Design Hints

Crafting a Fashionable Workspace

Read pointers for creating an organized craft room filled with sweet touches, clever storage and lots of country charm.

"As long as you're working in your craft room, it might as well be pretty," craft-happy homeowner Emily Engel says. "And, if you keep things organized, you won't waste crafting time looking for what you need. I like to make it as efficient as I can." Emily offers these tips for combining hardworking function with fashionable forms:

1. Group similar supplies, and create zones for materials that will be used for a specific type of project, such as scrapbooking.

2. Use pretty baskets or boxes to stow your gear, and make sure all are aptly labeled. Opt for baskets with handles so you can take your supplies with you as needed.

3. Designate a holding area for seasonal materials bought at post-holiday sales so you can find them when you need them next year.

4. Separate fabrics and buttons by color, and sort sewing patterns by type. They'll be easy to grab when it's time to get going on a new project.

5. Camouflage your caches. Add flirty fabric skirts to work islands and window seats to cover up hideaways below.

6. Make your supplies part of the show. Use wall-hung vintage printers' trays to conveniently corral thread spools and tiny treasures; and, fill clear glass jars with buttons, beads and baubles to enhance the room's color scheme.

7. Keep ideas flowing and inspiration at hand. Hang magnetic boards and cork bulletin boards near your workspace to display in-process project lists, paint chips and images clipped from magazines.

Written by Ann Wilson
Photographed by BlackstoneEdge.com
Styled by Donna Pizzi