Inside Hayley Crouse’s Craft Workroom
Wombats have the right idea – they carve out perfect spaces for themselves underground. So, too Hayley Crouse, who opens her basement-studio doors to children, friends and a cat (and they’re all enthusiastic crafters!).
By Janai Velez
Think ‘basement’ and you’re just a step or two away from a dark, dank dungeon, right? Bleak, airless, under-house afterthought. Well, not if you’re crafty Hayley Crouse, who made her subterranean studio a picture of light and creativity.
From modern and colourful to traditional and floral, check out our range of quilts!
She did have the advantage of interior-design credentials and therefore an innate understanding of form, function and well-considered organisation, but she topped it up beautifully with personal styling, creating a space that meets the needs of her fabric/pattern/clothing-designer business. What makes it notable, however, is the decorative ‘flavour’ she’s added. “I wouldn’t say the studio has a specific style, per se, but more of a feel. It’s a cheerful, fun and creative space, with good energy,” Hayley says.
The craft basement is on the bottom floor of the family home, which is 45 minutes west of Philadelphia and two hours south-west of New York City. While family life with husband Garrett and two children rolls along nicely above ground, Hayley can generally be found working her crafts a few feet below, tuning into the happy sounds going on around her, but not allowing herself to be too distracted by them.
But despite the need for professional isolation, Hayley Crouse also likes her studio space to be open to visitors. The muffled sounds of giggles and games sometimes gets the better of her, so she invites family and friends in for company. There’s a lovely sitting area in the studio created for guests, with a chair she upcycled with fresh paint and cushions. “The positives are that I get to share my room with others. It’s fun to have them in here and see how much they love the room. The only negative is that I end up talking so much with my visitor that my work doesn’t get finished!” she says.
Along with visitors and children, another regular guest is Talullah, her curious cat. “Talullah is obsessed with sewing pins for some reason, and as soon as she hears me working, she runs into the room and will stalk the ground for dropped pins and try to run away with them. Or she’ll try to sneak a pin off my magnetic pin tray. I constantly have to chase after her,” Hayley says.
Make a fun lap quilt with appliqué flowers, the Blooming Daisies Quilt
The 400-square-feet space was designed to cater for her work needs – she currently makes clothing patterns (under the name Mouse House Creations), has a fabric line with Michael Miller Fabrics called ‘Color Me’ (material that can be coloured in with fabric markers) and is in the process of starting up a clothing line, where she’ll sell finished items (called Lulah Clothing Co.).
When designing the room, Hayley carefully considered practicalities, such as the location of power outlets and lighting so she could take advantage of every square inch of available space. The floors are vinyl planks, which she specifically chose to ensure easy sweep-ups of threads and fabric scraps. Walls are bright white to reflect available light and enhance the pops of colour from accessories and furnishings.
In every nook and cranny there’s something pretty to look at and some clever storage idea – from the adhesive chalkboard labels on the drawers to the jars filled with trims, which double as bookends. Every detail has been carefully thought through. “I feel that whatever I create is a reflection of who I am, whether it is the concept or the colours or the overall feel. I also feel that I’m always evolving and perhaps my styles change along with that, too,” she says.
One of Hayley’s favourite pieces in the room is an oak china cabinet, which she spray painted blue, fitted with new hardware and lined with fabric. “I love classic pieces, but I also love pairing them with unexpected colours or items.” Other than some upcycled pieces, the majority of her furniture is plain but practical Ikea staples.
Jennifer Murray’s appliqué quilt pattern combines simplicity and symmetry
She’s reached a point now where’s she’s happy with the way things are in terms of decorating and design. And that’s something of a milestone for Hayley, who is teased by friends and family for constantly changing things around. But she reckons that’s all part of her DNA. “I was around eight years old when I really became intrigued with interior design, and luckily my parents indulged me and allowed me to change my bedroom frequently.
My mum would sew up new curtains, my dad would build shelves, and I would paint art for the walls. Every year for Christmas, I dreamt of which art supplies I could ask Santa for … Stitching and crafting has always been a part of my life, and I can’t imagine it any other way.” And the knowledge and know-how acquired over the years all show in her beloved basement.
To find out more about Hayley Crouse, of Mouse House Creations, LLC, visit her website (www.welcometothemousehouse.com), like her Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mousehousecreations) or email her (hayley@welcometothemousehouse.com).
