Now that the room, using the term loosely, is done I thought I'd give you a little tour! Over the past 2 weekends I've finally gotten everything arranged the way I want – for now. Nothing better shows that I'm a "Function over form" girl than this space. I love free stuff. There's nothing pretty here except for that beautiful new sink. Stop laughing; I think it's more beautiful than a new necklace! If you think of my basement in 4 quadrants, this is the front of the north side of the house. Behind this "room" is the longarm room. I have 2 8 foot work tables in this space. One is perpendicular to the sink and that's where I do my dye mixing and lay out all of the washed containers to dry at the end of the day. When I'm down here working both tables are piled high with CRAP (Creative Resources And Products).
In addition to the dyeing and painting I also moved all of my soap and lotion making supplies to this area. I was doing all of that in the kitchen. Once I found that free microwave (from a friend) it made sense to move everything downstairs. The cart is something that we call a "family heirloom". I think it belonged to my Grandmother and my Mom left it in the guest house when she lived here for 3 months. Underneath are all of my soap-making tools. Between the table and the sink I installed some shelves from old bookcases for my paint and dye supplies. You might be able to see some plastic bags hanging between the sink and shelves. It was a cheap and easy way to store light-weight things like foam plates, mixing cups and bottles.
On the opposite wall is an old laundry hamper to store fabric for dyeing - there are a couple more bolts to arrive this week. The metal shelf is for general storage and the cardboard boxes behind it are for sun printing. I cut them to size and cover them with plastic dry cleaner bags. The brown shelf is an old book shelf that now houses all of my soap and lotion ingredients. In the far corner is a drying rack for my dyed fabrics. Pretty, huh?
Just as Chris placed the microwave on the cart it finally dawned on him – "You now have half of the basement!" Uh, yea, you're quite observant!
What's this? Between the dye studio and the refrigerator where the dye concentrates are stored is some fine expansion space! I wonder what I might need that space for?
very cool space! I have an idea for the empty part...I'll e-mail you a photo.
Posted by: Deb Levy | June 10, 2008 at 03:37 PM
I love the CRAP acronym. i am function over form too, and i love free stuff (and i'd rather have a sink than a necklace). basements are such a cool idea - pity Australian homes dont have them - all that wasted potential under the slab.
Posted by: Paula Hewitt | June 10, 2008 at 03:59 PM
It's amazing what we gals can do with a basement! A 1/4 of ours is my studio and I love every inch of it.
Posted by: Rose Marie | June 10, 2008 at 04:40 PM
"I wonder what I might need that space for?"
Let's see...... a bed? (for a nap)
A porta potty?
BEADS!
Gayle
Posted by: Gayle | June 10, 2008 at 04:48 PM
A jukebox!
What an awesome space!!! You lucky duck!
Posted by: Karol-Ann | June 10, 2008 at 05:07 PM
I LOVE that space! It's so bright for a basement! Perfection!! And I am still laughing over the new acronym. I have got to remember that. Enjoy!!
Posted by: Jan | June 10, 2008 at 05:21 PM
Great dye studio! Thanks for the tour.
Posted by: Terri | June 10, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Good acronym...I'll have to use it one of these days.
Love the basement. Makes me want to have my new sink too!
What will you be dyeing next?
Suzanne
Posted by: minou | June 10, 2008 at 05:46 PM
What a great space Vicki!
Posted by: Sue B | June 10, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Love your space! I'll be anxious to see what you do with your unused space there.
Posted by: Judy L. | June 10, 2008 at 08:04 PM
looks like you need to clean up the basement
Posted by: Tim | June 10, 2008 at 09:46 PM
Great space you have! Its so nice to have everyting in one place with room to spare. I love the CRAP thing, really says it all.
Karen L
Posted by: Karen L | June 10, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Stop! You're making me so jealous - I gave up space so I could live downtown and now I'm trying to live with my decision!
Posted by: Mary | June 11, 2008 at 12:44 AM
A nice big, open space. Lucky girl!
Posted by: tracey petersen | June 11, 2008 at 02:28 AM
What a difference a sink makes.
Posted by: cheryl | June 11, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Thx for the photos. I love to be able to visualize where people are making beautiful things.
And thx for all the pics of the bird boxes too.
Posted by: Sequana | June 11, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Vicki....love your new dye space. I sure wish we had basements down here. Too much water below the land.
Posted by: Brigitte H. | June 11, 2008 at 12:24 PM
I see you've completely taken over that space in the basement, LOL. Good for you for having a special space to work all your magic without taking over the rest of the house (yet).
Posted by: Summerset | June 11, 2008 at 01:32 PM
what a terrific space you have. it's great to get everything in one place...you will be more productive...i'm sure. have fun
Posted by: shirley bruner | June 11, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Vicki, what a great space. I can only dye in the summer with the garden hose.... Can't wait to see the beautiful fabric you come up with. And I agree with everyone else, hooray for CRAP!
Posted by: Jean S. | June 11, 2008 at 09:55 PM
I'm jealous of all that space. My studio is a small bedroom!
Posted by: Judy Rys | June 12, 2008 at 01:46 AM
I moved my studio to our basement and nearly took over the entire area. Now I just have to convince my hubby to finish the bathroom down there and I may never come upstairs.
Posted by: Amy | June 12, 2008 at 09:06 AM
It's perfect! I love "recycled" things.
Posted by: Lori | June 12, 2008 at 11:56 PM
I love your dyeing workroom Vicky! I also have a new sink which is much more beautiful than a new necklace. I have just started visiting my fave blogs again and realise how much I have missed it.
Posted by: Mags | June 13, 2008 at 04:06 AM
Wow! That's some studio space! I love it! Looking forward to seeing all the beautiful creations that come out of it. Love thast sink! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Carole Meier | June 17, 2008 at 07:25 AM