Studio
Functional Writer’s Retreat A cork-covered wall and an oversize workspace helped transform an ordinary room into an inspiring writer’s retreat. Carlyn And Company Interiors + Design arranged the desk so that the wall is easily accessible. While sitting at the desk, the writer can pin up inspiration or keep track of information, story patterns or other details for a current piece. Sitting at the desk, the writer looks directly out a window to the view beyond.
Energy-Efficient Studio for Two Artists Goforth Gill Architects, along with Ventana Construction, designed and built a two-story studio in a backyard belonging to two artists. Plenty of storage, natural light and wall space help the space function, while artistic concrete work and exposed ceiling systems incorporate unique artistry.
The Cathedral Four years ago Jennifer Young built an art studio on her property in which to run her art business. She paints and sells oil landscapes. “Because of the nature of my medium, I really have to keep my workspace separate from my living space, or else the fumes would bother my family in our small home,” Young says. There are many things Young likes about her studio, including the location and the large windows and French doors, but the high vaulted ceiling tops her list. “No matter what may be happening out there, when I enter my studio space, it is as if I am entering the church of art,” she says. The ceiling’s shape also disperses light in a way that avoids glare.
Studio in the Garden Virginia Krafft paints and sometimes just relaxes in a compact studio her husband built for her next to their home in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. “I love the fact that he has made it so light with the transparent construction, and find it very inspirational to be surrounded by our garden,” Krafft says. In the summer she opens up all the doors and paints.
5. Open up to the outdoors. Being outdoors is refreshing and inspiring — but when a home is closed off from the outside spaces, it’s not as easy or inviting to use them. A large window overlooking the garden, sliding glass doors that open onto a deck or an indoor-outdoor breakfast bar will draw the eye (and then you) outdoors more often. If you have little ones, consider keeping baskets near the back door for toting books, art supplies or digging tools into the yard. When the weather is fine, anything you can do indoors, you can do outdoors, too — and it’s usually more fun!
1. Put the walls to work. Pegboards, bulletin boards, magnet boards and rails (for hanging bins and buckets) are all handy ways to make wall space work harder. You can hang a single board or rail and change what’s on it when you need to, without reaching for a hammer (or making any additional holes in the wall). Setting up a permanent, built-in spot for creative supplies — like a giant roll of butcher paper on the wall — makes it easier to access what you (or your kids) need to complete a project.
4. Make cleanup easy with ample hidden storage. Let’s face it: Shelf upon shelf of beautifully organized craft supplies looks amazing … for about five minutes. If you want to be able to freely use your tools and materials — and hide them quickly when you’re done — hidden storage is the way to go. Try a wall of shelving with doors that close or a closet outfitted with shelves and bins. And if messy projects give you the willies, toss in a few plastic tablecloths to protect surfaces and a drop cloth to cover the floor. Large rolls of paper can also do double duty as table covers and surfaces for making art.
5. Nurture problem solving and invention. Sometimes your child's Legos seem like they're just a loose collection of annoying pieces to step on in the hallway or suck up into your vacuum cleaner. But these tiny toys actually go a long way toward helping your child come up with creative solutions to problems. Add a loose-parts station to your playroom to get those creative juices flowing.
Sharing my studio with the kids... 3. Include materials to create with. Don't restrict your child to just crayons. Providing a wide array of creative materials without giving specific instructions on how to use them will boost your child's creativity. Create a craft corner or set aside a few cubbies in your kitchen for watercolors, markers, crayons, clay, pipe cleaners and more. Of course, use discretion when deciding what materials are appropriate for your child's age or developmental stage. And use your imagination when choosing — the sky's the limit!
Desk area in my future studio can be the craft space (for kids crafts and present wrapping etc...
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