16 January 2007
Oh, the craft room. Oh dear, oh dear. It's come a long way.
It's looking pretty good right now, but that was not always the case. When I moved in, the room looked like this:
Thick grey carpet, blue grey walls, and -- the worst bit -- a false ceiling. And how do you properly accent an enclosed room (only one window) with a low ceiling? With a pole-mounted ceiling fan, of course! Oy.
The big project was the ceiling. Underneath the false ceiling was. . . another false ceiling! Hooray! This time, it was small acoustic tiles, which turned out to be nailed and glued to the framework beneath. And here's something strange:
Running along the outside wall, the ceiling was actually solid plaster/concrete. A two-by-four framework covered the rest of the ceiling, above which was the original plaster work. As best as I can guess, the part of the room under the concrete ceiling must have been a porch at one time. The wood floors are much more weathered and worn there, as well.
My dad did the bulk of the work on this room, for which I'm so grateful. We hung sheetrock from the two-by-four frame (the original ceiling has a huge crack from ancient water damage), and used construction adhesive to adhere it to the concrete bit. For extra fun, that slab happened to be neither level nor flat, so shims and wedges had to be fixed to the ceiling first.
Now, though, it's finished! Taped, mudded, sanded, and painted. And it looks fantastic! (And isn't falling down, whew.)
So pretty and uncluttered. I love that plant!
posted by rachel at January 16, 2007 06:10 PM
Wow, that sounds like so much work. But the results are already incredible!
posted by myra at January 16, 2007 07:16 PM
That IS a lot of work, and it seems to have happened very quickly. I'm impressed. My old house is still a work in progress after 3 years!
I listened to your podcast interview and appreciated the things you had to say about starting your own blog. And I've finally done it! Thanks for the inspiration.
posted by kayla_d at January 16, 2007 11:21 PM
wow what a lot of work! it sure is lovely now! good job your dad. ;)
posted by joleen at January 17, 2007 12:02 AM
A proper ceiling helps so much.
Your pictures continually inspire me. When I look at the mess that is my craft room, I get so tired. Then I look at your pictures, with the love and care you put into each piece and its place, and a little bit of your energy rubs off so I can make my space more inviting.
Thank you.
posted by anne at January 17, 2007 02:52 AM
that plant is amazing! what is it?
posted by erin at January 17, 2007 06:29 AM
So Pretty!
I'm in awe of the amount of work and the speed at which you (and your dad) have made your place so beautiful and homely, and so YOU.
Obviously to move back to the States was a big and difficult decision, but I can see it has been a good one and that you are fully embracing and shaping your new life, space and animals. Wonderful and inspiring.
posted by cally at January 17, 2007 08:53 AM
What a difference!
posted by Karen at January 17, 2007 10:49 AM
Oooooh, we've got those funny false ceiling tiles in our utility room, soon to be transformed into a new kitchen.
What a transformation though, you have given me hope!
Oh yeah, and I have to just say that I recently purchased crafter's companion...what a great book, I love it and read it all cover to cover the day I got it. So, well done for producing it!!!
posted by Zoe at January 17, 2007 01:37 PM
looks great...what an ordeal!
posted by Jessica at January 17, 2007 07:52 PM
Looks neat and tidy with plenty of space. I wish I have a craft room. Love the white table anc chair!
posted by Lisa Y at January 17, 2007 11:01 PM
I keep comming back to your blog to see if there are news on your decorations. I'm loving everything. I hope you are enjoying your new life!
posted by Gisela at January 18, 2007 02:09 PM
That looks amazing! I'm so envious -- a whole room for crafting, and a pretty one at that. I love that quilt too.
posted by emmms at January 18, 2007 04:28 PM