The space I am in.

Ae_studio1_1


A sweet person sent me an email yesterday with a reminder request to show some photos of the place in which I spend the most amount of time. My studio space in this place is off the kitchen - a nice open area where I can go back and forth between the kitchen, the laundry room, and my art. What could be better?


Sometimes my dream is to have a little building right off the side of our house where I walk through a great little garden to get to my studio...coffee in hand...tons of windows...a big comfy chair...and lots and lots of room to create. And then, I remember that one of the things I love about my space here (and in my last house) is that even when I am in my space I am still a part of the inner-workings of our home. I am in the middle of the action, I can see and hear Simon playing, Chris working, etc. I like being not too far away from them.


Right now I am in into open storage, meaning I can see what I have and things are contained within a home. Hence, tons of baskets. Remember this post? That was back when I wanted everything to be hidden away. That is one of the things about living...it is ok to change our minds. And evolve. And go back and forth. I still love the look of all those chests lined up along the wall, but for now, for me, it just doesn't work.


Ae_studio6


One of the recent additions to my space is a big blue wood table I found at Goodwill. Every day when I go to pick up Simon I have to drive by this store. And every day I take a driving risk by staring over there to see what they have lined up outside. There is always some piece of furniture tempting me to come on over. Last week the temptation was just too much. Paid the $40. Brought it home and it immediately became home to piles.


Ae_studio7


This space has a nice little corner closet that is working great for storing class stuff. We took the door off and that made a big difference in being able to easily get in and out of that corner. My big tall paper storage is from Display Dynamics. I love that paper holder. And see that cool framed piece there above the paper holder? That is my first original art purchase. And I love it. Created by Melanie Komisarski at Navylane Studio .


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My computer desk. My Mac. My kleenex. My coffee.


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And the top of my scrap table right now. Always something brewing. Today I am percolating on Studio A for August.


Ae_studio4


So there you have it for now. If you have questions about stuff you see in the photos feel free to post them in the comments and I will do a follow up post with answers. 

Back to work.

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92 thoughts

  1. Leslie says…
    04/12/2006

    Ali - This is wonderful to see. Thanks for sharing. Your space is inspiring!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. melanie says…
    04/12/2006

    so love seeing a bit more of your new creative space. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. brenda (mizweb) says…
    04/12/2006

    Looks nice and cozy...love it! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Carrie K says…
    04/12/2006

    that is exactly waht I want...thank you for sharing! i dont know which I liked more the pictures or your descriptions!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Kyra says…
    04/12/2006

    Where the magic happens....I always love seeing your creative space. Hope your feeling better...:)

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Alicia says…
    04/12/2006

    My hubby harrasses me about my piles. Its good to see and know that a successful scrapper has piles to. To me thats a good thing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Marla Beech says…
    04/12/2006

    Hey, totally off the subject, but I'm looking for a camera for my website and for personal use and was wondering what camera you use. Thanks. Oh ya--cool work space. Would kil(ok, not really) for some personal space right now.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. ash says…
    04/12/2006

    hi ali...thanks for sharing your space!
    question...how do you keep your projects in order? I am trying to figure out how to keep my projects organized ...thanks!!!
    ash

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Jenny says…
    04/12/2006

    What a gorgeous space, Ali. It looks loved, lived in, used. It's not "home and gardens", pristine, surgical. It's truly the place of an artist. What a joy :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Vee says…
    04/12/2006

    love your space Ali!!
    it is awesome
    q-where did you get your A's on top of your yellow shelf
    i love how you store things.
    i like open and see thru containers as well
    thanks for sharing.
    Vee

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  11. Cate says…
    04/12/2006

    Mornin' Ali.
    I see my big yellow "A" in there. That makes my day for some reason... lol!
    Love your baskets. I'm all about baskets right now too.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Jane Schneider says…
    04/12/2006

    I love that you shared this personal space of yours! I'm in the process of re-doing my space -- going with periwinkle -- aka "Happy in a can". We'll have to see how it all comes together and functions. I love that you have a scale - i collect them - ironic since I spend my life avoiding them (well at least the bathroom variety)! I so tried to find an "A" for you to bring to CKU-A, but after several antique stores and lots of help from the sales staff, none were found. I'll still keep my eye out!!!
    I'll post again when I have time (at work now...) to really look at everything in detail. I'm sure to have some questions!
    Thanks a million!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. jen says…
    04/12/2006

    Do you wander through your space as you work, looking for the perfect this and that, digging through things, or do you gather at the beginning with a certain idea in mind? I feel like i spend too much time looking through things (although it is sometimes enjoyable) and it takes me too long to actually get to work. I'm not always a "planner" when it comes to scrapping...just curious what you do.
    OH, and do you return things to their home immediately after you finish a layout? Please say your desk becomes a big cluttery mess...it'll make me feel better.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Jessica says…
    04/12/2006

    where did you get all the baskets? I am trying to collect baskets now as I want to organize some of my stuff this way too.
    Love your space!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. kim says…
    04/12/2006

    Hi Ali!
    what a great creative spot you have.
    I too, am a piler. But I did hear a cute reference to my piling personality...a 'pilit' (pronounced like pilot). So that's what I tell everyone I am!!!! I'm a life artist and a pilit!!!
    Have a great day :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Keely says…
    04/12/2006

    Ali,
    Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us. I see cool things in every one of your photographs. I need to take over a room in my house. I'm tired of having everything "put away". I want to see it!!
    Still have 3 days to finish on my week in the life album. My goal is to finish this weekend! xoxo Keely

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. holly says…
    04/12/2006

    Hi Ali!
    I love that you take the time and share your personal space! I love your piles of stuff! Makes me feel good about my own!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. gabby almejo-garza says…
    04/12/2006

    ali...love your studio. and all your cool containers and personal nick-nacks. as mentioned earlier by someone else...it is so lived in and that's what rocks. surgical=sucks....IMO that is.
    i also have a quick Q...that paper holder, how did you buy that? i've tried going to the link before but there is no gallery or way to purchase off the website. unless i'm completely missing it or something.
    thanks for sharing your creative hot spot. it comes at a perfect time for me since i will be moving into my new house at the end of may and then i will get one of the guest rooms to organize as a scrap room.
    thanks A!!
    - g

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Klala says…
    04/12/2006

    Dude, my space is like a miniature, less stocked version of yours. Eff. That is weird. Except I don't have a Mac. Or tissues.
    But I have candles! You need to get on that. Mood lighting.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Lisa Damrosch says…
    04/12/2006

    I feel like I just stopped by for a visit! So cool! Thanks for showing photos of how it "works" not just how it "looks!" Love that!
    Lisa

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. isabel says…
    04/12/2006

    WOW!
    That's all I have to say.
    : )

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Sarah says…
    04/12/2006

    Will you come to my house and organize it for me?

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Rachel says…
    04/12/2006

    looks fab Ali!! I had to go the route of more open storage too...was forgetting about too many fun goodies. and it makes clean up easier too :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Angi says…
    04/12/2006

    Love that your space is not one of those pristine, un-used looking spaces...You can *feel* stuff happening there. I'm a piler, too. And I love keeping stuff in sight.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Robyn says…
    04/12/2006

    Hi Ali - great space. Looks very comfy and cozy. :) Just one question - and it relates to jen's: how do you find stuff??? It seems like you have a pretty loose system going which I like. Do you just work in there so much that you remember what all you have? Thanks!

    Reply 0 Replies

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