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Monday, January 10, 2011

Embracing the Negative





I never seem to have enough will or time for blasting into projects. But I can always visualize the finished product. So I am constantly chipping away at some spot or other to whip it into shape.


Closets and storerooms are the best examples of this since they can be a challenge to maintain due to constant use.


 But my shop storage room finally came together after months of effort, clearing one box or item at a time.


When I thought of claiming it as a work space, I began to pull it into shape a little bit every time I passed through the room. Sort of daily decision making instead of a marathon exercise in hoarder cleanup.  


The "one box at a time" method is slow but easy. Sometimes it's only one ITEM at a time. 


Once the larger items had been dealt with, there was room for the final big push to bring in a work table and pull it all together.


I kept seeing the metal fuse box as a posting board and anchor for a work space, and the blank wall next to it covered with posters and arty papers. The 2005 Better Homes and Gardens New Cottage Style has a page I have never forgotten. It's a photo of an unsightly boxy industrial light fixture decorated with postcards and ornaments to make it part of the collage. The caption called it "embracing the negative."



The concept deals with eyesores that can't be done away with, and turning them into assets.





There is still an entire wall shelf full of items to be sorted, concealed by a stack of empty boxes. Not glamorous, but effective. 











The dresser stores bags and paper products.


Even when it's finished you're not going to see this room in a Better Homes and Gardens spread, but we're thrilled to have a cozy new office space for nothing but a little tortoise paced effort.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline


Linked to Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Savvy Southern Style  for Boring to Better

13 comments:

  1. Jacqueline, Kudos to you, I think it looks amazing and inspiring at the same time. Lots of hard work to organize. I am calling this year, Year Of The Purge in my home. You should see how my mind is spinning, go take a peek at my post. See what you think, Kathysue

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  2. hi jacqueline!

    everything looks like a still life composition and your color palette is lovely.

    i'm off to pop around your blog some more!

    xo
    elyse

    ps
    thank you for the sweet comment on my blog.

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  3. Now that's a wonderful way to deal with a storage space. It looks very striking and I love the colors you've used.

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  4. Hi J...
    Your wreath is mesmerizing me :-) The photos make it glow, gorgeous!!!
    I am lovin your cozy nook, I know what you mean about hiding the ugly things, I have lots of remudddled spots around the house, I am at a loss to hide.
    Hugs to You!
    Bella

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  5. i love this space! it's very charming... couldn't help but notice your Adeline Hiebel framed picture...i'm a collector of her work. xoxo

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  6. "I'm LOVIN your IRON FENCEY THINGyS"... I was browsing your goodies as you were explaining your project AND I think it looks fantastic, I want to get up close and personal with those pretties AND I want to dig behind your box tower too!!!
    Hugs to you, Donna

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  7. Thanks for popping over & commenting on my cloche...i hope you'll come back & visit again (& become a follower)?. If you are interested, i just began "Cottage Flora Thursday's" for us gardeners that are ready for spring and want to see and share cottage garden pics! xoxo
    ~tracie

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  8. This post is very inspirational, Jacqueline~ I am creating my studio space one box, one item at a time...

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  9. It looks wonderful and the paint color is beautiful. Very creative use of space and objects.

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  10. Great work Jacqueline! That was my goal to start the New Year off also....clean that spare room and get it organized into a studio! It's only a 10' x 10' space but I think it will make a lovely mini studio for me!
    Thanks for the inspiration...
    Tina xo

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  11. Hello Jacqueline! Love that concept! That's a very positive way to look at it - quite inspiring!
    Kathy

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  12. Jacqueline, what a great space. I love how you have it organized and decorated. Those vintage bowling pins are great! Thanks for joining the party.

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  13. You're right. Sometimes the negative can turn out to be the positive with some effort. I find that if I decorate or redo something a little at a time, like sleep on an idea, then it comes together much easier later than it would have had I pushed on.
    Brenda

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