A Jewelers Studio - Belfast, Maine.

Jennifer of Quench Metalworks invited me to take a look at her home studio with a view to brighten the space and update some of the functioning pieces in there. On seeing the room, which is on the first floor of her home and has incredible afternoon light, I couldn't quite believe that Jenn had been creating such amazing work in that space. It was dark despite 3 large double windows and totally utilitarian. Originally furnished for purpose the studio lacked any inspiration...aside from maybe to file papers or pack parcels. Open shelves of paperwork and boxes of supplies lined the walls. Tidy and organized and definitely functioning well, but lacking in any personality, which Jenn and her jewelry both have in spades.

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The wood lined walls and ceilings closed in on you and made the light from outside glare into the room rather than warming it, the wood just absorbed the light and left bright glaring holes in the walls.

Chatting with Jenn about her vision for the space she had realized that having utility shelving wasn't really necessary any more and could envision furniture pieces in there that would function equally well and yet be visually appealing. She clarified which furniture pieces needed to stay for her to work, her bench and awesome wooden storage trays on wheels and we discussed Jenn's needs in her growing business. A place to pack and prepare online orders, an office area to work at, both sitting and standing, a small area for clients to sit comfortably for consultations and also a cozy rug, for her dog Rudy to soak up the afternoon rays from as he keeps her company while she works.

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I started by picking out furniture pieces to fit the bill and after getting a vibe from Jenns jewelry work and the furnishings we were working with, came up with a slightly industrial theme. The room needed some strength to fit with Jenns dominating workbench, tools and anvils, and adding dark pieces felt like a way to balance the space and give the daylight somewhere to land. To go dark on the pieces I needed to get rid of the wood on the walls. The ceiling needed to be lifted so that immediately went white, but I couldn't bring myself to go all white on the walls.

The direction of the wood changing at waist height offered so much visual interest so we forged ahead with the industrial, masculine vibe and went charcoal grey on the lower wall and then added a flirt of feminine blush on the top.

 

The combination was just so perfect and it had the effect I had hoped for. The blush allowed the light to bounce around the room, it offered the warmth that the wood was sucking out of the light and it delicately framed the sturdy dark pieces we selected.

The studio became a calm, inspiring place to work with dedicated spaces for each task that Jenn undergoes to run her business. It became an inviting place to bring clients into and one that Jenn can enjoy even when she isn't working. The wall space has been used for both functionality AND for inspiration with dedicated spaces for pieces that inspire joy and creativity. The rug is perfectly positioned for Rudy to catch the warm rays and for some added greenery to flourish, adding to the relaxed feel of the room.

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Click below to see the 'Before & After' galleries. Get in touch and tell me what you think of the transformation.

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I feel proud to have been invited into and trusted to redecorate the place that Jenn goes to dream up her incredible creations, where she lovingly pairs up the gem stones she uses in her work and where the magic of making actually happens. As a creative, I know how much your surroundings can affect how you feel, how they can enable you or completely stump your creativity. Working with Jenn to develop the room she makes her modern heirlooms in was a true privilege.

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This studio remodel was completed with a Small Space Makeover package and a handful of additional hours for placement of furnishings and purchasing finishing touches. Jenn completed all the work herself, the painting, the furniture building, light fixture installation etc. I supplied the advice, shopping lists, color choices and design ideas. I mention this to give you an idea of what can be achieved with my packages.

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