Whew! What a year this has been! After getting married last December, I continued teaching full-time through the spring semester while also adjusting to being a full-time wife and mother of four. For the sake of continuity for my students (and preserving my own sanity!), we opted to leave the studio at my parents’ house until this summer. I wanted to have a good chunk of time to go through the entire studio, get rid of things I no longer needed, and then move everything over to the new studio in as organized a manner as possible. Not to mention that the new studio still looked like this at the beginning of summer:
What, you don’t think that looks like an inviting studio, either?! 🙂
Thankfully, my awesome and artistic husband had a vision for bringing life to our old, dark basement, and we employed some talented friends to help us make my new studio a dream come true! Now I get to enjoy this colorful and inspiring environment every day:
We have almost no natural light in our basement, so we wanted to use colors that would make the area feel bright and welcoming. The waiting area is just outside the studio and has lots of space for families to sit and play games, read a book, or hang out and talk. We’re hoping to put bi-fold French doors on the studio entrance, but that will have to be part of Phase II!
Here’s a closer look into the studio where you can see my desk along the back wall, the Clavinova and piano on the side wall, and then a beautiful entertainment cupboard that houses our printer and shelves with extra paper and envelopes. You can also catch a glimpse of this year’s practice incentive theme: C2: igniting the power within!
I just have to let you peak in my closet because it’s one of the most exciting parts of the studio for me! We picked up this handy shelving system at Lowe’s and some plastic drawer organizers at Walmart, and now everything is neatly organized and easily accessible from anywhere in the studio. I love being able to reach over and grab whatever I need while I’m teaching, but then close the doors and have a squeaky clean-looking studio at the end of the day.
Here’s a view of the other side of our waiting area/library where we have lots of books to peruse while relaxing in one of our comfy chairs. And in between lessons, feel free to plug in a guitar and jam away. 🙂
I’m thoroughly loving my new studio and look forward to posting more now that we’re settled and full-swing into a new year of piano lessons. Hope you enjoyed the virtual tour and that your year of teaching is off to a great start!
Elsa says
Wow!! What a metamorphosis, Natalie! It looks fabulous! I can’t wait to see more of it! 🙂
Juliet Whitlock says
That is completely amazing. I would feel just enchanted to take and just to teach lessons in a surrounding like that. I just want to sit in your library/waiting area and read!
Linda Dahlstrom says
Congratulations on your new marriage! Lots of changes in your life now, and this one is just as exciting! Not many people have an opportunity to start from the ground up and make it just what you envision! WOW!! Enjoy!!!
Jennifer Foxx says
Wonderful! Looks so inviting! Love the closet too! Enjoy your new studio set up and have a great year! 🙂
Michelle says
Looks great. Wonderful color choices. I need some inspiration right now to declutter our basement to turn into a studio. Do you have a separate entrance from the outside? Or do your students come in the front door?
Joy Morin says
Wow, what a wonderful transformation, Natalie! It’s beautiful!!
natalie says
My students use the front door and then come downstairs to the studio.
Bruce Cichowlas says
Looks great and incredibly spacious! Just mind the humidity. I find I need to be aware of it and control it for the instruments in my finished basement.
Lisa says
Your studio looks amazing, Natalie! How exciting! You two did a wonderful job.
Liz Robertson says
When I found your blog years ago, I enjoyed your posts, teaching ideas, conference coverage, but was kinda ‘bleh’ toward the cramped dark studio. It was a funny contrast, that’s all. Your new space is a much better reflection of your talents. Totally deserve it.
Drema says
Wow, that is fabulous! Amazing transformation. Just love your studio space, the colours, the closet and the waiting area~~ =D
Monte Saatchi says
Wow, such an amazing space! I’m envious!