Sunday, March 11, 2012

Serendipity Studio - Countertops


Welcome back to my latest adventure, the creating of my Serendipity Studio.  The next step is putting a countertop under my   new cabinets.  
My husband built little boxes to support the counter.  I thought this would be a great way to add more storage to the room, because I have a lot of stuff!!! The boxes are done, and we set them up under the cabinets . . .
         nailed them together into one sturdy unit . . .
 
                      and placed the counter on top.

It looks pretty good.  It will be nice to have counter space and more storage space. I wasn't quite finished though, because I got to thinking about how I don't like clutter.  I am kind of OCD/ADD, and clutter just confuses me.  I need a clean, clear area to work in -  I don't want to have to look at all the stuff in the bins.  The perfect solution was to make a little gathered skirt, like the old fashioned pedestal sinks have.  Truthfully, even if I didn't need to cover up the clutter, I thought it would look charming!  I used fabric from the Ruby line by Moda.  I love it.  

We decided the easiest way to hang the skirt was to slide it onto wooden dowels. My husband had to screw two of them together to be long enough for the entire length of the counter.  To support the dowels we screwed hooks into the wooden boxes. . .  

I got busy making the skirt.  I measured the length of the counter  and multiplied it by 1-1/2.   This gave me the total yardage needed.  I divided the skirt into three sections for easy access under the counter.    Note:  From here on in I will be using 2 times the width instead of 1-1/2 because I didn't feel it was full enough. This will still be okay for this countertop because you can't really see it.
On each section of skirt I folded over the top of the fabric about 3-1/2 inches.  I  stitched two rows of stitching to make a casing for the wooden dowel.  I left a little ruffle on the top of about 1 inch.
I hung it up and pinned it to the right length.   
 I took it to the ironing board and pressed the bottom hem.  I trimmed the excess fabric leaving about an inch and stitched the hem.  
Once the skirt was up I decided it needed a little somethin' somethin', and I remembered the vintage aprons I purchased at an antique store a few months ago for just this project.  When I found these aprons  I couldn't believe my good luck.   More serendipity!!
There was a display rack full of pillowcases and aprons and tablecloths, folded and hanging on hangers.  I started looking through them, and found these.


 Five of them, brand new!  Can you believe it?  I couldn't.  I think there was a small little stain on one, looked like water or something had dripped on it.  I was shocked to see them priced at four dollars, and grabbed them all up.  These aprons would be perfect for the new room. I had planned to tie the aprons end to end and make a banner under the counter to hide the bins. Once I tied them together and strung them up I could still see behind them into the little boxes, and I felt it looked messy.  That's actually when I decided to make the little skirt to put up behind the apron.  I think it looks better now because the aprons are much easier to see with the fabric behind them.  The white cabinets made the aprons disappear. So, I pressed the aprons, retied them, and hung them up.  Definitely is vintagey and retro, but has a kind of cheerful farmhouse fresh feel.  I think I have achieved what I was going for.  I really do love it!!  I love vintage and whimsy, and this feels like both!


I think it looks really cute!  Thanks so much for visiting with me.  I am so happy that you are having fun right along with me!
 
Hi this is Hailey.  I am sure my grandma has talked about me before.  I am spending the night at my grandmas house tonight. Next week you will see pictures of my half of the room.               
 
          
         Love,
             Hailey

29 comments:

  1. L-O-V-E your new space! I thinking I may move my craftroom downstairs after hubby gets sheet rock & electic in that old space I was using!
    Love the long counter top!
    Deb

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  2. Julie your room is turning out GREAT. I am just loving your aprons against your fabric. So sweet.
    Hailey is a cutie pie. Please send her hugs and kisses for me.
    Hugs
    donna

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  3. Lovely to see your room coming along - the fabric skirts and aprons are just darling. Looking forward to seeing Hailey's side of the room! Hugs Estelle x

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  4. Your craft area just looks gorgeous ! I love how fresh and happy it looks .

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  5. What a cute space, and what a great idea to hold up the counter. Your curtains are darling. Can't wait to see more. I don't like clutter either!

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  6. Love it! I hate clutter too but since I love a great vintage find I have to find room. It looks fantastic with the aprons. Too true...serendipity indeed...Smiles...Renee

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  7. Love it - love that fabric and those aprons are to die for! This was truly a wonderful find!! Hi to Hailey! Your room is going to be marvelous - lucky girl you are!

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  8. Oh those aprons look so cute, Julie!! ♥

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  9. How cute!! I love aprons, and these add just the right touch in front of the skirts. Your studio is going to look great. Look forward to seeing Hailey's side of the room.

    Enjoying your happy music today.

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  10. Lucy,
    You are rockin' it. Love it and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the aprons, it looks so cute!
    Love,
    Ethel

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  11. Ohmygosh....loving it!!! The apron swag is just the cutest thing ev.er.... darling!!!

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  12. Hi! I am new to your blog and just love it! I love your eye for beautiful colors and vintage goodness! The aprons are adorable! Your studio looks like it is going to be a beautiful place to create! :) xo Heather

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  13. Who's a clever girl? You are! Who's a crafty girl? You are! Who's got the cutest counter in the world? You do!

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  14. Sigh. It's a crafers dream come true. First visit to your blog and lovin' it.

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  15. I am thoroughly enjoying watching your room come to life! It's going to be beautiful!!

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  16. I agree with everything that Sweet Bee Cottage has said. The apron swag is a great idea. Its so good watching your room come together.

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  17. Hi Julie!

    Thanks for visiting me. I am looking and feeling better day by day.

    You are going to have a great work space and a pretty one too. I love the fabric of the curtains and those little aprons are so cute.

    xoxo Bunny Jean
    Wednesday's Bunny Hop Party!

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  18. Oh -- lukcy you! That studio will be fabulous -- and it's fun to watch it "become"!

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  19. Okay girlfriend, seriously, when is your husband coming over here to do some built-ins for me???? My goodness it's looking fantastic and I'm so jealous, but not in a mean way....;o)

    See, I figure when I get my craft room organized/finished then I'll be able to finish the goodies I started making for you as thank you gifts. It makes sense to me, blame my laziness on an incomplete studio. I keep trying to take time for myself, but I end up doing things with my husband (now that he's home cause he's unemployed) or I'm still running errands for my mom. Even though we've got her moved into an independent living home, she still manages to find all kinds of things for me to do.

    I will answer your email sweetie, as I've got some more info for you, I've just gotta' get some strength back, especially since I'm having a garage sale in a week and a half.....I know, I must be crazy, but we could use the money.

    Love ya'
    Meri

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  20. Julie, your studio is looking great! So much fun to follow your progress. LOVE the fabric you used for covering the cabinets. And I literally squeeled when I saw your aprons! Lucky gal indeed!

    ~Cindy

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  21. HOW AMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i am so proud of you! so happy for you!!!! so THRILLED!!!!! oh and the curtains with the pillow cases -- MY LORD THEY ARE FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!! so sorry i have been slow in viewing -- life has been a bit overwhelming but i am watching and LOVING your progress! sending you tons of hugs and love my friend!

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  22. Hi Julie!
    I just love the way the counter and boxes came out. Your curtains and aprons are just perfect! It looks so happy.
    Blessings,
    Susie

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  23. Oh my goodness glory that's cute as a little dumplin'. What a magnificent job your doin' there. It all looks so charmin' sweetie.

    God bless and have yourself a sunshiny kinda day!!! :o)

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  24. Julie I am visiting from Cozy Little House.
    Your studio is beautiful, I know you will enjoy the new cabinets.
    Suzan
    ladybug Cottage

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  25. Hi Julie,
    I am over from Brenda's at Cozy House. YOu are my kind of gal. I love Andy and Barn, Aunt Bea and the gang! I simply cannot find anything as good on TV, as when I was growing up in the 60's and 70's! I watch old episodes of Bob Newhart and Mary Tyler Moore, ALOT! We live in a 1939 cape cod style home. Please stop by and say hi, when you have time. I am your newest follower!

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  26. Brenda suggested your blog so here I am! Love all the work you and family have done in the basement to make a sewing part and a crafts section! You rock!

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  27. Super Sweet work area! Your fabric choice is right down our alley... :) We are working on a craft/sewing room..... but we haven't started building it yet. Have a great weekend, and thanks for stopping by :)

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  28. So. Utterly. Jaw on Floor.

    That storage space is seriously inspired and I'm looking around me with new eyes!

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  29. That skirt is just ADORABLE!! The aprons give it so much personality!! You're so creative!! Thanks for inspiring me!! xo Jina

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