Two summer’s ago Greg, John, Tim and Dallas built my new studio. Well it was a new build but the materials were all from recycled items I had found, given to me or bought at sales and auctions. All the walls are made up of old doors that were pulled off my school during a remodeling project over 4 years ago. It turned out amazing and I love it. I’m so happy when I’m in there working. After having it almost 2 years I’ve learned there are a couple of things I don’t like. I need to fix these issues so it’s all Blue Happy again.
In the afternoon the hot Texas sun glares in the end windows and on one corner. I put up curtains inside on the corner but it still gets so hot. My air system has to work hard and it takes 3 hours to get cooled down. So I have to plan when I wanna work and make sure I’m home to turn it on so it can cool down ahead of time. That kinda puts a bust on letting inspiration take over me and working when it hits me.
One other problem is that I have to drag out a folding table every time I need to work on the deck. Most of the time my back hurts because the table isn’t the right height to work on. I also wanted it to be more permanent than a folding table and go with the theme of the studio old, rustic, recycled and vintage.
Greg had the best idea of the day and a way to fix my folding table issue. We had a friend who just recently sold a home and didn’t want his wood work bench anymore. We took it and put it in our shop, but it made it really crowded with all our tools. Greg pulled it out and put it on the deck of my studio. It’s wood, the perfect size and height with a built-in ruler on the back. I didn’t know I wanted a ruler but now that I have it I think it’s a must. We put it up against the railing on the end and it looks like the rest of my studio perfectly used.
Now to solve the issue with that Texas sun heating up my studio. On a trip to Waco we purchased a couple of sets of shutters. On one of my trash trolling nights I found and collecting a single shutter. Greg took the one shutter and cut it in half and added a piece of wood to make it fit over the half window door. On the end next to it we used one set of the shutters from Waco. This door has a long glass front from top to bottom. The longer shutters covered it completely. Some might say that doesn’t match but nothing does about my studio. It’s all mix and match. On the other side corner window we used the other set of wood shutters. They don’t cover the entire door but they cover the window and that is all I wanted.
Now that I have them all up over the next week I will clean and paint them all out in white. Maybe I’ll use a color that will give it interest and pop. You’ll have to watch the blog for an update on that. I’m leaving the work bench its natural wood color because lets face it I’m gonna get paint all over it anyway.
Later today when we went into my studio during the hottest part of the day the difference was easy to feel. Problem solved and I’m one happy artist. I haven’t got to use my new work bench area yet but I’m sure it will be perfect. I love when things all come together. Today Greg and I were right on everything we tried. It makes for a perfect ending to a great weekend. Next weekend we will add flowers and so much more Blue Happiness.
