What you do with the internal space depends on your overall concept and your budget.

Remember the list?

1. Studio only
2. Studio/shop
3. Studio/shop/office

Some useful questions but sure you will think of more!

Keep your concept in mind as you consider these and any others.

1.What furniture /storage do you need for your concept?

2.What lighting do you need?

3.Have you factored in heating arrangements?

4.Is WiFi access crucial?

5.What kind of flooring suits your needs and does it need to be different in different areas?

What  did I have to consider?

My concept was a Studio/shop and at first I thought two distinct spaces could be made with the use of partitioning. That was knocked on its head very quickly. The space would be too crowded and aesthetically unpleasing with the entry to the studio opening on to a partition. Ok not a bright idea. I decided to keep one open space.

I wanted to use my fairly new kitchen units from the conservatory in the studio if possible. Luckily they fitted well into the side wall and transferred without dismantling .All my art production materials could stay in their homes and would be easy to find!

I liked the thought of using new and old storage together and sourced a lovely dark Ercol kitchen unit at a second hand store which would give me great display surfaces and storage underneath for cards/gifts. Later when I moved in I realised I still needed more storage for framed art and also prints. I sourced another dresser type unit in lighter wood which now gives bumper storage. This sounds as if I am super organised but I have to work at keeping the storage tidy and I don't always remember where I put things.

Gallery space was easy. My husband -ex joiner to trade-sourced gallery fixings online ,found flexible directional lighting and bars at the local electrical shop and put enough in to use the whole of the studio. Central strobe lighting went in to supplement when day light is not available. Folks tend to question if I do paint in the studio because they tend to see it in gallery/shop mode and I reassure them I do get the big portable table out and cover the floor so I have maximum elbow room to work .I also bought a large easel on wheels which can be positioned any where in the studio to get the best lighting.

My husband put in dark wood effect lino to be easy for washing and not too expensive if splashed. Ever practical. He also had put in a heating and air conditioning unit  from Log Cabins Scotland which works brilliantly in different seasons.

Reality versus the Plans

I love the look of the studio from the two main doors into the space. The space feels arty and crafty and it is good to see your own work displayed and see how it changes.

I love to open up the double doors in the summer .It feels as if I am in the garden. Last summer I started using the outside space more and really  messy work is ideal in the garden.

The space is already over stretched since my son started designing wood gifts for me so I have put packaging ,frames etc back in the conservatory which has now become a storage room. I need to check stock regularly and spring cleaning and stocktaking is a great January task.

I am sharing a new computer with my husband so most admin is done in the house. I don't need WIFI in the studio and mobile phone works for everything including payments.

The flexibility of the space works well at the moment .The conservatory space is so helpful and the rest of the house is art and craft free.

Now I can concentrate on my painting  and of course selling my work(let's face it I need loads of materials and I still manage to give a donation to charity after I pay my taxes! After all that's how this all started!