Monday, February 1, 2010

Switcheroo...




Hello my friends!!  I've been busy...and I'm not done yet...but here's where I'm at with the whole switching of my living room and dining room...

What prompted this idea in the first place was a post that Jeanne did where she turned her dining room into her creative space..it turned out simply amazing...and it got my wheels turning...

I didn't want to give up my dining room, but if I switched rooms around a bit, I could turn my mostly unused living room into a cozy sitting room and carve out a creative space for myself at the same time!  I'm still working on accessorizing it a bit, but the basics are all in place.  Where Women Create won't be knocking on my door, but I'm beyond thrilled to have more than the kitchen table now to work on my "crafter wanna be" projects :)



The mercury glass candlesticks are now on the matel in the {new} dining room...I'm not finished in there yet, so that will have to be a different post.  My husband built me this craft table out of some old fence posts we had gotten for free and extra wood we had in the basement...all we bought was the top...I wanted a table that was taller as I usually stand when working on packing orders for the shop or crafting...



The bottle rack that used to have all of the white cups on it has started to accumulate bits of what I need in my creative space instead.  I took some little metal buckets that I had purchased from Target last year in the dollar bin and hot glued vintage number flashcards where the Peter Rabbit picture was...now I can put all kinds of little bits in there and have easy access...and I LOVE the new filing drawers I bought from Ikea over the weekend...ahh, to have so much organization...











Here I just hung some chipboard words on bare branches...sadly it was time to pack away my beloved button ornaments, but the branches seemed to still need something...



One thing I've learned is that it's hard redoing a room when it's not flea market season...I'm hoping to find a cool old stool and other fun items to decorate my new space once I can hit the flea markets again! 

What kind of projects have all of you been up to???

Happy new week!!!



Tracey


112 comments:

Gretchen said...

Tracey,
Your house should be in a magazine!
So pretty,
Happy new week to you too!
Gretchen

Chrissy said...

O.k Tracey as soon as I pick my jaw up off the floor I will tell you how much I love what you have done,and then I will thank you soooo much for making me hate my house even more(so will John).....good thing I adore you or I might be ticked!!! Looks awesome my friend,simply stunning!!! oxoxox

Laura Ingalls Gunn said...

Oh I have been searching for a bottle organizer to corral my spools of ribbon. My husband thought I was nuts. Thank you for validating my thoughts.

I too mostly stand when crafting. :)

Loui said...

Tracey..
WOW! Definitely has the AWE factor!!
beautiful..
simply stated..
what a perfect work station/nook!
Love it!!
your house is so stunning!!
warm hugs..
Loui♥

Janean said...

tracey, are you kidding??? this room will get a LOT of attention. you're amazing. you're so talent. you're so smart to change a room into a useful and happy space! i'm throwing confetti for the beauty and inspiration you created. yay!

Simply Me Art said...

Simply Beautiful!

Anne Marie said...

Chrissy's comment is totally cracking me up! and this room of yours? may I mention you in a post dear? I would love for others to create their spaces in a different way - without money -

let me know Tracey....

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

Hi Tracey,

This gorgeous place will certainly bring you much joy and al lot of inspiration too! It's really beautiful!!

Have a sweet week,

Saskia

sissie said...

Hi Tracey,
I cannot begin to express how much I love, love, love your style.
Your room is amazing, I am just in awe. I keep going back over the photos and drooling. Your talent and eye for the beautiful just fascinates me. I want some of your creative genes!!
The little tin cups with the numbers are wonderful. I would love to be able to work in a space like yours. Of course, I would be afraid of messing it up!

hugs
Sissie

Polly said...

Hi Tracey! It is simply amazing! You are so talented, and I love how you make a monotone space look inviting and cozy!

One little question for you....where did you find the burlap ribbon hanging on your french rack? I can't seem to find it anywhere!

Thanks!

Polly

Lou Cinda said...

This is beautiful and it is such a great idea to switch the rooms to better accommodate your needs!

It looks fabulous and I could SO be inspired in that setting!

Lou Cinda

Sandi said...

Be still my heart!! TRACEY! You have a gorgeous home that definitely should be in a magazine!!! I love all your touches and the white is amazing! I would love to have an all white home, but that is not going to happen. lol
Hugs~

Theresa @ 612Riverside said...

Tracey ~ Everything is stunning! I could look at your photos all day long, over and over again! I want to tell you a favorite thing but seriously I can't it is all lovely. Thanks for more of your creative inspiration ~ Theresa

julie said...

oh my goodness tracey! it looks wonderful! i love the peaceful colors! and your pictures are beautiful! cant wait to see more! i am hosting my very first giveaway! stop by for a visit!

Jane said...

Simply beautiful. Everything is so calm and serene...unlike the cluttered mess in my creative space! Your photos are stunning!
Jane

Farmgirl Paints said...

Girl when you got it...you got it. So pretty:)

Flower Patch Farmgirl said...

Those filing drawers are from Ikea?? Bestill my heart. Your home is just fabulous, no matter what goes where. :)

JohannaL said...

How beautiful pictures!

Vianne said...

Hello my friend,
I like the idea with the frame in the frame:-)It is great! And the madonna is so tender...
Nice new week to you!
Vianne

Cheryl~ZanyMayd said...

Tracey
Your Room is Unbelievable Beautiful~ The COVER of a Magazine... Eye Candy for the Soul, I can't wait to see the Dining Room~
Cheryl

alice said...

Oh MY are you sure WWC is not coming?????????????? Wonderful job!!! Love your home.
smiles, alice

Living It At Home said...

Wow, your home looks great. I love the new layout and work area. I have always wanted a place to call my own...to putter around and craft. Lucky you!

Enjoy it! Looking forward to flea markets too!
~jamilyn

the wild raspberry said...

so many pretties....
it looks great.

hope you are inspired to do some great projects~

chasity

Leah C said...

Wow...I love the switcheroo! Your room looks so pretty in all its dreamy whites:) And the bottle rack is {with those little pails} making me drool! Sending smiles your way...

FILIGREE MOON said...

Fabulous! Your new space looks peaceful and beautiful! ~ Angela

Kristin said...

oh...my...i know that i swore i wasn't going to drool anymore but my goodness girl!! absolutely amazing!...*love it*
just wondering if you bought the burlap garland wholesale? want to put some in the shop but can only find it for retail price...sigh...

stefanie said...

It's gorgeous..it looks like a magazine cover...goodness you are TALENTED!!!!

TAPESTRIESOFNATURE said...

TRACEY, YOUR LABORS SO FAR ARE JUST GORGEOUS! WHERE WOMEN CREATE SHOULD BE KNOCKING ON YOUR DOOR!

DON'T FORGET THE FLEA MARKET AT PHEASANT RUN THIS COMING SAT. AND SUNDAY. I HAVE SOME COUPONS FOR IT AT MY SHOP. ALSO, THE SHOP HAS BEEN TOTALLY CHANGED AND WE HAVE LOTS OF ITEMS THAT YOU MIGHT ENJOY.

TAKE CARE, JUDY

Linda said...

Hi Tracey- what a beautiful project- it is stunning! Love your new workspace- such a great ribbon rack and I have to get some of those rolling carts! I'm inspired to get my workspace truly usable again!!

The Feathered Nest said...

Tracey, your entire house is breathtaking and it ALL should be published!!!! Such a precious workspace ~ I just love it ~ wishing you a wonderful week, hugs and love, Dawn

Mimi said...

I love the pictures, hope I may steal them for my own blog....

kathi @ traybella said...

your space is beautiful. my husband thought i was nuts when i 'switched' the dining and living rooms. but we love it now! sometimes a switcharoo is all it needs to make it work better.
love your blog!
kathi

traci said...

it's gorgeous tracey!! i love your style. love, love the little table with picture frames and the Virgin Mary. beautiful. your crazy idea turned out perfect!!

Jennifer said...

Now I know what to do with the goldish mirror on my living room wall and go from there - I love everything you've done - ready for your on-line show? Jennifer

Six in One Hand said...

Tracey,

Girlfrieeeennnnnnd!!!
You must need glasses because I can clearly see that your home and your workspace is AMAZING!!!!!

Low Tide High Style said...

It all looks wonderful! I love all of the white and the table made from fence posts...what a great idea!

I am going to get some of those file drawers from Ikea, they are very cool! And I should just go ahead and buy that ampersand from your store. Every time I go to your store I drool over it, I've blogged about it, and now seeing it in your room really makes me want it!

Kat :)

Alice W. said...

It looks amazing Tracey!!! Fabulous job! I know what you mean about wishing for fleamarket season when changing things up...I feel the same! I just moved and am now setting up house but keep thinking of "this" and "that" that I wish I could go find...sigh...not that I really need to add to my clutter...lol! I love how you pulled together these looks so elegantly and romantically...gives me inspiration!

Vintage Junky said...

amazing as usual. What a great idea to repurpose the rooms.

Michelle

Monica said...

Tracey, your makeover is so beautiful! I especially love the metal stand with all of your ribbon and such, again you have great style. Thank you for stopping by my site. Have a wonderful week, Monica

Tove's to og firbeinte said...

Could you hear me screaming "Hallelujah" all across the ocean???? I really just love these images,everything is gorgeous,beautiful and a total delight for my eyes!!!!!!

Marie said...

Now that's a switcharoo worth blogging about! I'm so in love with your iron daybed...I've been looking for something similar but haven't found one yet. If you happen to come across something similar, you know where to find me :) J'adore everything you've done in your salon Ms. Tracey.
-marie

Anne~Fiona and Twig said...

I have just ONE question for you...

Is the guest room clean and ready for me? ;-)

*swoon*

Anne

Sweet Old Vintage said...

Tracey... your home is filled with charm and just lovely.... AAAA++++

Beth Gales said...

wow--it all looks so fresh and clean! I love it!

Dandy said...

That room is sooo gorgeous.

Jeanne Oliver said...

You should submit this photos...your home is truly gorgeous!!! Love the changes and all the little details!

tara said...

Tracey, everything looks so gorgeous, as usual...love all the little touches and feminine details...xo, Tara

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

Do you know how much I love it? (arms spread wide) THIS MUCH!! What a perfect little room!

koralee said...

Oh sweet friend...I have no words today...you have left me speechless { and that is a hard thing to do}...your home is the most beautiful sight my eyes have ever seen. Where are the magazine editors????? They need to send someone to your home pronto and start snapping!!!!! xoxoox

Lissa said...

that bottle stand is amazing! I think it made my heart actually flutter!

Maman de trois petit rois said...

so lovely... am loving the bottle dryer like everyone else!!

Lisa said...

Oh Yeah!!!!!!I can't stop drooling over your rooms. I'm trying to finish all your posts, all of them!

xx's Lisa

Tattered Goods said...

Absolutely goregeous... simplistic, simplistic, simplistic.... Wow what a chic transformation.

Sheila

Auntie Cake said...

I agree, I don't think Where Women Create will be knocking on your door, they will be busting it down to get in there, as they can't wait patiently to knock!!! So totally cool, the space you have created for yourself. I love that you are using your house in a way that works for you. We have done that with our house, and it finally feels like "home." Can't wait to see more beautiful pictures,
Kate

The White Farmhouse said...

Ugh! I wish I could do half of what you can. Everything is just so beautiful. I love all the white and gray with a few peaks of black. It is just so calming and soothing. I think "Where Women Create" is crazy for not breaking down your door to get some shots of your house!

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Tracy,
Oh your new living room looks so fabulous - and yess I think Women Who Create will most certainly be at the door any moment.
It is such great new that you and your husbanc are off to Paris in April, a beautiful time to visit. I'd be honoured to give you a few hotel suggestions. I have a petit business planning personalized itineraries.
Is this your first visit? I will email you some info in the next day or two.
Bon week!

hometown girl said...

it looks beautiful, they should be knocking on your door! it's funny because no matter what table space i have i prefer sitting on the floor. i love the drawers under your table! can't wait to see more pictures! hope your week is off to a good start :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Tracey,
What a beautiful transformation!! Very inspiring thank you for sharing. I really, really, really enjoy seeing and reading your blog!!!
Jeanette

Tracy is ... Loving Pretty Things said...

gasp!!! It. Is. OUT. OF. THIS. WORLD! How fun was it to 'shop' in your own home - and rearrange?

I ADORE it. I think we need some before/after shots to get the full idea of what a huge undertaking this was.

Your style is flawless in my eyes - so serene and tranquil. SO INSPIRING!

Hugs sweet T - your work would be best enjoyed with a glass of red wine and girl talk....I'll bring the wine. ;)

a little bit vintage said...

Lovely as always, Tracey! ;) Love you new work space! Enjoy!

Smiles,
rachel

tarnishedandtattered.blogsot.com said...

Tracey,
I just am speechless, like I knew I'd be. Such a light touch, yet it is HUGE. I have been so inspired by you & many others that live in such a beautiful uncluttered inspiring space. I am in the process of selling off mountains of collections, editing to just what I love the best. Then I need you to get on a plane, come to Texas & do magic! LOL (I wish) Lisa

Queen Bee said...

Tracey - Oh you have been a very busy girl! I love all of it!!! IKEA is FAB! A friend and I talked about doing a road trip just to go to IKEA (closest one is about 5 1/2hours away). You continually inspire me...thank you for that! You always make me smile! Denise

Les Cotrions said...

I'm speechless Tracey! Your home is gougeous! Everything look faboulous!
You're ver talented my friend!
Big hugs
Vale

Salt and Sentiment said...

Gorgeous!

Shannon said...

It looks great and I can't wait for flea market season again too!

Jacqueline said...

It all looks wonderful, Tracey. It does you good to change things around, sometimes.
I love the way you have put the sheet music on the wall.
My dad died in 2008 and we have just sold his house. He was a musician and my mum was a singer so in the loft was lots of old sheet music. I have wrapped presents and done various things with it (some of the front covers of sheet music in the 20's and 30's had beautiful watercolour paintings on them and my daughter wants some to frame )and, because of your inspiration, I think that some will go on the walls. Your home looks great. XXXX

Anita said...

It's all coming together swell! I love you creative space. My table is taller too-() it is an old Amish ironing table- padded top and rectangular though, not the angled end) and I am hoping to find a tall stool with a back on it at one of the markets SOON...

Hopw to see you this weekend...you should take a break from moving all that furniture and come have fun at the show :)

LuLu said...

I'll bring the lattes and a basket of fresh muffins with promises of not messing anything up to sit in your new space :)!!! Oh Tracey it's so beautiful.
xo,
LuLu

chair up said...

One day, just maybe, my home will look half as gorgeous as yours!! I have been crafting a lot lately and am desperate for a craft space. I could get really inspired sitting at that table of yours Tracey.
Angex

Jill Elaine said...

Love what you are doing. I've been inspired by 'Dreamy Whites' to cover my couches w/ slipcovers made out of old linens. I really want to work on it this week but my friend who has the book on making slipcovers is out of the country!!! So I shall wait till she gets back. Can't wait to blog about the project once it gets underway!

The Flying Bee said...

Tracey...I am in awe! Jeanne is right, you should submit these pics. They are gorgeous!

xo,
Adrienne

Flower Patch Farmgirl said...

Me again. :) Could I trouble you with the price for the file cabinet thingys? My BIL and SIL are heading to Ikea this weekend and I may have them pick one or two up for me. I'm a total copy-cat, I know. I'm just so sick of these piles of paperwork all over the kitchen! :)

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Tracey,

Your creative space is beautiful and I would want to be there all day long, it looks so calm.
This gorgeous room needs to be gracing a magazine.
Wishing you a wonderful week

Hugs
Carolyn

Jerri said...

Love it sister!!! I need to have you over to my Living Room after Cinderella's ball is over :)

Jennifer said...

I ADORE this little creative spot!!!

Julie@beingRUBY said...

HI Tracey
Well.. it looks absolutely gorgeous!!! Wish I could just switch a few things around and have it result in this!! Of course I'd need to start with the right elements .. which you have in abundance!! Just love that bottle rack... fantastic... Can't wait to see more!! xx Julie

The Little Red Shop said...

What a blessing to have a husband who can build wonderful things for you! I want one!

: )

Julie M.

ps I love what you did with the little buckets and Shannan is so right to copy you...those wee cabinets are fantastic!

Shabby-Homedreams said...

Dear Tracy,

on this way I would like to thank you quite warmly for your visit my blog and the nice recovery wishes.

Many thanks also for you answer with regards to the shablone.

So slowly we are bette again and I am glad to be able to read here your wonderful post.
Your room looks so beautiful.
Absolutely Perfect !!

Wishes you still a wonderfoll week.

Greetings from Germany, Mary

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Everything looks so wonderful, Tracey. I love what you're doing! I can't wait for flea market season to start up again (unfortunately another three months to wait here...)

Martha said...

I am so in love with EVERYTHING!!! You do such a wonderful job...it is just beautiful!

I LOVE those file cabinets....I have been looking for some new filing storage...and those are it...{I promise I am not trying to copy ~ but they are perfect} but IKEA is not near here...I'll have to check to see if they are one item they ship...thank you always for beautiful inspiration!

karyn said...

Breathtaking!

Barbara said...

Amazing job, Tracey! There isn't one corner that I wouldn't love to sit in! Every little detail is so well thought out...love your use of the bottle rack!
I love, love, love your postings!

Chrissy said...

Morning....glad you got it,took awhile to arrive!Its not much but I really wanted to do something for you,I hope you like "ALWAYS"it was our best selling frag.this past Christmas...talk to you soon,x0x0 Chrissy

Herself said...

Mmmm. Simply lovely! One of my all time favorite things is to switch out rooms!
Of course, you realize we're all going to want to descend upon your room to do our creative thinking, don't you??

red.neck chic said...

Oh Tracey - that is unbelievably gorgeous!!!!! I'm speechless!!! When are you coming to work some magic on my house? LOL

So beautiful!!!
;-) Robelyn

GWENDOLYN said...

Tracey,
I just love all the white beauty! so shabby chic!
Blessings!
Gwen

Lene said...

Hi Tracey
Greetings from Denmark:) -Just found your blog, and im already in love!
I will come back again soon!

Hope it is okay that I borrowed some of your pictures so i can do some advertiseing for you here i DK, If not I will remove it right away!

Have a lovely day!

paperbird said...

Wow- such a pretty space to create- it looks so clean and neat. I am sitting in a very messy creative space today- can you come over?

B. J. Brooks said...

Absolutely incredible. Love the white and the work space.

I can't wait to retire and do more shopping and changing in my home. What a wonderful set up you have created.

Please keep sharing.

B.J.Brooks Robinson

Loui said...

Tracey..
love it all!!
thanks for stopping by..
February is soooo much more..
than JUST Mardi Gras..
but being from the gulf coast (Pensacola FL),
that is usually the first thing to pop into mind!
warm hugs..
Loui♥

Dreamy Whites said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dreamy Whites said...

Hi Tracey,
I have been waiting for this post. It is just beautiful. I love your wall color, the furniture looks perfect against it. You have such a talent. I am so inspired by you. I had to have my husband read this post, I haven't changed rooms around in my house yet, but have serious a.d.d. with moving furniture around.
Take Care,
Maria

Dreamy Whites said...

Tracey,
What is your wall color? This room is so beautiful. I am waiting for you to write a book!

Shawn Seay said...

Hold on a moment while I clean up the ummmmm....drool. Beautiful! Looks magazine worthy! Wow....so you are sending pics to be considered for Where Women Create, right? Awesome, awesome, awesome.
Can my space be next, pretty please?
Blessings,
Shawn

The Rural Socialite said...

Tracey, you have the most amazing eye for making your home look beautiful. At the end of all of your posts I always search around for the image credits... and then I realize it's your actual house!!

Florence said...

Beautiful transformation, what a creating area you have created. Florence

BellaRosa said...

Tracey amor...I am just getting over a bad cold/flu and then I come here and you leave me speechless and drooling :) Your "new" space is stunning! I love everything about it, especially your work area and all your storage...that bottle drying rack...in my dreams :) I can't wait to see what more your beautiful creative mind comes up with! Besos, Rose

trash talk said...

Tracy, I am ashamed to admit how many times I have come back to look at this post. I keep trying to come up with adjectives that haven't already been used...and there aren't any. I can't even think of a really good cliche because this room is anything but a cliche. It is absolutely the most wonderful use of an imagination. You have such a talent and I would be jealous if I didn't admire it so much. It is just a stunning room...'nuff said!
Debbie

Hope Filled Living said...

Absolutely beautiful. It is so peaceful and soul soothing.

Cathy said...

GORGEOUS! I am stunned! These images are just gorgeous...oops...said that already;)!

You are truly an inspiration for beautiful living! Love...love...love the switcheroo!

Enjoy!
XOXO
Cathy

Aimee said...

Simply Gorgeous!!! What else can I say? I love everything you did. It is so bright, elegant and calming and I'm sure you will be most inspired in this space!

The Tattered Cottage said...

Tracey -

Simply gorgeous....your home is beautiful and inspiring.

I just received my package today and I am so thrilled!! I LOVE my new "La Poste France" bag! Thank you very much.
Toni

Cindy@Cutepinkstuff said...

Wonderful space. I see the Jeanne de' Arc influence we all envy. Love the black iron daybed. Great idea using the Target dollar buckets. My latest project has been in the hallway installing bead board and vintage hooks. Would love for you to stop by and take a peek!

Die Rabenfrau said...

You have a beautiful home! I like how you managed to use only these few colours. I always get sidetracked, in colour and in style, too.
Greetings
Rabenfrau

Kathysue said...

Your house looks like a wonderful magazine shoot. It could be a lovely little shop with so much eye candy displayed so beautifully, you are very talented. Kathysue

Jboo said...

Oh wow -- inspiring!! :)

Janet

Urban Farmhouse said...

Gorgeous!!

vintage simple said...

Tracey - you have such a gift for styling and I love your things... All of them. And all that soothing white... In fact, since I'm on the subject, what is white on the walls and trim around your house? It looks perfectly lovely...

Hope you have a great weekend, dear! Your space looks beautiful!

xoxo,
-maria

angela walker jewelry said...

I love the file cabinets under your desk...Awesome! Where did you get them if you don't mind me asking???

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Hi I just found you through Bonjour Romance...I am in awe of your house..I think my husband needs to start reading blogs..to see what other husbands do!!

Thanks for sharing and you have wonderful ideas :-)

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

Hi there, I'm visiting you via Nada's Farm. I'm so glad I stopped by. I love your style!

Morning T said...

Your house is what my dreams are made of....love it all!