Sarah Hartill's Laundry and Craft Room

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)

Comments (11)

Where is that rug from?

posted by crys76 on August 3rd 2009 at 5:51am
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Oh my! What a neat and organised area. If only my craft room OR my laundry looked half as tidy. . .

posted by tea with lucy on August 3rd 2009 at 6:02am
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Ack! I want it! It's perfect!

posted by kellylc on August 3rd 2009 at 8:40am
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the rug is/was from urban outfitters

posted by bullyproofvest on August 3rd 2009 at 8:59am
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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

posted by ubertimmo on August 3rd 2009 at 9:08am
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Sitting on the stool is fine, it's getting that sewing machine down from above that seems like trouble.

posted by 1stnest on August 3rd 2009 at 10:11am
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This is very difficult not to covet!!

posted by Marcee-ah on August 3rd 2009 at 10:18am
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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.

posted by Deborah on August 3rd 2009 at 10:24am
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I like the color combo...very sophisticated and fresh.

posted by ottowoman on August 3rd 2009 at 11:51am
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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.

posted by sally305 on August 3rd 2009 at 2:25pm
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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.

posted by Rucy on August 3rd 2009 at 5:08pm
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