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The loft, sewing room, office, or studio...I don't know what to call it....

....but it's done and that's what matters. About two weeks ago Ben and I decided that it was time I had my own space for this growing pattern business. I have definitely grown out of the sewing-in-the-bedroom stage, and the walk-in closet sized office I have been using long ago spilled over into the living room. I can not even tell you how exciting it has been! Ben decided that the easiest solution would be to add a room in our attic. The thought of a little loft sewing room was more than I could handle! He estimated that it would take about ten days and he wasn't far off the mark! We worked every single day that he was not at the fire station framing, sanding, staining, painting, nailing.....you get the picture, I'm really sore, and here is the fruits of our labor! I can't even describe how much I love my new space! It is PERFECT! Ben is most definitely "The Man"! So let me give you a tour.... (click on the pictures to enlarge them) This is the little sitting area and the railing to the right is where the steps come up. For the last couple of mornings I have come up here to this little nook to read my Bible before the children are up...it's so wonderful! I think this may be my new nest!
This is the office side of the room. Ben built the desk and filing cabinet into the wall so that I wouldn't loose any floor space. Smart man. I painted all of the built in areas a faded red color by Martha Stewart. When I was trying to decide on the color I noticed that it was called "Vintage Ric-Rac. How perfect is that? The wall color looks white in these pictures but it is actually a pretty light turquoise color (Martha Stewart "Vintage Map").
This is a shot of the railing and the sewing section.
Here are my machines, built in bookshelves, and ironing board.
In this picture you can see the ceiling and lighting better. There is a chandelier in the center of the room and track lights on either side. The ceiling is made from metal roofing and it really brightens the room and gives the feel of an old tin roof. Ben is awesome.
This is my little cutting table, ahhh....a cutting table, no more sitting on the floor to cut fabrics!
And here is my built in printing station and filing cabinets. He thought of everything!
I looked at so many sewing rooms on the internet for inspiration and there were so many times that I couldn't understand the layout of the room by the pictures. That drives me nuts, I don't know why, so I added this little sketch for the other nuts out there. I also have lots of pictures of the process over HERE. So my only problem now is what to call it. I want to say sewing room but it doesn't seem to fit because it's an office too. Studio just sounds too uppity. LOL! It doesn't sound that way when other people say it about their rooms, but when I say it I feel like it's too uppity. I like loft, but does that sound too much like a bedroom? What do you think? What would you call it?

Comments

Molly said…
I had to laugh when I saw the map b/c I was just trying to figure it all out in my head from the pictures. Thanks, that helped a lot! Let me just say...I LOVE IT!! And yes, I can see why it would be your new nest! I would call it a loft...or even the nest, since it's way up there in the attic and it's your personal space! :) Your hubby did a great job, I'm impressed! I'm also taking note of ideas I want to steal, um, I mean borrow, when my "space" comes up next on the project list! :) Enjoy it! I bet you'll be 10 x's as productive now! Ha!
Anonymous said…
I would just call it, "MY SPACE!" You are blessed to have a wonderful husband who will go to this great length of building a room just for you and I know you will really enjoy having your own space to do all the things you dream of!
Joy said…
oooh yummy! And yay for super-husband Ben. It looks absolutely lovely. I am so jealous of your reading 'nest'- that is the one thing I pine for in our tiny house these days. *smiles* Love the colors and the built ins...

I wouldn't feel guilty about calling it a studio- my studio/office consists of one very large, overpacked ikea trestle desk in the basement, and any time I call it anything other than my studio, I end up having to explain way too much. So I just started calling it that, and no more having to explain all the time! I didn't think about it being 'uppity' really. It certainly isn't pretty, ha ha ha ha...

but personally, I think you should go with "nest". It really fits!
Megan said…
I would call it your studio. I don't think it's uppity, but if you do-- well, you deserve a little uppitiness about your pattern business.

Now, I will let you know I got a little teary eyed about this. You deserve a space of your own with how hard you work for your family and your business. You have a very sweet husband. :)
Beach Mama said…
Wow!!! What an awesome space! I love it, especially the sitting area:). I have become inspired by you and others to start sewing again. I guess it's time to get rid of my vintage Kenmore. That is one of the main reasons for not sewing (besides being the Mama to 4 active young-uns)! Y'all did a fine job. Thank you for showing us the plan view of the room. It really helps to put the photos into perspective. Enjoy your new space!
Coralee said…
you could call it your creation station, though I agree with Megan that studio isn't uppity but professional and you are a professional! Looks amazing!
Mrs. S said…
Oh, Samantha!!!! Swoon, swoon, swoon! It is beautiful, useful, pleasing to the eye, a complete gem! Let's see, I might call it The Nest, or perhaps The Knook, or I might really lean towards calling it The Sewing Loft. Oooh, yeah, The Sewing Loft:) Thanks for sharing and give your man an extra hug! He did awesome!!!!!
Meghan said…
Wow! How lovely! What a great husband! I totally love "studio" and that's what it is! Congrats- you completely deserve this.
Heather Wawa said…
That's beautiful! I'd call it either The Loft or The Garret.

~Heather
Anonymous said…
I LOVE it! I'm insanely jealous! :)
April said…
I want that room. Can I have it?
Anonymous said…
Call it "Heaven"-ahh...
Nell said…
Samantha, this room is absolutely gorgeous! What a wonderful husband Ben is to do this for you. I can't imagine cutting out fabric on the floor. You are truly blessed, young lady. As is he. This room is a retreat from the world. Enjoy it! It's lovely.
It is lovely and it looks like a design studio to me. I would call it the loft studio or sewing loft. For some reason that is how I think of it looking at the pictures.
jenn said…
Oh that is a little piece of heaven! You deserve it!
I like sewing loft. It sounds so cozy.. have fun with all of your wonderful space!!! Your husband is the best.
jenn
gatornic said…
What a wonderful man you have there. :) I would call it your Sewing Loft...it sounds soothing and creative at the same time. Congrats on your new space!
Nicole
Anonymous said…
I would call it your "SEWING NEST!!!"
Jenny said…
Looks great! Yay for handy hubbies! I like sewing loft or craft loft or creative space. Call it what makes you happy--it's your room!
~Jenny~
Ashley said…
I think calling it a studio makes it sound very artistic which is very appropriate. But if you don't like that maybe "The Sewing Nook" or "Sewing Space".
calicodaisy said…
The room is so darling! Call it "the studio." That's what it is. You have all your work up there, crafting and printing, etc. It works. And, anyway, that's what I call mine, and that isn't really uppity, is it? The "loft" is nice, too. What did Jo from Little Women call her place? The Garrett?
Artfulife said…
It is just lovely! Congratulations on your new space. Maybe you could follow in the famous words of a certain bear and call it your Thoughtful Spot. Because it's a spot where all of your wonderful thoughts and creations come to life.
Carolyn said…
Ohh Now you can read your Bible in the same place where He can inspire you to create your craft.

also have you heard of the Blog: Vintage Ric Rac ? Its a good creative one!
http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com/

big thumbs up to Ben!!
Anonymous said…
O, Samantha!! I love,love,love,Love,LOVE!!! your new sewing room, it is flat slam AWESOME!! I love the colors, I love the floor, the reflective ceiling is BRILLIANT!! literally and figuratively! I have some fabric I'm going to send you that will go PERFECTLY in there - maybe a throw pillow for the chair. Ok - I vote for Sewing Loft - I always think 'Studio' is uppity or pretentious, too, no matter what the rationalisations and I always feel awkward saying it. I want to suggest 'Ott' type lighting for you since you have no natural light - and if not that then daylight fluorescents, I'll send you more specific email later. It's wonderful!
from Sparkle
anniebelle said…
I snagged my daughter's old bedroom, when she left home (she's 23 now). Over on my blog I explain why I call it my "doodad room".
Samantha your "doodad room is lovely and you can call it whatever you like.
Nancy
Quebedeaux said…
very nice!!! What an awesome "Handmade Studio" you have.
Marie said…
That is absolutely fabulous! WHat a blessing! It seems like we have some things in common...we both have a Madeline and my husband is a firefighter/paramedic and he's pretty awesome too...godly husbands are a gfit from the Lord and I am so thankful for other women that are blessed with that as well!

I love the light turquoise color you selected...so pretty! That room reminds me of a little sewing nook cause it looks so cozy, like a cabin that you go to get away...so I would just call it a sewing nook. Great job and I can't believe it took only 10 days...although I'm sure it was a long 10 days!
Heather said…
Samantha! Love the sewing loft! I like that name out of all of them too ;-) I just wanted you to know that I just saw one of your patterns in a sewing store here in Auburn! You go girl! I felt so proud! And I was just getting a ribbon to tie in my daughters hair, sadley I can not sew :-( But you have inspired me and I did sign up for a beginners class!
Lauren said…
You and your husband have done great work! I love functional areas that are pretty, and I feel like every room needs a comfy sitting place.

I think your space deserves any lable you want to give it, if it were mine I'd call it my Nest. And I'd definitely need to make a sign to hang next to the stairs that lead up to it.
Unknown said…
I just stumbled upon your blog via ...well, I can't remember how actually.. and am sooo very jealous of your beautiful work space!

What a wonderful place to get away and be creative! I hope that someday I can find something as lovely! =)

BTW Love your blog!
B said…
Oh wow! You are a lucky girl; how talented is your husband!? Nest, nook, space, studio whatever you call it; it's gorgeous!
Tiffany said…
I don't think studio sounds uppity I think it sounds good! It's gorgeous by the way absolutely gorgeous!
Rose and Ivy said…
Wow! Very nice Samantha!!! You will find that the room will name itself- one day you will just begin referring to it as something and it will stick. Enjoy!

Marlya xxx
eleece said…
What a lovely space to create! I think I would call it "The Sewing Nook".
Anonymous said…
If you don't deserve a "Studio" then I don't know who should:) You are so awesome!!! Love the new space... You will eventually settle on what you like to call it naturally! I like the stdio, or the Loft or even the Nest is cute too! Congrats on your beautiful space and on your wonderful husband too!!!
XUE said…
It doesn't matter what you call it...It's incredible! What a wonderful, wonderful, beautiful, practical studio (nope, not uppity!). Wonderful husband too! I do love that wine-rack-styled box!
lissilulu said…
I think it is absolutely amazing and you have earned the right to say it is your studio and I would never think you uppity. :o)
heather said…
wow! A place like that needs a name that reflects what it does, like the Inspiration Creation Station! =D
Unknown said…
How in the world will you ever leave that room? It's pure bliss, Samantha.
This is so beautiful!

Between looking at your Easter dresses and these pictures, I am ready to go reorganize my sewing room and get to work! Thanks for the inspiration!
Unknown said…
Firstly, what a brilliant space and congratulations to your Ben for bringing it to fruition. I would definitely call it your "Sewing Loft", or "the Loft" for short. What a treasure to have such a wonderful place all to yourself. I particularly liked the way the filing cabinets were built flush with the walls. This is a good use of space and a clever design element. Well done & happy sewing.
Natasha, Melbourne (Australia)

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