Creative Chaos. Simply organized.

 

We have this slightly useless room in the very front of our home.  I suppose it's designed to be a sort of den, or small TV room, but it's hard to know for sure, and the layout size makes it rather awkward.  In fact, when we had our house on the market, one relator complained, "This room doesn't have a clearly established purpose."  The truth is, we've used this room for many purposes over the years, including a school room, but over the past year, it's become kind of a creative space/studio for me.  (And I love it.)  I've slowly been turning it into useful space, by making small, affordable changes here and there, such as purchasing an old wooden cupboard that houses all of my paints, tools, fabric and other creative items.  I also had my brother make me a desk, and that's been my favorite thing to date.  Until today. 

 Today, I completed this wall mounted wrapping station because did you know how much these babies cost if you actually buy them?!  They are crazy expensive.  My goal was to use materials I already had, and purchase the least amount of items to make this wall come together. (I spent about $20.00)

Since we had recently added bead board to our kitchen cupboards, there were a few odd sized chunks in my garage and one of them was the perfect size for this little project.  I painted Sherwin Williams "Fawn Brindle" all over the bead board.  It's a soft grey-brown color that's both clean and neutral. (If you don't happen to have a leftover piece of bead board hanging about your garage, you could also use a 1/4" plywood slab for this.  About $7.00 at Lowes.)

 For the frame, I used the wood trim that once adorned the back splash area, above my kitchen counters.  (Waste not, want not.)  Adrain cut it all up for me, and then I used liquid nails to put everything together, fitting things into place, like a puzzle.  (I love liquid nails.  The dowels were a Lowe's purchase, and cost about $1.50 each.  The brackets holding them were sold in a two pack for about $3.00 at Lowe's.)

 

I already had these adorable little buckets that hold my pencils and things, from a Pottery Barn splurge a few years ago.  We previously used them for homeschooling.  The hooks that hold them came from Ikea. 

There is something so relaxing about having a place for everything, after juggling chaos and awkward items that don't seem to fit into drawers and cupboards. 

I almost forgot to mention the little shelf to the left.  I was able to get that at Michaels with a 50% off coupon not too long ago, before I really had much of a plan for the rest of my items. 

 I was so happy to be able to use it!  Mainly, I'm thrilled to have a clutter free workspace again.  I'll be temporarily closing up my Etsy shop tomorrow, but will be reopening it around Sept 1st.  (I also have a wait list for custom orders and things like that going right now in case you know you want something.)

Doesn't organization feel good? It makes me feel like going through all the closets and tackling those next!

What have you organized lately?