Studio Tour

Okay, just as a frame of reference, the room size is basically 9.5' x 13' with a triangle missing from one corner where a closet was created sometime in the house's history.

Just for some sort of logical perspective, I'll start with the doorway and go around the room.

At the top of the doorway are some of my favorite pieces of art.  These were given to me as a gift by one of my favorite artists ever, my youngest little. Here's a closer look:

 
I have this kid's book display rack doing double duty to hold magazines, and a collection of books that have accompanying CDs for the littlest's distraction enjoyment.

 Onward!

Next is the maple cabinet.  The top half holds books, journals, tchotchkes and vintage cameras. The bottom half has electronics, magazines, art supplies in three drawers, and the other drawers are currently empty.  The cabinet space on the lower right has book covers from old books that I want to re-purpose. 

The closet is mostly empty- it has my easel and my photo equipment.  I am patiently waiting for Joe to make some shelves for in there. (The closet is a triangle-shaped space that didn't work well for clothing on hangers anyway.)

You can also see my work table.  I'll talk more about my table soon; it is another DIY project that needs to be completed.

Here's a glimpse inside the cabinet: 

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I used vintage cameras as bookends inside this cabinet and on the shelves in another corner.

Next, comes the long cabinet that you saw below the chalkboard & picture line.  The cupboard/filing cabinet was left on the street outside of a local business bearing a "free for the taking" sign. The cabinet is a heavy steel office unit in a sort of dark raspberry color with a removable wood top.  There is a single shelf in the section on the left, behind two removable steel sliding doors. On the right are two file drawers.

Colored pencils are divided into two groups- water-soluble and not, and kept on two different lazy susans to reduce the margin for error. I have them further split out into warm (red/orange/yellow), cool (blue/green/purple) and neutral (browns, whites, blacks).  My pastels and crayons are in plastic trays on the top surface of this cabinet broken out the same way. The corner of the desk has paintbrushes, sculpting tools, blending stumps, scissors, brayer, exacto, razor blades, & water containers.

The next images are a closer look at my storage in this area.  This is the corner of the workspace you saw above.

 

Next up is the corner with the white cupboard. You can see where I painted the interior panels on the the insides of the doors with chalkboard paint. This cupboard contains journals I am working into, canvases, wood boards, along with some other supplies.  The black cabinet beneath houses my vinyl record collection, and one drawer has the littlest's aforementioned books on CD collection.  The other drawer is empty. (I have empty drawers! ) Big canvases, rolled canvas, canvas board, works on paper, and my drawing board are stored on the floor between the cabinet and the stereo.

Then, of course, comes my beloved stereo:

 

 
Isn't she beautiful? Sigh. Okay, onward.

So, the unresolved corner was resolved with a little set of shelves that had been in the basement. The mirror in the corner helps reflect light around the room and brightens that corner quite a bit.  The shelves house my journals and book-binding books, and I have my printer on the top shelf.  My full-size (22" x 30") sheets of paper are stored in a cardboard container behind the couch. My stencils are in a huge, rectangular, wire basket under the footstool.  Current reading material is in the basket on the floor on the left of the couch. A peek at the bookshelf:

I ended up covering the floor in layers of various wool carpets. (While I loved the way the floor looked, it was very splintery.) I didn't really need that many carpets to cover the floor, I just like the way they look layered. They also feel nice underfoot. (and under my seat!)

This photo, of course, has led us right back to the door!  I kept to my goals of making the room functional, warm, and comfortable.  My family has already been hanging out in here quite a bit! The sofa is my oldest's new favorite homework spot, and the middle slept on there last night.  I've spent less than $20 on making this room happen.  I do still need some additional hardware for the table project, so that will be the only other expense.  Except for the freebie cabinet I found on the street, I simply moved things out of my old space and other places in the house. I used several different cans of leftover white paint to paint the walls, and used supplies we already had on hand to tackle the various painting jobs.  Joe will be re-purposing wood for the closet shelving.

I think need to come up with some sort window treatment (nothing too curtainy, just something to deal with the stark bare window feeling created by the dark woodwork around the window). I'll make that out of something I already have in the house. I have been thinking of shredding a sheer panel to make a short valance-curtain-veil sort of thing; we'll see.

Come back soon to visit!

 

 

Comments

[Molly Vollmer]

Wow! I wondered if you could pull it off, and you sure did. A family room with a hidden studio. However, I would like to see your worktable when you're in the creative process:) I didn't know I needed a picture line. I have to get stuff out of folders and up where I can see them.

[Dawn Edmonson]

I love it all LK! and the layered rugs make the room look so cozy...I love that they don't match too! Gorgeous ~ xxoo, Dawn

[Littlemissscooter.blogspot.com]

I love the coziness of this room. It teems of a place where you must have found the inspiration and impetus for many an incredible artwork.

PS I discovered you through The Artful Storybook. I believed that you had done the one with the princess who made friends with the bird who collected her tears. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Nevertheless, there were some phenomenal creations in that book that gave me various ideas! I certainly think you're incredible in any case because I had to find your blog.

[Rosie]

I love it... Its a wonderful room for a studio.. looks like youve done a great job on it...
always a buzz to walk thru someones work space and see a bit how they think and work in there... have a good weekend dipping in and out of it this time!

[Jan]

Thanks for the tour! It's always fun to see the space of working artists.

[Wendy Joy]

Thanks, and it's so good to see your blog up and active again! I missed it ... thanks for sharing your inspiration with us.

[Irene]

I love seeing your studio and how precise you are. Your book is one of my favorites and I look forward to working with you at Artfest.