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A Room Of One's Own
Is it possible to have a stylish yet functional sewing room? That's the question I'm asking myself right now.
Over the weekend, we visited the paint store to select colors for the new house, both inside and outside. After deciding on what exterior colors to use (we're leaning toward "Sedate Grey" with "Greek Villa" (white) trim), I started looking at the color palates and the possibilities for a sewing room - and I became overwhelmed!
You see, I love rooms like this or this. They're beautiful, colorful, inviting, but at the same time, I'm not sure how 'functional' they are for me (I know that I have 'big furniture' to hold my machines, I want a cutting table, I need bookshelves, etc.) . I'm also running into the problem of, I love the design style, but just can't achieve that look very well myself (I lean more toward the modern\contemporary side when I decorate). So here's my question, where do you all get your inspiration for your 'cute' sewing room decor? And is there such a thing as a modern looking sewing room (I've searched and can't find one)? I've visited Flickr groups already, but are there any other resources out there?
Previous Comments
[1] On Jun-05-2007, Diane wrote:Have you checked the HGTV website? They have lots of rooms that have been done by various designers including, I believe, sewing rooms. Maybe you can find some inspiration there. I seem to recall a sewing room done on "Room by Room" (I think that was the show) a year or so ago that I really liked. They had installed a formica granite-look counter all down one wall to hold all the machines with storage underneath and shelves up above. They used stock cabinets from Lowe's or Home Depot to keep costs down and I believe they had a cutting table with the same laminate for the top. It even included a closet that had been customized with shelves to hold fabric, etc. It looked really nice. Good luck!
[2] On Jun-05-2007, Sandy in W wrote:
Suffering greatly from the disease "procrastination" even with sewing, HOW will I ever get past it if I keep learning about more and more intriguing websites like the one you cited today! (I seem to spend so much time cruising info about sewing that I have little time left for actual sewing.) What a droologenic sewing room! I would guess that you're far more familiar than I am with what's "out there", but just in case...Dream Sewing Spaces, by Lynette Ranney Black (I don't know how "obtainable" it is at this point...but I do have a copy if you'd like to borrow it) and the Book Make Room for Quilts, which is mostly about decorating with quilts but it also shows some sewing rooms...I also have one of these. If I recall correctly, most of the sewing rooms in these books are more toward modern and functional than cutsey.
[3] On Jun-05-2007, Judi wrote:
Have you checked the Home Sewing Association's web site? (sewing.org) They feature a sewing room every month under Enthusiast. There are tons there to look at. As far as a modern sewing room, modern or contemporary design has straight, smooth lines & surfaces. Simple design, usually metal, glass. In your first example (Heather Bailey's), she has many curves, softer lines on her furniture and wood appliques on them. Obviously you can make the room anything you want. DIY and Better Homes & Garden web sites may also have ideas for you. I do know one thing. Mine is a mess & I have been putting off re-doing it. Last night I spent half an hour searching for a pattern & bumped my toe a couple of times. I then realized I need to get on the stick & quit wasting valuable sewing time by having my room in order! Staying tuned for your results....Good luck!
[4] On Jun-05-2007, Lori wrote:
If it's possible to get to an IKEA, that's what I suggest. IKEA has some great office furniture with mix and match doors and drawers in various sizes and finishes. They also have some tables that can adjust to higher heights and would make great cutting tables. They carry kitchen cabinetry that is modular as well. My sewing room shares space with the computer room, which we furnished with IKEA desks and cabinets, so I continued the look with a cabinet with drawers, shelves and glass doors to house my sewing notions and books.
[5] On Jun-05-2007, ldpaulson wrote:
Hi Stacy:
I enjoy reading your reviews on PatternReview and dropped in from there. Lovely work. I love color. I know your dilemma but at least you *can* paint. (Darn rental space!) You might find some inspiration in Mary Englebreit Home. Every issue has an artist profile with photos of their studio. Or it may confuse you more! What do *you* mean by modern? Mid-Century Modern? Sleek lines? I think that once you hone what your style is, the furnishings will follow. Ultimately, you have to make the space your own so a good start is to choose furnishings you like that are functional and make your creativity flow. Make it in the colors that comfort and excite you. If it's a rainbow palette, who cares? YOU have to work there, not anyone else.
[6] On Jun-05-2007, bernadette wrote:
I like your idea of grey with white for the exterior!
Since we are planning to have all the rooms in the house painted in early fall probably, I will be interested to see your color ideas - since I currently have NONE!
Well, I did paint the kitchen a warm. "butter yellow" a few years go and will probably still want some version of that. But most of the other rooms are off-white right now so any change is scary.
Maybe pick your favorite color for the sewing room since you spend so much time in it!
[7] On Jun-05-2007, Carole wrote:
The rooms you reference are beautiful but I doubt that they are very efficient. I imagine it would take as much time to keep them looking nice as it takes to make a garment. The uncluttered clean lines of a contemporary space is easy to keep neat, and your fabrics and projects will make it a colorful space.
[8] On Jun-05-2007, Carole wrote:
The rooms you reference are beautiful but I doubt that they are very efficient. I imagine it would take as much time to keep them looking nice as it takes to make a garment. The uncluttered clean lines of a contemporary space is easy to keep neat, and your fabrics and projects will make it a colorful space.
[9] On Jun-06-2007, MN_Swimmom (Janet) wrote:
I second the recommendation for IKEA. I'm redoing my sewing room this summer, and that's where everything is coming from. We're lucky enough to have a huge IKEA store here (where else but at the Mall of America!). The adjustable height tables are perfect, and the storage options are so clean and contemporary. I also found all the right lighting there as well. But colors...that's where I'm stuck. I'm thinking of Restoration Hardware's - silver sage. It's a small basement room, so the lighter color is definitely needed. Good luck!
[10] On Jun-06-2007, Stacy wrote:
Thanks everyone for all the ideas! I wish we had an IKEA near us - I hear so much about them, but they haven't seemed to make their way to Kansas yet (or anywhere near us!).
I'm going to check out all the sites you all suggested and look at the IKEA online catalog for some inspiratons!
[11] On Jun-06-2007, Cheryl wrote:
I just ordered this book from Amazon called "Where Women Create". I can't speak for it yet b/c I'm still waiting for the thing to get here. I too am designing my sewing room. I tried to imagine a "haven" I want to spend time in and that makes me feel good. I'm going bold...the walls are a cross between sage & granny apple green (I know it sounds weird but can't think of any other way to describe it.) I've got an electic mix of furniture but it seems to work. I'm more of a junk/antique/new kinda gal. I'm also using a golden yellow and brick red & spiced orange. I found a small quilted wall hanging I am making, then I plan to paint my 2 wooden thread holders and hang them on the wall. I'm excited...I just need to finish it. Have fun with this!