I decide to clean up the studio today. Let’s not even mention the need for major cleaning in the bathrooms, the kitchen, the office, shall we? I grabbed some time while Don was home so Mr. Riley wouldn’t become obsessed with the fact that I was upstairs while he was downstairs. This happens when the other human in the house isn’t around to keep him company downstairs; you can hear him pace back and forth, toenails clicking on the wood floor. Pretty soon, you’re going insane and you give up and go downstairs. Anyway, I dusted, polished, reorganized – somehow it’s more fun when all this cleaning has to be done in your “fun place.”
Two of my California finds have found their way to the studio. Yes, I am still in love with the glove box. How could I not be? And there’s my little California talc tin. Yummy prettiness.
When I put in the design wall, I had to cut out a hole for the light switch. It always looked a little sloppy, I must say. Today I spied some of Jill’s wonderful stamped muslin and a lightbulb went on in my noggin. Now it looks much better!
While I was working, the sunlight coming through the skylight was brutal. I’ve been pondering this problem for a while. Elyse, I looked over at the little pink chicks you gave me and they were white. What the…??? So I rigged up something temporary until I actually install a curtain rod. What do you think?
Yes, the net curtains from IKEA are back. They have served me well while staying in temporary digs in San Diego. Now they have a new home. You can’t beat the price. I think they were $4.00 and I’ve used them over and over. Don’t tell anyone, but I thumbtacked them to the wall. Yes, I did. That’s why spackle was invented.
Found some blue ribbon and tied it around the bottom, then looped it onto the window handle.
Cost? Nothing.
I’ll do something more permanent in the future, but for the moment, this is making me happy.
Our secret: my lace curtains in the living room are upholstery tacked to the walls. In fact, in the family room and my bedroom also. But don’t tell anyone, my sweet chick. Our secret. :-)
xoxo,
Connie
I love the yummy pics of the studio! It so funny..it easier to clean what you love. I always know when I would like to have a new bedspread, because the bed stops getting made when I wake up.lol
Have a wonderful day, Lynea
Ehm… I should say it’s a no-no Claudia!! ;)))
But surely they help. I cannot imagine you working up there with no curtains! :((((
Hugs,
Monicax.
I love your studio, Claudia, and yea! about the thumbtacks. It’s Nesterized. That’s what The Nester does, too. That and she mistreats curtains.
Long before the Nester “mistreated” curtains (might have been before she was born or when she was still in diapers), there was a store called Yardage Unlimited in the town where we lived, and they sold upholstery and drapery fabric for practically nothing. I can remember buying some lovely faux dupioni silk fabric and wanting drapes SO much, and we were on a very limited income because we were redoing an old house from top to bottom. So I couldn’t afford to have drapes made because we were prioritizing. Anyhow, one day, I decided I was going to drape and swag the bolt of fabric which I did. I kind of did this bishop’s sleeve effect on the sides which I held up with wire and thumbtacks. And I stuffed them with tissue paper to make them hang right. ;-)
My day was made when a designer I loved came through the house on an historic tour and just went wild over the drapes, saying, “Who on earth made them??? They’re to die for!” LOL! On the same tour, I overheard two women from the Florida Trust talking about how much they loved them, and I couldn’t resist. I said, “The homeowner made them herself, but she doesn’t sew.” And I pointed out the technique. They were thrilled and took pictures! LOL!
So I salute your drapes, and I love mine from Ikea, too. Ikea is the bee’s knees.
XO,
Sheila :-)
I see run-on sentences. Forgive me, oh English prof! ;-)
I absolutely think it’s fun to clean the ‘fun space’ and ignore the other parts of the house…and I love the net curtain idea to soften the sun.
Perfect.
xox Rella
I always love pictures of your pretty studio- who wouldn’t love to work there? I think your skylight curtain is fabulous ♥
the curtains are so pretty with the sunlight shining thru!
Lovely window mistreatment! Did you push the tacks in with the back of your shoe, a la the Nester?
Your craft corner looks so nice and cozy, have fun up there!
hi claudia,
loving the studio and curtain. the california sun is so hot it shredded my sheers last summer. i had to put up bamboo shades and man do they keep the room cool. but i like your curtain better!
~janet
Re-use and Re-cycle. The curtains were in great condition so I see no reason at all not to have used them…. We love spackle at our house!
Di
Claudia, your glove box is divine, and the pincussion so sweet,too.
Now and then we have to make some real fast —and great, instalments,looks good with the net.
xo Dorthe
Absolutely lovely dahling. You must do with what you sometimes and this works. olive♥
Moments of happiness must be stolen whenever we can! :)
Love your glove box, too pretty!
Loved the beautiful pics of your studio! Those IKEA curtains look beautiful and so romantic in that window!
Manuela
Well, that just looks beautiful!
Maybe I’ll go and attend to the chaos in my little studio now.
Mercedes
i have that same tin by the California perfume co. – i have a fun collection of their items; being a California girl myself! (now living in New Jersey)
Claudia I’m so excited to have found your blog! It is just beautifully done and I’m enjoying my visit here very much.
What a charming home office. The colors are soothing and I do adore the box. Gorgeous!
Thank you for coming by! I do look forward to getting to know you better.
Blessings, ~Melissa :)
Hi Claudia,
Your studio is looking all scrubby clean and happy. I love that sweet box and the little talc container. Pretty ingenious idea using the french ribbon around the light switch!
I like your window treatment too. Looks all soft and lovely.
hugs
Sissie
I’m a thumbtack queen myself. When in doubt, I say go for the thumbtacks. Cheap, and come in different colors. What’s not to like? I even enjoy cleaning my desk in the evening with Windex because it’s “my little space” in the universe. Ribbon and thumbtacks. A staple for us gals. Isn’t it wonderful when our “noggin” is firing on all pistons?
Brenda
Hello darling Claudia!
Loving your new touches you have put in your studio! You busy little bee. Love what you did with your window to! Fresh & crisp!
I better check my liitle pink chicks Elyse gave me to see if they are white!!!
Thinking of you!
Love,
Maryjane
“Necessity is the mother of invention”! Thats my daily motto…if I want it or need it bad enough I figure out a way! Love what you did to the skylight Claudia!
Lovely! I like the new blues!! I got the new Romantic homes today but have been to busy to read! Very excited!
Hugs, Lisa
Claudia you are waaay to clever! I think that would have to be a permanent fix! It looks beautiful AND still lets in plenty of light. I love all the preties you have around you in this space. It must make yousmile everytime you walk by. Do you ever do that? Just keep walking by something you’ve done just to see how pretty it all is? I even do that with the laundry when I get it all folded. Yeah, I know…I need a life! lol!
hugs
Thank you for inspiring me this morning to clean my art space! I was trying to muster up the courage : )
Your glove box and talc tin are fab in your room!
Hugs,
Terri
hi claudia,
i’m a big advocate of thumbtacks, blue painters tape, and twine. my top non-permanent solutions!
so funny that the chick bleached out! hope she’s cooling off in the doll house! LOL
almost forgot to mention:
1) the curtain + ribbon = adorable
2) my RH came today = yipeeeeeeeee!
xo
elyse
Hello friend! I love that little curtain and I’m with you – love the thumb tacks and glue gun to get the job done quickly and efficiently! That little blue ribbon makes it look just right! I know what you mean about cleaning certain areas of the house – having an organized work space makes me feel more focused, therefore more productive! Poor Mr. Riley – I used to have a Mr. Brinkley who wouldn’t let me out of his sight. Such sweeties, you don’t come by that devotion often! Ciao, bella!
Hi Claudia,
Your studio is so cute!
I love it!
xoxo
Claudia, your studio is just as charming as you are. I remember when you bought that romantic glove box and sweet talcum tin. I still love them both, too. No wonder you want to keep them on display. Have a lovely rest of the week~ Vicki
The Big Guy paces about just the same way when I get distracted on the computer. Got to find a resolution for this dilemma :)
I like the new curtain! I say thumbtack away. I know what you mean about the cleaning and the part about Mr. Riley cracked me up! Our animals are such big spoiled babies!
Claudia there are actual honeycomb style blinds that are on tracks specifically for skylights… COST??? However, they WORK well!
In the meantime… your idea is certainly fitting for your CUTE space!
{-A-}
Hi Claudia,
Gotta’ love Ikea!!! I’ve got a bunch of those curtains, but I use them in crafting. They’re great for collaging, sewing, and they make great gathered flowers. I love the way your studio looks and I’m hoping to get some style into mine soon.
Hugs,
Meri
Hi Claudia:
I love your little makeover. It’s perfectly you! Thanks for sharing a peek today.
xoxo
Donna
Oh Claudia I know exactly what you mean about cleaning our fun spaces. It feels so good and then I am more inspired to be creative! Riley sounds like our Nellie. She is not allowed upstairs, so we got here a large stuffed dog toy which she takes to her lair (dog bed on the kitchen floor) and stuffs in her mouth as far as she can (most still hanging out). She then uses it like a pacifier until someone comes to be with her! And I have the same problem with skylights in my house. One of them is directly over an area where I very carefully stored all my books. A month later all the spines were bleached!! Very upsetting!!!! A decorator told me to have the window coated with a sunscreen product which is really designed to protect your furniture fabric from harsh rays coming in the window. It is supposed to be clear but I don’t know the $$. I plan to check it out. If I find out any good news I will let you know! Linda
I know I say this all the time but I love love you sweet home and your craft space is so special. Love the curtains with blue ribbons.
I love your studio . the blue ribbon detail is lovely
I love peaks into other bloggers studios or offices. I think my favorite is your light switch with the paris around it.