Reading your comments convinced me that it was just fine as is. (I admit to being very tempted to try the pickling wax that was suggested by Heather of Doodlebuds but having never tried it before, I got cold feet.) No point in putting more time and energy into something if it wasn't going to improve it. So thanks for your feedback - you saved me a lot of time!
Mr. L and I carried it upstairs to the box room. On a tangential note, I think its time to rename this room since calling it the box room is a bit defeatist, don't you think? Let me know if you have a snazzier title. Anywho, the door made its way to the top floor.
I put together these Ikea sawhorse legs ($20 for a pair) as the base. It only took me about 30 minutes to put them both together. A first, as I usually have to block a weekend for Ikea assembly.
And of course I needed a chair so threw this ($23!) in my cart. I would have much prefered a fabulous vintage drafting stool but I refuse to spend a fortune on one (and everytime I find one, its insanely expensive!)
So here is what the room looks like now:
Excuse the terrible photo. I decided to photograph at the wrong time of day.
The desk is huge for the tiny room but its a practical choice. I definitely need to make some kind of skirt to hide all of the crafty/sewing things Im hiding underneath so thats on the agenda. And a window treatment. And more bulbs for the fixture. And a glass top for the table.
But what else should I add to finish the space? I think it needs something large on the walls and I have a few ideas but I'd love to hear what you think. What else should I put in here? As you can tell, there isn't much room but I still want it to look pretty.
It's going to look really cool...the old door desk w/ the modern looking chair in your GORGEOUS room! I'm excited to see how this will come together. Would it be neat to mix some modern looking art with some bulletin board squares over the desk?
ReplyDeletelove the desk but also love the floors ! What makes them so shiney? is it a varnish or a wax ?
ReplyDeleteZoeB
ZoeB: They look especially shiny here b/c the way the sun is hitting them but all of my floors were done with a glossy finish poly. Everyone told me to go with matte but Im so happy I ignored them. I love the sparkle :)
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the look of the desk, Ethel and the light fixture all together! What are you planning on using the room for? I'm just trying to think in that direction before thinking of recommendations! No matter what though - I think an ikat table skirt would look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteIm going to use it as a crafty/sewing space. Really a nothing room. I don't want to do anything too permanent in here should we ever need it for another purpose.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat space! If you're looking for more storage, perhaps some salvaged metal cabinets in a great 50's color? or a beautifully patterned project board? or modular shelves...
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to see what you do here. I really enjoy your blog, & peeping at your beautiful home through your gorgeous photos. Such an inspiration..
This looks absolutely fantastic - I love the door/desk. You could put a big inspiration board above the desk or maybe some old tin ceiling panels that you have framed for magnetic boards.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Rochelle
I love how the desk turned out! The room is going to look amazing once you're done with it. How about a great big chalkboard? You can make it magnetic too.
ReplyDeleteI always love seeing craft/sewing spaces with lots of items out on shelves - easy to get to and I think a great way to add some color or interest to the room (i'm not sure if shelving is something that would be too permanent).
ReplyDeletehttp://shabby.typepad.com/.a/6a00e553a8751c883301157072b643970b-800wi
An inpsiration board with patches of pretty fabrics/favorite photos/paint swatches in a great frame I think is fun to look at over a workspace.
The photo in your office inspiration board on flickr with the planters/mini buckets used as storage over a desk would look great in this room as well.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/2361276027_7767987a23.jpg?v=0
Other randoms - I think a card catalog would look amazing in this space (maybe if you could find one small enough to fit under the window or beside the desk on craigslist.).
Your typewriter would fit in perfectly in this space.
Finally, I love this clothespin idea:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3469589615_9e9f8c65e1.jpg
Now I am just rambling. Hope you can get something out of it at least!
Hmm...a craty sewing space. I would love to see you do some sort of art with old patterns...not the envelope, but the actual beige colored pattern with the cut and sew lines. Maybe you could frame 'em...or just tack some up with upholstery tacks.
ReplyDelete...also a slew of vintage pattern envelopes would be cool framed...and so you!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sovintagepatterns.com/i/suits/2330ju28.JPG
Oh, I've just loved following the adventure of this door! It turned out beautiful and I know it's been a labor of love, right? Love your parquet floors also and your paint color. For the wall over the desk, I would maybe do the Lack open shelves in white (from Ikea) with baskets for small storage. I've put these shelves up in so many homes. They are chunky and look absolutely beautiful, and they are CHEAP! I would also think about an inspiration board covered in a beautiful print fabric. Have fun with your room, it's looking great!
ReplyDeleteI would put up a ribboned inspiration board that ran the length of the desk, and call the room, "My studio."
ReplyDeleteLooks super! I would take some wood and construct a huge frame and staple gun some fabric on it.........you can change the fabric as your mood strikes, or if you need the room to be say a nursery or whatever.
ReplyDeleteLike this: http://capecodmakeover.blogspot.com/2008/06/drawers-decor.html
Defnitely "my studio." I really like the suggestion of the pattern pieces. I made a corkboard out of wine bottle corks and I'm pretty happy with that as well. It's going to be great no matter what!
ReplyDeleteI think a huge cork board painted black in an ornate frame would look really cool above the desk and useful to tack up items for an idea board.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cool little room! The door will be great once you've added the glass top. I really like the previous suggestion of a framed cork board. Have you thought about a floor covering? Perhaps a thin rug or floor mat so the chair wheels can still roll.
ReplyDeleteLove the room! Definitely some kind of inspiration board. What about those cool wooden scissors that PB used to carry? I've seen them on ebay. Or your fabulous photography! xoxo
ReplyDeleteLove this! I would add a green plant and some colorful task lighting (lamp on table).
ReplyDeleteAs soon as you start working in this space, you will fill it up with materials without even trying. I find myself taking down artwork and non-functional pieces in my workroom because it's too busy with all the fabrics and papers and inspiration photos.
However, I do have a mobile hanging in my workroom that I love -- it's out of the way and always makes me smile.
You will also find that Ethel is a great canvas -- my dress form is always draped with beads, ribbon or fabric. Sometimes I even pin papers to her...
While I do love ornately framed corkboards and wooden scissors - I already have those in my office. I don't want to do the same thing.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of big pattern pieces - not sure how to hang that but its genius.
I love your blog. You are so creative. I think that you should name the room after Ethel. She lives there after all!
ReplyDeleteAnother alternative would be an antiqued effect world map. I love was CG has done in her games room (http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/04/playroom-turned-game-roomlounge/). Something smaller but a not to disimilar colour scheme could work well. Then you could day dream and plot your future travels whilst you sew away etc
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely the "sewing room".
ReplyDeleteWhat if you included shelving in your decor? And/or made the place look like a boutique fabric shop with folded remnants on a shelf, spools of thread displayed... I think it could be really neat!
Quilted project board, pattern pieces mounted on foam or particle board (maybe like the silhouettes you did) or perhaps take some old pattern envelopes and blow them up for framing or canvas mounting (like you did in your MBR). You might want to put a shelf up if you don't mind putting a hole or two in the wall. I'd get those inexpensive glass jars from IKEA or Target, fill them with different color threads, buttons, and other sewing/craft supplies. You could make etched glass labels on the jars a la Martha. That would add pop to the room (and a way to artfully organize) and not overcrowd. Colors could work with table skirt idea below. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteFor a skirt around the bottom, grab the wire and clip rings kits from IKEA. Attach them to the underside. It will be easier to open and close when you want to get stuff out from underneath. A great pattern for that skirt will really pop in the room. You can also put some color from the fabric on the mannequin (accessory or bauble of some sort) to pull it together.
Love what your doing. Your home is to die for. Makes me miss NY as I sit and watch the snow fall in Minneapolis.
What do you think about one or two of the ginormous linen covered bulletin boards from Pottery Barn hung above (or leaning on) your desk? Or some vintage-y cubbies (like old mail cubbies) hung above the desk. Or some shelves above the desk with artwork/do-dads displayed on them and a cool mobile hanging near by. Just some thoughts...
ReplyDeleteI think you should call it Ethel's room...lol
ReplyDeleteI love it! It is perfect! And I love your light fixture... is it original? If so, lucky duck... of not, well, I am not surprised that you would pick out something so fabulous ;o
ReplyDeleteSmiles~ Michelle
And as I type this, I'm sitting at our door desk . . . which looks almost exactly like your desk! I love ours because it gives us so much space . . .
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
What if you expand upon Linda's fabulous pattern idea and actually paint/stencil the patterns directly onto the wall, but in a grand scale. You could use an overhead projector. Another idea I've seen is embroidery hoops with neat fabrics inserted and then hanging on the wall. Maybe you could do that but in a larger scale as well? And I like the Ikea Expedit bookcase better if it will fit. Love that room!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great project. Love the desk! How about some art, window treatments and a jazzy outfit on the mannaquin (is that how you spell mannaquin?) Hmmm?..... The floors are also wonderful. I would not cover them!
ReplyDeleteAwesome door desk! What if you called it Ethel's room?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I haven't taken pictures of my skirted tables in my sewing room for you. FYI I tried sticking them on with velcro but the glue on the velcro didn't hold well so I added tacks and glued buttons on the tack heads. (I love buttons.)
ReplyDeleteThe skirt is black and cream striped with solid black sewn in where I made box pleats. This allows you to lift the skirt up easily when you want to get something out from under the table. You would need to do some big box pleats (or at least one big one where you would sit.
With Christmas, my space is a mess right now. I'll work on it because it seems like something you would like and it is easy to do. You might like the curtain valance I designed to go with it. It's a little more complex but if you can make a cat bed out of a suitcase, you could make the valance. :)
I love design/inspiration boards. I have two in my studio...one is magnetic, the other is a $2 garage sale frame. I just stick my inspirational items right to the glass.
Candice has a lot of great ideas in her studio. I love the chicken wire wall that she clips items to. http://candicestringham.typepad.com Her Jan 06, 2009 post.
nice idea..i was wondering what happened to the door.
ReplyDeleteI think the new title should be "Studio." "Let me run up to my STUDIO to see if I left the house keys there." LOL
ReplyDeleteLots of inspiration board ideas, but I'm thinking a couple of thoughts: 1. A large mirror (As big as the table) to bring more visual space into the room. 2. 2 large stretched canvas gallery wraps of your fave pics.
Both ideas are rather spendy though. :(
You def. can't call it the box room anymore. The door looks great as a table...it ties in the vintage look Ethel's got going on...I say you add a huge chalkboard wall or an inspiration board!
ReplyDeleteLove the look but I am wondering if you are planning on putting a piece of glass or plexiglass on the door to provide a flat surface to craft or wrap or draw or sew on?
ReplyDeleteWhat about a piece of plexiglass on the door, to make it look more finished, and to give you a flat space to work on? I think it would do well to tie the chair and the rest of the room together, as well.
ReplyDeleteMonique and Melanie - I do plan on putting someting on top of the table. Just haven't gotten around to it. For now, it actually works better than I expected without.
ReplyDeleteI think fabric artwork would be perfect for this space. It would stay in keeping with the fact that it is a creative space plus, look fabulous to boot! Great job!!!
ReplyDeleteI think your need a HUGE inspiration bulletin board covered with a beautiful fabric (found at a good price of course) with the ribbons criss-crossing (there is name for that!). With all the stuff going on in your head...how nice it would be have a visual right in front of you...in your Inspiration Room! Not Anonymous but can't post as Debe....
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful--and so much more fulfilling (and affordable!!) to have restored it than to have made a purchase. Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your beautiful floors....swoon...
Kristin @ Domestic Ease
I'm new to your cute blog and I had to say your floor is amazing! It's so glossy! How do you get it looking like that? Did you finish it yourself? I live in an old English cottage with parquet floors that badly need refinishing.
ReplyDeletegreat start .. love the door and the legs. If it is a craft room, you definitely need a bulletin board to post all those inspiring ideas
ReplyDeleteI think that a large piece of glass that you could sketch sewing projects onto with marker could be pretty and practical on your wall. You could even get super ambitious and instead of a frame around it, you could etch it with an etching kit with your initials or a pretty frame-like design. Then you could hang a cute wire basket or something next to it to hold your markers and doodle 'til your fingers cramp! Just a thought. Love the door/desk.
ReplyDeleteThis would be a great little place to wrap gifts - and a simple wooden holder (think dowel rods)for holding rolls of gift wrap and ribbons would add a little color and texture but still be organized.
ReplyDeleteWe will all be waiting to see what you do. Bev in PA
Oh my word. Such loveliness, this blog!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of it being Ethel's room. As for the wall my suggestion is a giant black and white poster photo of women during the World War 2 era sewing at a factory.
ReplyDeleteLOVE that you're keeping it the worn look. I don't know if it's entirely too big? It gives a focal point to the room! And can we start calling it an office now?
ReplyDeleteWoah those are some shiny floors, I love them!!
ReplyDeleteThe desk looks great in there, perfect for all those projects you do
You already have cork boards in the office, but maybe they're peg boards? Maybe you need some "free" space to keep inspiration in here.
ReplyDeleteThe door is going to look awesome with some glass on it. The sawhorse legs look great!
Okay, I'm laughing...this would be a great photo from me! How about some fabulous drapes in a print?
ReplyDeleteExtra rooms, named the box room or whatever, how wonderful!
Janell
Only you could turn a door into this amazing desk! It looks soooooo good. I'm very impressed!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI posted here once before (mostly a lurker). I'm dying to know what color the paint is in the Studio??? I really love it.
If you're willing to share, I'd be most grateful! Thanks Mrs Limestone.
Christie - Thanks for delurking! The paint color is BM Silver Marlin.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! I'm thinking of using it in my LR/salon. Love your blog. Have a wonderful holiday season!!
ReplyDelete~~Christie
First thing I would do is run out and get a sheepskin rug.
ReplyDeleteLooks good! Clear glass on top would make putting items on top easier while still seeing the lovely grooves of the door. Hmm, I just saw u posted this in 2009 so I am sure the room has been completed by now :)
ReplyDeleteLovely idea!!! Literally "eco-friendly"
ReplyDeleteI have an old screen door that I want to turn into a dinning room table. What would you recommend? I like the saw horse legs but I feel like I need a center support.
ReplyDeleteHmmm . If the whole inside of the door is screen, I don't think it would work. It would need to be solid.
ReplyDeleteDid the legs come with brackets for you to attach them to your door? If not, what did you use? Love your stuff btw :)
ReplyDeleteI just laid the door on top and had no problems. I could have screwed it in but I never bothered.
DeleteDid the legs come with brackets so that you could attach the door to them? If not, what did you use to attach the door to the legs? Love your blog btw :)
ReplyDelete