Day 14: My Creative Space

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Wow! It’s the final day of the “Before and After Parade” and time to show you my creative space. First, I want to thank everyone that’s followed along. It’s been so much fun sharing my home with you ❤️

Before and After Parade Day #14: My Creative Space

I definitely saved the best for last… Welcome to my creative space! I’m not sure why the previous owners built this little cottage in our backyard, but I’m so thankful they did! I knew the minute we saw it, that it would be the perfect studio.

Before Creative Space

Here’s what the outside looks like. Isn’t it the cutest???

Here’s what the inside looked like before we renovated it in 2020.

It had no running water, no plumbing, no air conditioning and no real heating system. We decided to completely gut the inside and even took out the ceiling.

After Creative Space

And here’s the after!!! Pretty incredible right???

I blogged about the entire renovation back in 2020 and you can see the full process HERE and HERE.

After using this space every day for 2 years sometimes I still can’t believe it’s real!

I truly am thankful for it EVERY day!

Even though the studio has everything I need, there was one spot that wasn’t quite working out.. my painting/creative area.

It worked well for doing computer work, but when I painted the space felt a bit restrictive and cramped.

So I popped another table in front of the window!

It’s the perfect place for me to SPREAD out and get MESSY!

It’s a small dining table from Target, but works beautiful as my art desk.

I’ve got my rolling cart of paints next to me, with everything I need. I usually paint with Holbein Acryla Gouache. I love the opacity and vibrancy of the colors.

And here’s my painting palette that I designed last year at a creative retreat! I love it so much.

There’s nothing quite like being in the “zone” while you’re creating. Time seems to stop and I love the meditative flow of paint on the brush.

I’m still working to establish a daily paint practice. I go through spurts of creativity where I’ll paint daily for a bit, then take long periods off.

I used to get down on myself for not creating every day, but I’m learning how to give myself grace and ride the creative wave when it comes.

Thank YOU for supporting me in this creative journey!

Although I love to create for creations sake, I truly find the greatest JOY in sharing my creations with others.

So thank you for every comment, every word of encouragement, every like, every share, and every click. It means the world to me!

Let’s both continue creating ok? Whether you create with paint, food, words, or fixing up your home… There is great POWER in creating something that wasn’t in the world before.

Changes Made

• Added a new painting table – LOVE!
• Soooo many changes! See this post for the studio renovation “before” and this post for the reveal.

Lessons Learned

• Using a small dining table as an art desk is perfect!
• I need space to spread out when I’m creating.
• There’s nothing quite like natural light pouring in from a window.

Resources

• Painting Table: Target
• Rolling Cart for Paints (similar): Amazon
• My Favorite Paint: Holbein Acryla Gouache
• My Favorite Brushes: The Pigeon Letters
• Paint Palette: Lots of pretty ones on ETSY
• All the other office resources see THIS POST
  

Recap

If you’re just catching up, here are the previous posts in the “before and after parade!”

• Friday, Day 1: The Family Room
• Saturday, Day 2: My Miniature Collection
• Sunday, Day 3: Stair Makeover and Piano Room
• Monday, Day 4: Nail Painting Station
• Tuesday, Day 5: Teacup Shelves
• Wednesday, Day 6: Dining Room Reveal
• Thursday, Day 7: Overflow Guest Room
• Friday, Day 8: Painted Countertops + Kitchen Dancing
• Saturday, Day 9: The Power of Spray Paint
• Sunday, Day 10: Styling a Bookcase
• Monday, Day 11: Pegboard for Fabric Storage
• Tuesday, Day 12: Bedroom Nook
• Wednesday, Day 13: The Hot Pink Chair

Thank you again for joining me every day for the last two weeks! I’d love to help you with a space in YOUR home.

I’ll see you next week!

xo, Tessie