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by Lani Carroll-Newton
3 months ago in Design Dilemma
How can I improve this old verandah that's converted to studio
This is my studio - I am an artist and crafter. It is the black spot of our home, the real mind boggler on how to improve.
Apart from de cluttering - what could I do to make this room look more like a room. I need it to be a studio still till we leave but I am thinking it needs to be appealing as an all weather entertaining area.
We live in Melbourne, Australia so it is wet here most of the year, so all weather entertaining areas are big selling points the real estate agents use.
My biggest issue is the decking, yes I painted it but that's not issue, I just hate the decking look but we don't have time or money to pull it all up.
Any advice/help is appreciated.
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Jeffrey Brooks Interior Design Krikee.................( I probably spelled it wrong!). Floor matting used in commercial factories is made of rubber, vinyl or nylon and is kind to your feet and back (bonus!!). This can be hosed to clean up. Think of the room as a tent in the desert (ala Lawrence of Arabia)! Find some outdoor fabric and make simple drapes. They can be hung on 1" diameter plumbing pipe and drawn across the walls to hide your stuff. Good Luck!!!!.............
3 months ago · ·
apple_pie_order To make it look more like a room, add some cabinets with doors for closed storage, perhaps above the tables and desks there now, all along the brick house wall for stability. When you entertain, move your craft and art supplies to the cabinets. You can also add some ceiling lighting, perhaps with a ceiling fan. The large things covered with blue tarps - could they be be put away in custom wood boxes or some other storage?

Repaint the floor decking when you are finished moving stuff around. Use a small pattern that disguises scuffs and dirt.
3 months ago · ·
Lani Carroll-Newton Thanks for the ideas already.
I love the curtain idea and might implement that this weekend.
Cabinets I have been thinking of and getting rid of the table and cabinet already there.
I am thinking of the rubber being a great idea, we just have no idea on its weight and also how good the stumps are under the decking as know way to check, don't want to rip all decking up to find everything fine under there either lol.
Fan is definitely on the cards as it gets really hot in there over summer because it is all laser light sheeting.
Appreciate any advice I can get as I dislike my studio and want it to become a selling point.
Oh and the big blue covered items are a compressor, dress mannequin and supplies for my sculptures, probably going in hubby's shed once house is listed.
3 months ago ·
handymam I am kind of confused. Are you staying, or getting ready to sell? My answer would depend on how long youare staying.
3 months ago ·
Jeffrey Brooks Interior Design Hi again, The rubber flooring can also be found at a restaurant supply company. It is used behind a bar, inside a restaurant walk-in refrigerator and other places where floors can become hazerdous and wet. It is perforated so that water flows through. I've seen it in balck, green, blue, and red.
If you decide on the curtain option, and you will be listing the house for sale, you'll still want to be sure that the fabric is water resistent however for the sake of economy, look into the nylon fabric landscapers use to wrap trees and shrubery. This is usually black so be careful that the room doesn't like like a mortuary!!! See if there are other materials similar which you can buy in bulk.
3 months ago · ·
Lani Carroll-Newton Handymam, we are starting on 12 months of prep to sell because lots of repairs to be done and then rooms like this that need desperate help lol.
Thanks again Jeffrey, I have found a carpet place this morning that sells a thinner light weight version of the rubber matting with small holes for water drainage, says very suited to all weather rooms so I am going to go have a look after lunch and will pop into spotlight (our major craft store chain in Australia) to see if they have some fabric suitable for the curtains.
I have hubby at masters now (our version of lowe's) getting some paint as I decided to continue the red of the frame onto the beams above if I am going to have a black floor - just to brighten it up more.
Thanks everyone for your help so far, more ideas still welcome.
3 months ago ·
Jeffrey Brooks Interior Design Great!!!
3 months ago ·
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