Tuesday, April 13, 2010

A Place of Rest--Part 1

If you looked at the mess I had for a craft area a month ago, you’d say it was a far cry from rest. (I call it an “area” because we have our finished attic divided with bookshelves rather than walls apart from the guest room and bath—so one side of my craft area is open for everyone to see.) Not only had I never gotten things truly organized, it got out of control during the process of making and finishing the guest room wall. 

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The first step in attacking the chaos was finishing my new craft area table.  We bought 2 of the 19.99 Euro EXPEDIT bookcases from IKEA that matched a bigger piece we’d bought a few years back for the “legs” of the table. We used a cheap MDF door for the table top. My husband originally thought I’d paint it, but I liked the MDF color. I would need to put a coat of polyurethane to help it be cleanable. To give it a creative edge literally, I chose some of my favorite scrapbook paper to cover the edge of the door.

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After cutting the pieces to size, I tore one edge of each paper so the pieces might flow together a little easier. I used decoupage glue (because I had it on hand) to attach the pieces to the door edge. Next, I painted 3-4 layers of polyurethane on the top of the “table” and over the papered edge. Several things I learned:

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1. The glue discolored/kept the polyurethane from “coloring”the table top where I accidently dropped some. You can see this with my first coat of polyurethane, left lower corner of the table…live and learn.

2. I painted the polyurethane in different directions for each coat to attempt to not have the striped look you see above.

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3. Hot glue takes the coating off. That happens with lots of surfaces though right? My fault for not being more careful!

4. The sun from my roof window is fading patterns on the top now from whatever sits on it.  Not sure what I could do differently for that—get a window shade?

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5. The door on top of the bookshelves made the table a little too tall for the chair I had been using. Thankfully we found a cheap matching office chair that raised a bit higher.

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Despite all this I’m really pleased with the table and the cleaner look of my craft area.  I’ve spent my time since getting the wall decorated and organizing the other sides you don’t see. I’ll save the details for part 2 next week!

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I’m sharing this at the following parties:

Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative

Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays at New Nostalgia

Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design

Make it Yours Day at My Backyard Eden

Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture Feature Friday

Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest

Weekend Wrap-Up Party at Tatertots and Jello

23 comments:

  1. that finished product looks GREAT! Very good job. I've found with most projects there are all kinds of live and learn moments (I had a few of them with building my garden boxes last week!) Looking at your last photo, you'd never know there were bumps in the road on the way to get there!
    Thanks for linking up to "Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays!"

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  2. This is so cute! I love those bookshelves and how you got creative with making the door look like it belonged there. Awesome job!

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  3. so cute! I am in desperate need of one of these! I'd love for you to link it up over at iheartnaptime.blogspot.com

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  4. I LOVE the idea of using paper you love around the desk top... there to enjoy each time you sit there.

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  5. So nice to have a big area to work on...and a pretty one too!

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  6. I love that and would kill for an area like that--Great job!

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  7. This turned out great!

    I would love it if you joined my "Saturday is Crafty Day" party on April 24th! Stop by my blog for details.

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  8. I love it and I love the stuff you hung on the wall above too! For the window you could get two tension rods and a sheer fabric or panel {adjusting it to your window size, of course} and use that to help shade the area. Tension rod at top and one at bottom and keep the fabric taut.

    Visiting from Make It Yours Day! : )

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  9. I love your new craft space! How wonderful that you have a lovely skylight and all of that natural light, even if it is fading your table.

    Thanks for linking up to Make it Yours day!

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  10. Visiting from Show and Tell. What a cute idea. Love it.

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  11. Lovely space - I particularly like how the things on the wall follow the slope down.

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  12. Wow, this is so pretty and organised!
    I popped over from The Girl Creative.

    The fact that you live in Portugal caught my eye and run retreats for missionaries. I will have to keep that on file. Take care. Have a blessed day. xxx

    <")>><

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  13. WOW...this is such a neat idea...luv the outcome! Hope you have a FUN weekend:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

    I’m having a GIVEAWAY…come by and check it out…I think you will like it!

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  14. I adore the skylight , great transformation ! You have a wonderful room to create in !
    Eunice
    The Little Things

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  15. Great idea with the paper strips. Looks super!

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  16. Great job! Can you make one for me? I desperately need a craft area!!!

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  17. This is great! I would love for my crafty area to look this fabulous! Thanks for stopping by today!

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  18. Amazing transformation! I think the scrapbook paper around the edge is a really nice touch.

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  19. That is so cute! I love your work space!

    XOOX
    Jen

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  20. What a great work space and a hard working piece of furniture. Awesome job!

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  21. Love your work desk...where did you get the shelves you used as support?

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  22. We recently moved and my daughter and I are itching to set up our sewing/craft area. You have inspired me with yours.
    How high are those bookcases you got from IKEA? Are they desk height?

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