Artist Studio - Calling arty types & the not so

to_do_list · Apr 26, 2008 12:41 am

Calling all actual and wannabe artisans, writers, and anybody else with an opinion.

OK 'bout to move into a house with bigger backyard.

DW is the arty-farty type likes a bit of drawing, journaling, painting things, beady jewelery stuff, decoupage, scrapbooking, and general foofery like that. Can you tell I'm not....opposites attract....go figure!

Anyhoo because these activities require lots of "stuff" - pottery, fabrics, twine, birds nest, flotsam and jetsam from beaches, sparkly things, generally stuff that makes a bower bird envious - I'm thinking of building from kit a studio like the one below...about 2.8 x 3.4 metres (keeps it under 10 sq.m and therefore away from beady eyed planners)...to keep everything in the one spot and give her a place to be arty.

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It'll be fully sisilated, aluminum windows, sub floor to raise it off the ground, solid doors....proper little building.

Firstly, if you are of a similar mind would you think this was a good idea, your own little studio away from the house. Would that be enough space. Could you handle not having the creature comforts (power is about 25 metres away and could be expensive). I know dead of winter and top of summer will probably be unbearable...but even I'll be indoors...

If you have something like this what have you got, would you mind sharing photos, storage solutions, tips for making it liveable (or is that artable).

For the more practical out there...power is going to be a big issue, I can put a skylight in, but apart from plenty of windows to get natural light, what other options have I got. What sort of juice could I get out of a solar panel and is that going to cost the same as power. Any other issues I haven't thought of.

All opinions, comments, tips welcome.....or you can tell me I'm barking mad.

Cheers

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Yak_Chat · Apr 26, 2008 9:30 am

Great Idea.

She'll then love being able to have all her stuff left out as she last used it etc etc.

This is your chance to build her your very own eco friendly house that uses minimal power and heating.

Heavily insulatated, double glazed, using double windows not double glazed windows, correct sun aspect ratios etc.

Then the heating - can be the concrete floor that catches the winter sun and the verandah will it shade it in summer.

Fans. and natural airflow design.

It'll be warm when she goes there, not some place that she needs to heat up, forgets to go back there after she has turned on the heater etc etc. :shock:

Yes I know what an arty type is like to live with :shock:

Solar power is an option, and depends on how much light she desires while working in there. I'm assuming she'll want to be running soldering irons, melting things etc etc and solar is no good at that in a small system.

I just spent some time living at friends who have a 100% solar house in sunny queenland and they have a 6kw system, but to run the washing machine we had to make sure it was a good sunny day and either side of midday so the batteries were not being drawn down while it was running.
And that solar system cost in the order of $40k. (or start the generator)

We build solar systems at work to run in some hard to get power to device sites, and it's great when you have a constant drain and can calculate out - the battery will last this long, and this solar panel puts out this much, and the device draws this much power, but in a household environment you need to factor in the variables.

Add in the art factor - gee whiz - need I say more :wink:

It would not cost much to run some underground power out there now - long term a better option that solar, which will require batteries, making sure they charge, do not overcharge etc etc.
Steve

to_do_list · Apr 26, 2008 10:46 am

Yak_Chat

She'll then love being able to have all her stuff left out as she last used it etc etc.

The main bug bear which I'm hoping to resolve, I can do this in the garage but she's always having to pack up from the kiddies.

Yak_Chat

Heavily insulatated, double glazed, using double windows not double glazed windows, correct sun aspect ratios etc.

Aspects not an issue I can orientate it correctly.

Double windows because it's a more economical solution to double glazing or more effective?

Heavily insulated...sisilation plus bats in the ceiling and walls with internal plasterboard?

Yak_Chat

It'll be warm when she goes there, not some place that she needs to heat up, forgets to go back there after she has turned on the heater etc etc. :shock:

Yes I know what an arty type is like to live with :shock:

Guess who'll be going out to check that everything is off....hubby...even if I ran power out I think I'd have a master switch in the house just in case.

Yak_Chat

Solar power is an option, and depends on how much light she desires while working in there. I'm assuming she'll want to be running soldering irons, melting things etc etc and solar is no good at that in a small system.

Thought I'd canvas the idea to cover it off.

Yak_Chat

It would not cost much to run some underground power out there now - long term a better option that solar, which will require batteries, making sure they charge, do not overcharge etc etc.

I'd do the trenching and just get a sparky to run the power to a separate fusebox...I'll be interesting to see the prices for a 25 metre run.

OK...confidence building that this is a doable project.

DeeElle · Apr 26, 2008 12:54 pm

TDL what would she prefer

.

I worked from home for a while and definitely prefered to be in the house rather than separate for a couple of reasons i.e. sense of safety, close to amenities & creature comforts including not being rained on when walking between buildings. But it depends on the type of work you are doing. Some artists prefer their own space others prefer to have a room set aside inside the house for their use.

We had outbuildings at our last house and I always wished they had been connected. In fact it was one of the reason for moving.

But thats me ... :lol:

Another option is to outfit part of the garage into a great working space.

Paula · Apr 26, 2008 2:22 pm

So your going to put her in a cubby house????

If that were me I'd hate it, too cold in winter too hot in summer.

What if she wants to work when the kids have gone to bed at night - be in the yard all alone with no light?

Have you got a spare room in the house that she could lock when not in use so the kids dont get access, and she could leave her stuff out??

Have you asked her??

to_do_list · Apr 26, 2008 9:19 pm

Paula and Dy

Wouldn't have got to this point without asking her and she's keen on the idea.....

....wouldn't have lasted 12 years of marriage without have at least that much sense.... :wink:

DeeElle

Some artists prefer their own space others prefer to have a room set aside inside the house for their use.

DW is the former than the latter....

DeeElle

Another option is to outfit part of the garage into a great working space.

I have actually thought about flipping it around in that she uses a part of the garage (which is connected straight to the house...and then I use something like this for my hobbies. The safety aspect is an issue for me as well.

Paula

So your going to put her in a cubby house????

If that were me I'd hate it, too cold in winter too hot in summer.

I'm thinking about something a bit better than a cubby.....

....I have spoken about this with her and I want to make sure we can design it right.

Paula

What if she wants to work when the kids have gone to bed at night - be in the yard all alone with no light?

DW would prefer to work during the day then night...not really a night work kind of person...but I take your point.

Paula

Have you got a spare room in the house that she could lock when not in use so the kids dont get access, and she could leave her stuff out??

Not an option at the moment but one of the reasons we bought the house is that it is ideally suited towards an upstairs renovation that'l provide a kids playarea and bedrooms and the two downstairs bedrooms free up. Part of the 5+ year plan

Paula

Have you asked her??

I value my life enough to not think about something like this without asking her.....

...give me some credit Paula... :wink:

Thanks for the feedback....

Paula · Apr 26, 2008 9:23 pm

Quote:

I value my life enough to not think about something like this without asking her..... ...give me some credit Paula...

Credit given... glad to hear she is all for it.

Quote:

I'm thinking about something a bit better than a cubby.....

good to hear.

Quote:

...and then I use something like this for my hobbies. The safety aspect is an issue for me as well.

what are your hobbies?

to_do_list · Apr 26, 2008 9:30 pm

Paula

what are your hobbies?

After seeing your DH's shed and go-kart set up I'm starting to reconsider......"I have the need....the need for speed"....still an opening on the pit crew....

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Paula · Apr 26, 2008 9:36 pm

OMG thats one big engine...

Do you race that or just have fun in it?

DH was practising today in the rain - lots of fun :wink:

He races tomorrow, the track is open to all if you were serious about having a look.

to_do_list · Apr 26, 2008 9:43 pm

That's something off Google....whereabouts is he racing??

Paula · Apr 26, 2008 9:51 pm

Puckerpunyal (not sure if I spelt that right!!)

to_do_list · Apr 26, 2008 9:57 pm

Paula

Puckerpunyal (not sure if I spelt that right!!)

Puckapunyal...guessing the Eastern Lions Track...bit far out at short notice.

Did promise the family a day out prior to a week of full on packing whilst on leave....may not be what DW had in mind...

"Oh darling let's go for a drive, oh is that a racetrack, why don't we pop in... !"

Neh...may not go down so well....

to_do_list · Apr 26, 2008 10:00 pm

Paula

what are your hobbies?

Good question for a topic...all yours Paula....

Paula · Apr 26, 2008 10:02 pm

Quote:

Puckapunyal...guessing the Eastern Lions Track...bit far out at short notice.

How did you know that?

Have you been looking at joining a club?

Quote:

Did promise the family a day out prior to a week of full on packing whilst on leave....may not be what DW had in mind...

"Oh darling let's go for a drive, oh is that a racetrack, why don't we pop in... !"

No not the thing to take a baby to. In a few years you could get both the boys interested then DW can go shopping whilst the boys bond.

Or (back to the thread) work in her studio while the boys are Go Karting.

to_do_list · Apr 26, 2008 10:12 pm

Paula

Quote:

Puckapunyal...guessing the Eastern Lions Track...bit far out at short notice.

How did you know that?

Have you been looking at joining a club?

I was looking a couple of days ago at where the race meetings are (particularly Melbourne ones)...that one stuck in my head cos I know Pucka...

Paula

Quote:

Did promise the family a day out prior to a week of full on packing whilst on leave....may not be what DW had in mind...

"Oh darling let's go for a drive, oh is that a racetrack, why don't we pop in... !"

No not the thing to take a baby to. In a few years you could get both the boys interested then DW can go shopping whilst the boys bond.

Or (back to the thread) work in her studio while the boys are Go Karting.

I hope you're including me in the "boys"....oh and thanks for getting the thread I derailed back on track.... :oops:

DeeElle · Apr 27, 2008 12:43 pm

to_do_list

I value my life enough to not think about something like this without asking her.....

sigh ... I've been married 20 years and I wish my DH would learn how to value his life :wink:

. Tip: buying me a vacuum cleaner for my birthday does not count as a 'personal item' :roll:

.

If you both think an external building is a go then how about building an artist studio or a studio sun room / solarium. It could second as an entertainment area for the kids down the track.

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There are lots of options - perhaps google studio sun room.

First_Timer_Ray · Apr 27, 2008 1:30 pm

I think if she has that many artistic interests a <10m2 space may not cut it. Although it depends if she works alone or likes to get together with like-minded friends.
In our new place I have claimed the 3rd bedroom as my scrapbooking room. For the last 3 years I have had to pack and un-pack all my stuff each time, and when that happens the kitchen table is out of action for a week, if not more. It is now at the point that I have accumulated too much stuff to pack and unpack all the time, so I will be glad to have a permanent set up.
'My' 3x4m scrap room will be big enough for me (wall units, desk, etc) but still won't be big enough to accommodate a table to invite others over without invading the kitchen.
Other considerations are heating (I couldn't stand going outside across the yard in winter!), lighting (those crafts require VERY good lighting) and versatility (if DW decided to change hobbies what could it be used for, or resold?).
One disadvantage of using a garage would be dust. I know our garage can get very dusty - just from opening and closing the roller door, and when using paints, glues, etc dust is your worst enemy. To effectively use a garage it would have to be partitioned off so that it would be free of dust (eg, false wall with door). You would also have to check a DIY kit is fully secured with no gaps under doors etc.
If it were me, I would rather be attached to the house where I can keep an eye on the child (children) and be close if the phone goes or to put on another load of washing, etc.

Ray.

DeeElle · Apr 27, 2008 1:41 pm

First_Timer_Ray

Other considerations are heating (I couldn't stand going outside across the yard in winter!), lighting (those crafts require VERY good lighting) and versatility (if DW decided to change hobbies what could it be used for, or resold?).
One disadvantage of using a garage would be dust. I know our garage can get very dusty - just from opening and closing the roller door, and when using paints, glues, etc dust is your worst enemy. To effectively use a garage it would have to be partitioned off so that it would be free of dust (eg, false wall with door).
Ray.

Agree Ray ... walking between areas in winter could put a dampener on the desire to be artistic. However sounds like TDL doesn't have much of an option inside the house. Perhaps a nice warm artist studio would do the trick. I'd be wanting lots of big windows (and blinds) and a cement floor for passive heating/cooling.

I can see how the garage could be a problem. We have our laundry in the garage and I am also a bit concerned about dust etc. Although I'm not really one for a snazzy laundry and would rather put the space into living areas. We might end up putting bifolds in front of the laundry to keep dust to a minimum.

TDL I bet you wish you hadn't asked :wink:

. Thats why my DH would just go ahead and build it. He knows that if he asked my opinion it would cost him 10k more than he wanted to spend. :lol:

Paula · Apr 27, 2008 2:27 pm

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That looks lovely DeeElle, much better than a cubby :wink:

to_do_list · Apr 27, 2008 6:54 pm

DeeElle

sigh ... I've been married 20 years and I wish my DH would learn how to value his life :wink:

. Tip: buying me a vacuum cleaner for my birthday does not count as a 'personal item' :roll:

.

A tip from my father which I live by....don't buy anything for your wife with a handle as a "present"....pots, cleaners, wheelbarrows (I know someone who bought one), etc, etc.....he's 52 years married.

DeeElle

If you both think an external building is a go then how about building an artist studio or a studio sun room / solarium. It could second as an entertainment area for the kids down the track.

Cost is a bit of an issue...whilst I like the idea...this would be a 5+ year option and we'd probably go up rather than out...but a dedicated "sunroom" does have attractions.