My Studio Is Finished! (Before & After)
I can’t believe it’s finally done. This room was, by far, my biggest project yet in our house. This was far bigger and more in depth, involving way more DIY projects, than even the master bathroom. And it’s been “in progress” for years. But finally, and literally as of this morning when I finished painting the door, it is finished!
I had really hoped to get the carport cleaned out before taking these “after” pictures because the carport is packed with stuff and it shows through the back doors of the studio. But I decided that we’ve all waited far too long as it is to see this room finished, so I wasn’t willing to delay any longer. So please be so kind as to ignore the view through the back doors. I hope to spend this evening and all day tomorrow cleaning that up so that I can show y’all our finished driveway!! But for now, let’s just pretend that the view out the back studio doors is gorgeous, and we’ll focus on what’s inside the room.
I have very little commentary on this room. I did most of that on this last post where I walked through the timeline of how this room came about. So today, I’ll just show you a few before pictures, and we’ll jump right to the after pictures and skip all the in between.
Just as a reminder, my studio was originally the garage. So standing at the front garage doors and looking towards the back yard, this was the view…
And today, that view looks like this…
Unfortunately, I didn’t take many photos of the garage when we bought the house, so the earliest photo I could find looking towards the front of the room (i.e., standing at the back and looking towards the front yard) was this one that was taken just as the transformation was beginning, after the garage doors had been removed, and as the concrete perimeter was being filled in where the garage doors had been.
And today, that view looks like this…
I really do regret not taking more before pictures. When we bought the house, the garage didn’t actually have drywall. All you could see was the black tar paper, and it felt so dark and dreary. This is a view of the corner which is now my office area of the studio.
So today, that area looks like this…
And of course, since it was a garage, the floor was at ground level and there were steps up into the house.
And now, the floor has been raised to be level with the rest of the house
Again, this drywall wasn’t originally there. We added that later, and we also removed the furnace which had huge ducts that filled the space over the door leading inside the house. But this is still a pretty good idea of what we started with.
And today, that wall of the room looks like this…
This is one of the few true “before” pictures I could find that actually has no drywall and still has the garage doors.
And that view looks like this today…
I can’t believe it’s finished! I still have some organizing to do inside the drawers and cabinets, and I’ll give y’all a peek inside all of those when I’m finished. I have everything put away right now, but I’m still making some tweaks to how I want things arranged.
In the meantime, here are a few more pictures of the finished room, presented without commentary. Enjoy!
If you’re looking for any of the DIY projects that went into this room (the cabinets, the painted floor, the desk, the tasting spoon pendant light, the laminate flooring countertops, and so much more) you can find all of those projects here.
I can’t even believe it’s done. This room has occupied most of my time and energy for the last year, and I felt like I was stuck in Groundhog Day. But it’s done, and I can move on. Next up is the carport. Now that we have a driveway and I have a workshop, I need to get the carport cleaned out so that I can actually park a car in there.
After that, I will start on the bedroom. I’ll start by installing the hardwood flooring and getting that stained and sealed, and the move on to making a headboard, making draperies, and decorating that room. And then after that, I’ll move on to the closet and laundry area. So there are some exciting things coming up! But quite honestly, I may also spend quite a bit of time over the next few days just sitting in my studio and enjoying the finished room. It’s such a colorful, happy space, and I can’t wait to spend time in here being creative!
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
What a work of art! And heart! It is gorgeous.
I just love this comment! A work of art and a work of heart.
Yay! and congratulations!!! I love everything about it, but I’m jealous of your work tables.;)
It’s so bright and cheerful!
What a delightful room! You should be very, very proud of the thought and work that went into making it wonderful! You have inspired us!
Congratulations Kristi! Fantastic work. Enjoy your beautiful creative space, you deserve it!
Absolutely STUNNING!!! Congrats on a (BIG) job well done!!
It looks amazing Kristi! It’s time to pat yourself on the back and just enjoy.
What I look forward to are photos of the room messy and being used on projects!
Well done!
Congratulations, Kristi!! It looks absolutely beautiful!! Well done!!
Stunning! I look forward to Monday thru Friday at 9:00 am when I can see your latest accomplishment. If the light between the windows was shining on the platter on the stand, would it enhance it?
I bet you just casually walk into the studio several times a day for no reason and look around don’t you? It feels so good to get a project like that completed! I hope you have a lot of fun creative projects planned for your studio and that you get to mess it up very quickly! 😀
I’ve spent more time that I’d like to admit just sitting at my desk and looking around the room. It feels so good to have it finished and clean! I can’t get enough of all of this color.
You my friend have truly earned that sit down with a nice cuppa, of whatever you like and just stare at the what the human dynamo did. This gives me hope for my basement workshop someday. YOUR STUDIO IS GORGEOUS!!! I cannot wait to see what this space will help you and your creative juices come up with next. Soak it all in, if I didn’t have pear butter on the stove needing my attention, I’d be staring at your photos all day. Fabulous Job, it’s an awesome room.
Cheers!
Love, love, love it. Absolutely beautiful and very functionable. You have outstanding design!
It’s wonderful!
Love, love, love everything. All I could think is what a happy place to be creative or just sit.
You should be so proud of your finished room. Time to take a breather for a few days.
Absolutely gorgeous! We have the same taste in colors. You’ve done an amazing job!
You did it!!!! So happy for you and us, because you were willing to give us so much inspiration! Thank you for all of your instructions, pictures, wins and what you considered your failures, for showing us that changing a plan is some times the best thing to do. Thank you!
I’m so happy for you! It turned out so great!!
I think we all wish we had a beautiful, spacious room like this to be creative! (Or to just hang out in!) Wonderful job Kristi! Bravo!
Stunning!! Take some time to enjoy and celebrate this HUGE accomplishment. 💜🩷 Well done!!
The studio is light, full of joy! It makes me smile just looking at it.
I love all the before and after shots. The room turned out absolutely YOU! So fun and cheery. You should be proud.
My goodness, that is the most spectacular studio I have ever seen! I would trade my whole house for that room. The only problem would be I wouldn’t want to do any projects in it for fear of messing it up. There is so much storage I would need an inventory spreadsheet to find where everything was. For me that one room would have doubled the value of the house, even after all your other renovations. Congratulations!
I would be creeping into the studio at all hours, just to take it all in! It is wonderful! What a lovely place to dream, plan, and create! Congrats on everything coming together so beautifully.
P.S. I had to laugh at the missing switch plate by the side door. That is just the kind of thing I would miss!
When I was editing my pictures, I saw that and just had to laugh. I couldn’t believe I missed it! I was wondering if someone would notice. 😀
I can’t even begin to describe how much I love this room! You should just sit in it for a few days and be proud of your accomplishments. This room is stunning! And functional for you. I love everything about it! You are amazing!
I’ve followed you since you were in your condo. You continue to amaze me with your vision, your beautiful color choices, functionalities of each space, and attention to detail. I don’t think anyone could have created a more beautiful room. You are a joy to watch! Thanks for sharing.
Your studio is too nice to use!
Oh my goodness Kristi it looks incredible! I’m so proud of you! Way to go.
I hope you notice that one of the pictures clearly shows a desk in the position of your current desk!
I hadn’t noticed that until I read your comment! It was foreshadowing. 😀
The studio really is a spectacular transformation and so YOU! Now enjoy all your hard work. 😎
This has been a fun journey with you! Congratulations! It is amazing!!!
Absolutely beautiful!!
It is absolutely beautiful! I LOVE color, so I appreciate the pops everywhere! Great job girl!! You are so talented…and tenacious! 🩷🩷
What a beautiful, amazing place! I would just sit there and admire all the colors. Well done!
Awesome job! Congrats!
That room and you are just amazing!!! Beautiful Kristi!!!
Wow, it looks amazing!
I’m in love with this room! I feel that way about every room when you’re finished with them. I love your house and how it’s so bright and cheerful. I wish you could help me with paint colors for my house. Can wait to see the next room you do.
Kudos to you Kristie! What a marvelous transformation. I know you will enjoy it for years to come. I am sure atleast one level of stress has been removed!
Kristi, your studio is a work of art. I love everything about it. I know it will be a delightful place for you to come up with more of your genius ideas.
Congrats, Kristi! It’s beautiful in every detail.
Beyond breathtaking! I am constantly so impressed with your talents!
That is the reflection of your DIY super powers and creativity. Well done. Enjoy.
Wow!!! The studio is absolutely stunning! Great job Kristi!! Enjoy your bright, cheerful, creative, inspiring space 💖
Congratulations! It looks beautiful and light and colorful and so you! You should feel proud of the work done in this room! Enjoy!
Wow! Congratulations 👏👏👏
I love that you have a clear place to work on the projects that will come with your next projects. No more having to clear space to recover a chair or make curtains. And its a happy place for you. Yay!
You have left me speechless. Your talent and perseverance is astounding!
Bravo Kristi – it looks fabulous!
Oh my gosh! This is absolutely the most beautiful studio/room I have ever seen! All the heart eyes!!! Love! love! love!
Congratulations! It looks fabulous.
Wow, it looks so light and bright and airy!!! Well done Kristi!!!
I’m intrigued by those books on your desk, I thought they’d be boxes but they are not; what are they? Especially the one with the many tabs – is it some sort of colour guide?
Bible and notebook??
They’re actually both Bibles. 🙂 The fat one on the bottom is my ESV Reformation Study Bible, and the one on top is a new ESV single column with large margins for notes. Plus, it has a coral spine, pretty flowers, and a butterfly. I couldn’t resist. 😀 The cover was done by an artist I follow on Instagram named Ruth Chou Simons. I’ve loved her artwork for years, so when I saw this Bible, I loved it immediately.
Yes I love Ruth Chou Simons too! Her Bible Study TruthFilled is great 😊
A feast for the eyes! It is just fabulous.
I would love to see a picture of the colorful drapes on the doors fully opened just to see the impact of that additional fabric design showing more.
I am so proud of you!
Such a beautiful space!! I would never want to leave!!
Kristi, this is incredible!!!! I LOVE absolutely everything about it! Makes me wonder if my hubby might be willing to give up the garage for a studio for me? JK
It looks fantastic, a true representation of you, your color and energy. A beautiful job.
Looks amazing!
It’s just stunning Kristi – you should be so proud!
Absolutely fabulous. I love it!!! I can just imagine the beautiful designs that you will create in this special studio!!!!
Congratulations on a job well done. It is beautiful and such a creative space. Enjoy just sitting in it and admiring your work and being grateful!
Major kudos!!! It is wonderful and I enjoyed following every step along the way!!
CONGRATULATIONS, Kristi! It is just beautiful! Looking into the room from outside of it is like looking in a jewelry case, full or happy colors and so many possibilities of what to do/make/enjoy. I hope that you love it for years to come.
WOW Kristi, just WOW!!!!!
Your studio has been a work in progress for such a long time but now it is finally finished. Well done and for your efforts you are rewarded with a space that will give you joy many times over. It is truly BEAUTIFUL!!! 🙂
Wow, wow, wow!! This room is an absolute work of art! I know it has been a serious source of stress for you for quite a while, but now it’s a gorgeous retreat! Relax and enjoy it in all its glory. It’s time to rearrange drawers and fiddle with the storage to your heart’s content!! Soak it in! You’ve earned it!
Absolutely stunning! You are going to create beautiful things in that room.
Stunning!
Hi Kristi,
You are my inspiration to try my own DIY. If I encounter a job that is not straight forward, I think “how would Kristi tackle this” and I’ve been able to come up with a solution! Thankyou so much for sharing your knowledge. 🥰
Your finished studio is truly a thing of beauty.
You’re SO talented and I bless the day I found your blog.
Thankyou for sharing your knowledge – you’re an amazing woman.
You are truly amazing! It’s really beautiful.
The red chair and clean floors are great.g
Incredible!!! I’ve been following you since you were in your apartment. This is my favorite room you’ve ever done. It’s just stunning. 🤩
Your hard work, talent and originality just shines through in this glorious room blazing with olour
Your hard work, talent and originality shines through your glorious colourful room Congrats! What a triumph!
Oh My Gosh, it looks too beautiful to use. I never thought the red chair would go with the pink cabinets, but it is stunning. OOPS, I see a switch plate missing 🙂 Love the paint swatch cabinet. So glad you repainted the back entry, that color looks so much better and the beautiful drapes. The painted doors………I could hardly wait for those to be painted. They look so beautiful now. I just love everything about that room. It took forever, but looks excellent in my opinion. Would love my cutting table to be like that, nice and long and empty~
Two, count them, TWO major projects finished this week. The studio and the driveway. FANTASTIC! Can’t wait to see the driveway now.
Congratulations! What a great place to start your day!
It’s truly lovely. Congratulations!
WOW! Just W♥️W!
Absolutely amazing and stunning !! What a mammoth task your whole home transformation has been. I wish I had even one quarter (1/4) of your skills. I follow your every email and know that each time I open it, I will be gobsmacked. So very well done !!!
Absolutely stunning! Congratulations!!!
CONGRATULATIONS! It looks wonderful…What an huge accomplishment. Enjoy hanging out in there, and having such a great area to work on projects.
Your studio is absolutely gorgeous Kristi and you’ve designed and created such an inspiring beautiful creative space. We are all so proud of your talent and achievements! Well done!
Love every inch of this room. So happy for you Kristi.
Wow.. I simply commend you for your vision, perseverance and creativity. Watching this project unfold (oh my goodness that light fitting that was made from scratch with spoons to the gold leafing on the cupboards !!) There are not many people that would have trusted the process and gone the distance with such a monumental undertaking. Well done girl.. you can stand back and admire your beautiful studio with pride…wishing you many happy and productive hours in this amazing space.Congratulations !!!
Wow, your room is an experience for the senses! Never have I seen anyone use color like you do…..and it is like a warm hug, not a jolt or a circus…it gives so much of a joyful feeling to your home. Congratulations, you are an extraordinary artist and lady!
Kristi,
You and I may not have the same taste in color, however your design and skill that is shown in this room is simply astonishing. I know you have to be so proud, as you should be and I am proud for you! Way to go girl!!!
I want to live in every single room of your colorful, inspiring, joyful house. Period.
OMG, this is SPECTACULAR….!!!
I was SO OFF on the arrangement of this room…lol
What a creative and inspiring room
Beautiful! Amazing🥰
Cannot begin to verbalize how beautiful it is, how much I love it and your style.
Congratulations! A job FANTASTICALLY well done!
You’re living the dream of all hobbyists for sure. Love how it all came out.
It’s GORGEOUS! What an inspiring space to work in!
Absolutely gorgeous and fun space. You did a great job! Enjoy!
Amazing!!! Your color selection is stunning! I’ve always admired your artistry, carpentry and designs. Many blessings to you and your husband!
OMG, your new space is beautiful, fantastic and gorgeous. You have done an outstanding job completing it.
Congratulations on a spectacular accomplishment, Kristi! I hope you enjoy making things in this room for many years to come! Well Done
Oh Kristi… only word to describe it is…Supercalafragilisticexbealadocious!
Bravo Kristi! You are an incredible inspiration!
wow wow wow! from Saudi Arabia, I am so so proud of you, your posts and blog inspire me to quit my job and follow my passion in drawing, keep going <3
It’s beautiful and so you!
While your style is nothing like my own, I have learned from reading your posts to not be afraid to start over and change things until it makes me happy. I just wanted to say thank you for putting yourself out there to inspire the rest of us.
It’s gorgeous! Congratulations!