Studio reno: part 1 of most likely many

On something like a whim, I dived head first into a studio reno that seems to be spiraling just a little out of control. Nope, the bronze pieces are not finished. They are still sitting in an untidy pile in the other untidy part of the studio. But not this part up there in the photo. Neat as a pin and I have the good intention of keeping it that way. But you know what they say about good intentions and the pavement to the fire and brimstone place.....we'll have to see.

Shameful untidy mess. An embarrassment, really and truly. This is the former 'business' end of my studio. If you've ever gotten a package from me this is where it got packed up. Kind of a wonder you ever got what you ordered. It's where I do a lot of things like design, pack orders, answer email, read blogs.... It's a collection of cast off furniture and cobbled together. No real rhyme or reason to it at all.

Let's take a closer look at it shall we? I'm in a full disclosure mood today.

My inventory sits in a pile of trays that are threatening to topple over and empty themselves into the rest of the mess on the table. There is a pile of scrap paper that I refuse to throw out because, you know, it still has a good side to it. The set of plastic drawers under the table is a mess and rarely are the drawers closed because they don't really work. The printer is on a TV stand that has a scrap of plywood on top because the stand doesn't actually fit the printer. Papers spill out from the stand because you can't reach in there without acts of unspeakable contortion.

A bit of paint, a dab of stain, a trip to IKEA and ta da! It is organized. Everything in that horrible mess has a home. I love IKEA and IKEA loves me because of course I didn't just walk out with the set of drawers, table legs, counter top, and chair I needed. They are so sneaky making you walk through all of those beautifully organized display rooms just full of great things that you put right into your cart without thinking much at all. I now have 6 little glass vases for single blooms and no idea at all why I needed them. I desire with all of my heart a new kitchen like the ones on display. I didn't know I needed a new head board for my bed and fortunately there was no room for one in the car. I desparately needed the 4 new lime green coffee mugs that match the 6 I already have. And the 4 small white bowls, and.....It is a very good thing that we have a small car.

Everything except the desk is on casters. I love casters just about as much as I love IKEA. The new drawer unit that neatly holds all of my piles of stuff slides out if I need an extra work surface. The newly spruced up microwave cart rolls over in front of the door for photographing my bits and pieces in good sunlight. It's still waiting for shelves to hold the inventory trays but at least the trays aren't falling over. The printer now has room to slide out so you can get at cords and stuff and the paper is all organized in trays. I am in pig heaven. And it didn't even take all that long or cost the earth.

In other news, I am feeling fit as a fiddle. I have no hair left and my head gets a little chilly. What little hadn't come out on its own got shaved off by Peter who shaved his own head in an act of solidarity. But shhh, you can't actually see much difference on him because there wasn't all that much hair to begin with. But it was kinda sweet. My labs are all good again and I have been eating lettuce and apples like there is no tomorrow. In fact, I am feeling down right spunky just in time to go through the second chemo cycle on Thursday. Yippee, I'll be half done!