A Forest Park hideaway

 

A married couple of a writer/musician and an illustrator, our clients contacted us with the idea of incorporating an addition into their new home. Having moved from a bustling area of Portland to a very secluded location abutting Forest Park, they needed a studio space for drawing and writing because they were about to embark on the process of writing a children's book set in the woods around their new home. We helped them purchase the home, then set about creating the spaces that they needed by adding a second story to the detached garage. Views to the forest and an abundance of natural light through vaulted ceilings and skylights make this artists studio a sweet hideaway in the woods.

 
Reclaimed flooring sourced from a building nearby added warmth to the addition of a 2nd-floor open room on top of the garage. 

Reclaimed flooring sourced from a building nearby added warmth to the addition of a 2nd-floor open room on top of the garage. 

Abundant light was required for this illustration studio. By vaulting the ceilings and adding an abundance of windows, we were able to meet the needs of the artist.  

Abundant light was required for this illustration studio. By vaulting the ceilings and adding an abundance of windows, we were able to meet the needs of the artist.  

We added storage in the eaves for files and access to art. A free-standing pellet stove adds ambience and heat as needed.

We added storage in the eaves for files and access to art. A free-standing pellet stove adds ambience and heat as needed.

The back patio affords a view of new garage studio space.

The back patio affords a view of new garage studio space.

The lower half of the garage was devoted to a writing and music studio. 

The lower half of the garage was devoted to a writing and music studio. 

Fir wood and flooring was sourced from a warehouse that was being torn down, and a bench for toy storage and impromptu reading created a landing at the top of the stairs-turned-library. 

Fir wood and flooring was sourced from a warehouse that was being torn down, and a bench for toy storage and impromptu reading created a landing at the top of the stairs-turned-library.