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California Creative: A Ranch House Garage Turned Art Studio

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Before & After

California Creative: A Ranch House Garage Turned Art Studio

February 11, 2022

At Remodelista, we brake for creative garage conversions. Over the years, we’ve come across some standout examples of found space, including an Airy Studio Apartment Over a Garage in Auckland, a Guest Room in a Garage in North London, and our own Michelle’s Mill Valley Grottage. The latest is a Santa Ynez, California, multi-car garage in which one of the stalls now serves as a couple’s art studio.

The makeover is part of a full property renovation of a 1971 ranch house in Santa Barbara wine country by Dylan Henderson of Salt Architecture and Rita Donahoe of Rita Chan Interiors. The owners are a young couple who lead the California good life: they divide their time between here and LA, and requested a dedicated creative space for painting, drawing, and photography. Scroll to the end to see Before and After shots of the garage exterior.

Photography by Gavin Cater of Cater Photography, courtesy of Rita Chan Interiors, unless noted.

in addition to housing vehicles, the redesigned four car garage holds a gym and 17
Above: In addition to housing vehicles, the redesigned four-car garage holds a gym and art studio. In the 1970s, the original owners built and restored horse-drawn carriages and wagons, hence the need for so many stalls. Elliott and Pohls Construction worked on the project. Photograph courtesy of Salt Architecture.
architect dylan henderson designed the airy, new space, and rita donahoe fitted 18
Above: Architect Dylan Henderson designed the airy, new space, and Rita Donahoe fitted it with a wrap-around counter and built-in storage in marine plywood. Her cabinetmaker supplied the classic pegboard on the back wall. The white porcelain pulley lights are Cobb Rise and Fall Pendants by Original BTC. The vintage chairs were bought on 1st Dibs; to find similar examples search Toledo drafting stools.
wanting to warm up the space with patinated surfaces, donahoe  introduced 19
Above: Wanting to warm up the space with patinated surfaces, Donahoe  introduced an antique work table found at Santa Ynez General.
the drawers opposite the worktable were repurposed from a toolshed on the prope 20
Above: The drawers opposite the worktable were repurposed from a toolshed on the property and inserted into a new framework. The copper dome pendant light is vintage, and the pair of copper sconces are Original BTC’s Exterior Bracket Light. The original concrete floor was finished with a coat of  matte gray epoxy.
&#8\2\20;using marine plywood for the cabinets and the countertops offered 21
Above: “Using marine plywood for the cabinets and the countertops offered a raw, rustic look that also feels clean and modern,” says Donahoe. An industrial metal shelving unit from Club Cu adds more patina to the setup.
henderson clad the exterior in shou sugi ban from delta millworks and added a s 22
Above: Henderson clad the exterior in shou sugi ban from Delta Millworks and added a standing seam metal roof with a cupola. “The intent was to allow the garage to recede into the background of the site allowing the airy greenery of the trees to be dominant and visible in the foreground,” he explains. “Copper accents at the window-lined cupola, gutter, and downspout provide a sharp outline to the building.”
“the cupola was created to allow heat to escape and provide natural vent 23
Above: “The cupola was created to allow heat to escape and provide natural ventilation as the garage tends to get quite hot,” says Henderson. “The height and the ventilation grills pull hot air up and allow it to escape, keeping the interior cooler during the day. The landscaping is by Bosky.

Before

the structure previously was an extended version of a classic garage. see the r 24
Above: The structure previously was an extended version of a classic garage. See the rest of the project at Salt Architecture: Rancho Refugio.

More inspired garage transformations:

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Frequently asked questions

What is this article about?

The article is about a garage in California that was converted into an art studio.

When was the garage converted?

The garage was converted in 2018.

Who converted the garage?

The garage was converted by architect and designer Jennifer Weiss.

What was the inspiration behind the conversion?

The inspiration behind the conversion was to create a space that could be used for both work and relaxation.

What materials were used in the conversion?

The conversion used a lot of natural materials, including wood, concrete, and steel.

What features were included in the conversion?

The conversion included a lot of features, such as a skylight, a custom-made workbench, and a lounge area.

How did the conversion impact the garage?

The conversion completely transformed the garage into a beautiful and functional art studio.

Are there any photos of the conversion?

Yes, the article includes a lot of photos of the converted garage.

Can I use this article as inspiration for my own garage conversion?

Yes, absolutely! This article is a great source of inspiration for anyone looking to convert their garage into a functional and beautiful space.

Where can I see more articles like this?

You can find more articles like this on Remodelista.com, a website that features articles on design and home renovation.

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