Ta-Da!

The shed conversion is complete.

I'm settling in. The reading chair, rug, and bookcase have their corner. The wire shelves have theirs. Most furniture has been moved numerous times, searching for storage, access to supplies, and workspace that will work for me. The pro tip from a friend — put everything you can on wheels.

Here’s a walkthrough of the space.

This week, happiness has been washing pastel sponges in the deep stainless steel sink (with warm water from its small hot water tank), attaching lamps to the drafting table, turning on the banks of lights, then dimming them one by one, making tea, and sitting a spell—all right here.    

The most satisfying task has been putting away paper in the vintage double-stacked, wooden flat file that Neil brought back to life. He made a beautiful oak top, stained a rich brown, and buffed it as smooth as a baby’s bum. He also made the base with wheels that elevate the drawers. It’s stunning.

Then there’s my recently acquired drafting table — a Neolt Leonar (manually) elevating and tilting beauty.  In August, as soon as the studio project was underway, the table appeared on eBay — to be picked up in Port Townsend, a lovely Victorian town just an hour’s drive from us.  We brought it home, where Neil wiped it down, adjusted the top, and made it shine.

What is it about smoothing your hands over 40 x 60 inches of drawing space? 

And did you notice the small bookcase that anchors the sitting area by the window?  We found this treasure in early October, passing through Shelton, a small lumber town with, as it turns out, an antique place specializing in furniture from England.  Who would have guessed?

But there it was.  Now, on the top shelf is a sheep’s skull that my brother-in-law had for over fifty years.  (Neil remembers when he found it — was it the Lake District or Scotland?)  It's beautiful to have this reminder of Colin in my English cabinet of curiosities.

Amid all this setting up and luxuriating in the new space, my early mornings have begun to take shape — an espresso, a trek to the back of the garden, lights on, and settling in to draw a bit to start the day.   

A closer look: a bonus in the main house

Upstairs in the main house, what used to be my studio under the eaves has been transformed into a reading and thinking space. The computer is still in the closet—out of view for the most part, but easy to access for the digital part of the art and the business of life.

Before After

As always, here are a few drawings from last week.