Well it's been one heck of a week around here at the Love Shack and I'm very happy to say...T.G.I.F.
I'm Lovin' It that it's Friday and that it's Sneak Peek Friday in the studio at (in)courage and that I can finally reveal my studio makeover with you. It's also Follow Friday for all of us 40 and Over bloggers! Remember the big HOT MESS that I had created when I decided to make-over my closet?
Well before I tore apart my IKEA desk so that I could use the bookcases in my closet...here is what my studio area looked like before...
AND...there was nothing wrong with my IKEA desk...REALLY...after all my studio was featured in the Winter 2010, Clothe, Paper, Scissors Studios magazine...you can download it here ;)
But when I fell in love with my inspiration photo with all the neat cubbies for my closet...my IKEA bookcases fit the bill. Now...I could have...just gone out and bought more bookcases, but the reality was I wanted a different desk.
I wanted a desk that didn't take up the entire space and would function better for me.
I'm a short person...I have short arms and legs...so I wanted a desk that I didn't have to stand up to reach everything in the back of the desk top. I wanted a desk that was low enough so that I didn't fall out of my chair every time I got up...can anyone else relate to my shortness?
So I found a local glass shop that cut down my original glass top from 36"x60" to 26"x52" so that it would fit on top of two of my metal filing cabinets...I so missed having my file cabinets ;)
Of course I love how metal file cabinets function...however...I don't like the way they look! So I'm always making fabric covers for my file cabinets and folding tables.
These covers I made over four years ago to cover a couple of file cabinets that were in the front office/den in our home in Mint Hill...you can see them tucked in the back of the room with the candlestick lamps on top. Since this room was right off the front entry, I really didn't want the metal cabinets to be seen ;)
Originally I had used velcro dots that I hand-sewed onto the fabric and then glued the opposite of the velcro dots to the metal file cabinets to hold the side panels neatly in place. BUT now I've added some ribbon ties to the panels and they are much easier to use and so much prettier...looks like a corset ;)
These file cabinets were in our storage unit and it took me all day yesterday to go over and dig them out and to PURGE all the extraneous papers that came along with them. Having the file cabinets for my desk has also enabled me to bring over all of my 8 1/2"x11" card-stock that stashed away in storage. It feels great now to have my space re-arranged and my supplies re-organized and to have room to move around. Behind my desk is my scrapbook album storage cabinet with my printer on top and next to it I've "stuck" my plant stand...don't worry it's not staying there...lol The two bowls on the bottom are filled with fabric scraps from my Little Dresses for Africa sewing projects and I want to incorporate them someday into a Remains of the Day art journal ;)
This is not the first time that I have combined fabric covered file cabinets and a glass top for a desk...
Over eight years ago, when I worked for a start-up company and we didn't have decent desks, I went out and bought a piece of glass from Pier One and made this fabric cover from upholstery fabric I got on sale. Then the company grew and got snooty and they didn't like my desk anymore so I brought it home and turned it into my then home studio. I raised the glass with some metal napkin rings (oh yeah...so cool ;) so that I could put my latest projects under the glass for inspiration...
Guess I'm not the ONLY one who hates the look of file cabinets...
The Nate Berkus Show: March 30th Episode: Regret-Proof Design
Be sure to check out the desk that Nate made in this episode as he helps a couple with a design plan for a shared office/man-cave space.
hmmmm....which came first...Roberta's or Nate's desk...lol
Not sure...but I do know one thing...T.G.I.F. because I need a break!
How about you...what are your plans for this weekend...rest or play?
Hope it's enjoyable! Fondly, Roberta
The file cabinets look great! Although they still need a little polishing. You can press down on the covers to eliminate the air bubbles that populate the surface.
Posted by: Jackson Gaydosh | October 25, 2011 at 01:08 PM
I have been revamping my office, too...
I was trying to figure out what to do with my filing cabinet- your idea is great!
Of course, my cabinet is a tall 4-drawer, so maybe I'll paint it....
-I'm sStill making my rounds from the Friday blog hops!
I would love for you to check out The Blogging Buddies Social Network...you can create a profile, and add your blog, Twitter and Facebook links in the appropriate groups.
We are hosting a week-long blog hop.
Why not join in the fun?
Carolee
Come on home - mom blog
Working at home advice
Posted by: carolee sperry a.k.a the blogging biz mom | May 03, 2011 at 12:35 PM
What a beautiful and inspiring space, thanks for sharing.
I found you via InCourage and I wanted to say hello.
Posted by: Katie | April 17, 2011 at 06:38 PM
I think you did it first (and better) than Nate...but I might be a little partial. I really need to clean off my desk, it looks like a HOT MESS. Really great ideas, thanks for sharing them.
Posted by: Cortney Lyon | April 10, 2011 at 09:33 PM
What a fantastic space!!! All that storage is incredible! :)
Posted by: Jodi | April 10, 2011 at 03:42 PM
Love your makeover! And I love the idea of fabric covers over filing cabinets. I can totally identify with being short. At 5'1", I was always on the bottom row of school pics! I clicked over to your Dresses For Africa post. I am always very encouraged to see others doing something for Africa. My husband and I work with Ten Thousand Homes, an organization the provides hope and homes to orphans. We lived in S. Africa for 3 years and we've in the states for a little over a year on a bit of a break. We're hoping to go back but we'll see what God says! The project is still going on over there. Have a great Sunday!
Posted by: Jen | April 10, 2011 at 11:58 AM
WOW! what wonderful pictures! I love all the storage, but the glass desk? SO COOL!
Posted by: Hilary - Feeling Beachie | April 10, 2011 at 09:44 AM
Wow! I so wish I had half the amount of cool storage you have. That is amazing. All the nooks and cubbies. Thank you for stopping by my blog. :)
Posted by: Bernie | April 10, 2011 at 09:30 AM
Hi Roberta, thanks for stopping by my blog and telling me about yourself! I love your blog! I will be reading...I struggle so with interior decorating ideas and after my daughter gets married this summer, I need a house redo...on a budget!! I will be back and I am glad to meet someone feelin' younger than their age!!!
Posted by: Pam @over50feeling40 | April 10, 2011 at 08:36 AM
Roberta, this is beautiful space and so inspiring! I am jealous {smile}. My kitchen is taken over...my 4 year old said tonight, "Where can I eat?" Thank you for your kindness on my blog . . . don't be intimidated...just inspired! You, too, are an inspiration!
love & grace,
jodi
Posted by: Jodene Shaw | April 10, 2011 at 12:16 AM
WOW!! Your space is amazing, fun and function together, I really like the black and white curtain on the shelves, very clever and as for the file cabinet covers, I think you may have a million dollar idea!! I know a lot of folks who would buy them, myself included. Thank for stopping by my blog today, I am following back and looking forward to more great ideas and inspirations.
Posted by: Coupon Queen | April 09, 2011 at 10:31 PM
What a wonderful space to create in! Thank you so much for the fantastic tour. I love that all of your shelving is black... all of the colors just pop from them! Beautiful! Congratulations on being in the Studios magazine... that is SO neat! So happy you joined us for 'studio sneak peek' on (in)courage this week. I would love to have you join us more... every Friday on my blog we get together for inspiration! :)
Posted by: Jennifer | April 09, 2011 at 09:37 PM
You are sooo creative!! The covers for your filing cabinets just blew me away-what a terrific idea! And love that you got the glass panel cut down (what are you planning do do with the other piece??) Very original- all of it and it's giving me plenty of ideas:) Thanks!
Posted by: Lucy | April 09, 2011 at 04:05 PM
Really like what you have done with the filing cabinets. So cool. By the way you aren't the only one with a shortness problem! ha ha. I am only 1.55m so that is pretty short! I also want to be able to sit at my desk and not have to stand or reach over for anything....will post pics sometime...Have a great weekend. I am sick, so staying in bed :(
Posted by: Bonnie | April 09, 2011 at 06:21 AM
Such a beautiful space. I see why you made your desk smaller. The fabric on your chair is gorgeous. Looks like a fun and happy space to create in. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: diana | April 09, 2011 at 03:02 AM
I like the Nate Berkus show...I use to watch it when we lived in NC..I can't get it here in MD...Makes me mad (good reason to come back to NC)
Anyhoo!!! I've always liked your glass desk-tops...No matter how you change it..it always looks fantastic!!!
Posted by: Denyse@Crazy Beautiful Life | April 08, 2011 at 10:51 PM
Hmmmmm, I N.E.V.E.R. - ever - thought about covering metal file cabinets with fabric! What a great idea, not to mention budget friendly! Love the new studio space, but I would have liked the old space too - sans shortness issues (smiling)...
Blessings on your weekend...I am cruising through the links at Studio JRU on (in)courage for my relaxing time!
Posted by: Cindy | April 08, 2011 at 09:09 PM