For those of you who follow my blog, you will remember that last July, my husband Rich was in a very serious accident while riding his bicycle. We set up our living room into what we called his “efficiency apartment” – complete with hospital bed, IV pole, walker, etc. ……… (Happy, happy to report that he is doing amazingly well – for which I thank God everyday!)
We live in a big colonial home that was built in 1919~ so it is almost 100 years old. We very rarely used our living room – we have other rooms in our house that we “hang out” in! So it seemed the perfect spot for Rich to use through his recovery/healing.
One morning, over a cup of coffee in the “efficiency apartment”, Rich and I talked about what a great space the living room was and it was too bad that we didn’t use it much. He suggested that I turn the space into a new stampin’ studio!! Wow!!! I was thrilled ……. and so the planning began.
I called on my dear friend, Sandra (hi Sandra – you know I love you!!!) and we devised a plan in our heads for the transformation.
I wish I had taken some “before” pictures so that you could see the full transformation – but we put this together so quickly I didn’t think about that until it was too late.
So today, I am going to share with you some photos of my new, awesome stampin’ studio – I have named it “The Bee Spot!” I have lots of photos and will be sharing them over the next few days.
Enjoy!!!
And I have to add, that out of a very bad accident, something wonderful has come ……….. Not sure we would have ever come up with this idea without the accident!
Love the way The Bee Spot turned out – it is actually better than I even dreamed it would be!
It had to be functional – and “work” for my stampin’ classes and events that I hold – but I also wanted it to have lots of charm and personality and reflect my love of all things vintage and antique!!!
I have filled it with lots of vintage/antique things I love – some I already had, some that were acquired at garage sales, flea markets and some of my favorite vintage stores! Hope you enjoy the tour!
Welcome to The Bee Spot – love this “chippy” door – I think it must be from a chicken coop !
Made this little sign to place on the chicken coop door. The garland is the Springtime Hello Garland Kit ( item #133330) – I have just used a small part of the garland here.
This is the view as you walk in the room – this is my “classroom”. You can see me sitting at my desk in my office – this was part of the transformation as well – I will share that room later!
The hardwood floors are original to the house – and are beautiful.
I originally thought about getting some antique tables for this space, but thought these new tables fit the space well and were very sturdy which was important! I mixed new white chairs with some antique Hitchcock chairs that I have had for a long time. Love the mix of new and old. I got four of these tables – and they fit nicely in the room and are perfect for my stampin’ classes!
Here is a view of the room as you enter and look towards the left –
On the left is what I call “the wall of awesomeness!” The cabinets help keep much of my stampin’ supplies organized and orderly and hidden for a neater look! Love these!!! And it was fun to decorate the space above them with some of my favorite vintage finds –
I especially love the Hoover box – I was out running errands one morning and noticed that there was a garage sale at a house that I had always thought was so cute – so I pulled up and found this box –
I grew up in North Canton, Ohio which is where the Hoover Vacuum Company was founded. My dad worked at the Hoover Company his entire career, as did several others in my family. I even had a summer job there while in college! Turns out that this box belonged to a man who was a friend and co-worker of my dad, which makes me love it even more!
Also love the stack of suitcases and the collection of old stamps.
And some close ups – this is a fun display area over my antique pie safe. Love this big burlap memo board and how it is framed – perfect for displaying projects.
Here is the other half of the room –
And a close up of a fun vignette at that end –
Isn’t this cute? My daughter Faith asked me if I knew who these people were in these photos ! No, I have no idea, but I love them anyway!
Another stack of suitcases – they rest on a table that I painted with chalk paint.
Here is my fireplace and mantle –
How fun is this? I found this old bedspring (from a baby crib?) and knew it would be perfect for displaying cards above my mantle. The banner is one of our free saleabration offerings – I love this and it couldn’t be easier to assemble – took me about 10 minutes and it is adorable!
Found the bee plaque while out in St. George, Utah at Founder’s Circle last year.
I use clothespins to attach my cards for display – these can be easily switched out when I want to change the display.
Another little corner of the room – I got this table for “a steal” – it was in pretty bad shape but with some chalk paint — it has been transformed to a thing of beauty!!!
The pretty glass piece holds chocolate – Stampin’ and chocolate go together – and I always have some for my stampers to munch on while they are here for class. The little Valentine sampler was a project I made last year – these little samplers are really fun to make.
So I think I will stop there for today – hope you have enjoyed this little tour of The Bee Spot – please stop back – I have more to share!!
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Oh Laura! What an AMAZING space! There is just something so wonderful about a relaxing space to call your own. It's absolutely beautiful! My husband, Rich, also gave me a stamp room makeover over the holiday so I totally get your excitement! It's just fabulous!
Thanks Connie! Your room looks amazing, too!!! And yes, very exciting!
Wowzers! Great stamping spot, it looks so cozy I want to come right over to stamp lol! Thanks for sharing, love the inspiration;)
Come on over, Evelyn!!! It is better when there are stampers in the room!!
What a wonderful reflection of you, Laura! Love it!
Thanks so much, Kay!!
Congratulations Laura, what an beautiful stampin' space! And…I'm so glad your husband is getting better every day and has vacated the efficiency apartment! !
Thanks Becky! Yes, we are so glad the efficiency apartment has been vacated! Thinking of you often – hope things are going ok!
What a beautiful space! You did a wonderful job. I'm glad your husband is on the mend.
Thanks, Deb!!
Wow.. fantastic space!! I would come stamp with you ANYDAY!! 🙂 So glad Rich is doing better!
Thanks, Patty!!! You are welcome any time!!! Your husband and son would surely love to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame – and we could stamp while they were there!! How fun would that be???
Love it, and I love the antique stuff, I love to re-purpose things cause they are made so much better than new stuff, and I sure wish some of the things could talk, can you imagine the baby crib story? Hugs, Di
Hi Di – I thought of you when I saw that chicken coop door!! 🙂
bookmarking this page! I can't tell you how inspiring it is!!! such great simple sweet decorating ideas. thanks so much for sharing! so glad your husband is doing ok! My mom had a bike accident last summer and dislocated her shoulder. but that same weekend we heard of a friend of a friend's husband who did not survive a bike accident. thank God for his mercies. I've missed seeing you at events (and I've missed going to events!) life with 3 small kids and one in school is sure different than 2 kids. Claire
Thank you so much, Claire! Miss seeing you too – and yes, I know you are busy with your kids – but enjoy it – they grow up tooo fast!
Laura, It's GORGEOUS! I have BEE envy. Enjoy your new stampin' space!
Mary.
Ah, dear Mary!! Thanks so much!!!
Beautiful space, Laura! What a welcoming spot for your friends/customers to come and stamp!
Thanks Wanda! Road trip??
Awesome!!!
Thanks, Susie!
This is beautiful Laura – it looks like the perfect reflection of you – warm and welcoming! It would be a wonderful space to create in.
We need to plan alternating visits so we can craft and antique hunt together!
So happy that Rich is doing better and for the blessing that came from that difficult time. 🙂
Thanks, Robin!!! Would love to craft and antique with you – Got some fun shops here I would love to take you to!!!
Maybe skating will bring you this way some time soon??
Your friends will feel welcome and cozy stamping in this gorgeous room with you, Laura. Thanks for the tour!
Thanks, Loni!!
Simply beautiful and absolutely perfect. Thanks for having us over for another awesome downline meeting. Inspiring as always! Congratulations on such a well-deserved space to express yourself.
Thanks, Donna!! Glad you liked the meeting! 🙂 It was fun and glad that it was inspiring too!!!!
Absolutely gorgeous!! You have done such a beautiful job Laura.. .thanks for sharing.