Sometimes, even a decorator has to compromise.
That would be the case in my studio.
When we moved into our new home just over a year ago, I was thrilled to have a large loft as my studio. It’s big, and the entire house is within earshot – perfect for a work-at-home mom. In fact, I call it the Eagle’s Nest, since I can be perched up there & monitor just about everything.
But it wasn’t long before I became a wee bit disenchanted.
Mostly because this great big, lofty space was loaded with boxes full of all manner of arts & crafts supplies that had to go somewhere.
And typical of a loft, it was a big, empty room, oddly without a lot of usable space.
So, I began to brainstorm about storage for the room.
The brainstorm continued, but the ideas weren’t exactly forthcoming.
Finally, I thought that getting built-ins might be the best idea, but after pricing the configuration I wanted, my pocketbook quickly vetoed the idea.
Which left me where I started – with a big, empty room, oddly without a lot of usable space and boxes full of all manner of arts & crafts supplies that had to go somewhere.
I called in my sister for her opinion, and after telling her everything that I wanted, she said, “You want it all!”
Of course I want it all! Form and function!
But, as a friend of mine recently said about a completely different topic, every situation has its limitations, and you’ll be better off if you can figure out what those limitations are and work around them.
Sage advice, especially when considering a decorating project!
Because I can’t stand “visual noise,” I really wanted closed door storage. An armoire would have worked, but I couldn’t find one that I liked enough to spend the money on. I had some great ideas for some antique pieces, but couldn’t find those either.
Finally, I decided to take a cheap & easy approach.
A white laminate utility cabinet from Lowe’s for $218. Plus, for an extra $60, I got it delivered & assembled in my home.
It served the purpose, but wasn’t terribly stylish.
So, I decided to change the door handles to a more funky, stylish pair – the Modern Heidegger Pull in Brushed Stainless by Pacific Modern Hardware.
It made all the difference in the world, transforming a utility cabinet into a mod armoire.
Changing the door pulls only took about 10 minutes, and cost only $9.99 for each pull.
A quick, easy, and inexpensive transformation! That is unless you count the gorgeous chair I bought for $199 while I was shopping for the pulls!
At least it was on sale!
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