studio inspiration

A year ago or two ago I was dreaming about a new studio space, and now it's finally happening. As you know from earlier blog posts I've been cleaning out my basement so that I can finally have a bigger workspace and we'll have a little workout area too. I'm excited that finally our basement will be more than a junk pit and will now be a space that we can use and enjoy.

Overall concept:

So... while I was busy dreaming about my studio space, I stumbled onto this image from Pottery Barn. I found something a few weeks ago in another catalog, and thought I'd go that route, but after reading this article about studios and how your space should be totally you, I went back to my original idea. I want to make sure this is going to be something that I'm going to be happy with for a long, long time. What I really like from the inspiration photo is the single, striking red colored wall with the crisp white furniture and silver accents. This is totally what I'm looking for to really brighten it up down there. My plans are to paint one wall red and the remaining walls, ceiling, trim and shelving in white.

Worktable:

At the time I also liked the concept of the worktable in the inspiration photo, but it's not exactly what I'm looking for as far as the storage on the sides and the tabletop is not as large as I would like it to be, and it's also more expensive than what I found that I really like. So bonus when I found this table unit at IKEA a few months ago. The one thing I love about IKEA is their ideas on organization and storage. I snapped this photo for my inspiration board.

Flooring:

My plans are to cover our dingy looking tiled floor with carpet squares in Gunmetal Gray.

Sneak peek:

Right now I'm working on a piece of furniture that has been in my husband's family for years. He said at one time it was a bar, then a tv stand and now my plans are to use it for storage and a packing station for shop orders. It's been sitting in our basement collecting dust and collecting junk on top of it -- until now. So, I'm repainting the piece and putting new knobs on the front and maybe something new inside too. I'm still working on my ideas for that. A few days ago I found some really cool knobs from Anthropologie so I decided to spring for them today and I ordered them.

I'll have more posts about the studio coming soon...

archival prints are now available!

Hooray! I finally have prints available in my Etsy store. The following prints are now available:

"A Perfect Cap" - size: 4 3/4" square to fit a 9x9" frame

"English Cottage" - size: 4 3/4" square to fit a 9x9" frame

"Venice Window" - size: 4 3/4x 6 3/4" to fit a 7 x 9 1/2" frame

From the Barbie series...

"Purple Sweater" - size: 4 3/4" square to fit a 9x9" frame

"Red Hat" - size: 4 3/4" square to fit a 9x9" frame

"Pearl Necklace" - size 4 3/4" square to fit a 9x9" frame

To make it convenient & affordable for all print shoppers I've made them to fit Ikea Ribba frames . The Ribba frames come in white, black, a brushed silver metal and a few natural wood finishes and each one comes with a very nicely cut mat. The frames are very affordable and prices range from only $4.99 - $27.99. In each listing you'll see which frame fits the print as well as the actual size of the image. Available now in my store, are images 4 3/4" square (frame 9x9" $7.99) & images 4 3/4 x 6 3/4" (frame 7x9 1/2" $6.99).

I've also added a new ornament with the English Cottage watercolor painting. Check it out! It's only $3!

observation : the mailbox

Hooray, hooray, my new 2009 IKEA catalog got delivered in my mailbox today! Okay, so... I know my blog is supposed be about my personal creative experiences and happenings, but when the new IKEA catalog gets delivered that's BIG NEWS! And, furthermore... the IKEA catalog is very inspiring. Practically every page is bursting with vibrant color and incredible design! I hope your Ikea catalog comes today and if not very soon!

observation : INGO

At first glance, one would think, how hard could that little table be to put together...not hard at all, right? I beg to differ. Although, I wouldn't exactly call it hard, just tedious and time consuming. I purchased the table from IKEA, it's exactly what I was looking for and by now I should know that when you buy IKEA you're signing on for a project, but seriously, 12 bolts, nuts & washers, 2 wooden pegs, 12 screws, 4 brackets and 4 things I don't even think have a technical name, 4 side aprons, 4 legs and a table top. Anyway, the table is for my photoshoot setup... I received all of that in the mail yesterday but it took me all evening to put the table together so tonight I'll learn about my tabletop studio. That I'm excited about.

I suppose in the end it is kind of satisfying to have a project completed that you put together with your own little two hands. Now, if only the IKEA employees would have remembered to drill all the holes on my tabletop... that would have made life much easier.

Don't get me wrong I love IKEA, especially the design, I'm just not a big fan of putting things together, and in my frustration I decided to blog about it. :o)