Monday, June 29, 2009

6 Feet of Heaven

But we did have to go to that other place for a little while.



As you might recall, Saturday was the big day of emptying the spare room, other wise known as the abyss. Clear plan of action in hand, every last thing except for big furniture was dutifully moved out and into the dining room. And after much cleaning, dusting, scrubbing, and very few harsh words, we moved back in the things that were meant to stay, moved to better homes the things that were not, and threw out an amazing amount of stuff. Where does it all come from? We've only lived here 4 years. Do I have a hoarding disease?


I had actually forgotten that this is a huge room for an old house. I had forgotten how much work we did getting this room habitable in the first place. It once sported red checked wall paper and raised medalion paper on the ceiling. It had horrid cracks in the walls. It was hideous.

The new and improved arrangement has a small 'office' space. I even got a new book case that is dedicated to all my art books. I have never had my very own book case. I didn't even know I needed my very own book case. It even still has room for more books. Amazon here I come!


There is even a sitting area (also the guest bedroom). I love this little nest. It's great place to read, sketch, nap. The storage shelves are waiting for me to come up with a clever way to use a canvas painters drop cloth to hide all of the things I couldn't part with.

The 6 feet of heaven! This will become my metal clay studio. I have never had such a purpose designed work space. There's a small shipping station on wheels. My art market stuff fits nicely under the table. Heaps of storage!


I actually put a little thought into how I work. I deeply dislike rummaging through large containers of things. When I have to do that I end up leaving things laying around because I dislike even more having to pack everything away. I work in a very small space and spread out to each side. I like things close at hand. I don't like getting up to find something. It interupts my focus to do that. If I need it, I need it now.


The penny dropped. Put it all in shallow trays, just the things that are related to a particular task. Put it all right there within arms reach. Two shoe racks, two shelves bull dog clipped together, 16 plastic bins, 3 cookie sheets later and, voila! I am Ms Super Duper Organized. There is even empty storage space (Rest assured, Ms Hoarder will take care of that quick smart).


And I just have to give credit where credit is due. My sweetie spent all day Saturday into the evening and part of Sunday on this project. I really did not have the stamina, patience, or motivation to get this done on my own. I would have cried. I would have crawled into bed with a book. Thanks Petey!


And just in case you are wondering. Miss Alice has settled in nicely to the new digs. She did however mention that in her 18 months of living with us she was completely unaware of the existence of this sofa.

15 comments:

Tammy and Rob said...

What a beautiful space you created! I love it, it looks warm and cozy, no wonder Miss Alice found the best seat in the room!
You are shaming me into cleaning my room now ;)

sharon said...

WOW! You must feel really good, as you should! It looks great and I am sooo envious! We do not have an extra room but my 6'x6' space is still holding it's own, and probably because of the very good point you made, it's all right next to me! One big difference is though, yours sure looks pretty!

SummersStudio said...

Tammy and Sharon, this project really has made a huge difference in how I feel. But beautiful? Still needs a bit of tweeking I think.

Katie said...

That's great that you finally found your space under all of the clutter! It looks great! I love that Miss Alice has staked her claim to the couch already...I think I can count on one hand the number of times I've sat on our couch - it belongs to Bailey...Who only weights 13 pounds, but can manage to hog a whole couch :o)

SummersStudio said...

Too funny, Katie! Multiple 70 pounds times 2 and you will get an idea of how much sofa space we have!

Doreen said...

Wow, what a great space. Funny how we always need more art supplies?? Miss Alice even has a place to sit!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, it does feel good to get everything cleaned up and organized.

Katie said...

I don't know what we'd do with 2 big dogs...Our 120 lb Malamute is enough! But, she likes the cool tile floor more than the furniture...So, the biggest obstacle with her is to not step on her :o) But, I love that you are dog people, too and don't mind when they lay claim to the furniture!

Cristi Baxter Clothier said...

Your "new" space looks great, Leann!

Lucid Moon Studio said...

Your crafting space looks great! Mine is stuck in limbo...I need a trip to IKEA soon. They have a great selection of organizing stuff. Thanks for the inspiration! Wish you could inspire my "sweetie" to help me, lol!

Lisa

stregata said...

Wow LeAnn,
awesome organizing!! Your new work space looks great and ready to go!!
I just know you will be making wonderful pieces there!!

Marie Cramp said...

You Have a beautiful Home! I would love to have something like that. Where we live those homes are very rare and very expensive or completely decrepit. I love the floors, I am stuck with carpet, I HATE carpet. lol. I will have to show you my work space sometime. :)

Marie

Kristin said...

That looks awesome! You must be pleased as punch with it!

mairedodd said...

am so impressed - goal set, mission accomplished and with such fabulous results! enjoy it ~

peacockfairy said...

Looks great!