Hi,
I’m brand new to the board. I live in Northern California in a house overlooking the Petaluma Valley. Below our house is the perfect spot to place a separate structure that will serve as my studio/retreat andsleeping for extra house guests.
My husband and I are not carpenters, so were hoping to find something ‘prefab’ and complimentary to the main house.
Since we live on a slope, we will need to put the structure on pilings and my vision is to have surrounding decks for a planter garden. (dear rome freely all around so need a protected garden).
We do plan on consulting with a designer, but it would help greatly to get some resources together beforehand. For example, I would like to have a good idea of the design of the cabin, the size, approx costs, etc.
Have you ever done something similar? Do you have any references on design?
Thank you.
Tricia Perkey
Replies
What kind of artist are you? That makes a difference in the design of the studio. I just finished one for a basket maker that included a small bathtub from an RV that she uses to dye her reeds. the ceilings are 10' tall to accomodate hanging the reeds so that they are ready to use when she needs them. We allowed room for work and for display during open studios. If you need quest quarters as well there needs to be a way to close off your space without you giving up access to your work if you are in the middle of a show preparation or a particularly creative streak. I'd say focus on the view you want as you work, the essentials necessary to work and then think about what the guests may need.
This message is to Trudish:
Yes, I agree with you. The primary purpose of our 'cabin' would be a studio, but almost as important as the that, is the secondary use....sleeping quarters. Make sense?
I know how important your time is to you, but if you think you would like to consult with me on this project, please mail me with your contact information. I have no interest in tieing you up. I only want to bond with a designer that will assist us with their expertise in creating an environment for 'art and family'.
Truly,
Tricia Perkey
[email protected]
i've been thinking about doing the same thing but not for quite a while
. I've got a build the main house first. Here are some websites cabin plans and prefab backhouses that i've found on the web recently.http://www.wildernesscabin.com/http://www.abetterbuilding.net/cabinplans.htmlhttp://www.backroadhomes.com/http://www.cadsmith.com/garage_photos/gallery.htmhttp://www.yurtworks.com/html/yw_content.htm
I thought these were especially nice. Probably a bit more expensive because they are so detailed but it would seem that they would meet your needs.
Mini Cabins: The Garden House
They will customize them for other uses...
Edited 12/5/2004 12:47 pm ET by jmo
Since you are new....
I mean you no disrespect, but please type your messages in standard size, its offensive and hard to read, you wont get as many responses, because people wont even fully read the question.
Regards.
HI Perkey
I am going to steal the 8x12 shed from the main user of the shed.. and add a screened porch maybe 8x6...
Have you considered... murphy bed type.. I saw one hand crafted.. with shelve while it was upright...
also.. a have seen somehing simialr to a row of booths.. each bed curtained off with a little space around it...
I am up in the woods.. so will not be in the studio much in the winter.
I like your idea. I actually had thought of the Murphy Bed myself. It's a terrific space saver and perfect for a studio.
Thank you.
Tricia Perkey
Petaluma, Calif.
Home Business Coach:
http://www.FriendsUnitedNet.com
http://www.TheMagicCandle.com
The Murphy Bed I saw was hand crafted by a retired Swede (spell that good carpentry). He had it for visiting grandchildren..
It was a beautiful wood.. maybe oak..maybe pine. Double bed size..when not in use as a bed.. IT appeared to be floor to ceiling (almost) shelves.. The top shelf was actually the foot of the bed (or on the bottom side of the bed) What served as legs of the bed.. were decorative while the bed was upright against the wall... They stuck outward as Shelf holders... I never would have guessed it was a bed .. had he not pulled it down to demonstrate what he had made. and he had even made the legs at the foot of the bed a little shorter for some reason that had to do with the kids jumping or something.. He had built in into the side wall of his GARAGE... between perfectly- spaced -for-- the- purpose studs .. so the mattress fit perfectly.. ..The hinges seemed to work smoothly..