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kswl3

Art Studio in Progress

2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago

As it became obvious that our basement renovation will take far longer than anticipated (foundation cracks, radon testing, many etcetera) I decided to take over one of the spare bedrooms on the main level as my ”temporary” studio. I had art supplies stashed all over the house and just collecting them all to set up at the kitchen island was a real process. So I fixed up a painting go bag and found myself going into town or to the amenity center here on open studio days just to finish things. Not really convenient— or even possible at night.

Anyway, from the time I the idea last Sunday to today (Saturday) I ordered a drafting table from Ikea and storage for my supplies, had a local charity pick up two complete twin beds, and put together four items of furniture myself with a fe w paper cuts (from waving instructions around threateningly) and many swear words that do not normally pass my lips.









Wicker lamp originally intended for the back porch, waiting for the nice blue and white shade (this one’s from Walmart).





I still need to move the mirror over to the left and am waiting on a light blue ceramic garden stool (also originally intended for the porch) to put next to my big comfy chair and decide what to do about the carpet. I may take down the pressed hydrangeas or just move them over so they are centered over the table.


I still have all the photographs that were in the room on this highboy. I will probably relocate some and reframe others. I also have a new mushroom style light green floor lamp coming for behind the big chair. If I like it I’ll order a similar table lamp and let the wicker one chair go back to the porch.

Comments (23)

  • 2 months ago

    Much envy here! I love that you are able to make a dedicated space for your artistic inspirations. Wish I had done something similar decades ago, instead of giving up. Not that I am totally failing to attempt any artistic efforts, but just the thought of getting supplies in order & finding space that would be handy makes me just want to take a nap, lol.


    But Grandma Moses didn't lift a paint brush until she was 70, and look what happened for her! Might I entertain beginning again at 80? LOLOL. Ah, pipe dreams...

    Kswl thanked roxanna
  • 2 months ago

    Eighty is NOT too old for anything — one of my fave golf buddies just shot her personal best golf game st age 85! For me the intensity of creating something is a kind of a relaxation—of the executive function.


    While I have been painting in oils and acrylics for years, I just started painting in watercolor last summer. Nearly three weeks of daily instruction and practice on the Queen Mary and I was hooked! I’m still using other media (taking a n acrylic class next month to do a portrait of our dog!) but watercolor is now 90% of my focus in art. Honestly I was afraid that if I did not devote some physical space to this endeavor I would not give it the mental space it deserves.

  • 2 months ago

    What great natural light your studio has! It is already looking great.

    Kswl thanked roarah
  • 2 months ago

    Yes the light is fantastic! This is the view

    And this is one of the Flor carpet tiles I am looking at

    Shown here in a kids’ playroom😎

  • 2 months ago

    What a great and useful studio! I especially love that you added the chair and ottoman, looks so cozy.

    Kswl thanked Jilly
  • 2 months ago

    Such a pleasant space!

    Kswl thanked sas95
  • 2 months ago
    last modified: 2 months ago

    I was not thinking comfy chair relaxation but it sort of hit me that I would have room for it when i saw this chair on the ikea website. I assembled the drafting table, chair and ottoman and both storage csbinets (all drawers) by myself 😇

  • 2 months ago

    Just the thought of assembling any Ikea piece makes me want to go on vacation. I admire your willingness to take on the task.

    Kswl thanked Fun2BHere
  • 2 months ago

    Do you need carpet or is it to prevent paint stains. The present carpeting is a nice neutral.

    Kswl thanked roarah
  • 2 months ago

    The Flor carpet is 18” x 18” tiles tiles, easily changed if one is ruined. i’m also looking for a little lighter look. The stripes are very busy so I probably would not use that exact pattern, it’s more the feel I like.

  • 2 months ago

    It will look splendid!

    Kswl thanked roarah
  • 2 months ago

    It looks amazing KSWL! What a perfect creative space you’ve put together in a blink of an eye.

    Kswl thanked Irish2
  • 2 months ago

    Very nice! Really like the lamp and the pressed hydrangeas.

    Putting together furnitire is awful. I feel for you there!


    Kswl thanked sheeisback
  • 2 months ago

    Brava! Highest and best use of a spare room for you! I have always wanted to use FLOR but it was never the right thing somehow.


    Can you do a wall of corkboard over your drafting table?

    Kswl thanked mtnrdredux_gw
  • 2 months ago

    I love watercolor paintings - I've enjoyed seeing the little cards that you've posted from time to time. The light in that room is very nice. Now that you have set up that space, I hope you share more of your art with us!


    I've never bought anything from IKEA - however, I've heard that the instructions are all pictures (no words) - and a bit frustrating. Congrats on getting your pieces constructed. I know someone who has that storage piece (she liked it so much that she's purchased a few more of them for her craft room).

    Kswl thanked dani_m08
  • 2 months ago

    pssst, i love assembling Ikea furniture

    Kswl thanked mtnrdredux_gw
  • 2 months ago
    last modified: 2 months ago

    Thank you everyone for the positive feedback! I am absurdly pleased 🥳

    Mtn I considered a cork board but the table is too wide to reach easily so it wouldn’t be a good use of space. Looking at options for something more colorful! adding.…..where where you Thursday and Friday?????

  • 2 months ago

    Loving your new studio space! And you worked at "Sue" speed to put it all together. No notes.

    Kswl thanked rubyclaire
  • 2 months ago

    Love it! We put a chair and ottoman in our office room. It's a nice spot to read, etc.

    The only thing I might change is the flooring. What flooring is in your other main rooms? When we built, I made the mistake of putting hardwood in the main rooms (dining, great room, master bedroom, hallway, foyer) but carpeted the other two bedrooms. It wasn't long until we wanted the carpet gone and the hardwood continued into those rooms. Easy to maintain and if you were worried about spills, you could use an inexpensive rug until you move your studio downstairs. Just an idea. (PS - corkboard is a good idea!)

    Kswl thanked Tina Marie
  • 2 months ago

    Love it! I suspect this could double as a craft room when the grands visit? If so, the Flor is essential. Or will this be solely your room?

    Kswl thanked Feathers11
  • 2 months ago

    Nothing is solely mine in this world, lol. The grands will def be in here!


    I do plan to change the flooring if I am here a year or more. Or if I find something great. Unfortunately the exact wood flooring in the rest of the house is no longer available and I think attempts to match a new floor to an old are rarely successful. We have another bedroom just across the hall from this one that is also in shades of blue, so if I change this room I will change that one with the same stuff.


    I could never rival Sueb for speed— what took me a week would probably take her 48 hours! My saving grace was that as soon as I emailed a request to the women’s shelter thrift store for a pickup they came the very next day, and the furniture was also delivered that day. A confluence of good luck!

  • 2 months ago
    last modified: 2 months ago

    Floor lamp from Amazin is amazing, it gives just the right amount of light right where i I want it, and it’s cute and green.


    And hot off the production line today, a nice basket of apples and autumn colored flowers. I will undoubtedly use both for upcoming autumn birthdays