come on in

So here it is. My little room. I actually feel a little shy about sharing it - isn't that funny? I've stalled on photographing it - making up excuses of little details that needed to be finished first (I never did install the vintage milk glass doorknob I scoured town for - see that hole in the door on the left?). When the truth is, I think, I just wanted to sink into it, and settle in and call it my own for a while. Before I shared it and before the work in it began. This weekend I did just that - broke it in, so to speak. There was some sewing, some writing, and even some entertaining (thank you Betsy, and then Jen, for letting me lock you in my room for a bit - you were both so gracious while I gushed on and on).

I could tell you about the color choices, or of my new obsession with chrome shelving, or the history of a gazillion things in here, and on and on (check the growing Flickr photoset for some details), but more overwhelming to me than those details are how the room feels to me. I mean, it's nothing grand - it's nothing that will be in a magazine spread - it's not like that. It's quite small and rather simple - but oh, it's so perfectly 'me' and I love it so. It's full of things I love, of things that are important to me both now and in my past, and has plenty of space for plans and dreams for what is yet to come.

 
Every night last week, when the house was dark and quiet, I went in and sat on the middle of the floor and looked up and around in a bit of wonderment. I didn't do any sewing or writing. Just sitting. Still and quiet. And forgive me for heading down the road of sap once more (I know, I do that), but being in here feels pretty amazing to me. Amazing in the way that I'm overcome with awe and gratitude about why I even have this room in the first place. Tremendous gratitude for the four people sleeping outside that door who give up a lot of space, and much patience to make my crazy dreams come true, and make the ride much more fun along the way; for the absolute honor and privilege of being a writer (is it really true?); and for the joy of making things. Dream, Write, Make - that's just what I plan to do in here.

More photos of my studio here.

Comments

[julia]

Ohh!!! It's so beautiful. You are so blessed to have such an amazing space to continue creating all of your special creations. I know you will treasure it as much as anyone should. Enjoy and use it in good health!

(ps: i'm so jealous!! longing to get out of the corner of the living room...)

[Suziesews]

Its so beautiful, its just so sweet, I could sit in here all day and the night too. Its been worth the wait, thanks for sharing it with us. Happy sewing
Suzie Sews (UK)

[Jessica]

That is so beautiful! Wow. I love how personal that space is. It feels biographical and I just love that. Have fun!

[heather]

just dreamy amanda. beautiful style, very welcoming, and full of many possibilities. best wishes in your new studio.

we looove the picnic set! it hasn't left my dining room table since it's friday arrival, i just need to look at it for a while until we go on our first picnic. it is the perfect size for me to throw in my backpack! many plans for your little creation...thank you!

[UNIFORM Studio]

It is so perfectly you. Enjoy:)

[kerrie]

It looks gorgeous amanda and that's a very similar colour for the one I've chosen to paint my workshop / studio with. LOoks gorgeous. xx

[Alberta]

You have created a very welcoming space...how could you ever leave it???? I love all the natural light you have and the treasures you have displayed on the walls for inspiration. It's simply beautiful!

[Meredith]

Beautiful. Inspiring. I think you should blog a little bit of a "tour" of each little spot over the next few weeks, or objects that hold special meaning for you. And I LOVE the paint color! Nice, nice space!

[Alicia A.]

It looks FABULOUS.
And it's so clean!!!

[aprill]

it's really, really, really beautiful.
in every way.
thanks so much for inviting us in for this peek!

[mel]

You have a very beautiful craft room. Enjoy it! :)

[Casey]

what a beautiful, inspiring retreat! I love the colors, the decorations hanging on the wall (those vintage girl's frocks are just too adorable)... everything. frankly, I do think it could be in a magazine. ;) thanks for the little tour and I hope you enjoy using it for years to come! :)

[beki]

Absolutely gorgeous Amanda! Enjoy it :-)

[kristin]

a true space to let your soul shine...
to be creative, to be you and to be organized. lovely, lovely!
i have a thing for old crates so i think my favorite
detail is your crate bookshelf, or no, maybe it is
that super huge vintage fabric stash... hmmm... :)
congrats on the completed project/renovation...
it looks wonderful.

[pamela]

your color choice for the walls is absolutely beautiful. Now can you ship that room over to me house?

[Lucy]

WOW! What a lovely room you have... so condusive to all kinds of creativity. Enjoy it!

[jen j-m]

okay, i think you knew how much i loved it, but still, let me tell you: i have been thinking about it all weekend! it's so fabulous!

[Wannabe]

OMGGGGGGGG. I don't even know what to say. It is the loveliest. It could be in a Martha mag. Seriously. GORGEOUS! Enjoy your new little piece of heaven.

[Marian]

I love it all! The colors, the space, the furniture, the fabrics, the windows, everything. It looks like one of my dreams. But I have to dream on for a while. In the meantime I make a tour through your craftroom.

[Lisa]

Just gorgeous! I'm so glad you have a beautiful space to call your own.

[hannah]

big hugs amanda, it looks great! so glad you have that space to be you in.

[edien]

Oh! your studio is perfect. Maybe for people like me who loves craft seems a treasure. Congratulations, and the color of hall is amazing.
Love Edien

[Amy Lu]

It's absolutely lovely, and seems very "real". I don't like it when I see a "studio" in a magazine and it looks like a display case.

I think it's perfectly perfect and I could see myself settling in very nicely. :o)

[Qalballah]

Amanda! THANKYOU for posting your pictures. I live my dreams through others and couldn't wait to see what you had accomplished. Is it sad to say when I read the title I yelped??

It is beautiful. Truly. I had always the impression of a cramped space, but wow, not at all. Look at the space. Look at the way it comes together. I love that table with your machine and laptop on. Love it.

The space looks so much fresher. It's like it WANTS you in there to make something.

You are so lucky to have that space. What a great family to value you so much.

[earthchick]

*sigh* It's simply loverly.

I have a study/office at home that now needs to become a study/studio now that I am doing more and more making (instead of all writing, working, bill paying, and filing). I am totally inspired by what you have done to your space, and am sure to be gazing at your flickr set often as I being the transformation of my own space.

Thanks for sharing it with us!

[Kristy]

Truly amazing space you have created.That definately is a crafters blue!

[Vicky]

What a lovely space you have made.I hope you have many happy and productive hours in there.

[liz elayne]

i love how deeply you connect this to your family and all that this means to all of you. beautiful.
the room is wonderful! i call my studio space "the little room" as that is what it is...and to have a space of one's own is delightful and a gift.

[Chelle]

It is beautiful! I recently re-did an unloved room in our home for my studio as well. Although I only knit there, it's a lovely space that is just for me!

Happy sewing!

[Kim]

Wow, it is so beautiful. I don't blame you for wanting to keep it to yourself for a bit. You've worked hard, now enjoy it! :) Oh, and I love all your stacks and stacks and stacks of fabric!

[meg]

jen told me it was pretty spectacular. she was right!
congrats on having a sweet little space to call your own.

[Amber]

Absolutely wonderful space! Again, I LOVE that color of blue.

[Toni]

Many happy hoo-rays! for you Amanda! A special place to create and dream is indeed a true gift. I know many beautiful things will come out of that room. xo.

[string*THEORY]

it's absolutly wonderful and inspires me to hurry along and finish mine. i love your antique childrens clothing - certainly those will bring a lot of inspiration.
in designing my studio, i struggled alot with conflicting "styles" i wanted to present. this brings it all together for me, and reminds me that, really, i should just fill it with things i love and the "style" will come together on its own. thanks for that realization.

[amy sahba]

I would like to move in please!

[WiscJennyAnn]

Ahhhhh! It's so gorgeous! You are an inspiration to us all!

[Dawn]

I dream of having such space. Of having a room or even a cubby where everything is right there where I can see it. A room that is organized, colorful and inspiring. It looks just beautiful. I too would sit in the middle of the floor and stare. xo

[Julie]

Beautiful! Wall color - awesome.

[ohelene]

What a bautiful studio! I should be satisfied with me having my own small room all to myself but have to admit beeing a little bit envious on the size and style of yours!

[Shari R]

It isn't the least bit sappy to share your gratitude for all the wonderful things in your life. What beauty will flow from such a room!

[Beth]

Ah, just beautiful. Bliss. We are going to be shifting/re-doing several rooms in my house, and I. Cannot. Wait. to have My Room redone. :-)

Thank you so much for sharing your private space with us.

[lera]

beautiful!

[sarah]

so very amazing, amanda!
i'm certain your room will inspire you to bring forth much loveliness - of both the stitched and written kind.
enjoy your well-deserved slice of paradise!!

[Nynke]

Hi Amanda, your room turned out great! It is very pretty and joyful, and I love the colour on the wall! Good luck crafting in your new space :)

[kellysime]

love the color in your room

[Alina]

The studio is beautiful, the color is gorgeous. Love the way it is set up, a space for everything and everything in it's place. I think the room will really inspire you :) Love all the little personal touches that you have put into the room.

[Veronica TM]

what a wonderful space, amanda! i love everything about it. those little vintage dresses are a dream. i can't wait to see what you create in this room of your own.
i know how you feel, my little family donated half of the dining room to me and it feels like such a gift.

[Julie]

So excited to see your new spot for writing, dreaming, and making! It is a beautiful room!

[Ashley]

What a scrumptious and inviting space! Go get creating!!

[dawna]

how beautiful! i hope i can have a place (other than the drab, dingy basement) to call my own one day, too... enjoy your space!