Thank you for all your lovely comments regarding my workroom I know I'm very lucky to have such a large space to work in and to keep hoard all my stuff. What I can't quite believe is that when Paul and I first got married I probably had just two boxes of stuff and one sewing machine, 18 years later and it has grown to this!
I haven't always have this amazing space to work in, this room started life as Paul's bird room some 10 years ago and then when he stopped keeping canaries the children took it over as a playroom, we then shared it as a half and half playroom and store room for my growing collection of crafty materials and then finally I kicked them out completely in 2007 and took over the whole space.
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| the workroom back in 2008 |
Probably like most of you with a dedicated workspace it was important to get the storage right and initially I used the plastic crate boxes and filled each one with different fabrics, crafts etc piled on top of each 4 or 5 high along the back wall!
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| lots and lots or plastic crates! |
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| the old ikea shelving |
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| what happens when you decide to empty your workroom |
I kept finding though that I would always need the box at the bottom and it was always such a palaver if you just wanted to have a look through a box or too.
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| you can just make out Tomas in his playpen! |
I started looking on eBay for some Ikea expedit units but knew I would need several to fill the back wall and this would still work out expensive buying them individually, then one day I saw a listing for a job lot of 7 or 8 expedit units and took a chance and bid on them. I honestly can't remember how much we paid for them but I do remember it was a good price, because there were so many of them we arranged for a local delivery guy to collect them for us. When he arrived there were hundreds of pieces in the back of his van and a bag full of screws and no instructions! He also told us that that there were some extra Ikea units in there as the guy that was selling them didn't know which pieces when with which unit so just gave them all to us!!
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| one unit finished only another 3 to go! |
I couldn't believe it when I started sorting all the units out I realised that there were also four ikea Jonas tables and a couple of Malm dressing tables! At this stage we weren't sure what we would be able to use in the space so I started putting together the expedit units once I'd downloaded the instructions from the ikea website. I ended up using four of the units and sold the other three separately on eBay for more money than I had bought all the units for! Result! I then started looking at the other units and realised the Jonas tables would be ideal for sewing tables
and the malm dressing tables were just the right height to use together with an MDF top for a cutting table,
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| Yes it looks like this most of the time! |
for years I had been using a kitchen table and suffered terrible back ache from leaning down over the table. So if you are looking for a new cutting table then I can recommend two Malm dressing table units and an mdf top, the drawers are ideal for all your sewing bits and bobs too.
My table and chairs were also an eBay find they were originally used in the kitchen but after the orangery was built and we knocked through the kitchen we bought another table and chairs (also on eBay) and I moved this set to my workroom.
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| It's not always this tidy I can assure you! |
My painted chairs are also from eBay, can you see a pattern emerging here! Their shabby chicness makes them good for photography props too.
Finally when we revamped the driveway and garden in 2010 I got a lovely new path to my workshop and a few weekends ago we added the slabs and moved the herb garden (the dogs were prone to peeing on the pots where they were before which isn't a nice thought when you want to add some mint or coriander to your cooking!)
I hope you have enjoyed my post about my workroom I would love to see some of your work spaces however big or small, tidy or messy (I'm definitely in the messy category!)so now I've shown you mine you can show me yours!!!
What a lovely haul with all those IKEA units. Will be such a joy to find craft supplies in them as opposed to the box rummage system I still have. And that chair is lovely too. Lucky you x
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy, thanks for the history of your workshed, what a lovely space, and how lucky with all your ebay purchases. I currently keep most of my yarns and finished knitted items in huge plastic storage boxes, and like you, I find its always the one at the bottom that I want to have a look in. You can see my workroom on FB in its current state, i.e. just moved in, but I'll keep a log on my blog of progress, although I wont be starting on it for a week or two. Joy xx
ReplyDeleteLovely workspace. The cushion looks lovely on the chair there - looks nothing in my workspace - oneday I will show you!!
ReplyDeleteJulie xxxxxxxxx (Minehead)
You certainly did well with your ebay finds.
ReplyDeleteI love your workroom :)
One point ..... does Paul have his own shed at the bottom of the garden? Buildings at the bottom of the garden are often considered to be a male refuge :P
What a brilliant story, love the Ikea units, I know what you mean about the plastic boxes, it's never the one at the top I forget whats in them too and often find a piece of fabric I forgot I bought, you really had a bargain with the units and tables, well done!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful workspace. Storage of my craft items is one of the main things I struggle with. All your followers will be envious of great space. Thanks also for the ideas about the malm tables. I work on our kitchen table and am constantly having to move things.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy crafty day.
Ali xx
You certainly know how to find an ebay bargain!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful.
ReplyDelete:o)
Brilliant!And all the better for all the bargains in there-Glad to see that I am not the only one who tries SO hard to be tidy but when sewing or crafting I seem to create more mess than creations!
ReplyDeleteWarm Wishes,
Callie x