Today I thought I'd address the furnishings in Chrystelle's craft room. Above is a drawing of the way it's laid out today. Since Chrystelle e-mailed the first time she drafted her husband in to make some changes and below I'll give my two cents on the layout and some additions and alterations she might want to consider.
The layout stays mostly the same because we want to to take advantage of the daylight from the window and because those three open shelves which I gave advice on the other day are fine where they are. Also the built in closet (which I will deal with in a separate post) obviously won't go anywhere else and there's just enough space inside of the door for the dresser which not only is pretty but also practical storage space.
The main thing I think would do with some change would be the work space. There's just not enough of it considering all the work Chrystelle does in there.
This is how the computer desk started out. Very cute desk but way too small and unpractical.
This desk will look awesome somewhere else in Chrystelle's house I'm sure. I imagine it in a hallway, a space to sort mail (with a recycling basket underneath) and where Chrystelle and husband William can each use a drawer to empty their pockets into at the end of the day (and find the contents each morning!).
A vase with flowers, a piece of William's art over it (both Chrystelle and her husband are artists) ... you get the picture.
The computer has been moved since and it now sits on a table by the doorway. Much better but I believe it can still be improved on. I'd move the computer away from there and use the table as a cutting table for quilting and sewing. Chrystelle used to use a table like that but because of the low sitting height it wasn't practical because you want to stand when cutting. I was sure I'd seen table raisers somewhere and after googling I found this post which seems to solve the problem at a fraction of the cost of buying a taller table.
I'd probably use the table for paper crafts too because I like to move around when doing them.
Here's a view of the window wall version #1 with sewing machine and serger. It's obviously way to small.
Here's the same desk and what an improvement in terms of sorting and organizing! I still feel there's not adequate workspace though.
I suggest building a simple work top along the length of the window wall using simple materials such as MDF or laminate.The desk top can rest on timber supports along the walls but will also need at least one leg support at the closet end and possibly one more. The corner is rounded so there's easy access to the closet to the right too. If using laminate there are laminate strips you can iron on the raw edges after cutting to make them smooth and pro looking.
I'd use the desk for the TV which now sits on a separate little drawer unit, for the computer and for the sewing machine and serger. The sewing machine and serger can be shoved toward the back of the desk when not in use. I've added soft pads to the bottom of my sewing machine so it glides better.
There may be comments on the computer and sewing machine living in the same space and one getting dusty from the other but I still think this will be a better solution than before. Chrystelle can sew a little cover for the computer if she wants to cover it when doing a lot of sewing. You know like those typewriters used to have. Very Mad Men :)
That's it for part II in organizing Chrystelle's craft room. More to come. Any other suggestions for her?
