The DreamBox, the innovative fold-away workspace that has transformed crafting rooms worldwide, was born from a very personal need. Its creator is Brett Bara, a passionate crafter, designer, and television host who found herself frustrated by the common dilemma of creative people: the constant battle between inspiration and clutter.
The "Aha!" Moment in a Tiny Apartment
In 2005, while living in a small New York City apartment, Brett dreamed of a dedicated space for her sewing and crafting projects. Faced with limited square footage, she couldn't justify a permanent table. Yet, the alternative-dragging supplies out from closets and under the bed-meant she rarely created at all. That friction between the desire to make and the hassle of setup became the catalyst. She asked a revolutionary question: What if your entire creative studio could disappear when you’re not using it?
Design Inspired by Creator Rituals & Pain Points
The inspiration didn't come from furniture catalogs, but from observing real habits. Brett identified a core truth: when supplies are out of sight, they're out of mind. The goal was to build a system that removes barriers between a creator and their craft.
The foundational design principles were clear and practical:
- Accessible Organization: Every supply must be visible and within arm's reach immediately, eliminating "search and setup" time.
- Adaptable Space: It had to fit into living rooms, bedrooms, or corners-anywhere a person could carve out a little room for themselves.
- Dual-Purpose Functionality: It needed to be a beautiful piece of furniture when closed and a fully operational workshop when open.
Why This Approach Resonates
This user-centric approach is why the DreamBox feels so intuitive. It wasn't designed by a distant corporate team, but by one of us-a creator solving her own problem, which turned out to be a universal one.
From Furniture to a Philosophy
Brett’s creation story evolved into the heartfelt creed that now defines Create Room: "Your life is your most important creation." The DreamBox is the physical tool that empowers this belief, helping you prioritize creativity and make room for what fuels you.
The company's mission to help people "create a life they love" stems directly from this origin. The DreamBox was the first step in building a movement that champions creative time as a necessity for well-being.
A Living Legacy
Today, the legacy of that initial apartment-sized problem is a thriving community. The design continues to evolve with direct feedback from creators, leading to beloved innovations like the InView Tote system. But the core inspiration remains unchanged: to design furniture that clears away clutter, both physical and mental, so you can spend less time searching and more time bringing your beautiful ideas to life.
The DreamBox stands as a testament to the power of designing from personal experience. It’s a reminder that the most impactful solutions come from intimately understanding a problem and having the vision to build a better, more joyful way.