The “other side” of my basement is really my work side. I don’t shoot down here but this is where I meet with clients and show them their images (with a fancy new projector). I love the space!
This was that same view before:
Besides the couch the biggest change is the skirt around my drafting table (which I use for cutting fabric/displaying photographs and albums).
This was my mom’s idea and it makes such a huge difference! This way I can actually store stuff under there as well. I had hoped to make it detachable, but I couldn’t get the velcro to stay as straight as I wanted, so it got stapled on.
Behind it you can see my scrap bin, a big basket of projects, a little train case full of notions and a table I repurposed to keep some sewing stuff nearby (the machine is a dehumidifier). What you can’t see is a laundry basket I keep ready to go for newborns, it makes it easy to grab the blankets and heaters and things. If you turn around behind this area you see this:
A built in full of my fabric stash that I try to keep neat (key word is try). The small closet to the left of this has a sump pump for the washing machine and utility sink on the other side of it. I’ve managed to cram an ironing board in there as well.
Of course the real reason I did this all was to have a place to show photographs. I love the in person experience, most of all so I can see my client’s reactions! I have a little command center by the couch that controls everything.
You can see it in this picture (I blogged about the “play” side of things here). That little mobile laptop stand is from Ikea, as are the table and chairs. The table is actually a cheap wooden dining room table. Bj cut it down for me and I spray painted it. I left it semi tall because it’s also a project table for Tuesday. And even though this is a basement it still gets a lot of light in the afternoon.
This is without any lights on. Tuesday and I can still play down here and it’s so nice and calm.
Of course we were lucky to get some afternoon light this day, it has been raining a ton over here!
Not much new stuff to list here.
The couch, lampshade, table and chairs, and fabric for table skirt all from Ikea.
The rolling bin is a set of Community Playthings unit blocks.
Lamp is a vintage estate sale find and the drafting table was my grandfathers. My brother had it revamped for me.
I’m envisioning cutting fabric at this table and Tuesday happily coloring at the table, or brewing up some tea. Right now she’s pretty obsessed with the swing, so until she figures out how to move it on her own I’m on pushing duty, which is just fine with me.
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Celebrating crafts, kids and the everyday through photographs.
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Celebrating crafts, kids and the everyday through photographs.
Joining in on Amanda’s this moment project. A moment from the last week. A slice of life.
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Celebrating crafts, kids and the everyday through photographs.
Ok, I still have a project for the back wall, but I want to share this side of the basement as it stands now:
And here is the before:
(from a little further back). If only you could see the sweat and tears in those flor tiles, they look exactly the same!
Because I am bringing clients down here I wanted to keep this space clean and open (I meet with clients on the other side). I also wanted something low to divide the space so I could still see Tuesday playing from the other side, where I also cut fabric and craft.
We decided to invest in some Community Playthings furniture and I love it! It’s meant for pre-schools so I’m sure it can take whatever we dish out. On this side we have “fancy” blocks, baby toys (for our littlest friends), mini unit blocks, and a toy vehicles. Above that a puzzle, some felt scraps for a board, and old type letter. The top baskets have play silks, bristle blocks, and dress up stuff (she’s not really that into it yet though).
This middle island is actually four units so I chose to have this side have larger openings. We have musical instruments (in a basket given to us by our favorite musicians!), a doggie from her aunt and uncle, some more puzzles (where did that blue bead go?!?!). The mini ironing board I scored at an estate sale and it’s just a board meant for sleeves and stuff. Then some wooden food.
My friend Kristen’s husband scored me these big drawers. My brother made me a top for Christmas and I stained it recently to match the desk (I still had the stain from refinishing that, I was surprised it lasted so long). They hold studio samples, framing supplies (I just frame my personal stuff myself), cardboard and big pieces of paper for art projects, and fat quarters of fabric.I’m sewing over here too, my laptop (for hooking to the projector) is hidden away unless I have clients. The lamp I’ve had stashed for a while (I feel like I should paint it?) and the Ikea lampshade is held on with sticky tack and wire. The only thing I’m not crazy about is the chair.
Tuesday is not the only one in love with this space. I love that I can have her friends over and we can be loud down here (it’s tough when Bj has calls during the day to keep the volume at an appropriate level, you know how toddlers like to squeal with joy). The castle silk did get pulled down after the first time I put it up. Man tying fishing line is hard. Bj got some super tough stuff and did a tricky knot. He told me I could hang from it now, but I’m just going to take his word for it.
I want to say that I was super inspired by Meg from Sew Liberated. She recently did a playroom for her boys that you should really look at.
Sources:
-kitchen and fridge: Camden Rose from Palumba We relocated this from upstairs.
-shopping cart: garage sale find by my brother and Kat ($1!!) Her little friend in there is a Bamboletta named Apple (appie)
-for details on the silk see this post
-rug is from Ikea, as is the rocking moose (a shower gift from my Canadian friends) and baskets in the shelves
-my “office” area was all thrifted or gifts
-library book rack, and Montessori shelving from Community Playthings. This is also where we got our unit blocks (not pictured) and mini unit blocks.
I am so happy and thankful for this space. For space to display my work (the largest canvas in that grouping is a 30×40 and so awesome!). I’m thankful that I have a brother with great ideas, like the wooden top, and spray painting the dimpled plastic (what a difference). I love that Bj noticed the little things, like the fact that our one vent was all beat up and brown, and then went right out to fix it (even though it involved more tools and swearing than he thought it would). I’m thankful for friends that find me good deals and give me cool stuff. And friends and family who like to hang out with Tuesday while I repaint everything.
Basements rule.
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