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    Home » Renovations

    Turning my Mom's Apartment into a Craft Studio

    By: Jane · Updated: 3 Oct, '20 · This post may contain affiliate links · 25 Comments

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    Craft studio collage

    I've been working on something for the past two months, and I'm ready to show you today. I've turned my mom's apartment into a craft studio.

    Craft studio

    Many of you know that we built my mom an apartment in our backyard and she lived in it for the past ten years. After she passed in May, I had no idea what we were going to do with her apartment.

    In fact, I couldn't bear for anything to be changed for a few months. I was just so sad but sitting in her apartment gave me some comfort. Late in July, my family came and helped me clean out her things.

    It was about that same time that my friend came over and showed me her Chalk Couture products and I signed up to be a designer. It was then that I thought about turning the building into a craft studio.

    But before that could happen some work needed to be done.

    Bed in apartment

    First, we had to take down the bed and put it into storage. The oldest granddaughter wants me to keep it for her to use when she gets an apartment.

    Hole in wall for air conditioner

    Next, we had to remove an air conditioner that no longer worked because lightning had damaged it. The hole created by its removal had to be sealed and insulated.

    Plate rack on floor

    I had given this wooden plate rack to my mother last Christmas because our plans were to mount it to display her blue and white china. Unfortunately, my mom fell in January before we could get this work done. I found the plate rack on Etsy but it didn't have a back. So my contractor cut a back to fit and I painted it navy.

    Blue and white china in a wooden plate rack

    So I went ahead with my mom's plans to mount the plate rack in this corner and it does look pretty.

    Gas heater

    In the sitting area, there was a small gas heater that we had installed a few years ago. We decided to keep it in the studio. It does a great job heating the building but it's not that pretty.

    Faux fireplace

    My contractor built a simple faux fireplace around it.

    Faux brick panel

    The brick behind the heater is actually a faux brick panel from Lowe's. It's not too pretty so I promptly started painting the grout lines white.

    Faux fireplace

    I painted the mantel Navel by Sherwin Williams and used a variety of acrylic paints on the faux brick. To hide the gas heater when it's not being used, I placed a wooden fire screen that I found in a local antique store in front of it. It was only $25 and the colors match the fall decorations that I've used.

    Navy painted furniture

    In the area where the bed was, I set up a place to craft and make videos. Nothing new was purchased because I rounded up some previously used furniture items. The table was one that we used to have on our back porch. The shutters were some of the repurposed closet doors that we removed from our front porch. The sofa table used to be in our house and the rug was one that I used on the front porch for a while. You may even recognize the folding coat rack that used to be on the front porch.

    Corner of craft studio

    Most everything was refreshed with a new coat of paint and I am still organizing my craft supplies.

    Craft studio
    Cupboard with chicken wire

    This is what it looks like currently. I am in the middle of painting one of my dining chairs white and you can see that I'm not finished.

    You may also recognize this old cupboard with chicken wire. It used to be in our hallway and for a while, it hung out on our front porch. It was painted also.

    Blue and white china in an old cupboard

    It makes a perfect storage piece for my mom's collection of blue and white chinoiserie.

    Sink in craft studio

    Having a sink in a craft studio is a big plus. It comes in handy when washing the Chalk Couture transfers.

    Chalk couture autumn sign

    This area of the kitchen is decorated for fall with a Chalk Couture sign that I made.

    Fabric skirt under the counter

    I've been sewing, too. I made this fabric skirt to hide some plastic drawers.

    Navy ticking shower curtain

    And I made a shower curtain out of the same navy ticking.

    Farmhouse pine table

    Here's an in-progress photo of when we moved our pine farmhouse table into the apartment. We replaced it with a round table in our dining room.

    Table and curtains in craft studio

    I found a heavy duty navy buffalo checked vinyl tablecloth for the table on Amazon. It comes in different colors and has a cute scalloped edge. I'm very pleased with it.

    White curtains with trim

    The white curtains are new and from Amazon as well.

    Navy trim on white curtains

    I hot-glued some navy trim that I ordered from Amazon onto the curtains. I'm still working on adding the tie backs to all the curtains.

    Bulletin board with navy burlap

    I repainted a bulletin board that was in the apartment and applied navy burlap over the cork. I already had the navy burlap left over from another project.

    Display shelves

    I ordered these white display shelves from Amazon, too. I'm using them to display some of my Chalk Couture projects.

    New rug in craft studio

    I ordered this rug from another website but I have discovered that Amazon has a better price on it. It has very pretty colors in it and you can find it HERE.

    Loveseat

    I kept the small loveseat that was in Mom's apartment in here. I do need to get new lampshades when I get a chance to look for some.

    Faux fireplace decorated for fall

    The faux fireplace is all decorated for fall.

    Chinoiserie on mantel

    I'm really loving the navy and orange combination.

    Blue and white candlesticks on a fall mantel

    I think my mom would be very proud that I'm using her blue and white candlesticks. The little pumpkin candle is one that I found in a shop in Waynesville, NC.

    Harvest porch sign and old milk can

    I've been practicing using the Chalk Couture transfers by making things to display on the little porch. The old milk can was red and was used for many years on our front porch.

    Orange cosmos in a blue pot

    On the other side of the door is a blue pot (recently painted) that I planted with orange cosmos.

    I have been so busy the past two months working on the craft studio that I have done no fall decorating in our house! Turning my mom's apartment into a craft studio has been cathartic and a retreat from real world happenings.

    I hope you've enjoyed seeing its transformation.

    Take care and stay safe!

    More Renovations

    • Hole in wood floor in dining room 1
      Repairing our old Southern Pine Floors
    • Screen porch 2
      Sweet Summertime Screen Porch Reveal
    • Porch floor paint 1
      Repairing and Painting a Concrete Porch Floor
    • Screen porch tear down square
      Screen Porch Demo

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    1. Pat Elders

      October 07, 2020 at 1:45 pm

      Hi Jane, I love the way you've transformed the apartment into your craft studio. It looks like a perfect blend of you and your mother and a perfect way to honor her memory. You've made it a place of joyful creativity and happy memories that you can cherish always.

      Reply
    2. Charlene

      October 07, 2020 at 2:04 am

      Oh Jane, This is amazing & I couldn’t think of anything better to honor her than using her cottage & beautiful blue dishes. She would love love this idea! She loved you so much and was so proud of you! Her presence will always be with you. I can’t wait to see it & you in 2 weeks! 😊❤️

      Reply
    3. Dawn

      October 06, 2020 at 2:38 pm

      And the re-do of your Mom's apartment allows you to still see many of her treasures, that you can incorporate into your new ' craft studio ' and keeping her around you too. So pretty and love the navy and orange together too !! I got a few things this year with navy / orange for fall and I love it. I have some navy, teal & orange in dining room too. Love it.

      Reply
    4. Terri Driggers

      October 05, 2020 at 4:46 pm

      How beautiful... Love what you did with the mantle and of course the fall decor is simply gorgeous.... Im sure your Mom would be thrilled with what you'e done!

      Reply
      • Dianne Stewart

        October 06, 2020 at 7:20 pm

        You have created a beautiful place! Love it!

        Reply
    5. Lynda Ramage

      October 05, 2020 at 9:40 am

      Jane, what a special way to honor your Mother. You paid attention to all the details and I am sure she would be pleased to see what you did. You will have more good memories of the place and your Mother will be working along side of you. Congratulations on a job well done!

      Reply
    6. Jenna

      October 05, 2020 at 9:25 am

      hi Jane, I'm so sorry about your mom, but I know she's thrilled you are using her apartment for crafts and creations, enjoying her beautiful blue and white china collection and having such a fantastic place to enjoy! I love the faux fireplace and the way you disguised the heater. All your fall decorations look fantastic and you will have much fun styling your new spaces throughout the seasons and holidays...your own She Shed Studio!

      Reply
    7. Naush Samama

      October 05, 2020 at 7:55 am

      Fabulous decor, Jane !!
      I'd love for you to share with us at Meraki Link Party. Party opens at 10:00 am from Monday to Thursday.
      Much love.
      Naush

      Reply
    8. Linda Kelly

      October 04, 2020 at 11:55 pm

      The china is beautiful and you did a great job on everything. Our electrical panel is in the laundry room near the back door and I made a burlap bulletin board to cover it. We hang a decorative calendar on it too. This might be handy for you as well. Look forward to learning about Chalk Couture.

      Reply
    9. Jo Johnston

      October 04, 2020 at 9:01 pm

      I love the way you made your mom's apartment become a place that reflects your interests. I'm sure she would be thrilled with the changes! The combination of navy, white and orange is gorgeous!

      Reply
    10. va

      October 04, 2020 at 4:54 pm

      A beautiful job and wonderful way to have memories of your mom with the blue and white
      touches around.
      I enjoy your work!

      Reply
    11. Melanie

      October 04, 2020 at 4:08 pm

      Hi Jane- Everything looks fabulous! I love how the blue and white is your mom, and then you added the orange for fall. I think blue and white are so classic that you can use them for each season/holiday! Please consider a YouTube channel!! You would be awesome showing your home and your studio and your crafts and chalk couture! Leo could be your photographer, videographer, and editor! I think YouTube is the wave of the future and a different take on blogging.

      Reply
    12. Dolly

      October 04, 2020 at 1:35 pm

      P. S. I love that portrait of you. Beautiful!

      Reply
    13. Dolly

      October 04, 2020 at 1:31 pm

      I really like all that you've done with the craft studio. I know your Mom would be so happy with it as well! Every little touch adds so much. What a wonderful creative studio you have!

      Reply
    14. Darlene Smith

      October 04, 2020 at 12:01 pm

      Wow! What a wonderful job! Love everything you did.

      Reply
    15. Jeanie-Q

      October 04, 2020 at 11:45 am

      I'm sorry for your loss. Mine will be gone 5 year next month. I was 67 when she passed, so I considered myself lucky to have had my mom for so long. We still have our mom's house, but we will sell it one day. Right now my brother lives there. I think your mom would be happy with what you've done with her place. It's a crafters dream.

      Reply
    16. Kathleen

      October 04, 2020 at 10:45 am

      You did a great job! I enjoyed seeing the transformation, such creativity! I’m sure you feel your mom’s presence, she is always with you!❤️

      Reply
    17. Francis C. Moore

      October 04, 2020 at 10:30 am

      I love your new studio. It is a place that I could stay in and retreat from the problems of the world. I do have a suggestion. When and if you want to, you might change the electric plugins to white. I think that would really add to the space. I think your mom would be very pleased. I loved the bed that the granddaughter wants. Now go and create.

      Reply
    18. Paulette

      October 04, 2020 at 9:59 am

      Absolutely beautiful! Love it all, even the colors you chose and what a tribute to your mother displaying her china. I know you will be inspired as you do your crafting! Look forward to your upcoming posts on your house fall decorations!!

      Reply
    19. Helen

      October 04, 2020 at 9:57 am

      So pretty!

      Reply
    20. Roxanne

      October 04, 2020 at 8:44 am

      How beautiful your studio turned out. Very creative ideas. I’m sure your mom would be proud of what you have done with her apartment.

      Roxanne

      Reply
    21. Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage

      October 04, 2020 at 8:40 am

      Oh Jane what a great transformation of your sweet mom's apartment. I love the blue and white you have going in this room. So sweet you could keep the pretty plates and plate rack that you gifted your mom. I know she is smiling down on you knowing you made her space into a beautiful and creative one. This is will a new special place for you in honor of your mom.
      Great job. xoxo Kris

      Reply
    22. Karen

      October 04, 2020 at 8:27 am

      Jane, who is that beautiful young woman in the painting above your mantle?

      Reply
    23. Patti

      October 04, 2020 at 6:48 am

      Jane, what a wonderful job and idea! I know your mother is smiling down and you and that you will feel her presence as you create in this space. I see so many beautiful projects in the future and a great space to be inspired in and call your own.

      Reply
      • Lorri

        October 04, 2020 at 9:02 am

        Hi Jane,
        I follow you and I was so glad to see that you made your Mom's apt into a craft studio. How pleased she would be, you be close with her and doing what you love. Precious. 😍 Have fun and enjoy.

        Reply

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