Over the years since Charlie and I have been together, various structures have appeared in the back yard; wood sheds, a sauna, a cold frame, replaced by a greenhouse. As with so many other things in my life, I did not have an ultimate plan for my backyard. Except for the garden. I always knew I would have a garden, and we have one, way beyond my wildest dreams. But everything else came more by momentary inspiration. And everything else has turned into not just another project, but necessary threads in our lives from gardening all year to healing saunas after long hikes.
Through long years of continual upheaval in our backyard, through the taming, cultivation, and expansion of the garden and the house remodels, in the middle of it all, stood an old barn, if you could call it that. Bigger than a shed but of a size better to house a car than a cow, this structure has been on my land since the early 20th century.
When I bought the place I got the barn and all its contents, a structure without floor or foundation, full of worthless junk. Even after we cleaned it out, and Charlie reinforced the drooping sections, and replaced the door, it continued to be a repository for old stuff that would rarely if ever be used again, and a cozy home for rats.
I kept encouraging Charlie to turn it into a workshop, invest in a really functional space and a place for his tools. I thought he deserved it for all the building he does. But he seemed to prefer roofing the spaces adjoing the barn to house his tools, and dragging the big ones out into the yard when he has a big project.
We have tossed around other ideas for the barn over the years, mostly as an additional living space. And then sometime during last winter the idea surfaced to build a sewing studio for me out there. And it would have a bed built in for extra guests, which we can always use. Our house is small but pretty accommodating, especially for our informal family, but I’ve had to move ongoing sewing projects around, and haven’t been able to get as serious as I’d like to with my sewing while working out of our bedroom.
Charlie began early in the year, clearing the space and dividing the footprint into two, the majority to become studio, the rest a small shop for tools and storage with its own door in the back.
A lot of the materials that went into building the studio were repurposed from other projects. Lumber, shelving, countertop, knobs, stuff we’ve been hauling along with us from former lives. It’s always such a sweet sight when something you treasure, but have no place for, finally finds a home. Like the stained glass sunflower I bought in a shop in Willits, CA, over 25 years ago just because I loved it. It followed me around for years before finding the perfect spot in the door of our backyard sauna here in Ashland.
The space (the canvas) and materials inspire the work of art, and the artist in both our hearts co-create, never quite knowing what the end result will be, trusting it will be something greater than our imaginings, yet somehow a total reflection of our selves.
The wall where the door had been came down. A Queen Anne window went in, the final one of a demo collection of windows Charlie bought at the Lumber Yard many years ago. We found a standard sized door at a huge depository of old house parts in Medford.
Once the bamboo floor(left overs from the house remodel) was put down, and sheetrock put up, Charlie knocked down the wall facing the garden. This was going to be an extension to add a queen-sized bed and a closet to store a portable sewing table and ironing board.
The foundation for the extension was built, and a cosy little bed nook began to take shape. Charlie even found old barn wood that matched the original for the outside.
Moving back inside, it was time to paint and panel the bed nook. The cedar was a splurge but totally worth it! The color I chose was a yellow called Pure Joy. I painted the door a periwinkle blue. Ever since I had cataract surgery I’ve been obsessed with the color blue. I can’t get enough of it.
We continued to colloborate and create the perfect sewing studio. A custom table for my machine, a lot of storage, and shelves, places for books and other favorite stuff. Finishing touches included a widow box, a stone apron in front and a remote controlled split heat/AC unit (true comfort!!)
I didn’t waste any time getting to work, making pillow covers, curtains, clothes and a lot of other sewing projects. My portfolio grew expotentially! And I feel I have found a true passion. Something I want to do all the time. Like gardening. I never get tired of it, and I learn something, both in my craft, and about myself every time we engage. It teaches my patience. And acceptance.
I named my new space the Old Soul Studio. There is still something left of the original bones of the place that can be felt. The size accommodates my sewing needs just right, and when I’m not using it for that, it’s a great space for yoga and exercise, a retreat for quiet space, a nap, a little romance. It’s an extra space for our guests (my brother was the first). I’ve moved my computer out here.
The garden outside the window is always changing. Right now morning glories cover the entire side. Beautiful sunsets frame her on summer evenings.
I spend much of my waking time out here, or in the garden. I believe in the healing power of tending a garden. I also believe “Sewing mends the soul.”
Sometimes Charlie visits me out here. He’ll show up proffering a glass of Prosecco, and we’ll sit on the bed together, sharing schemes and dreams. After finishing my studio, Charlie moved on to and just fulfilled a long held desire to build a wood fired pizza oven. And that is his story I hope he’ll tell someday.
