Step by step, could feel faster!
I promised you a video...and here are some chaotic snaps instead grrr! Mostly because I'm trying to get enough footage and progress together for a video on the channel this week. I want to get a tiny bit more done before I spend all Wednesday editing though, so in order for you to still get a sneak peek I am hurrying over here to show you some progress!
Where am I? Well, my mom helped me move the big furniture, mount the mantle, paint the floors and then sadly she had to fly home back to daily life. Luckily the room felt a lot more furnished by the time she left! We rolled out a rug that used to live in my parent's dining room as well, so thank you mom for the excellent olive toned rug. I'll talk through the whys and hows of the furniture in the video as well, but the black pieces are all Ikea. Like so many a seamstress I will have an Ikea sewing room, but without one white cube in sight 😅
I chose black-ish wood sideboards and display cases. There are two MALSJÖ sideboards placed back to back in the center of the room to serve as my future cut table. I will be sanding and staining a wood topper for these that is a bit larger to finish them off. The display cases either side of the fireplace are HAVSTA for lots of storage. Why Ikea? These are not the very cheapest of Ikea pieces, but they were a better budget option for me for several reasons. Vintage/antique pieces would have been similar in cost (if not much more expensive) and then there would have been transportation and maneuvering costs on top of that for such large pieces of furniture. Whereas I could pick up Ikea bits at the Albany distribution waypoint dealio and easily transport them myself, and build them in the room where they were needed, no macho-dudes-for-hire-needed!
Have I seen entire gorgeous antique Victorian store counters and display cases etc for sale in Hudson NY? Yes. Do I have 10,000 dollars and another few grand for delivery...no! I mean it, they are out there, and unfortunately they literally are 10-30 grand, so alas, it's Ikea for me.
I did however spend one day this last week picking up two antique chairs from a seller on marketplace for a total steal. I drove about and hour each way to pick them up, but they feel so perfectly Haunted Mansion coded to me. I'll have to reupholster them once I properly decorate the office/lounge. The rug in there is a little loud also, but the office lounge is a future problem, finishing this dang sewing room is my current problem...
This weekend was all about finishing the fireplace, and I began by staining the mantle with some gel stain to refresh the finish. The old finish was flaking away a bit generally, but was particularly bad near the floor on the columns and was basically gone across the main shelf where people had obviously been resting plants and such. It may have been in a garage/barn/basement for a few decades I fear. I think the slightly darker tone fits the room better and I am super pleased with it! I still have to do a couple coats of satin poly on it, hopefully tomorrow night after I have locked the kitties away upstairs, so hopefully that goes well and simply seals things.
I then set about painting the fireplace itself onto some thin mdf I had secured inside the hollow of the mantle. I painted the trompe l'oeil tile and simple "coal burner insert/iron summer screen thingy" this weekend and just finished the "grout" today. I still have to touch up the last bit of wood trim around the "tile" on the floor...
Also the stuff in the display cabinets is all just place-holdery bits, all will be rearranged when I unpack my supplies. The apothecary jars atop the cabinets are staying however ✨
And I have made virtually zero progress on the rest of the frieze 😩 Hopefully I can get a bit of that finished tomorrow, but I sorta have had to accept that at my current energy levels I'm just not able to get as much done daily as I would like. I'm a bit beat honestly, but too behind to give up, so I'm taking one task at a time and hoping I get to start sewing again soon.
The stress of not putting out regular content is fuel enough to finish. I want to make consistent videos again, partially so that I can take a real breath and stop freaking out. I feel a bit like I simply stopped going into work and therefore I'm constantly at risk of being fired any second!! I know you are patient, but I am not, and I still feel like I'm letting everyone down. I know you're too kind to allow me to get away with saying that...but it's my truth okay?!
So I hope you enjoy this messy peek at what's coming in the next sewing parlor reno video. One step, one project, one run back to Michaels at a time, I am getting there. Still, if any cute birds and mice want to band together Cinderella style and finish for me in the middle of the night that would be pretty great.
Comments (86)
Everything looks gorgeous and I'm infinitely jealous of this room. Content can wait until you are in a comfortable space with all of your supplies in their spots...we'll still be here. No worries. I adore what you've done with the Ikea tables/cabinets there. It's amazing what you can rework with their furniture.
Everything looks so great. I would love to see more videos of your renovations and making your house into a home. There's another self taught DIYer who's renovating her 1914 Craftsman house all by herself. She covers topics I am sure you would be interested in. In this video, there's a part where she talks about stacking trim. I remember you wanting to build up your baseboards to make them more dramatic. Anyhow, I recommend Renee Renovates. https://youtu.be/HUM4Tl07v7Y?si=ZJZS1MVWZzCHTXV8
Bianca, what a wonderful, creative soul you have! It’s looking absolutely gorgeous! When building a home from scratch, what truly matters is that it meets your needs—it doesn’t matter whether it comes from Ikea, a local furniture store, or an antique shop. If it works for you, then it’s the perfect solution. I renovated my home a couple of months ago. I could only afford an old house and couldn’t pay anyone to do the work for me—there was a lot that needed care and attention. I ended up physically and mentally exhausted from all the labor and decisions that had to be made… And it wasn’t even as grand as what you’re doing now. What I’m trying to say is that even though it may not be exactly what you envision for the future, what you’re doing is commendable. That room already looks beautiful, and I’m sure it will be spectacular by the time your project is complete. Please, take your time, get some rest, and give yourself some grace. Even if you want everything done quickly, these things always take longer than expected. Most importantly, take care of yourself. Take as much time as you need before uploading content—we will gladly wait until you’re ready 🤗.
totally random thought but could you reuse the baseboard from the parlor upstairs in the closet to fill in that tiny gap? 🤔 or are they completely different heights?
also, you have totally made a lot a lot of progress in the space! it might seem like it is going slowly but to us outsiders it already seems like a totally different room. and you are only one person! the victorians of past would have an army of underpaid laborers doing this work for them…
You are so talented!!! That looks amazing. It gives me inspiration to decorate my DIY room.
Hi, Itll be a short one today, as I'm fighting pneumonia and have issues keeping my oxygen up. I'm also on my new tablet that is still a mystery to work with. How do you break the line and start a new one on this thing? So I take it that I shouldn't have a talk with your boss then. Okay. You know best. At least until I have agency over my communication gear again. Just eat, sleep and snuggle, and I'll leave off, okay. The pictures are as tantalizing as always, and good on you for not getting IKEA white. If in the fullness of time you can get a less shiny black, that can mimic ebonized wood a bit more, maybe you won't miss the antiques all the time. I've lived seen your patinating skills, and if you want it, you'll figure it out. The chairs are lovely. I'm thinking dark red velvet (or pin courd) or maybe dark ochre. But what do I know about the Esthetic Movement? Hopefully we'll see tomorrow. Yours, Ann
Thank you Ann! I hope you feel better and get well soon!!
How absolutely beautiful it's looking!! what a stunning transformation, and a true tour de force display of your immaculate taste <3 The furniture might be ikea, but i certainly would've never guessed it!
Thank you Nicole! I swapped out the knobs at least for a slightly more antiqued vibe ✨
Love the faux coal burner! Finishes out the mantle exceptionally well.
Thank you Melanie! It's not warm, but very inexpensive 😂
Can't wait to see it all finished! What you have so far is beautiful and very inspiring.
Thank you Ren!
It's beautiful. Can't wait to see it all come together in due time.
Thank you Tammy!
Chaos…now! Fabulous…soon!!
I hope so!!
What will happen to the blue table of doom?
Alas both the original and the wood blue tables of doom did not fit on the moving truck. I was assured a 16 ft truck would fit everything and then some, that was incorrect. I had to leave a pink Victorian couch, 2 bookcases, a desk, the blue table, several things behind I'm afraid!
I obviously can’t gage how bad the upholstery fabric wear is on the chairs is, but the colors look great to me! Definitely can be a later project.
Sadly they are foxed/stained and very worse for wear up close. The guy said 'we think they might be original upholstery' but sir they didn't have polyester satin jacquard in 1880 🤣
What an amazing dream sewing studio!! Can't wait to see it.
Thank you Heather! You and me both really 🤣
Loving it all. Especially the faux fireplace. Maybe source some vintage fire irons to complete the look?
Thank you Craig! I would love to find some, and even a cut iron fire screen as well 🤩
I can only echo the sentiments that everyone else here has said … This IS ‘sewing content’, we are going to see these rooms in your videos from now on. We know it stresses you out, but it is not stressing us.
Thank you Debra ❤ This is the most important room in the house, so it's no wonder it's taking forever really I suppose 😩
While you're doing AMAZING things with your house, I'm sharing your links on Reddit when I can, so hourly some of your older videos are seeing an uptick. :D
Thank you!! I am /not/ good at reddit or short form video and I really wish I was, I'm terrible at marketing 😅
A very regal kitty is a must for such a beautiful room. 😍
Truly amazing work!!! The fireplace is so real with just paint. Just stunning! I know you feel like your getting paid to not work, but you are in fact working your booty off. I'm fully enjoying all the update photos and videos. As everyone else said, please take care of yourself too. The last thing you want is to finally have it all done and can't sew because you're too sick to do anything.
Thank you Laura! ❤ Its a lot of work for not much online output is the problem, I am a creature of the internet 😅😂
It’s looking really good! I really like Sam Whyatt’s advice above… take a break from painting and treat yo self :) I understand itching to get sewing again, but I for one am enjoying the decor content!!
Thank you Susan! I had some cinnamon rolls this week, so that was a mini gift to me 😂
This room is breathtakingly gorgeous! Definitely worth the wait for your sewing videos.
Thank you Karen!!
Honestly, Ikea makes decent furniture. Not great! But they're a long ways from being the Shein of the furniture world. Anyway. Yes, we know that you can't stop yourself from being stressed, but we're just going to keep reminding you to take care of yourself, ok? Doesn't do any good to finish the sewing room if you're too exhausted to sew! Make sure to take time to indulge yourself a little, go for a walk or whatever, eat proper meals periodically... You're worth the effort to take care of yourself!
Amen! They're a better quality than Walmart or Target, even if they aren't the heavy pine or walnut of true antiques... and those are HEAVY too move. My cutting table is an Ikea countertop I found in their broken / returns area resting on garage shelving. Aesthetic? Ehh... Practical? Hell yeah!!I have a *9* foot long cutting space, which realistically means I have a 6ft cutting table and 3ft bar-height clutter catcher. 😆
Yes! I'll be right over for tea and biscuits! What time?! 🤣 Honestly though, your work never ceases to amaze me, fabulous job!!!!!
Thank you Heather! I need to invest in a teapot, I have tea cups...but I need a teapot!
I thought it was a real fireplace and was very confused as I'd thought the room didn't have one! It all looks really great.
Thank you Madeleine! All faux fireplace, the budget option for sure 😂✨
A little encouragement from a brand new viewer here! I found your channel thanks to a recommendation from another channels patron page (CarlyB). I’ve just started watching your videos at the beginning of your move. I’m enjoying your old content and I think all the effort you are putting into your house is amazing! Take your time, and keep up the beautiful work!
Thank you so much!! I miss how productive I used to be 😂 I suppose things come in seasons, and hopefully I'll be putting out more sewing content again soon!
I'm loving the updates too! Maybe take yourself out for a fancy coffee and pastry before you start your day of renovation or editing as a treat without stressing yourself out about taking a whole day off. This is something I should also be telling myself, but there you go. Lol. You're doing amazing things! 😍
Thank you Sarah! I did at least buy cinnamon rolls at the grocery store this last week, I needed the treat 😂
Honestly I am enjoying these updates just as much as I would a video! Who knew I could be so interested in home renovations!
Thank you Karen!!
I hear your truth, but am with all the others who say we are here & go easy ❤️. Part of sewing IS a nice workspace and so watching yours take shape IS making sewing content… if that makes sense?? And this is the deluxe sewing room! I LOVE it!! So re-classify this as “sewingROOM content” and rest easy- ish? Hang in there! It is fabulous.
Amen!!
Beautiful!
Thank you Michella!
No advice from me. Love what you are doing!!!
Thank you Elizabeth!
You know, we don't don't mind. We know, you do. But hopefully, this is your forever home. You have the rest of your life to finish the frieze. You're closer to having a functioning sewing room, so take a break from the painting if you need to. Compassionate deadlines dear lady., a burnt out Bianca will get even less done! Take care of you, drink tea, snuggle a kitty .
Thank you Sam! ❤ Thank goodness for snuggly kitties!!!
Please remember: after a BurnOut you won't be able to sew for a long time. I hope you allow yourself a break here and there. :)
I think I am way past burn out into more of 'consistent low smolder' after the nonsense stress the mortgage company put me through 😅
I know you are impatient to get back to sewing, and I do understand the fear, uncertainty, and doubt related to algorithms and regular content. Maybe it can be a bit of a saving grace that your freize video did good numbers? I hope it gives you a bit of breathing room, since you're motivated to do the home stuff right now anyway. Regardless, I wish balance for you as you move forward with the sewing room and the renovations. As excited as I'll be for new sewing content, I'm very excited for you to put together an awesome studio space, and grateful to be a fly on the wall for the process. It's well worth the trade in my book.
I adore the fireplace. I can so relate to feeling like you have less energy and less day than you have tasks to acomplish. But you will get there.
Thank you Nena ❤ The days keep getting shorter on me somehow!
we'll be here when you're ready. And when you are up and going again, all will be well in your sewing-verse. Also, you've been sick. I'm still supporting a writer who has had the AO3 curse of sudden life collapse, and hasn't shared a chapter in 6 months. I'm not saying everyone will, but as long as you keep us in the loop, I'm sure most of us will keep supporting you. Also, your decorating is amazeballs. I feel extra under-decorated now.
This. My HO has CFS, so we are still masking. I havent had a cold or flu in years. It really works.
It's looking so lovely! I have a wooden IKEA kitchen island as my cut table. But alas, my fabric storage is indeed white cubes. To be fair, I've had one of them since I was literally five years old and it went from home to college to apartment to my own house with me...
That's impressive! And white is just as peaceful and restful as espresso or black, especially when storing & displaying fabrics! I have espresso bookcases and Kallax units because I'm drawn to light walls and dark storage, but the rainbow of fabrics on my bookcases brings such joy and brightness to my room!!
I'm excited to see the channel video, you have gotten so much done in so little time! Please don't stress too much, we're here for you! I love knowing that being your patron is helping you accomplish your goals! I'm happy with as much as you're willing to share 💜
Thank you Alicia ❤ I feel like I haven't made a dent 😂 the problem with having so much to do!
I just want to say thank you for bringing us along on your journey and your process…I am guessing that each of us would love to help you by feeding you and doing menial tasks so that all you had to worry about was your art…take a breath my friend..
Thank you Raelene ❤
My kid has the same sense of responsibility and personal guilt as you. I tell her she's doing great she says she wishes I would just yell at her lol. So I'm yelling! You're doing great! It only seems you're behind because you have so many amazing projects to do! Loving every step you're sharing!! Call your mother!!☺️ Seriously though it looks amazing!
Thank you Magdalaena! I'm glad I'm not alone, but sorry she is so like me in that regard 😅
Amazing!! I love everything, but the detail of your logo is really cool! That frieze is gorgeous. I understand your anxiety about getting videos made, but take a moment to congratulate yourself on all you've accomplished so far. You rock!!
Thank you Marcia! Mostly I feel my biggest accomplishment this year so far has been not breaking down into tears even once! With the January I had I feel like that is rather impressive 😅
That trompe d'oile (sp?) is very Victorian and you had me fooled with the tile. If you feel we are not getting our due content, please feel free to share up Chapter II of the Orphan's Revenge. :-) Also, how can we gift you some housewarming certificates to HD, or the Historic Albany Foundation warehouse for some doorknobs and bits of fancy molding? https://www.historic-albany.org/gift-certificate/gift-card-for-warehouse.
I love this idea! Please, Bianca, can we do something like this for you??
Eeeeee! It’s looking so good!!! Love the mantle and tile 🖤💚 We all love the patterning and sewing, but it’s SO fun to see things come together in your home, and to imagine that in some small way, I’m seeing my patronage help you realize your dreams. (Perhaps I sponsored a whole cabinet knob or paintbrush!) We will definitely all keep telling you to cut yourself some slack, but something to be said for life feeling more settled. If it’s any consolation, what you’ve done already would have taken me 2 years!
Thank you!! You have definitely helped with vintage style cabinet knobs because the ikea standard ones were not up to scratch ❤
You are an amazing artist and that takes time take deep breaths do what you can - film some videos with it like it is if you need to I understand feeling panicked about your job but it's not healthy and we need you to stay healthy. ❣️❣️❣️ Thanks mom for helping we appreciate you too!
Thank you Michelle! As soon as I can get the table top done I will start using the room for sure, the longer I don't put out a sewing video the more stressed I get, so I've got to get it going!! 😅
This is looking amazing! Try not to beat yourself up too hard, just the right amount to stay motivated (and if you figure that balance out, please let me know).
Thank you Sarah! Yeah the balance is never just right 😅
It looks so good! Amazing actually!! You're doing so much that I'm developing second-hand fatigue. I hope everything goes as smoothly as possible and that you can take the time to heal 💚💙🖤
Thank you Chae! I wish /I/ felt I was getting anything done 😩✨ classic truly 😂
I would have sworn that was at the very least peel and stick tile. It looks so real!
Thank you Cheryl! One day I'll get to play will real tile I hope 😂