11.1.12

Studio changeover


In a moment of brief madness, I looked at this corner last night and decided to Do Something About It. It looks fine at a glance, but there is a problem; where I used to have easy access to some of my favourite source and reference books, my way is now blocked by a tower of two printers, with two large vintage chocolate boxes on top.



I have crammed this room with almost as much stuff as it will take, without the central beam underneath the floor collapsing. That beam has held this little place together for over two hundred years, but I don't think it's ever had a load as big as this. However, there was all this wall space behind me, taken up by a large notice board which I barely use -




About an hour later, it got to that stage where you wonder why on earth you ever started and sob quietly in a corner hoping it will go away.



But we got there, eventually and I squeezed a little more book space up that wall - room for my lovely new Christmas books, as well as my old darlings, now easily to hand.



(I am sure there are people like me who click on photos to have a closer look at titles)





And I even had enough space over to hang one of my own artworks up - now that IS a novelty!






18 comments:

rachel said...

Well done, you! There must be something in the air that is getting us all to have a good tidy up.

Jess said...

I'd love to have a look through your lovely books. I'd be happy for days...weeks..months..um..;o)
Jess xx

Anonymous said...

No matter how often I tidy the studio, I still end up with a pile of stuff on the ironing board, which then has to be moved when I want to iron fabric, ress pstchwork seams etc!

Charlotte said...

Wow, sometimes a good tidy does the soul good. And yes I did enjoy browsing your shelves for titles old and new.
;-P

Nancy said...

My area is such a mess. I'm afraid if I clean it I won't find anything.

You are so good to have rearranged things - highly practical. I've been eying my pile thinking to shape it up. I start but get sidetracked into books and odd bits of flotsam. Bravo! (And yes, I looked at your books).

PS if there is even an odd american book you are looking for let me know. I might be able to look for it at our stores here in town.

Dartford Warbler said...

A worthwhile job. It looks great !

I need to attack the piles of books in the living room here.......

Frances Tyrrell said...

"that stage where you wonder why on earth you ever started" - YES! Awful while it lasts (chocolate helps), it is worth the results. I like your elegantly bustled lady in the frame, she deserves that cleared wall space!

BumbleVee said...

You have strategic book piling down to a fine art... my corner is a wreck and I don't even have one book in it.... mine is just ...er....stuff..... I must just chuck most of it...and make space to play....

Caroline B said...

Now can you come and sort out my heaps, because I just can't face it!
Job well done - yes I did pore through your book titles, I too would be happy reading for weeks with that lot!

Marzenciuk said...

Wow! I wish to have such place in my house. My craft things are always a mess, but I also know were they are :)

ted and bunny said...

I'm having a mammoth declutter here too- definitely something in the air.
I love your studio.

Unfortunately my "me" room gets damp in the winter so everything has to be moved away from the walls which makes for an interesting balancing act-literally!

xx

Trailshome said...

Good Job! You sure are using every inch of your space. It's wonderful to be able to get at those necessary books when you need them.

Every time I do something like that, I feel like I've gained a bit of space in my brain for more organized thoughts to peek in.

Kim said...

Wow! Your space looks so interesting!!! I'm fairly new to your blog and am wondering if this is where you create? I ask because I have a room yet find myself on a chair in the livingroom...I'm always hauling my stuff from one end of the house to the other...

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

Uh....you should see my studio....it's a disgrace!!!

Fabric everywhere...stencils, paints, linens and thread...knee deep.

Come help me put it in order Gretel!!!!

janet xox

Frances said...

Gretel, I was smiling as I read through this post, thinking about just what an undergoing it is to try some sort of radical refit of any vintage, comfy stacking/storage situation.

I managed a minor version of my own hereabouts, and think that I can just about see the improvement.

May I ask...what sort of bulb do you use in that big clip on lamp? In these dark January days, I am very aware of not having enough light to properly see colors...day and night.

xo

Rowan said...

You've done well and it looks great now, you always reach that 'darkest hour is just before the dawn' point with major sort outs:)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderfully creative space. I have a terrible urge to not only read the book titles, but run my fingers over the spines as I do so ... *sigh* ...

The BUTT'RY and BOOK'RY said...

All I can say (in a BIG LOUD entusiatic voice)
"I LOVE THIS ROOM"!!
~~~~~~~~~~
Blessings and HUGS, Linnie


PS "I LOVE THIS ROOM"!!
Heeee