The First 3 Projects We’re Tackling in the Studio
Upgrading the Lighting
When making any improvements to a space, we think about function first. We currently have outdated fluorescent lighting with textured lenses. They’re not bright enough and it makes it challenging to do our job at times because lighting has a huge influence on how colors are perceived in a space. I sometimes find myself laying out a materials and finishes palette but then reviewing them at the window because that’s currently where the best light is.
Interior Openings and Trim
Our studio is pretty open, but it’s split into two rooms by a partial height wall. There are two mis-matched openings that feel out of place. I thought about closing them up completely, but there are two issues with that. First, these openings allow the air to flow from the window air conditioning unit in the back room. Second, we’ve gotten used to talking to each other through those openings without getting up from our desk.
So I decided to at least make these openings the same size and celebrate the wall itself by making it an accent wall within the space. I’m not telling you what color it’s going to be yet, but I’m so excited about it!
I thought about the wall color vs. the trim. Throughout the space we have a lighter wall color with darker trim. The entire accent wall will be painted the same accent color, but with the wall in a matte finish and the trim in gloss. But then I realized the trim is kind of boring—it’s a 2 ¾” flat trim. So we’re going to take it a step further and replace it with trim that matches the more historic trim in the space (pictured on the bottom right). You can see it around the door that used to lead into suite 2 (back when it was Victorian Thymes) and around the bathroom door.
I mean if you’re going to do an accent wall, do an accent wall.
Paint the Back Room
When I first moved into the space, I was subletting so I could only paint the front section and bathroom. But if you look past the partial wall dividing in the space you can see it—pastel, lavender paint.
This hue looks so out of place in the studio and whenever we have visitors, I feel like I’m always stating a disclaimer that I didn’t choose that color.
The back room (with the exception of the accent wall) is going to be painted the same color as the rest of the space. I’ve kept the space pretty neutral because we have samples all over the place and I don’t want any surrounding context to influence any design decisions when selecting materials and finishes for projects.
I’m going to keep you posted on these updates as well as a few more we are planning for down the line!