Building an art studio at home...help?!?

[Casey Childs]

Monique, I finished building my studio last year and documented what I had done on my blog--

www.caseychilds.blogspot.com (there's a link at the top left "The New Studio")

My studio was patterned after my mentor, William Whitaker. I patterned everything I could from his studio (within my limited budget) but, most importantly, the north facing windows. Because I work only from natural light this was essential to have. If you plan to work from natural light (daylight) I would recommend making use of the south windows. The goal with natural light is to have a diffused light, if you use the east window you'll have too much direct sunlight and would be impossible to work with, especially when working from life. You'll find on my blog a post dedicated to my choice of wall color which you might feel is a little dark but it's a beautiful color when working from natural light. I would recommend some neutral grayish color on the wall so you won't have light bouncing around and causing distractions when painting. Painting is hard enough as it is. The sink is a wonderful idea, I haven't regretted mine one bit. If you can, I would recommend a DEEP sink. It makes things a little easier when cleaning up and such. Oh, and I threw down laminate for my floor since I've got a concrete floor under it. I was worried about it at first, not being wood and all, but it's actually been good. I don't worry about spilling stuff and "ruining" it with my everyday studio activities because it's only laminate. It's nice to have a floor where you can move things around on it easily, which is why I would recommend putting everything on wheels--easels, tables, etc.

[Monique McFarland]

Thank you guys so SO much! I don't think i'm going to do the wood floors for now, (sounds beautiful, though) but may go ahead with a laminate...down the road, upon resale, wood floors can go in, but I just don't feel compelled to do it for my use..I don't want to worry about it! I'm not generally messy, but accidents have happened before and I don't want to be tiptoeing around my own playground! I'm leaning more towards the grey tones and will find a nice one to use.

As far as putting a depot in the west wall, well, that's my master closet...so, not possible.. definately going with the deep sink and still debating about which sort of lighting to use. My plans originally were to use the south large window for the primary light source. I will be putting some sort of window treatments that I can close at night and will keep the east window closed off while using the south light to paint. at least it sounds like i'm on the right track!

I'll look at your blog and am very interested in your journey since im about to begin mine!! very exciting to me!!!!!! I just can't bring myself to imagine a wonderful space exclusively for me to be creative in! blessed doesn't even begin to express my feelings.

[Monique McFarland]

GREAT looking studio! care to share the reason for the ledge under the paintings along the wall? writing surface? just curious..is the wall color a gloss or is it just a camera thing? i would think a flat or satin finish for non-glare? am I wrong? love the color...your laminate floor is a wood look? my ceilings will be tongue and groove naturally sealed wood. good color contrast to that color wall. I likeey! thanks for the tips and pics...anything or anyone else? keep it coming!

[Monique McFarland]

Allan, I see you have the exposed brick too...mine will be slightly darker than yours, more of a red clay and brown and white, (called "old mobile" brick... but unless your from around these parts, you have no idea what i'm talking about, lol) anyway, I think the colors discussed here will look great together and serve a good purpose at the same time. track, directional (adjustable) lighting is looking more and more like an option to me. thanks!

[Allan Rahbek]

Monique, you could check the light conditions by actually paint in the room one whole sunny day.
The reason why I suggest to go with the eastern window is, that you will only have the direct sun into the room in the morning.
I once had a west facing skylight that led the light into my studio in the afternoon which was very annoying on a sunny day.

[Casey Childs]

Monique, it's been awhile since I've been on the forum, but let me answer the questions you had.

Since my studio is a garage that function as a studio, the foundation was poured like a normal garage with 12" concrete walls that the stud walls are secured to. This left exposed concrete below the walls that needed to be covered. So we decided to build a ledge wall around the base of the wall to cover the concrete. I didn't realize how useful this would be when we first built it! It's been so nice to place unfinished paintings on to stand back and look at as well as just keep them off the floor.

I think the color is a semi-gloss, maybe satin...not quite sure, but it's definitely not gloss. And the floor is laminate (put down directly on the concrete) from builddirect.com, it's been good to have--I don't worry so much about getting stuff/spills on it like I would a natural wood floor.

Sorry about the late response, I hope you're enjoying your new space!