Almost one year ago, we began the hunt for a new studio space. We were bursting at the seams and we saw our need for more space as an opportunity to relocate within the Des Moines Metro to be closer to our clients and vendors. After a short hunt, we discovered the perfect location.
The space had previously been a daycare and had been completely gutted to a raw state. We immediately recognized the potential. Located on a corner of a multi-unit brick building, it had large windows that faced both west and south. The southern windows looked out onto a biking trail, which is lush with trees, grasses and shrubs during the warmer months.
Our concept was for the space to be light, bright and clean, with a mix of new and old. We wanted to incorporate plenty of white to create a backdrop for showcasing artwork, furniture, textiles and other decorative pieces.
We drafted a floor plan that included a long desk with plenty of storage, two huge islands for laying out projects (and more storage), an office/conference room, small design library, kitchen and large storage room. We left plenty of room along the southern side of the studio for a modest showroom space.
From the beginning, we knew we wanted to partner with local contractors and vendors to create our space. Ted Reeve of Legacy Homes served our general contractor, and he and his team did an excellent job of bringing our vision to life, and Webster Electric installed all of our beautiful lighting. Iowa Reclaimed Floors supplied our gorgeous, reclaimed barn wood floors, and Clay Aronson of Aronson Woodworks created our desks and storage units. We collaborated with the Stone Shop on all of our countertops and work surfaces and Minnesota Cabinets on our kitchen cabinets.
When we visited High Point last October, we kept our eyes open for unique pieces that would be functional for the studio and incorporate our love of antiques and vintage items. We couldn’t help purchasing a set of gorgeous mid-century modern chairs that we had painted and reupholstered as well as a ten foot long, antique Belgian counter that was once used in a bakery.
After several long months, the studio was finally completed in February, and we were able to move in. We love all of the natural light that streams in through the large windows throughout the day. The central location has allowed us to be so much more efficient, reducing our travel time significantly. Our clients can pop in to pay a bill or for a quick design meeting, and we can easily visit our local showrooms to source tile, flooring, cabinetry and more.
All photos were taken by Cassandra Monroe. We hope you enjoyed this little tour of our new space!
[…] When Jillian first approached me about photographing a studio tour and head shots for Des Moines interior designer Rebecca Cartwright, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to photograph anything interior design related. You can see more images from the studio tour here. […]