Studio Makeover

KaraDaniel · 17 Jan 2020, 19:27

So part of my new years goals was to redo my kid's old bedroom into a workable studio space. I've been working in here for a while now but it was bright orange and just really needed a deep cleaning. I have a new layout where I now have two desks and little reading nook. It's very important to me to have space where I can call create and doors can be shut and everyone gets the idea to leave mom alone! lol

I love to see where and how artists work. I thought it might be fun if others shared pics of their workspaces here too, I know I'd enjoy seeing them!

Note: My studio is never this clean... This is just the calm before the storm!

IanS · 17 Jan 2020, 20:44

I've got serious studio envy! Very nice.

theprairiefox · 17 Jan 2020, 21:13

Kara,

I love your studio. It is great to have a space to work without interruptions. I ended up converting space over my garage. It came out great and I love having the separate space where I "work".

I think the best thing I did was to make my own desks. I got 2 Ergotron bases that are stand/sit desks. I used solid core doors (cut off) for the tops. One is a flat top desk and the other I built a tilting mechanism on so it is like a drafting table. It is nice to have skylights over them as well... but that is just a bonus.

My computer is on an Ergotron lifting mechanism as well. It is nice to be able to stand and sit at will.

Here are some pics...

MinasJP · 17 Jan 2020, 21:16

Wow that is a wonderful studio ! Its funny I will be redesigning my room to make room for a mini studio set up.

KaraDaniel · 17 Jan 2020, 22:28

@theprairiefox Wow! I love the desks you made! It looks like you have wonderful lighting with the skylights and recessed bulbs. I get southernish light in my window which can be a bit obnoxious at times but I just close the blinds when it gets too intense. Did you build those little shelves over the floor heaters(?)? That's a great use of space. Gives me an idea of something to do on the short side walls in my studio. Judging by our photos I think our wall colors are almost the same! Thanks for sharing! Looks like a lovely space to create.

KaraDaniel · 17 Jan 2020, 22:34

@MinasJP Thanks! Share if you want to when you do!

theprairiefox · 17 Jan 2020, 23:31

@KaraDaniel yeah, my father and I made those shelves.

The room is heated most of the time by a mini-split (like a hotel room heater) but it doesn't work once it is -15F or so and I live in Minnesota so I have to have the baseboard heaters as a backup. I figured anything I put on the shelves would be fine the 5 days a year the heaters are on!

The shelves are actually old barn boards and the pipes were salvaged out of my dad's house when they replaced then with PVC.

idid · 17 Jan 2020, 23:40

such a nice corner. Love your drawing table and that cute litte fan

deborah Haagenson · 18 Jan 2020, 00:06

@theprairiefox Hi! I live in MN too! I live in Blaine. I downsized, so I have my books and supplies upstairs in a room. I can work up there if I want to. My coffee table raises up enough. But I use my dining room table downstairs. I have nice big windows and a large open living room space. It really works for me. I love it!
![1_1579305809248_20180616_104617.jpg](Uploading 98%) ![0_1579305809199_20191101_035621.jpg](Uploading 98%)

deborah Haagenson · 18 Jan 2020, 00:09

@deborah-Haagenson That didn't work!

KaraDaniel · 18 Jan 2020, 01:38

@deborah-Haagenson that's great you have multiple spaces to work! Do you often work on an easel? I have one but I never use it maybe I should try it out. Love all the books. My personal library is right outside my studio door, gotta keep the books nearby

deborah Haagenson · 18 Jan 2020, 01:53

@KaraDaniel I do have both a floor easel and a table easel. Right now I primarily oil paint at an art academy and they provide easels, so at home I've been using a table easel. I like to sit and paint anyway, so that's ok. I also have a big drawing board that I use for most of my drawing.

theprairiefox · 18 Jan 2020, 02:00

@deborah-Haagenson heh neighbor. I am in Waconia. How are you enjoying the snow?!?!?

deborah Haagenson · 18 Jan 2020, 02:24

@theprairiefox I know! This is my second winter living here, so it's taken some getting use to that's for sure! I was born here, but I lived in CA for a long time, so I'd never driven in snow (and ice). Luckily it doesn't bother me to stay in the house for days at a time. It does make me a little clostrophobic knowing I can't even get my car out.

burvantill · 18 Jan 2020, 04:49

@deborah-Haagenson I've been thinking of getting a table easel. Yours looks very practical. Can you tell me its brand name?

burvantill · 18 Jan 2020, 04:51

There was a studio share on Instagram this year. I don't have the pics anymore, but here is the LINK to my IG post.

deborah Haagenson · 18 Jan 2020, 04:56

@burvantill The ones your looking at in the picture are small and I use them for drawing. The one I use for painting is bigger and has a drawer. I'll take a photo and post it.

burvantill · 18 Jan 2020, 05:10

@deborah-Haagenson i have a big one. I need a small one. Is the small one in the photo stable enough to hold an iPad?

deborah Haagenson · 18 Jan 2020, 05:13

@deborah-Haagenson sorry for the fuzzy pic. I was having trouble getting it small enough for this post. It's the 'Ravenna Table Easel with Drawer'. I bought it on Amazon in 2011, but it looks like it's still available.

deborah Haagenson · 18 Jan 2020, 05:28

@burvantill I use the black one you see in the photo, 'Readaeer Reading Rest Cook Book Document Holder Stand Bookrest' for my samsung 10.5 " tablet to view references. I use another similar one, 'Parblo PR 100 Universal Graphic Tablet Stand Adjustable for 10 to 16 Inches Digital Graphics Drawing Monitors Art Tablets' for my X-Pen display graphic monitor. The bamboo one is more open. I put a small board on it when drawing. I probably wouldn't use it for a tablet.