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Studio Spaces: Projects, Inspiration & Ideas for Your Creative Place
Create, update, and organize your creative workspace
With the economy still in a slump, handmade isn't going anywhere. In the online and print crafting worlds, craft and art studios and workspaces are extremely popular topics--and storage and organization is a perennially hot topic. Combining the two brings together the best of both worlds in a collection of inspiration, how-to, projects, and sneak peeks into the studios of favorite designers.
With a unique combination of designer studios, inspiration, helpful projects, and creative how-to, you'll find clever and helpful ideas to corral your crafting supplies, update your creative spaces, and spend more time creating and less time combating clutter.You'll get an inside look at the studios of top designers and crafters Dozens of projects to help contain, organize, and manage craft supplies and stash Dozens of inspirational stories on studio and workspace organizationCountless clever and unique tips and tricks for wrangling clutter and getting the most out of the space you have, freeing up time for more creativity
No matter what your craft or experience, "Studio Spaces" offers the inspiration and ideas you need to better organize and decorate your home studio and let the creativity flow.
- GenresCraftsArtNonfiction
168 pages, Paperback
First published December 27, 2011
74 people want to read
About the author
Better Homes and Gardens
2,051 books288 followersBetter Homes and Gardens is the fourth best selling magazine in the United States. Better Homes and Gardens focuses on interests regarding homes, cooking, gardening, crafts, healthy living, decorating, and entertaining. The magazine is published 12 times per year by the Meredith Corporation. It was founded in 1922 by Edwin Meredith, who had previously been the United States Secretary of Agriculture under Woodrow Wilson.
Better Homes and Gardens is one of the "Seven Sisters", a group of women's service magazines.
Better Homes and Gardens is one of the "Seven Sisters", a group of women's service magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 15, 2012
I rarely read craft books from cover to cover, genuinely reading every page, but I did with this one. There is a lot going on here. The very beginning has profiles of several professional designers or crafters and their studio space. There are also some redesigns of general household spaces, sections on creating crafting space in closets, rooms with another main purpose, a rolling cart, or other ideas. The biggest thing the book has going for it is lots of creative inspiration for craft storage and creative spaces.
I did feel like you had to have a certain standard of living to be able to make use of the suggestions or inspirations. Much of the equipment is not cheap and I was disappointed that the redesigns featured a lot of "getting rid of mismatched and leftover furniture." But that's not to say that all parts are expensive or that creative people won't be able to find cheaper alternatives, or that some stuff can be found cheaply at thrift stores. (A lot of stuff is clearly from IKEA. I’m not sure what it says that I recognize it.)
While the inspiration is awesome, the actual projects at the end are not great. First of all, there are very few that actually have directions, and the directions are not at all detailed, and while there is a picture of the finished project, there are no pictures of steps in the process. I wouldn’t have minded if the projects hadn't been included, but if you are going to include projects, especially in a book clearly targeted to creative and crafty people, I do think that some actual instruction would not be out of place.
When I bought my house, I knew that one of the bedrooms was going to be a craft room. I have since added a husband to the household and we do want kids, so I know that I won't get to keep my dedicated craft room forever. But I have it for now, and the following ideas caused me to go, "Oh! That might work in my room!"
Page 13: curtain rod with clips for changing out what is hung—for wall hangings?
Page 17: hanging rods and Ikea buckets & baskets
Page 30: scrappy looking valance (with trim) at top of window
Page 35: tension rod and curtain hiding plastic storage bins from view
Page 40: kitchen utensil caddies holding quilting tools (drawer dividers)
Page 50: Pegboard! There is a lot in the book, but this was my favorite picture of it, with the most that I would want to duplicate what was hanging on the peg board. Also, Clipboards!
Page 73: wine cork “corkboard” in a frame
Page 110: remove bi-fold doors and use curtains to hide closet interiors (their’s tie on the rod, could also use pressure rod with shower-curtain style rings)
Page 113: Murphy bed! And instructions on how to build one.
Page 134: beanbags as bookends!
Page 145: under-the-shelf wine racks for storage of pens and such
Also page 145: little mint tin business card holder
Page 151: clock made on a cake pan
Page 155: suitcase as traveling craft storage: put a cookie sheet in the lid of the suitcase for magnetic storage. Also, another clipboard.
Page 163: cassette tape case as business card holder
And last but not least: randomness. So, in the studio section, I get that it makes sense to show what the designer may be working on. I only noticed that they did it with one designer, though, and they show the sketch in her journal of a rotting tree trunk. It takes up most of page 41. It didn’t bother me, just struck me as a weird choice to include.
I did feel like you had to have a certain standard of living to be able to make use of the suggestions or inspirations. Much of the equipment is not cheap and I was disappointed that the redesigns featured a lot of "getting rid of mismatched and leftover furniture." But that's not to say that all parts are expensive or that creative people won't be able to find cheaper alternatives, or that some stuff can be found cheaply at thrift stores. (A lot of stuff is clearly from IKEA. I’m not sure what it says that I recognize it.)
While the inspiration is awesome, the actual projects at the end are not great. First of all, there are very few that actually have directions, and the directions are not at all detailed, and while there is a picture of the finished project, there are no pictures of steps in the process. I wouldn’t have minded if the projects hadn't been included, but if you are going to include projects, especially in a book clearly targeted to creative and crafty people, I do think that some actual instruction would not be out of place.
When I bought my house, I knew that one of the bedrooms was going to be a craft room. I have since added a husband to the household and we do want kids, so I know that I won't get to keep my dedicated craft room forever. But I have it for now, and the following ideas caused me to go, "Oh! That might work in my room!"
Page 13: curtain rod with clips for changing out what is hung—for wall hangings?
Page 17: hanging rods and Ikea buckets & baskets
Page 30: scrappy looking valance (with trim) at top of window
Page 35: tension rod and curtain hiding plastic storage bins from view
Page 40: kitchen utensil caddies holding quilting tools (drawer dividers)
Page 50: Pegboard! There is a lot in the book, but this was my favorite picture of it, with the most that I would want to duplicate what was hanging on the peg board. Also, Clipboards!
Page 73: wine cork “corkboard” in a frame
Page 110: remove bi-fold doors and use curtains to hide closet interiors (their’s tie on the rod, could also use pressure rod with shower-curtain style rings)
Page 113: Murphy bed! And instructions on how to build one.
Page 134: beanbags as bookends!
Page 145: under-the-shelf wine racks for storage of pens and such
Also page 145: little mint tin business card holder
Page 151: clock made on a cake pan
Page 155: suitcase as traveling craft storage: put a cookie sheet in the lid of the suitcase for magnetic storage. Also, another clipboard.
Page 163: cassette tape case as business card holder
And last but not least: randomness. So, in the studio section, I get that it makes sense to show what the designer may be working on. I only noticed that they did it with one designer, though, and they show the sketch in her journal of a rotting tree trunk. It takes up most of page 41. It didn’t bother me, just struck me as a weird choice to include.
January 23, 2013
Non-Fiction/Arts & Crafts
4 stars
Studio Spaces invites you into the crafting studios of six working artists. Through the pages of this book, you will see different storage and organization ideas that can help you tackle your own space.
With many photographs and descriptions of how they utilize their studio space, what I enjoyed the most is how they incorporated the rooms to function amongst their family. These are not areas tucked away in the dark corners of their homes, but right out in the open and kid-friendly. Not only are they usable spaces, but they are beautifully thought out and blend in to the home seamlessly.
Studio Spaces inspired a ton of great new ideas for me to try and I am sure it will do the same for you. If you are looking for a way to organize your current studio or are wanting to carve out one in your own home, I highly recommend that you check out this book.
4 stars
Studio Spaces invites you into the crafting studios of six working artists. Through the pages of this book, you will see different storage and organization ideas that can help you tackle your own space.
With many photographs and descriptions of how they utilize their studio space, what I enjoyed the most is how they incorporated the rooms to function amongst their family. These are not areas tucked away in the dark corners of their homes, but right out in the open and kid-friendly. Not only are they usable spaces, but they are beautifully thought out and blend in to the home seamlessly.
Studio Spaces inspired a ton of great new ideas for me to try and I am sure it will do the same for you. If you are looking for a way to organize your current studio or are wanting to carve out one in your own home, I highly recommend that you check out this book.
June 14, 2012
Wow.
Lots of cluttered, colorful rooms and objects. Most of it made out of cheap materials, and I don't mean that in a good way. Most of these rooms and ideas were the same from page to page. So much color. My eyes are burning. I find it hard to believe that many people will find much inspiration here.
Don't touch my creative place.
Lots of cluttered, colorful rooms and objects. Most of it made out of cheap materials, and I don't mean that in a good way. Most of these rooms and ideas were the same from page to page. So much color. My eyes are burning. I find it hard to believe that many people will find much inspiration here.
Don't touch my creative place.
July 5, 2012
Highly recommended for people who want to get all of their crafting junk under control! Also recommended for people who would like to organize a beautiful home office or workspace. Many of the ideas would work well in a kitchen or playroom.
January 8, 2013
It had some great ideas for transforming small spaces and organizing a home office, however, I really didn't like the style choices. The schemes were very mod and "fluffy" for my tastes but, again, good ideas to perhaps impose my own style with.
August 19, 2013
This book is visually inspiring. Anyone with a hobby knows that having an organized space with tools and supplies easily accessible and sufficient workspace is essential. Most of the organizational options can be found at Ikea or The Container Store.
May 30, 2015
This is an inspiring book. Yes, some of the features are beyond my means to be able to do, but others are simple and down-to-earth. I especially like the vintage styled rooms/crafts and unique container ideas.
January 26, 2012
Great book full of creative ideas for all fellow needleworkers and crafters!
January 16, 2012
Excellent ideas for organizing craft and/or work space. Repurposing/recycling ideas too. I will want to look at it again and again!
April 7, 2012
Oh, I am in love with some of these spaces... especially Jean Wells' studio. Wow.
August 30, 2012
I love some of the ideas in this book and found it a good read. It was not how ever one of my favorite craft books.
December 11, 2012
There were some clever ideas here and some room for thought, but nothing amazingly different. The studios are awesome - but do people really work in them?
March 13, 2017
Meh. Reading the magazine or looking at Pinterest would be much more helpful.
May 28, 2014
Pretty pictures and good ideas, but nothing stands out at new or revolutionary.
June 11, 2014
This little book is full of beautiful photos, great projects and wonderful ideas for setting up your own creative space. I intend to use quite a few of the ideas myself.
January 7, 2013
Excellent!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews