CasaSugar

Would You Transform a Closet Into a Craft Area?

CasaSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:45:28 -0700

I'm intrigued by this closet, which Lovely Design turned into her sewing space. It's so perfectly organized, and it actually looks like a workable space. In one issue, ReadyMade showed readers how to transform closets into office spaces, craft corners, and even bedrooms, and Lovely Design's closet looks adorable and functional. I'm now tempted to transform one of my closets into a workspace. Would you ever do this?
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Before and After: Taming a Messy Craft Room

CasaSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:19 -0700

Roxy Nova recently posted some inspiring before and after photos of her craft room, and I absolutely love and admire this transformation. She says, "I'm very embarrassed to be posting these [photos] because my house is usually not nearly this messy, but once i decided to redo the room, everything kind of went to hell in a handbasket. it really became a dumping ground."

As messy and daunting as this room may look in this picture, Roxy Nova was able to tame it with a lot of hard work and some smart organizing ideas. To see the glorious afters, read more.

Can you believe the difference? Roxy Nova made sure to create an organized space for her sewing machine, which you can see in this photo. She also took down the closet doors and replaced them with pretty tree-printed curtains. Multiple shelving units provide space for organizing boxes of patterns, fabrics, and other needed craft materials. Roxy's husband hung up organizing units for tools and notions including scissors, thread, and ribbon.

Oh, and as if all that wasn't enough, Roxy also reupholstered this cute chair. I love her use of color and pattern. It really makes the room pop, and seems like the perfect place for sewing, crafting, and getting inspired.

I am seriously feeling some craft room envy right now. Are you?

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Before and After: Deanna's Admirable Craft Room Makeover

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:00:08 -0700

Craftster member Deanna recently bought a house, and one of her first priorities was setting up a well-organized and workable craft room. She writes, "Naturally I chose the largest of the two extra rooms and started to get to work. The carpets were blue and new flooring is not in our budget right now, so I worked with them instead of against them. There was great space and lighting in this room, also a decent closet." Here's what Deanna started with. See what she has to say about how she created the perfect crafting space.

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How-To: Create a Craft Corner

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:00:42 -0700

A good friend of mine just sent me photos of her new house in Los Angeles, and I was excited to see that she made room for a craft corner. My pal loves to craft and sew, and now she has an established space for her handiwork (which is more than I can say for my own house).

There are many advantages to maintaining a permanent space for your crafting or sewing hobby. For one, you won't have to haul everything in and out of a closet or cupboard every time you want to work on a project. Additionally, you won't have to clean up your crafting area and put it away once you have guests over. And perhaps most importantly, having a craft corner will help you to get motivated and actually finish all of those projects you've started!

For all of my tips on creating a craft corner, read more.

A small desk is perfect for your craft corner. Look at garage sales or flea markets for a solid wood desk. You'll want something that's sturdy and not overly precious.
Organize with pretty tins and boxes to keep everything in its place.
If you need additional shelving, try hanging shelves on walls to maximize space.
Positioning your craft corner close to a window will help you to take advantage of natural light. Otherwise, use a task lamp so you're able to see everything you're working on.
Keep all of your tools accessible. Use a large tin can or vase to hold your glue gun, scissors, and other needed tools.
Keep things pretty! As long as you keep your space organized and pretty, it will be a joy to work in this space, as well as to look at when you're not crafting away. Since your corner will be integrated into a bedroom, living room, or study, you want the space to flow. Organization is the key to keeping things looking their best.

Etsy Find: Handcrafted Bamboo Hangers

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:30:53 -0700

In my how-to on organizing your hangers, I talked a lot about choosing the right type of hangers for your wardrobe. But in guest rooms or coat closets, or when you're using apparel as home décor, sometimes aesthetics take priority over clips, clamps, and rubber grips. If that's the case, consider the Pretty Plum Sugar Handcrafted Bamboo Hangers ($25 for 10). These hangers are absolutely gorgeous, each crafted from a single piece of bamboo. Seeing as they're all made from real bamboo, the color of each varies, creating an interesting visual effect. I love the symmetry of the hooks on these hangers; it's almost too perfect. Are you hung up on these, too?

Where Do You Iron?

CasaSugar — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:00:00 -0800

I love Arts and Crafts apartments, which often have recessed ironing board cupboards built into the wall of the kitchen, bathroom, or utility closet. These closets manage to combine convenience with charm, and also mean you don't have to spend money on an ironing board. However, most of us rely on shlepping ironing boards from closets to various rooms to press our laundry.

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Open House: Where Do You Work on Projects?

CasaSugar — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 08:30:35 -0800

I'm so envious of Craftster member Vertigoat's craft space. She writes, "I've spent the last few days turning a pit of a room I could barely walk through the doorway of into a craftroom . . . I'm really excited about having a space where all this stuff is out and accessible and I can make things."

I've never had a designated crafting room, or even crafting closet! I'm sure that all of us who love to craft, make art, or work on projects, but don't have the room in our house to do so efficiently, are envious of Vertigoat's space.

So, where do you work on projects? Are you lucky enough to have a designated room for it? Do you settle for a corner? Or do you have to haul out your materials and then put them away every time you work on something? Tell me by commenting below!

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:00:41 -0800

Tour this rehab of a Chicago townhouse.- Re-Nest
Get some easy tips for repairing plaster.- This Old House
Learn to love the patina of old wood.- Desire to Inspire
Check out a stylish airline-inspired quilt.- Craft
This cathedral is being renovated as a garden museum.- Inhabitat
Peek inside a pretty new closet.- Door Sixteen
Go cuckoo over these clocks.- PointClickHome

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0800

Beautiful styling makes for inspiring interiors. - Desire to Inspire
A well-organized closet is jaw-dropping. - Making It Lovely
Landscapes are reimagined with topographical quilting. - AT:SF
Birdhouse ornaments made from matchboxes are a must-see.- Craft
Pretty porcelain will make a dreamy addition to your home. - Shelterrific
I'm stuck on these removable designer decals. - Simply Stated
The smudgy swirls of an Orphist artist offer bathroom inspiration. - Daily Dose
Feminine garlands are everywhere. - Poppytalk

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:00:56 -0800

Make a snowflake bookmark.- Craft
Discover ways to creatively reuse clementine boxes.- Re-Nest
Save energy by entering a contest to win this surge protector.- Danny Seo
Get tips on sharing your closet with a significant other.- AT:LA
Check out pretty tablescape pictures for Thanksgiving inspiration.- Charles and Hudson
Discover ways to beat back the Winter chill.- Forecast Earth
Peruse pictures of Gerri Williams's family-friendly interior design.- Desire to Inspire
Get the low down on granite countertops and their relationship with radon.- This Old House

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