From Kitchen Table to Dream Studio: The oodelooo Ballet Wear Renovation

When I first started oodelooo Ballet Wear, I never imagined just how much space I would eventually need to bring my designs to life. What began as a passion project quickly outgrew the tiny corner I had carved out for myself at home. In the beginning, my cutting table was a small kitchen table left behind by the previous homeowners. It worked—until it didn’t.

That table was barely big enough to cut even my simplest skirt designs. So I made a swap—I moved our regular kitchen table upstairs and bought a new one for the kitchen downstairs. That worked for a little while… until it didn’t. Some of my more dramatic designs—like the Chiffon Double Pirouette Photo Shoot Skirt, which requires eight panels—were impossible to cut on that table. Every time I needed to make one, I’d have to move the table, clear a space on the floor, carry all my supplies down the stairs, and cut everything on my hands and knees. My back paid the price every single time.

After returning from Japan, I found myself daydreaming about a real, spacious cutting table. A space that would allow me to create freely and efficiently, without physical strain or logistical puzzles. But with the demands of a new job and zero days off for two months straight, the dream stayed a dream—until Memorial Day weekend.

That weekend, I finally had two full days off. I knew exactly what I needed to do: renovate my studio.

We have two rooms upstairs, and one had been set up as a guest room since we moved in eight years ago. But when I really thought about it, we’ve only had three or four guests use that room. It was clear the space wasn’t serving me anymore, and it was time for a change.

I moved out all the guest room furniture and ordered two large work tables to create the giant cutting table I had been dreaming of for months. I repainted the walls, hung up mirrors and framed photos, and turned that once-unused guest room into the fashion studio of my dreams.

Now, I finally have a dedicated, inspiring space that meets the needs of my work and reflects the heart behind oodelooo Ballet Wear. Every time I step into my new studio, I feel energized, focused, and ready to create. This renovation was long overdue, and I’m so grateful I finally made it happen.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your creativity is give it the space it truly deserves.