Well, everyone else is doing it, so I figured I’d post a picture of where I blog.  While I’m at it, I’ll also give you a peek into my studio and closet and talk about how I plan to completely change it (with the help of IKEA) in the next year.

Here is my desk where I blog.  I bought this desk at a garage sale years ago and repainted it.  I love the look, but the fact is that this is really a child’s desk, and it just isn’t a comfortable height for me.  It also has too many drawers, which results in lots of clutter and things getting lost in the abyss.

This is my bookcase, which is functional, but doesn’t really fit with the aesthetic that I want for my creative space.

I’d like to replace my bookcase and desk with the Expedit bookcase/desk combo from IKEA.

Lots of creative, versatile storage space.  I can keep the stuff I don’t need frequently in the cubbies under the desk.    I can add drawers or boxes to organize smaller items.  And I think it looks rad.

I’ve had this dresser as long as I can remember.  It belonged to my brother and my cousin before me, and it’s probably been repainted at least 5 times.  But it won’t quite fit (physically) with the changes I’ve got planned.  I’ll still hang on to it, just in a different room.  I’ll be replacing it with a MALM six drawer chest from IKEA.  Because owning a dresser designated mainly for lingerie, jewelry, hosiery (and t-shirts) makes me feel grown up and lady like.

Now for some photos of my sewing space.  The shelves and fabric cabinet have gotten cluttered.  The sewing machine desk is not very ergonomic.  I have plans to replace and add to the shelves (with more IKEA goodness).  The desk will go in favor of a VIKA table.  I’ll add a small storage unit on casters underneath the sewing desk (so it can be moved out of the way as needed).  And I’ll get my fabric cabinet more organized.  I built that sucker, so there’s no way I’m getting rid of it.  Oh, and I’ll be getting some type of desk chair, since right now I sit on a piano bench to sew.

Last but not least, my closet.  I may have mentioned before that my closet is quite small.  I wasn’t kidding.

That holds all of my clothes (except heavy winter coats), all of my shoes, my cameras, my files, and random craft storage.  My goal for my closet it to get everything that is not a part of my wardrobe out of here.  Hopefully, with the improved storage in the rest of the room (new shelves, new bookcase), I can do that.

Of course, the studio renovation will not happen all at once, since there still is that little thing called a budget that I’m supposed to stick to.  Also, the Tampa IKEA doesn’t open until May, and I hate driving two hours to the Orlando store.  So most of these changes will wait until the summer.  I think that I’ll be a lot more productive with an organized space, both in my outfits and in my sewing and crafting.