Island Paradise is a Craft Room Away

I have been dreaming of craft room in some sort of island paradise setting. I know you can picture it. Warm salty breezes gently whispering through white, veil-like curtains, cool, hard wood floors and juicy, island colors surrounding you. Up until today, I thought that place was somewhere in the Virgin Islands, somewhere in the distant future.

Pink Roses Wall Border Sample

I recenlty picked out two wall borders and ordered samples to see which one would look best with my studio color theme. The rose wall paper is gorgeous in person and has a shimmer to it. Although I do like it, it gives the room a subdued feel. I want to feel energized when I step into my studio so I think I'll have to pass on this one.

Island Floral Wall Border Sample

After putting this next sample on my wall I realized that with it, I was actually creating that island paradise craft room I've been dreaming of for years. Not only do I not have to relocate but I actually get the best of both worlds. I'm not looking out over turquoise waters but that's a small price to pay to be near family, enjoy 4 seasons instead of one and have a beautiful, new craft room in a home I absolutely love. Our dreams may not always take the form we expect but the universe does hear us and gives us exactly what we need. Life is good!

Kell Belle Studio is Lookin' Cherry

The weekend was a whirlwind with the craft room remodel going on. Saturday was spent putting down  the underlayment of the new cherry wood floor and prepping the threshold for placement.

Underlayment and threshold prep work

 My brother, Pat contemplates placement as the first board is laid. He did much of the cutting with his electric saw. I live in a condo on the second floor so I'll just bet I've made a ton of new friends this weekend especially my new neighbors below me who have a new baby. Well, I did try to let them know but they opted not to answer the door. Cest la vie, it's done now.

Laying the first board

 We didn't quite finish getting the floor laid Saturday so Sunday afternoon was a continuation although laying the floor went much more quickly. I had purchased just enough board to complete the project and I mean right down to the last board perfect. Alas, my brother cut one of the boards too short and it was off to the hardware store for me. No worries. That was really the only hitch in the project so I have no complaints.

Nearly finished as nephew oversees progress

 The floor is nearly finished as my nephew, David watches dad and learns technique for future floor installations. We've already informed David that he'll be the one laying the floor the next time so we hope he's paying attention. Haha, just kidding David.

Meet the crew left to right: nephew, brother, dad

Meet the hard working crew who laid the floor of Kell Belle Studio. From left to right is my nephew, David, my brother, Pat and my dad, Bill who will be moving to Phoenix next weekend which is why the floor was laid this weekend. I must thrive on the drama of waiting until the last minute to do things.

My new cherry wood floor

Ta-da! Here it is. Just putting the nails in the base boards and we're finished. It's just gorgeous! I LOVE it!! Thank you so much guys. I am truly grateful for your hard work and perseverance on a job well done and for giving up your entire weekend to help me. (((applause))))

The Nightmare Before Remodel

For nearly a year and a half I have been thinking about remodeling my spare room to resemble something like the glossy pictures you see in magazines like "Where Women Create."

The first paint samples were splashed on the wall in Spring of 2009 so while I continued to accumulate and inadequately store "stuff" I have to ask myself what exactly is it that I've been waiting for before moving forward with my project?

They say a disorganized space is a reflection of a disorganized mind but crystal clarity came quickly when my recently divorced, 71 year old father announced he was moving to Arizona to start his new life as a bachelor. I say way to go dad! Then I realized that with him would go my free remodeling help.  

There's nothing like a little fire under the arse to get you moving eh? That said, dad and I leave on our road trip to Phoenix on October 23rd which leaves me only 1 weekend to install the hardwood floor I had planned for the space. Me with a rented electric saw is non negotiable so this has to happen before he leaves.

Sooo, yesterday I spent 8 hours cleaning out the room. Closet doors came off to make room for built in shelves and storage, craft supplies were consolidated and 3 hefty bags later the room took on a dramatically different look than it had mere hours beforehand. 

The Salvation Army comes Monday to haul away items no longer needed. The plan is coming together beautifully because not only is dad coming over next weekend to put in the floor but brother Pat has offered to help and bring his saw! How cool is that unexpected surprise? By this time next weekend I'll have a brand new hardwood floor installed and step 2 of project craft room will have been completed.

The plan is to move from the kitchen table to a beautifully organized and inspiring craft space, the space I have dreamed of for years and am finally making a reality! Thank you Sheri Gaynor (Creative Awakenings) and Kelly Rae Roberts (Taking Flight) for your truly motivating messages of love and possibility.