STUDIO
4. Imagine You’re a Starving Artist Have a creative bent? Give your supplies pride of place and focus on what you can create rather than what you lack in space. Let your art shine by using your brushes and pens as functional decor, pinning inspiring photos and artwork to the walls, and listening to music that fuels your creativity.
6. Pretend It’s a Vacation Rental We put up with all sorts of things on vacation — tiny and poorly stocked kitchens, weird showers, cramped bedrooms — surely your home is more pleasant than some vacation rentals! Buck up and overlook your home’s flaws in favor of noticing its good points. And if you’re in the mood for a little redecorating, imagine what small changes you would make if you were trying to make your home look appealing to potential vacationers. Ute Günther INNENARCHITEKTUR & DESIGN STUDIO
7. Consider using a garage, shed or outbuilding. Especially for those working with caustic materials or power tools, outside the main house can be the best place for your work. Be sure the room you are working in has adequate ventilation and keep any potentially dangerous materials in a locked cabinet.
8. Personalize a plain piece. Instead of letting that plain white or wood piece play a supporting role, turn it into something special with a creative touch. Customize a plain table by having a piece of glass cut to fit the top and using it to display a beautiful printed wallpaper, fabric or even gift wrap. Paint the legs of a stool, cover the back of a bookcase in grass cloth or burlap, or line your drawers with pretty paper. Melltorp Dining Table - $69.99 2
9. Keep artistically inspiring props at hand. Be on the lookout every day for objects and materials that inspire you, and give these items pride of place in your home studio. When your well of inspiration is running dry, just looking at your special collections could spark a new idea or project. 10 Rut Busters to Bring Back Creativity
10. Include space for displaying your work. Keep a record of your work and get inspired for further explorations by displaying your art. A long picture rail is wonderful for propping up artwork. A magnetic rail or picture wire is great for quickly clipping up works in progress, along with other bits and bobs of inspiration.
11. Keep your dream (space) alive. Just because you may have to make do for now with that basement studio or closet craft space, it might not always be that way! Keep an inspiration file of ideas for your dream space, and take small steps to realize that dream. That could mean saving up for a space you purchase, of course, but that is not the only solution — sharing space with other creatives can allow you to get more room than you could otherwise manage on your own.
FEED CREATIVE SOUL. KEEP MEDIUMS WHERE EASILY USED. DISPLAY FAV TREASURES, TACK UP PICS THAT INSPIRE. PLAY MUSIC. INVITE FRIENDS, SHOW ENJOY BEAUTIFULLY IMPERFECT HOME. If you want your home to feel creative … Fill with things that feed your creative soul. Keep art materials out where easily used, display favorite treasures, tack up pics that inspire. Play music you love, invite friends over (even if your house isn’t clean) and set an example by showing you are enjoying making the most of your beautifully imperfect home.
LAMP, FUNNY BIRD, BUS, ANTELOPE
ONE WOULD BE GREAT FOR EACH MEDIAUM: WATERCOLOR, OIL, ACRYLIC, INK, PASTEL, PENCIL, COLLAGE,
TRUNK WOULD BE GOOD STORAGE TOO - PHOTOS
DO COLLAGE OF REFLECTIVE TAPE
SHELF TOO LOW, COMPUTER HITS IT
NOTE: FAV FABRIC SCARF
GREAT PLACE FOR SPRAYERS
Tell us: Do you live in a small space? What helps you deal? Share a photo in the Comments.
An antique French farm table is the perfect place to do puzzles and artwork.
3. Consider the light. Most artists agree that good natural light is highly coveted in a workspace. But the fact is, not all of us can control the quality of light in the space we have to work with, or, for that matter, the time of day we have available to make art. If you find yourself with less-than-ideal natural light, focus your efforts on the lighting you can bring in to make the most of your space. A mix of overhead and task lighting will give the best coverage; experiment to see how different bulbs affect your work.
GLASS TOP TABLE
LIGHT
Nice and narrow. Floating shelves and a narrow desk allow this space to be discreet but eye catching at the same time. The assortment of frames lends a casual feel.
Get personal. Personalize your office with items that mean something to you. Quirky cushions, framed prints — decorate to your heart’s content. Decorate With Intention: Get Your Home Office Right
The Cure for Houzz Envy"; home office touches anyone can do. HOME OFFICE ENVY - Splurge on a good chair. You don’t have to buy an ugly task chair — there are plenty of stylish and ergonomic choices out there.
B. Float your desk. Don’t shove yourself up against a wall if you don’t have to; take advantage of a view out the window or out into the room. If you find you like this view, consider having an electrician install outlets in the floor so you don’t trip over cords.
C. (PUT PRINTER IN BOOK SHELF) Hide unsightly electronics. Printers, fax machines, scanners etc. are not pretty. Try to tuck them into a credenza or cabinets, or stash them on out-of-the-way shelves so you aren’t looking at a pile of electronics all the time. This is especially important if you have a workspace that doubles as a guest room.
E. Pick energizing colors. Accent walls, bold-colored furniture and cheerful window treatments will draw you in so you’ll get your work done.
F. Grab space wherever you can. If your home does not have a separate office, steal a few square feet from somewhere. This can be under the stairs or in a bedroom, guest room, kitchen, basement or hallway.
H. Stash one in the bedroom. To keep that bedroom desk from sticking out like a sore thumb, make sure it blends with the room’s decor. Make it look less office-like by choosing a pretty table lamp instead of a typical task lamp. If you must leave out papers, keep them in a neat stack that won’t disturb you when work time is over.
Hijack a corner in front of a window.
J. Turn your closet into an office. Learn more here
J. Baskets and boxes can play a big part in enhancing the space and keeping everything you need corralled close at hand. You’ll shred your hands a bit putting them together (I speak from experience here), but the Kassett boxes and magazine holders from Ikea are some of the most attractive and reasonably priced organizers out there. You can also cover plain cardboard boxes with pretty paper or even get clever with decoupage.
K. Use little details for a big difference. The flower magnets on this inspiration board and the boat cleats used as drawer pulls are easy and inexpensive, and made this workspace personal.
M. Mix up your books, binders and objects. Try something new: Wrap binders with scrap fabric or handmade paper. Stack books horizontally instead of vertically. Place personal framed photos or objects among your work items.
N. Add a paperweight you love. Make that stack of papers you need to deal with look less daunting by placing a favorite object on top. Use a favorite paperweight, rock, shell, saucer, enjoy it!
Use chalkboard paint. This makes to-do lists and reminders fun. And as you accomplish tasks, you can have the satisfaction of crossing them off or erasing them. You can also take doodling breaks that will make you feel like a kid again. Thanks to the comments I received from Houzzers on my chalkboard wall art ideabook, I now know there are dust-FREE chalks and chalkboard pens that avoid dusty messes.
Copper pots. If you’ve got ’em, hang ’em! Copper adds a wonderful patina and shine to a kitchen. You can also incorporate this material by adding a hammered-copper bucket or smaller copper utensil canisters.
STUDIO – ART these spaces inspire, enlighten and allow their inhabitants to experience their most creative and best selves. patio into a space in which to paint and make artwork 1. Size: 260 square feet White and Light-Washed Painting Studio Location: Enclosed patio What it’s used for: Painting and making other art pieces Studio essential: Natural light and storage to keep the space free of clutterraw concrete floors 2. taller ceiling with beadboard in cool colors reminiscent of her art, 3. plenty of natural light 4. views of her garden 5. good task lighting, 6. a LG work surface, 7. good speakers for music, 8. a floor you won’t worry about messing up with paint, 9. space for hanging up and looking at your work. 10. storage to keep clutter free Size: 77 square feet Location: Across the terrace from the main house What it’s used for: Painting; storing tools Studio essential: Distance from daily life so that it feels remote and special 1. isn’t big on purpose, so that I can’t be tempted to fill it up with junk 2. large sliding door makes it easy to move things in and out. 3. charred cedar siding 4. translucent polycarbonate roof to take in the northern light. 5. framing is...
Special case: ART STUFF’ stuff. When a room is overflowing with stuff, it’s hard to focus on any one thing, and pretty soon all of those lovingly chosen SUPPLIES become just part of the mess. Setting space constraints is a smart way to handle this situation. Dedicate certain shelves, plus perhaps a closet (for MEDIUM not currently being used in the rotation) for your belongings, and keep it at that. When a bin or shelf begins to overflow, or you notice that stuff is piling up on the floor (because it has nowhere else to go), take that as a cue to give something away.
Galvanized tubs and buckets can help ease the transition from the nursery to the big kid’s room. Plus, they’re a cool alternative to toy chests and virtually unbreakable.
Use a milk jug as an umbrella stand OR FOR CANVAS ROLLS. Seeing as I’m currently using a wrought iron umbrella stand to hide tissue rolls in my guest bath, I fully support this effort to showcase umbrellas — and creativity.
GENI & PICS Using a wagon as a bookcase will inspire even the most unenthusiastic reader. Vintage styles would add a sense of whimsy to your playroom, but a standard Radio Flyer would work just as well.
Simply Organized Consulting SaveEmail A hanging shoe organizer provides easy access to those odds and ends that would otherwise swamp a junk drawer. Hang one over your pantry door for a self-serve snack station
A 2ND TP ROLL HOLDER, OR BAG A woven tote bag can double as an unassuming magazine holder and can be hung on a hook or propped against a wall.
Spice racks can hold more than spices. These ones from Ikea were painted orange and put to work in a child’s bedroom. W FLOPPPY BLACK BUNNY AND PINK BEAR
An industrial toolbox provides a space-saving home for ART - office supplies here.
TELL US: What would your ideal art space look like? What would you do there? 1. Envision an inspiring space. Take a moment to daydream about your ideal art space. Even if that ultimate loft with floor-to-ceiling windows is beyond reach, see if there are a few details you can make a reality. Paint the walls your favorite color, string up wires for hanging inspiration items and make the most of the space that you do have. If light is what you crave, see if you can rearrange furniture or even swap rooms to position your art space by the best window.
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