Upstairs, downstairs
Since July 1st, we’ve been in the midst of a crazy renovation/moving extravanganza. Essentially, I’m leaving my lovely, but inconvenient, office in Gastown and coming back home to occupy one of the big rooms downstairs.
All of Saturday, we moved everything in the spare room upstairs to the new storage room downstairs and then my incredibly supportive friends helped paint the spare room (Behr Soothing Celadon) so that I could have a fresh new room to house the loom, yarn, spinning stuff, and my temporary office.
Sunday was our annual BBQ/carnivore fest and as per usual, Rich was up at 6 am to smoke the pork and the party ended in the wee hours of the morning with poker and spinning. Some of our guests had never seen a spinning wheel before, so I treadled while they tried drafting.
Also at the BBQ were some old highschool friends — two of whom were dating in highschool, got married last year and then started a design company called ["Light Couture International"](http://www.lightcouture.com/). They design custom furniture items that incorporate light! Teejay writes a design blog called ["teejay's backsplash"](http://backsplash.lightcouture.com) and is also a contributor for [MoCo Loco](http://www.mocoloco.com/). Maybe I can convince them to incorporate fibre into one of their pieces?!
These guys, plus ‘Cisco and Des, came back a few hours later on Monday (we all need a _little_ sleep) to help Richard gut the downstairs office space (did I mention how lucky we are?). Here’s what the space looked like…
Yesterday, Rich and Steve (the reno/builder/contractor extraordinaire) put in insulation (because there was none) and it looked like this…
This morning, we were up at 6 am so that I could go to the store and pick out lighting fixtures. Who knew it could be so complicated? Anyhow, the drywall is being delivered today and soon the space will start looking more finished. I still have to pick paint colours… by tomorrow. All this work needs to be completed by Friday because we’ve reserved a moving van for Saturday morning and (yet) more furniture will be coming home from Gastown.
During all this, I did find some bits of time here and there to assemble the loom. It was really quite easy — kind of like IKEA but with more pieces and better wood. I even completed a tie-up for four shafts so that I can start weaving my turquoise silk scarves (there is a locking pin that holds the unused shafts in place)… but having moved all my yarn and stuff around the house, I can’t find the silk warp now.
Tags: bbq, loom room, renovation
wow, look at how busy you’ve been! that was quite a meat fest you had this weekend. i guess you don’t have many vegetarian friends
your new workspace is gonna be great! i can’t wait to see it all put together.
I love the colour of your loom room! In fact, I was thinking that I should repaint my bedroom the same colour…The BBQ photos are great as usual as was the food! Thanks again!
Thanks for sharing the photos of your party. The food looked amazing.mmmmmmm pulled meat.
I can not wait to see the finished work room. It is so exciting.
I just love a good renovation project. I can’t wait to see and hear more about it.
It’s nice to see your loom all assembled. Good color choice on the paint. Enjoy working from home!
You had a busy weekend!! The loom looks great - congrats on getting that all put together!
And Birch is fabulous! Looks like you guys had great weather and a great time.
looks like you had quite a weekend with lots of work and lots of fun - you’re so lucky to have such supportive friends! thank you for sharing a look at your loom and the work in progress on your office/room - can’t wait to see the end result and more of the loom and projects….
thanks for inviting us to the wonderful party!! we LOVED the yummy food and we like your place alot! it has so much character. you definitely picked a great colour for the loom room. can’t wait till you guys finish all your reno projects! just so you know: if there’s anything i can help you with (e.g. more demo, painting, & finding furniture, etc.), please let me know.
you’re so talented and your work really amazes me. i bookmarked your blog so i wouldn’t miss out any of your beautiful work from now on.
and thanks for ‘advertising’ my company and my blog. blush you’re so sweet~ of course i’d love to incorporate fibre into my design! it’s an awesome idea. just that i’ll have to gain more knowledge and you’ll have to show me more.
Wow, seems like it was heaps of fun at you BBQ and the shaw is gorgeous.
If I had a house, I’d love to have a craft room, too…but as I’m still a student and my stash hasn’t turned into a monster that could consume me yet, I’m pretty happy. :-p
Congrats again! The loom looks beautiful and fantabulous! You look like you’re seem all set and geared up for a successful weaving biz! Kudos to you! Wish I was at the barbecue; but we’re all rained down here so we had to order one for the 4th of July!
Arianie
Your loom does indeed look amazing. I’m excited to see what you create with it!
Congrats on your loom! Looking forward to seeing the completed work room! Hurray to working from home!
Congrats on your new work space! Love the look of your Louet. It suits you, I think (although I don’t actually ‘know’ you!). I like the look of my just-out-of-Customs-loom, too. Suits me, I think. A few marks from age and travel…and ditto for me! Very happy weaving to you!