A spare room is a thing of dreams for many small space dwellers, so if you've got a home that has one we are admittedly a tad envious. However, figuring out what to do with that extra space can be tricky - office, laundry, storage, guest room? The possibilities are endless. But rather than resigning yourself to just one option, why not double them up?
Canadian House & Home style editor Sarah Hartill did just that by adding a craft area to her laundry room. Despite its small square footage, the niche is able to do double duty thanks to stringent organization and scrupulous use of every scrap of available wall space. We found this picture at House & Home, but you can see more of Hartill's lovely home in this design*sponge sneak peek.
(Image: Mark Burstyn)
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Where is that rug from?
Oh my! What a neat and organised area. If only my craft room OR my laundry looked half as tidy. . .
Ack! I want it! It's perfect!
the rug is/was from urban outfitters
yeah, i like it too. always a fan of that robins egg/tiffany blue. i also like the juxtaposition of the old school shop stool with the technology laden washer/dryer. though, i cant imagine spending a lot of time sewing on that stool. i have one in in front of my computer, so it insures that i dont dally too long there. not comfy at all. LOL
Sitting on the stool is fine, it's getting that sewing machine down from above that seems like trouble.
This is very difficult not to covet!!
I'm a sewer so I was looking at the sewing machine, too, and trying to figure out which surface she puts it on and how there's room to work. It's a terrific space, but I think it needs some sort of collapsible work surface.
I like the color combo...very sophisticated and fresh.
This is exactly what I did years ago in my old house. It's great to have a utility/laundry sink right by the craft area. I'm not much of a sewer but we had all our beading and painting supplies in a large set of Ikea cabinets, with a salvaged counter and stool to sit at. We even under-counter task lighting. I felt as if we were always prepared for last-minute school projects, and it was great.
I remember this place well, it inspired me to wrap my own crappy plastic laundry sink in fabric, did wonders for my lackluster laundry area! I love the illusion created by the reflection of the rug in the washing machine. Great ideas... well worth a look at the full house on design sponge.
As for sewing, I have still to find comfortable stools (I prefer one with a low back), and since I have an adjustable table I tend to put it at the highest setting and sew while standing... just seems to work better for my back.