Over the years I’ve spent working from home, the work/life separation has proven to be the largest struggle. After dealing with this issue in multiple apartments, I’ve learned that carving out a space for myself — whether it’s a small corner of a room, or a whole home studio — is the key to establishing a balance. I love seeing workspaces that burst with personality, like this nursery turned studio from Julia Marcum. Julia used a combination of clever DIYs and inexpensive furniture finds to keep the costs low. The studio is cheerful, soothing and filled with stimulating colors and patterns — perfect for mother and daughter to spend hours making art. Nicely done, Julia! — Kate
Have a Before & After you’d like to share? Shoot me an email with your images right here! (Low res, under 500k per image, please.)
Read the full post after the jump . . .
Time: about 6 weeks
Cost: $275
Basic Steps: I really wanted the space to be inspiring since this was going to be my creative mecca, but it also had to be a room where I could photograph my art. We settled on crisp white walls and a lively turquoise ceiling and injected even more color into the curtains. The floor was definitely the biggest bump in the road because we weren’t quite ready to purchase hardwood flooring throughout the whole house, and we were warned that buying flooring for just this room could result in a mismatch down the road if our flooring choice was discontinued. The old maroon carpet had to go, so we painted the subfloor and added FLOR tiles and are happy with the no-fuss (read: it’s okay if I drip paint) flooring. The very last project that I did was the oversized 3D wall quote by spray painting paper-mache letters from the craft store. I believe in injecting something personal in every room, and for me and my little family, those words have become our mantra.
Obviously, this room isn’t lacking color or spunk, but I also think it has a good balance of rest: white walls with a colorful ceiling, and neutral flooring with vibrant curtains. Also, one of my favorite things about my studio is the fact that it accommodates my daughter. Being a stay-at-home mom, she is my top priority. It is so nice that I can work here and she can, too. There are toys stored, and she has already been busy at her chalkboard table. So I guess my advice would be to be practical and design a space that encompasses all aspects of life — it is so worth it. — Julia
Sources
Wall color: Behr Ultra Pure White in eggshell
Ceiling color: Martha Stewart Hummingbird Blue
Floor paint: Behr solid color wood stain in Cordovan Brown
Area Rug: FLOR’s Roadside Attraction in Dew
Light Fixture: Shade’s of Light Springfield Drum Shade Semiflush Ceiling Light
Curtains: Urban Outfitter’s Batik Galaxy tapestries
Desk: Gift from parents when I was 17
Studio stool: Target
Faux fur throw: Ikea
Art easel: Hobby Lobby
Desk lamp: Ikea, spray painted with Krylon’s Sun Yellow in gloss
Pompom floor pillow: Ross
Canvas box: Ikea As-Is
Greta’s play table: Ikea (tutorial here)
Quote letters: Hobby Lobby (tutorial here)
32 Comments
What a transformation! I love the mini kids desk, so cute!
Well done! Such a lovely little space. I love the ceiling and curtains and the idea of creating art with your kids there. You’re inspiring me to make my sewing room more accommodating.
I love that this studio still has a place for your daughter! And I love your work! Those ikat prints are so neat!
I think this makeover is fantastically beautiful.
I’d love to have a studio that works as well at this, the white wall art is very unique. I may have to steal that idea!
Beautiful redo, but it only cost $275? Wouldn’t the Flor tiles alone be at least that much?
Love this and LOVE Julia. She does amazing things and this studio is just one of the many!
I love the color scheme – the ceiling color adds so much to the room!
I really love the colors you’re working with in this space! And your paintings are really beautiful.
This is such a beautiful transformation! I adore the fabric for the curtain and the carpet has a really interesting pattern. Great post guys!
How can the total cost be $275, while the light fixture alone costs $250? I was expecting a miracle DIY job or something. Either way, it’s a great makeover and the art is gorg!
Thanks everyone, especially Design Sponge (whom we love, love love). To answer your question, @RE and KK, the light fixture was donated by Shades of Light and the area rug was donated by FLOR. Actually, we had our blog readers vote on almost every aspect of the room (from narrowed down options of course) and Shades of Light and Flor were just as excited about the process that they sent them to us after the voting had ended, which was so gracious of them. So, the $275 went toward paint for the walls, ceiling and floor, curtains and curtain hardware, the desk lamp, stool and the oversized wall quote.
Great creative solution to the floor!
Love love the room, but it does bother me when rooms show low makeover cost and I excitedly look for the “DIY secret” only to discover another silly company sponsored donation. THAT IS NOT REAL LIFE. The cost should include the cost of the donated items for a realistic perspective on makeover cost. Job well done though- beautiful space.
I love your office, and those curtains! I have wondered about painting a textured ceiling a contrasting color, and yours looks great!
What a fantastic space! I’m gushing over here – big time!
A nice space, but the carpet tiles are a bit unsuited. I’m also disappointed with being misled about the cost of this makeover. I think if a blogger has goods donated for a project, they should be upfront about it. Or don’t mention the cost at all. Either way, this feels less like real life and more like a paid advertisement.
Great job on the rooms… what an amazing transformation!
I really like the coloured ceiling, thats a nice touch!
I am so sorry you feel misled, deceived, disappointed there was no great “DIY trick” for the light fixture. In the original submission, I explained it–but I should have just added up the total would-be cost which would be right around $875. “Hey everyone! This room cost $875 to redo!!!” :) Really. Very sorry.
xoxo
What a happy space…..love the curtains…..lots of inspiration there!
actually the colored ceiling for an art studio is a bad idea – you are going not going to get a true representation of what colors you’re using and making. the art will look different in neutral light.
What a beautiful space! I absolutely love the wall quote!
The room is uplifting. Truly brings out a happy vibe with the use of colour + inspirational quote. Love the fresh colour on the ceiling and graphic curtains! Great work :)
Regardless of how the room came together, it is inspiring! I love the ceiling color (one of my favorites). I hope it brings you and your daughter many days of inspiration. Thanks for sharing it. Now I’m going to check our your blog!
What did you use for the curtain hardware? Looks like maybe some sort of tension rod? I love the look of the rod going from wall to wall, but find it hard to find curtain rods that long!
Gorgeous transformation, the room is really light, airy and welcoming. It’s stylized and feels like home good job :) I love the artwork!!! Do you sell any at all?
Is it me or is. everyone just grumpy from the heat? Grab an ice pack and relax people! This is a great renovation – I’d be very happy with it.
Pam- The curtain rod is from Ikea. They have super long ones for around $5. Can’t beat it!
Love the 3D letters!
Buen trabajo. Me inspira para crear un rincón de trabajo. Muchas gracias por compartir
What makes people leave negative responses to blogs that are simply journals …not advertisements. If you receive even ONE inspiration from this lovely vignette…it cost you nothing. Perhaps …as professional designers….we should list our consultation fees, hourly costs, as well as our educational backgrounds and professional affiliations. Then you might have to actually have to write a check. My GOODNESS… I am amazed ! Kudos… to your design….I would give you an A for overall effort and design. Keep your head up and stay true to yourself.
About the desk ? What is the model/brand ?
Thank you.
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