Reader Space: A Creative Place to Craft

Oh My Lanta!

Today's reader is one you probably recognize, as the amazing Beckie from Infarrantly Creative, and if you haven't met her yet, your definitely gonna want to.  Her skills are incredible and jaw dropping.  In fact, my jaw is still glued to the floor and there is no sign that it is coming up any time soon.

Why you ask?  What made my jaw drop so freakishly fast?  Beckie designed and built herself a craft room.  Not just any craft room.  We are talking the most amazing craft room ever!  And when I say designed and built, I am not joking.  It was built from scratch.  That is what makes this space so inspiring.  Well, that and the organization is oh the hook.  Here she is now!

What is the main function of the space?

"The main function of this space is to serve as a place for me to create. Since I am a craft/DIY/home decor blogger I needed a place dedicated to just that in my home.  Its secondary purpose is a place for my kids and I to have craft days.  One of my goals for 2013 was to instill creativity into my kiddos.  Believe it or not, being creative doesn't translate into spending creative time with my kids.  I wanted that to change in 2013 and this space definitely has helped meet that goal."

Any superstar tips for keeping it organized?

"My main tip is everything has a dedicated place with a label attached to it.  When I get new supplies I immediately find a home for it.  I also have 1 cabinet that is unfilled so that helped that everything isn't jam packed in here.  Without a doubt my label maker was essential in organizing this room.  I purposely have my craft supplies hidden.  I was able to really use plastic bins and totes that work rather than worrying about it being pretty too.  I know I would have struggled with open shelving for that purpose.  Most of my bins have handles on the top also that makes for easy transport to craft nights."

What did you do to go the extra mile and "Make it Pretty"?

"Since this is the place that I spend most of the time it needed to be beautiful too.  After all the white cabinetry was in I was dying for color.  The IKEA curtains inspired the color pallet.  I loved that I went nontraditional in the color of my large craft table.  I also used fabrics for pillows and a sewing machine cover that added more vibrancy to the room.  And my gallery wall serves as a place of inspiration for me but also is pretty to look at."

What items did you DIY to stay on a budget?

"You can find a gallery of all of the projects here {DIY cabinets, DIY craft table, DIY rolling bookcase, DIY everything!} 

This was by far my most expensive home project to date.  But in order to do all I did would have cost me $15-$20K to hire it out.  By doing it myself I spent 1/4 of that.   While that still is a big chunk of change it is a place that I work in everyday and is functional in every way."


How has this space impacted your life for the better?

"I can't tell you how amazing I feel every time I walk past this room.  It is such a sense of empowerment to know that I built it with my own two hands.  But more importantly it has been a place that my kids and I have spent hours creating in.  I love that it has become the hub of our house with kids doing homework, coloring, reading books, and begging mommy to get out the paints.  It really is helping me to achieve my goals both professionally and personally with my kiddos.  I wish I would have done this 5 years ago!"

Oh yes indeed.  She built that space!  Can you believe it?  Or do we need to send out a team of jaw scrapers out all over the world?

Why do IHeart this space?  Let's count the ways... 

• This room was a blank slate and she turned it into the most beautiful and organized room to work, craft, create and be happy with her kids.  
• She built everything!  Those cabinets, seriously, how incredible are they?  Can we hand her some sort of award?
• The amount of concealed storage she added leaves me speechless!  It is beautiful and looks like a bajillion bucks!
• I love that she knew that open shelves would be too hard to manage and coming up with lots of pretty storage wouldn't be cost effective.  By concealing the cabinets and using inexpensive bins, she got the best of both worlds.
• Every bin is labeled.  That in itself is HUGE!  And I love that they have handles for easy transportation!
• Can we take a moment to swoon over that giant piece of fantastic furniture in the middle of the room?  Did you know she built and painted that too?  Crafting can take up soooo much space, and she absolutely has it now! 
• Beckie really thought about the little touches that make the space special as well.  Vibrant curtains, painted chair, hidden ironing board {behind that rolling bookcase!} and a craft caddy in the center of her work space.
• Her last comment always leaves my tummy full of butterflies and rainbows and flowers and gumdrops, "I can't tell you how amazing I feel every time I walk past this room.  It is such a sense of empowerment to know that I built it with my own two hands.  But more importantly it has been a place that my kids and I have spent hours creating in."  And that's what it's all about folks!
• Did I mention that she built this city craft space?

I wish I could go and chill and craft in this space in person.  It is simply magical!  For now, gazing at all of her photos and projects virtually will have to do.  You can snag the entire craft room reveal here.

What is the biggest DIY project you have ever taken on?  Does Beckie inspire you to whip out a saw and start building some storage too?

ATTENTION!!  Want to be featured in a Reader Space edition?  Have an awesome organizing story to share?  I am looking for projects that have made a positive impact to your life.  Please submit your story and photos here and I would heart to feature them right here, on the blog!!  Photos should be high resolution and unedited.  Please include a description of the project, including any costs, inspiration, and how it has changed your life and routine for the better!  Oh, and no worries my friends, we will NEVER judge "before" pictures because that just wouldn't be nice!  Only love goes on at this blog!