at Rehab I didn't know what it was at first. I just knew it had pretty roses on it. LOL. Anyway, I soon figured out it was meant to hold glasses, and it was only a couple of dollars so I snatched it up. Glad you like it. Happy Friday to you, too!

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  2. Thank you Nancy for the intimate peek into some of the bits and pieces of your life.
    I like getting to know more about you. Love the photo of your grandchildren looking out of the high rise window . . . I wonder what they were thinking . . .

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    1. Me, too. Children have such wonderful imaginations, I'm sure their minds were filled with intriguing ideas. Have a great weekend, Lynne.

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  3. I really enjoyed the tour...would love to see a better photo of what the quilt top is on that table....will try to glance back through to see if you have shown a photo.

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    1. Thanks, Rose. No, I haven't shown the quilt top yet. I need to finish the border, and then I'll post it. :)

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  4. Thanks for the tour. Did not realize you were in Colorado now and that your wedding/reception was held in Allenspark. Do you live in Estes now?

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    1. We lived in Colorado for about 3 years. Last July we sold our home and moved to Oregon, where we now live and are planning to soon build a new home. Glad you enjoyed the tour. Enjoy your day.

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  5. It must be nice to have such a lovely crafting room. I understand it might not be your "forever" room, but I think you added lovely touches to it. I love the antic mirror frame and Dennis's art shows how talented he is.

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    1. Thanks so much, Magali. You're very sweet. I'm very thankful I have a room in which to create. It really has opened up another world to me.

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  6. There is just nothing like having this kind of space to yourself! I'm afraid I would need a warehouse. My hubs has an office/guest room, and I hog the rest. Haha! It's delightful to have a visit from you. I liked hearing about your Mother's vintage plates. I love your cozy cottage photo on your header. Perfect in every way possible!

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    1. Thank you, Jacqueline. You have a beautiful blog, and it's always a pleasure to visit. Thanks for stopping by, and for your kind words.

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  7. I'm visiting from Amaze Me Monday - and waving hello from Vancouver Island.
    You've made yourself a lovely little space, just for you. I like that! I haven't accomplished that yet, but it's on my list of things to do!

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    1. Waving back from Oregon. Thanks for visiting. I'm off to see your blog. :)

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  8. I love your space, Nancy! It is filled with so many special, personal treasures...decorating just the way I like it! I do not have a room, I work at my kitchen table or on the family room floor. I do have to put it all away every day and then take it out again. I have space in my basement, but I like my kitchen too much to hide away! I didn't know you were a corporate girl? That's some office view you had!

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    1. Oh, yes, Kim. I've had many different jobs over the years, including corporate and retail. I owned my own home décor/gift shop and artisan gallery for about a year before we left Colorado. I worked on a land development for awhile, and was also a space planner and administrative services manager for two different companies. I've been a homeschool mom, gardener and food preserver. Grew produce for a local restaurant for awhile. This is the short list. :) I always seem to find something new to do. I love an adventure. :)

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  9. you must be doing the happy dance to have your own space ...fun! :) I sew in the dining room so I understand completely! :)

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    1. You're right. I'm enjoying the room a lot.

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  10. It is so nice to have your own creative space, isn't it? I let mine get out of hand and take over the entire house, but it is now contained while we have the house on the market. We hope to downsize, but I keep wondering where I'll put all my goodies. :)

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    1. That was the problem when we started talking about the size of our new home. I like a small home, but where to put all our stuff? And truthfully we don't have that much stuff. But somehow there are always some things you need a place for beyond the living areas. Storage at least. I hope you'll find a good solution as you downsize, Sheila. :)

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  11. Nancy, you have created such a fun space! You have found some great furniture pieces and I love, love that harp mirror frame! The hobnail is so cute too. Great to have your family photos surrounding you as well as your talented hubby's paintings! Thanks so much for sharing with SYC. I never did get around to doing an updated post on my craft room. I should have linked up my old one. Heading out of town on Thurs. so I'll join next month my friend! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thanks, Jann. I hope you have a great get away. Go safely. XX

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  12. Lovely craftroom - full of love and creativity! I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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    1. Thank you, Kathy. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

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  13. I love your home office/craft room and all the personal touches! Your husband is a great painter! I think my favorite thing in the room is the harp mirror frame. Perfect just the way it is! Enjoy your space! Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks, Jayne. I'm partial to the harp mirror frame, too. :)

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  14. What a great space to create! And so many sentimental treasures too, love your office and craft room. Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday...
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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    1. Thank you, Cindy. It's a pleasure to join you at Amaze Me Monday. :)

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  15. I know how we seem to like some of the same type of movies...and I was looking for Goodnight, Mr. Tom on Netflix...they did not even seem to have it on DVD any more. But I went to Youtube and lo and behold, they had the full movie. You can go here:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqL-0MYZKoY
    to watch the first part of it...then down on the side you can see both the other parts. I am pretty sure you will like it.

    And then, if you ever run across Nicky's Family, I suggest you grab it. It is a true story of this guy that saved over 600 kids at the outbreak of WWII....almost guaranteed to bring some tears. Just so wonderful.

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    1. You're right, Rose. We do seem to have the same taste in movies. Goodnight, Mr. Tom is a great movie. I borrowed it from the library once. I actually have Nicky's Family on my Netflix list to watch. Thanks for the endorsement. :)

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