2011 was certainly a big year for design books and over the holidays I added several to my collection. (I love that on more than one occasion I was asked if Undecorate was a sequel to Decorate.) I also received some (much-needed) sewing books, many of which were recommended by you guys!
While flipping through one of the sewing books, I came across a section on all the necessary supplies one should have. And that’s when I realized that I was going to need an actual space to get all crafty and what not. For some reason I always assumed that part of the basement would eventually become a multipurpose room of some sort, but we’re just not going to have enough space.
[Side note: check out this awesome tool quilt that my mom made for Kyle for Christmas! For the record, there is nothing cuter than seeing your husband curled up with their cat and dog under a tool quilt.]
But anyways, back to the matter at hand. In addition to needing a more permanent location for my sewing machine and its entourage, I also wanted a space for all of our architecture/art supplies (which have been packed away in the crawl space for the last several years).
Then I had an idea. Once the basement is finished, we will no longer need to rely on the loft as extra space for guests. Therefore, STUDIO LOFT! So last Sunday I started hauling things up from the basement with an MO to purge and organize! (Kyle was out snowboarding that day – please tell me I’m not the only one who loves to dive into an organization project when I have the house all to myself?)
In the soon-to-be remodeled basement, we had a small bookshelf that housed all of our magazine back issues, remodel books and these cardboard magazine holders. They were an attempt to organize all the important paperwork that comes with 5+ years of remodeling, but I knew the system could be better. So one by one I emptied each holder and went through every single piece of paper.
When it was all said and done, I had whittled everything down to this. Instead of individual files, I’m going to create a master homeowner’s manual. We’re talking 3″ binder here. With colored tabs? Maybe.
We’ve also developed a small collection of reference books over the years and along with the sewing books, they’ll be moving up to the loft as well.
By mid-afternoon I had made some good progress. Right now I’m just lining things along walls until I figure out the overall design and storage system.
After graduation, Kyle and I purged 5 years worth of architecture supplies and sold what we didn’t want to unsuspecting freshmen. Although neither of us have busted out the acrylic paints in the last 8 years, we might. Someday. (The middle tub is “adhesives”. Always a good idea to have plenty of options when you need to adhere something.)
…and my Dwell collection! I bought my first issue in 2001 when I was a sophomore in college. 2001-2006 is a little spotty, but I have every one for the last 5 years or so. (As I reorganized them in chronological order, I noticed how much thinner the publication has become.)
So here’s the thing – some girls are attracted to guys with fancy cars or big houses…and some girls are attracted to guys with an extensive Chartpak marker collection. True story. As second year architecture students, I used to roll by Kyle’s desk and borrow a marker or two. He was the only one in studio that had the complete collection. Not only that, but he had made a COLOR CHART to go with it. In fact, it was probably at that moment when I thought – back away ladies…this one is mine. =)
The only other publications we keep are Fine Homebuilding and IKEA catalogs (though I regrettably recycled 2000-2004 during a purge a few years ago).
So the next step is to figure out the overall design and storage system. I have a few ideas but nothing is clicking just yet. It needs to be inexpensive, able to fit through the loft opening, and preferably not too IKEA. (I know, I know…I just knocked IKEA after showcasing the catalogs I’ve hoarded. But you know what I mean.)
ah, chartpack. memories. most don’t realize that renderings, buildings and landscapes began on paper, not a screen. our last move (1 year ago) i threw out my markers. though many were dry, i find myself looking for them and then remembering they are no longer here. perhaps it is our proustian moment.
The whole collection… Pretty cool. I haven’t thought of Chartpak markers in ages.
Love the confession re. “purging remorse.” I did the same thing with my Dwell magazines when we moved from California to Detroit. Organizing files is always a challenge between digital and analog. I know you use Pinterest. I also use it, but am sometimes frustrated b/c certain pages won’t save. So I recently started using Gimmebar.com. It allows me to save individual photos/make notes/categorize. Happy planning!
I know NO ONE with a complete Chartpak marker collection- AWESOME!
So glad I found your blog – this could truly be my storage room! I also keep every issue of dwell and every ikea catalog (regrettably, I was never able to get a 2009). I also have purging remorse because when moving in 2007, I tore apart all of my dwells to just keep my favorite articles in an attempt to downsize my magazine collection – huge mistake that i regret to this day. I also have bins of former architecture studio supplies that tend to come in handy in my random crafting binges.
I just recently started reading our site and I went back to read all the archives on your kitchen remodel as we are in the early stages of planning our own. Looking forward to seeing more house progress!
I’m so excited to see that you’re setting up a sewing space in the loft!
Avid sewer here, and just one piece of advice: make sure you have space for layout and cutting of fabric, as well as room for an ironing board, in addition to the table with your sewing machine. (Not to mention the area for storing your sewing books, fabric stash, and miscellaneous sewing notions like batting for quilting, zippers, etc.) Sewing can really take up a lot of space!
I miss the indestruct-o!
Thanks for the advice Katrina! The loft is pretty small, so I may have to keep the ironing board and larger layout space in the laundry room. I guess I’ll have to wait and see what kind of sewer I become. =)
Haha, sadly many have dried up over the years, but I know we still have that color chart somewhere…
I’m coveting the markers…they’re beautiful. 😉
Ok, let’s be honest. Really, there is NOTHING more satisfying chicks like to do than organizing stuff on a ‘free’ day. Sorry guys… it’s like the equivalent of you spending a Saturday sorting wrenches and lug nuts in the garage. We LOVE it! But, doing it with Bailey would be even better….
I like the chrome wire shelving that is assembled onsite and would make it up your ladder. Or into your basement. Here’s one that might work under the slanted ceilings in the loft. http://www.storables.com/3-tier-black-shelf-unit.html.
Also, I don’t have a good table for cutting fabric, so use the floor, which looks like it might work for you too. The carpet keeps the fabric from slipping around.
I have been known to drop not-so-subtle hints like, “Hey honey, isn’t it time for a guy climbing weekend?” Of course, the CatMan never knows what he’ll come home to…
And apropos to nothing: Kitteh feets!
I was with you right up until Fine Homebuilding. I’ve walked into one too many partial projects gone wrong thanks to that supermarket rag. Substitute it for the Journal of Light Construction and your collection closely mimics my own.
And re: your ironing board….are you a lefty? I assume you have considered whether you actually iron “in that direction”–i dont’–I want to stand on the other side of the board and wouldn’t be able to (if that’s a built-in). Just throwing it out there….
[…] back to the loft…a few weeks ago I wrote about how we decided to convert our mostly empty loft (which we’d been using as extra […]
[…] started organizing files back in January when we first had the idea to turn the loft into an office/studio space, so everything was more or […]