'Studio Makeover'
The Lost Forest studio has undergone quite a makeover the last two months. Essential repairs and maintenance meant a lot of my cabin’s external structure needed to be re-built. It was quite stressful, but very necessary, particularly coming into the winter. It meant everything had to be moved out, put into storage in random farm sheds, and I had to set up a mini temporary studio in our home.
My new studio is now completely weather-tight, warm, cosy and brighter with new windows and doors.
Originally myself, my dad and sister painted the outside of the cabin in a lovely shade of Lost Forest green. As the repairs were contracted by the original builders, they kindly offered to paint it for us too, using their own painters and paint. I chose a colour from their catalogue, thinking it was a grey/green from the colour chart. However, once painted it was actually a pretty warm grey tone, with buttermilk on the door and window trims. In a strange coincidence, the day the cabin was being painted was the day Miley left our world. It turned out he left me a little message that he would always be my little studio companion, as my studio was now his exact colours- grey and buff. It makes me love my studio all the more, and carries his spirit with me on my continuing creative journey.
The inside got a fresh coat of white paint using my trusty painting skills. I also had a wood effect floor put down in both rooms, which has a wonderful spring to it, making it comfortable for me to work (I mostly stand as I work). It’s also a breeze to keep clean, and adds extra warmth compared to the bare wooden floor.
As one my cabinets had water damage, I replaced it with an inexpensive but very practical Ikea unit. The only time I buy Ikea is for my studio, as it offers great studio solutions for storage, and won’t break the bank. I also like to combine them with my more cherished vintage items.
My studio is now up and running once again, and I feel there is a renewed creative energy to my work. It’s amazing how a space can really effect your productivity and artistic focus. So much so, I have now embarked on yet another craft project that I am currently teaching myself. I’m learning some new jewellery techniques, which I hope to introduce into the shop very soon. For now, I’m enjoying learning, creating and daydreaming in my lovely little log cabin.
The studio before the repairs. I loved the green but it’s also lovely to have a change.
The new bare wood of the exterior featuring my beautiful windows and doors.
And ta da! My brand new studio complete in ‘Miley Grey’. I have a little kitty ornament outside and some brand new flower pots with a ‘crystal fairy’ white rose and two young eucalyptus gunnii trees.
This angle you can view the entrance into the work room. Far right is my little wishing well planter and of course a garden gnome decked out in his Dublin jersey!
A little snapshot of my workroom, where all the resin work is carried out. I now have a double window here, which makes it lovely and bright and gives me a nice view of the bamboo wall outside. I always find bamboo very relaxing to look at while I work away.
The main studio room, where I finish my jewellery, gift box and wrap, and pack up orders. I also use it for other craft and creative projects. A cosy and inspiring room to work in.
My double window offers me the most beautiful view of the Lost Forest garden. I also have the luxury of little feathery visitors to my window, and perhaps one or two cheeky kitties too.
Hope you enjoyed the tour around the new Lost Forest studio. - Gillian x