Finally! I know some of you have been waiting for me to post the last update on my studio space. I’ve been working in the finished space since October of 2018, so almost one year! I keep getting sidetracked with projects plus I had a few minor things to finish in the space, so it has been getting put on the back burner! I’m so happy to have this space for my work. No longer is every crevice in my house filled with work things. My daughters can each have a bedroom, and I get a space that is separate from my house. Of course there’s both good and not so great things about both working at home and having a separate space. But I’ve made it a point to have this studio be a happy space where I can let my creativity flow.
So my last post I shared just up until the drywall phase, I know, I’m such a tease. But this is the fun part now! I’ll share some pictures and then go into a little bit of detail on some of the specific spaces. Sound good?
Here’s the sewing desk and my computer area setup. All desks and parts are from Ikea, shelves, too. I’ll write a separate post of the framed quilt blocks, so look for that coming up (I’ll share all the details including each quilt block, etc.). I made them, and it’s pretty easy! So if you’re looking for some fun decor this might be the ticket!
Up front of the building is a lounge type area. We exposed the brick on the one entire wall by taking off all the original plaster. That took us dayssss to finish, but I think it really makes the space. So the one side has a couch with the brick wall and the other has a white wall with a couple of lounge chairs and side table. I’ve been loving using this space for taking photos. The light in here is amazing and getting a nice photo doesn’t take ripping apart my entire living room any more!
The center island is one I made after I spotted this one on the Studio McGee blog (it’s the first image in the post). I made mine from four Ikea dressers put together to form an island. I had a my friend make the island work surface of reclaimed wood. We added some different drawer pulls to make it less Ikea and more like my inspiration image. I use this as my main cutting table. Inside the drawers are interfacing and hardware as well as some empty for work in progress stuff! Still getting the hang of having extra space. I also have a roll up cart from Target that holds a lot of my hardware tools.
Opposite my desk and across from the cutting table are some Ikea Pax closets that hold my fabrics and other random things. For now it’s mostly unorganized. I do have my fabric fairly neat in one of the cabinets. The rest is a work in progress. Maybe once I get them more organized I’ll share some pictures of the insides. Does that sound okay? I also need to add some long handle pulls to the doors themselves. I also use a NORRÅKER Ikea table for a pressing station. I made a topper for it using plywood, a few layers of batting, and some linen I had laying around.
I also have a small kitchenette and dining table and chairs. These have both been super handy spaces. The table is from Ikea and the chairs from Target. My friend Heidi also made these amazing floating shelves from more reclaimed wood and I love them! A couple of lights and a plant and I’m all set!
Exposed the original brick chimney in the back bathroom.
Hoping to add some wallpaper or color to these bathrooms, but for now they work and I’m happy.
The back area is where I keep my inventory. I have a large work table we built from Ikea kitchen base cabinets and some plywood for a top and beadboard (from Home Depot) to finish the back. I had to have two bathrooms to be up to code, so I have a summer and winter bathroom! Just kidding really, but it has been nice the few times I’ve had larger gatherings here. I recently added a shaker style peg rail that exists between the two bathroom doors which is also handy for photos! Last, there’s the mechanical room full of the boring stuff, at least it’s clean.
Closeup of interior windows.
That’s about it! I tried to link things within each area. If you have questions please ask in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them there! 
Oh and here are a few shots of the finished rear exterior of the building. I can’t even explain how much was done to this wall to make it like this! It was a completely new wall that we built because the original had collapsed. I also spent so much time chipping the old crumbling plaster off that brick wall! eeek!
Thanks for your endless support and encouragement throughout this process. Here’s a couple of posts if you want to read more about the construction: Studio Update, Studio Update (2), Studio Update Drywall. We purchased the building in December of 2017 and spent from then until October 2018 completing the project.
Beautiful space. Congrats!
Been waiting to see the end result. Looks like a great space. Enjoy!
Wow, your space is looking so incredible!! Congratulations, enjoy the payoff of your hard work!!
That looks totally amazing! I want to live there:)
us too! it’s nicer than our house. 🙂
This space is amazing! And that brick wall! GAH!!!
Awesome!
Absolutely stunning space Anna. Congratulations!
Looks lovely. But doesn’t seem to have a teaching space. Will you teach classes?
Thanks Sandra! I don’t plan on teaching classes for the time being, perhaps in the future though! The space is really flexible!
BEAUTIFUL… Congratulations to you and Mr. Sweat Equity!
I would say “Get to work” but that wouldn’t be nice ; =) So enjoy! As WE do so enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Anna oh my gosh it looks SO wonderful, thank you for sharing!! All that LIGHT and SPACE!!! Huge congratulations to you for your vision and all your hard work. What an addition for your town. Brava!!
What a DREAM SPACE !!! I love it !! Everything is so neat and functional, the light is great.
There is only the big crack near the Pax closet that is a bit scary
Thanks! Not to worry about the crack. Our architect and mason both addressed it. It is an 130 year old building after all!
I LOVE your studio!! I have crisply been wanting to create a desk area like yours. I have the drawer units but I’ve been having trouble figuring out what to use for the desk tops. Which material did you use? Thank you!!
Thank you! I used three Ikea desktops: Linnmon https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/linnmon-tabletop-white-20251139/
Just stunning – my dream space! Question – did you add the leather/rivets to those white baskets or did they come like that? I just riveted for the first time yesterday and now I’m hooked! 🙂
Absolutely beautiful space Anna!! Love every detail and what a great space to let the creativity flow. Can’t wait to hear more about it! Congratulations!
Thanks for sharing your fantastic studio space. There’s lots of ideas for a home studio here!
It’s so good to finally see it. I’m so incredibly happy for you and proud of your hard work! It’s just wonderful and totally your style! You know one of these days I will make it to Wisconsin and sure hope to meet you for coffee!
It’s beautiful! You did an incredible job. Enjoy ?
It looks marvellous. I think you and your whole family worked incredibly hard and now you can revel in the beauty of your new studio. Love the clean lines and white furniture. That crack adds some character, I think it needs to be highlighted in some way I have thoughts on that. Most importantly who is that gorgeous wee dog or is it a puppy?
Oooh, what a great idea…like put some gold in it like Japanese “kintsugi”: https://mymodernmet.com/kintsugi-kintsukuroi/
I just love what you have done Anna! All that hard work by you and your family has paid off. Definitely living the sewing dream!
Beautiful! I know we’ve all been waiting to see the finished studio and it is stunning! It’s great to be able to create without walking by a sink of dishes, or a load of dirty laundry!
Someone beat me to it, but I would totally live there!! What an amazing space for you to create in. Cheers to all your hard work!!
I love your shop and all your design ideas. You are truly an inspiration! And thank you for saying you plan to include instructions for the quilt block wall hangings. They seem like simple quilt blocks but you have used wonderful neutral / gray & black tones and they are a beautiful. I’m looking forward to making some for a hall collection. This is the beginning of the Fall and Holiday season. I hope the end of 2019 is a blessing for you and your family.
Wonderful space. I’d been wondering…
Beautifully put together. Love the clean white pallet. That wall of window dividers is divine!
Keep smiling and creating!
I just love the sense of peace and calm the space brings. The sense of who you are comes across so clearly in your space and in your patterns. Your patterns have the same clean lines and color story. I just love that. The lack of clutter is so nice. 🙂 I can’t seem to create without clutter, but its the quiet calm spaces I love. I’m very happy that you have this space to create in, and very jealous at the same time! 🙂
Wonderful, I Mike it!
Oh my goodness, it’s gorgeous!!! Well done!
Dear Anna, I am happy for you – your space is beautiful 🙂
Just gorgeous!!! Any chance you’d be willing to put the links on all your items. Just beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Em, let me know if you see something specific, and I can let you know. I think it would take me forever to link everything. 🙂
It looks SO fantastic! You guys did such a great job. Love all the finishes you chose and the way you styled it is really lovely. With all that wide open space I bet it’s nice to have little areas sectioned off for different tasks. Can’t wait to see it in person one day!!
Anna, this space is amazing! I’m also an IKEA fan.
Oh, to have that much room!!!! And a sink no less!
What a beautiful studio! I am curious as to where you picked up your mirror in the bathroom? I have been unable to find anything like it in all of Duluth.
It’s from Rejuvenation. 🙂
Wow Anna – what a beautiful space. The brick wall is amazing and the crack gives such character and highlights the age of the building. You did a wonderful job!
totally dreamy. congrats!
Hello! Everything is beautiful! I am in search of the norraker table used for pressing and am unable to find it. Can you please send the link.
Thank you.
Unfortunately I think Ikea US no longer sells this type of table. 🙁 maybe check craigslist or facebook marketplace for one?
Hi Anna! Your studio space is beautiful! I’m excited to have a work space away from home someday. 🙂 Maybe I missed it but can you let me know where you got your awesome rugs from? Thanks!
Wow! What a beautiful studio! I’m catching up on reading your blog posts (and learning a lot!), so I’m just now seeing your new studio. It is amazing … as are your designs!
Anna, Absolutely the moat beautiful space! What a dream to work in. Congratulations! You didn’t mention- who is the darling fur baby? Very cute. Mo Olbrich
Thank you Mo! That little nugget is our dog Frida. She’s a heeler/border collie mix from our local humane society. Keeps up on our toes!