More in my mini-series, Decorating on a Flea Market Budget. Today, we’re visiting the studio.
I call this space a studio, but it’s not like the studios you generally see out there. I suppose I could call it my sewing niche, or the place where I have a lot of pretty (to me) things, or the upstairs hallway. Because that’s what it is.
Life here in our cottage is lovely, but there are only two bedrooms. One is ours. The other is a guest room/office/place for Don to write his music and play his guitar. Not long after we moved here, I despaired of having a little space to call my own ever again. One day, Don and I realized that my sewing table would fit in the little niche at the top of the stairs. It was the lightbulb moment that started the ball rolling. Since then, I’ve had a great time fixing up my little space.
Would I like a door? Yes, yes and yes. But this will do.
I’ve written lots about this space in the past and it’s been featured in a magazine. So today, I will focus on putting things together on a flea market budget. Here we go.
Here’s what it looks like as you come to the top of the stairs. I didn’t stage anything – what you see is what you get. The sewing table fits right into that handy niche (where we used to keep my grandmother’s trunk, which is now in the guest room.) There’s a skylight overhead. Perfect for sewing. I bought the sewing table online when we first moved out east and were renting a house in another county. I can’t remember the cost, but it was about $150.00. Well worth it, as I was able to get a cut-out specifically designed for my sewing machine, which is an Elna. I used to have a cute skirt on this table but it kept getting in the way, so I took it off. Note: Sometimes we make things pretty for photo ops, but find out they are just not practical. Go with practical.
The chair was a birthday gift from my husband. Cost to me: $0. The white table to the left was a prop from the prop room at Boston University. I commandeered it for my office when I taught there. Then it somehow made it’s way to my apartment. Over twenty years later, it’s still with me. I slapped a coat of paint on it a couple of years ago. Cost: $0.
The blue mantel that I use as a shelf was $30 in a local antique shop. I had it hanging around here for a few years before I realized it would work in the studio. I’ve added hooks to it and I use them to hang strips of fabric.
Mabel, my Featherweight, was my birthday gift last year. I had long wanted a Featherweight. Don and I saw it in a local antique store and, though it was a couple of months early, decided it would be my birthday gift. (I try to do this with things I really want – if there’s a way to use birthday or Christmas money toward the item, that’s what I will do. That way, I don’t have to put out money that is meant for bills and other expenses.) Piece of cheery oilcloth under Mabel – from Elyse.
The most expensive items in the studio are the sewing machines. The Elna was purchased many years ago when we were living in San Diego. It was a big expense for me and I paid it off over a year’s time. You can often do that sort of thing with sewing machines.
Vintage Pansy Print: found in an antique store in Owensboro, KY. Cost – about $20. I would have bought it for the frame alone, but I love, love the print.
Little vintage spice shelf to the right of the print – found in an antique store for $12.
Sewing machine cover: A doily roll that I found in an antique shop for about $20. It’s not meant to be a cover and I bought it because I loved the embroidery, but I soon discovered that it could be reinvented as a cover. Now it’s not only pretty, but useful.
Pottery: Collected over time.
Shelf: A piece I found years ago for next to nothing- maybe $10? It was originally in a dark wood finish. I forgot about it for a long time and then re-discovered it in our shed. It’s a bit rickety, so I wouldn’t put anything heavy on it, but it works here. It has wonderful scroll work on the sides. A coat of paint and it’s perfect.
Lamp: IKEA for about $15.00.
The re-purposed bulletin board which I now call my Pretty Board, cost me $0. I already had the bulletin board stashed in a closet. I had the appliques. I had the paint and the sheet music. I simply had fun transforming it into something I truly love.
Next to the sewing area is a bookcase that I found at The Christmas Tree Shops. $30. There’s a post somewhere here on the blog about the day I put it together. It was late in the day on the day before Thanksgiving when I discovered that it came with two left sides. I wasn’t about to drive back to the store. I was determined to find a way to make it work. After a lot of struggle and more than a few curses, I put it together. I love it’s cottagey look.
Sewing Basket: Found in Wisconsin in perfect condition – $25.
Lamb Chop (my muse) – found at a Cracker Barrel in Florida. My sister, upon hearing my squeals of delight when I discovered her, bought her for me. Cost – $0.
Lamp: Target. It’s due to be replaced when I find something I like more. But it will do. And it was extremely inexpensive on sale.
The child’s piano was a gift from Don for one of my birthdays. The china pieces and glass were collected over time.
The skylight is wonderful, but the sunlight streaming through it can be very strong. One day, I grabbed some net curtains from IKEA that I had used in a temporary living space in San Diego. I cut them to fit the opening, thumbtacked them to the ceiling and then tied them with some ribbon I had on hand. Cost – $0. The thumbtacks were supposed to be temporary, but they’re still going strong.
This window is to the left as you come up the stairs. I used a dresser scarf that I already had on hand to make a valence. I also had the curtain rod on hand. The only cost was a few dollars for the curtain clips.
As you round the corner, you come upon this wall, which stretches between the bedrooms. For a long while, it was a design wall (more on that later) and I also had a folding cutting table there. I eventually sold the cutting table through Craig’s List. I figured I could use the kitchen table or the kitchen island for cutting and by getting rid of the table, I could gain some desperately needed space for a storage/display cabinet. After searching for a while, I found this cabinet on Craig’s List. It’s solidly built. Cost – $75. Totally worth it. It has transformed the space. I just re-painted it about a week ago and I love it even more. It gives me lots of display space and storage. And it’s always a good idea to have something taller and more substantial in a space. It actually makes the space seem bigger.
Next to the cabinet is what’s left of the original design wall. By the way, it was so easy to make. I went to Lowe’s, bought some insulation panels, covered them in white flannel, and tacked them to the wall. Cost: about $30 for all the panels and flannel. But, I don’t quilt all that often and I needed the space. So, I left one panel up and I use it to for its original intention as well as a place to display things. Embroidery: done by me. Those are photos of Don and me at the age of 6.
Hanging on the right side of the cabinet is my mother’s dress. My grandmother made it for her when she was a little girl. I bought the hanger for a few dollars.
This set of Chinese nesting baskets came from our San Diego house. I’ve had them a long time. At the time, I probably paid $30 for them at a local antique store. Once I decided to use them in the studio, I spray painted them white and they now hold all sorts of fat quarters and trims.
The chalkboard hangs on the door to the guest bedroom. When I was creating the chalkboard for the kitchen, I originally used this piece of plywood. But I wanted something smoother, so I ended up going with another piece of wood. I don’t like to waste anything, so the plywood chalkboard was put into use here. I had that trim already (it was purchased with the dollhouse in mind.) I painted and antiqued it with paint I already had on hand, glued it to the board, drilled two holes and used a ribbon to hang it. Cost: $0.
Letitia, my vintage dress form, was the end result of a many months long search. I regularly searched on eBay and Craig’s List for one. I finally found her on eBay for $75 and since she came from our neighboring state of New Jersey, the shipping cost was minimal.
Again, a birthday gift. My parents sent me a birthday check and I used it for Letitia. Cost – $0.
She has an impossibly small waist and she’s wearing bloomers that I wore in a grad school production. The costume designer was a friend of mine and he gave them to me. (I was much thinner in those days and I wore a corset in that production. Corsets under hot stage lights = sweating off several pounds.)
The Victorian angel print – found at auction for $20. It reminds me of one that hung in my grandmother’s home.
The vintage advertising sign – found in an antique shop for $10.
Green Bauer pot – found for a few dollars in California.
Most everything else – the framed items, pottery, tchotchkes – are either things I gathered over time or gifts from friends. All of them mean a great deal to me and give the studio a shot of my quirky personality.
It’s a cheerful creative space. Except for the sewing machines, which are an investment that will last for years, everything else was purchased on a flea market budget. Some things were gathered from elsewhere in the house and repurposed. It’s the way I love to decorate. And it’s recycling at its best.
There you go! More will be coming in the series; the den and the bedroom (now that I’ve tweaked it.)
Happy Thursday.
I love your studio – it looks exactly like I imagine you to be – bright, friendly, cozy and inviting. I adore your lamb chop!
Thank you, Kim!
What a lovely space Claudia! And… I spotted your little “Lambchoppy.” That’s what my kids called her when they were little. She was (still) very popular on PBS when my son was little, and he just LOVED the show. He had a puppet that looked like your Lambchop. Is yours a puppet? Aaah, good memories. [Do you know “The Song That Never Ends?”] Have a great day. ~Sally
Yes, Sally, this Lambchop is a puppet. I used to want to be Shari Lewis!
For such a smlall area you have so much and yet you keep it so neat and orderly! You can tell what kind of a person you are by what you keep nearby that is special. Very sweet and cozy area Claudia!~Hugs, Patti
Thanks, Patti. It can get messy when I’m working, but I always clean it up at the end of the day because we both walk through this hallway all the time. It’s important that it stays neat and orderly.
Hi Claudia, I like your idea to partially cover the skylight. I have several in my house, and while the light coming through them brightens the spaces it also is quite destructive to my books and furniture. I see your stitch-along embroidery hanging on the display panel. I remember it because that is when I first found you! Lucky day! Linda
I love the skylight, too, but boy, that light can be harsh!
Looks so cozy and inviting – just as your cottage always does. Needing cozy today here in the Kansas City area – blizzard conditions right now and snow piling up quickly. After all the eat coast has been through this winter, I guess it’s the midwest’s turn now. SO ready for spring!
I feel for you, Deb. We’ve been there – in fact, there are rumors that we might get snow this weekend. Stay safe and warm!
Well, I would call that a “step-side studio” if I were you! What a perfect spot and I love that you have your own little escape and place to create. My own is in a dark, dreary basement. I love all the special things that you have collected over time..the little piano…the sewing machine cover. I am jealous of the Featherweight! I have wanted one for a long time and my mother had one when I was young. They ARE expensive and hard to find. Blessings to you- xo Diana
I like that, Diana – “Step-side Studio” I might just steal that idea!
I got my Featherweight for about $250, which is pretty good for a Featherweight. I’ve seen them for well more than twice that price!
Thank you for sharing your space with us. It looks so cozy and warm and full of life. I love the way you have lots of your great memory pieces around you as you craft. (I also love your lamb chop!)
Blessings,
Betsy
I’m such a visual person that I need those beloved treasures around me when I work.
This was a fun detailed tour of your creative space! Love all the touches that just say ‘Claudia’ and I also love how you have used every inch to it’s best! Hugs, Linda
Thanks, Linda!
What a dear, cozy spot and so you! So glad Don finally made it home.
Have a great day!
Judy
Thanks, Judy! Are you feeling better? Hope so!
Claudia-
I’ve always admired the way you carved out a space for creating…just for you! It is a small space–but filled!
I’m looking for ways to fit an office space and creative space together in my home. As I continue to transform my home–I keep changing my mind on my rooms. I need to settle on something and go with it. I’m getting so close now!
I love your bulletin board–so I pinned it for inspiration.
…enjoyed the tour!
Pat
Thank you, Pat!
Hi Claudia~~~Thoroughly enjoyed the tour today. Your studio is adorable! Love the bookcase & little piano & how special to have your mom’s dress. I have been working on re-doing my craft room this year. it’s fun getting things organized & making it personal~~~flea market frugal of course:0). I’m happy for you all that Don (& his suitcase ) is safely home! Give Scout a nose kiss for me.
XOXO, Linda
I will, Linda!
I love this space. It is so cozy and inviting and really seems to reflect your personality, Claudia.
Hugs,
Laura
Thank you, Laura!
I love this studio space, Claudia. You’ve done so much with it and it really reflects your cottage style. I agree that the vintage pieces we find here and there and gather with love into our cottages is the best way to decorate and recycle. I had a nook at the top of the stairs in a former apartment and it was wonderful to have a place for an extra bookshelf and a chair to sit in and read by a window.
Nooks are really charming, aren’t they?
When you want to get inspired do you go to your studio Claudia and think of ideas or do they just come to you as you go about your usual daily routine? When I get an idea for decorating my home differently I try to take the time to jot it down because I’m awfully forgetful. I’m trying to use things in places I wouldn’t normally use them and it’s working out pretty well. Your studio is just lovely!
They come to me as I go about my day. I find the studio inspiring, but ideas come to me all the time – and I have to jot them down, too!
Claudia:
Wow is all I can say. First, you remember every last detail, I love that, everything has a meaning, and the fact that you have bought most things at antique shops is awesome. I am just going to start looking at antique shops it looks like so much fun. Thanks for sharing your most personal spaces with us, it’s very generous of you.
I love finding vintage things. I’d much rather have something old than something new or something new that is made to look old. Thanks for the compliments, Noelle!
Claudia,
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. I follow several, but yours is always the first one I read each day. I’m glad Don is back home and that Scout is feeling better. I love your little tours of your home. I am a flea market/thrift store kind of gal as well. Hopefully, spring weather is just around the corner.
Shari
Thank you so much for commenting, Shari. Oh, let’s hope Spring is coming soon!!
Vintage is the only way to go. The prettiest room are pits and peice collected over the years! Come by and gets some pretties to add to you collection!
A great tour of your creative space Claudia! I really enjoyed hearing how you acquired/repurposed/made each item. Ann
Thank you, Ann!
I love your studio space, everything here says so much about you. You truly have that magic touch of “designing on a dime”! I like that so many of the things you use and your treasures were gifts. I can see a lot of love here.
XO,
Jane
Well, I like the challenge of designing on a dime, but I also HAVE to!!!
Hi Claudia, You have a pretty space to be creative! I went to the flower show today in Hartford and it was spring in the convention center today! All the flowers and diplays were beautiful. Doris
Lucky you, Doris!
First of all, let me say that I love everything! You could have spent a million bucks and it could not possibly be as delightful. The colors are wonderful. The design is both practical and pretty. Your special touches make your studio endearing. I am crazy about Lamb Chop and that adorable little piano too. I heart your studio ~ big time!!!
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Oh, thank you, Susan! Isn’t it nice that I didn’t have to spend a million bucks? Especially since I don’t have it!!
Love, love, love your studio…….it may be small but still quite wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Jana in Texas
Thank you, Jana.
That is a sweet and efficient studio. It has your stamp on it. I like that scarf/runner as a curtain. Thank you for your kind comment today about Clovis. I know you understand. xo, Olive
Thinking of you and your family at this time of loss, Olive.
What an attractive space. You have made such a small space so charming and efficient. I just love the Lambchop.
I look for your e-mail daily and am always delighted with your posts.I don’t know if anyone else is having the same problem and it could be my gremlin internet, but I get your posts twice. Once on the day they are originally posted and then the next morning. Just started about a week ago and at first I thought I was not deleting, but that is not the case. Just FYI.
I’m not sure why you’re getting it twice. I did have to fix my feedburner feed last week because my subscribers weren’t getting my posts by email. If you subscribed to the blog when it was on blogspot or followed me then, I suppose you could be getting a duplicate, but other than that, I have no idea why you’re getting two. It could be a glitch with Feedburner. All I can say is to delete the second one. Sometimes the emails via Feedburner can get screwed up.
I subscribe via email to my own blog on three different email addresses in order to monitor the email subscriptions and I haven’t received any duplicate posts. Hopefully, your problem is only a temporary one!
Charming is how I describe your studio. It inspires me to carve out my own space using all the things that make me happy too. I LOVE your series of sharing your beautiful unique home~~
Thank you, Sondra.
So nice to see your lovely creative space. Such a fun post. I need to get my place tidied up a bit and do a post like this. It would be fun!
Thanks for sharing your lovely studio space decorated with flea market finds. You have given me so many ideas for creating a space for crafting with limited space. I love your vintage dress form, she is so charming!
Good Morning Claudia, Your sewing space might be small, but it is perfect. I love the way you have surrounded yourself with things which you love aswell as items you need for sewing.
By just looking at your sewing corner, it tells us so much about your creativity. I also have a small sewing room which George named the Button Room….which has stuck, our daughters even call it the Button Room now.
Thank you for sharing your sewing space and showing us your wonderful treasures.
Best Wishes
Daphne
Lovely space Claudia….and it’s all yours! Filled with so many memories and treasures…as it should be! ;)
I always enjoy it when you show bits of your studio — you have used the space so well. Your dresser scarf used as a valence has given me an idea — and I had forgotten about those clips! Such an easy way to put up a valence. I was trying to make it something hard, and then you come along and show me an easy peasy way!
Oh, and your mother’s dress is so sweet — what a treasure!
A wonderfully friendly and cheerful space :) Thanks for sharing it with us!
Claudia, you can write about your crafting space anytime. I love to look at it as it is so inspiring!! Sometime, probably this summer, I may be writing to you about making a Pretty Board. I have the board sitting in the basement – cost $0. :)
What a wonderful, light filled, open space. I could spend a whole lit of time in your cozy niche. Your featherweight is a dream and I like the way you have stacked your fabrics in coordinated piles. Your little green piano is darling. What a thoughtful gift.
Thanks for sharing, my friend.
Blessings,
Carolynn xo
I’m pretty sure I could live here—or at least nap here ! The dogs are wonderful too, I see you lost one and I lost one of my favorite cats last August, they become a big part of the setting, don’t they? Love the simplicity of your decor too…thanks for sharing.
The design wall panel is a great idea! I don’t remember ever having seen it. Your space is so pretty, that niche was made for sewing.