When Catherine Hover, owner of Paint & Sip based in Saratoga Springs, New York, reached out to me she was looking to update the studio space after opening her doors 3 years prior. Upon our initial design meeting, there was one clear issue / hurdle that was lacking to make the studio run easier and efficiently.
My one-word answer: ZONES. From the get go, I quickly realized that each space (zones: entry, art studio area, bar, and storage area) wasn’t defined and that there was no clear organization or specified purpose for each space. My solution was to create defined areas, while still working with one, open concept studio space.
Once we determined the needed zones, I got my design cap on and defined those zones. A “foyer” was created using built-ins that on one side were wrapped in vertical reclaimed wood to provide warmth and on the other side were shelves for overflow storage. This built-in defined the entry and created the ideal segway to the art studio space. Even though the studio is one open room, there was still a need for storage of office equipment, paint supplies, snacks, and liquor (yes, it is a paint & sip place to be creative & DRINK!). After much discussion, we established the outcove in the front would be ideal for a built-in desk to hold all the office supplies, printer, etc. Then the bar in the back would be for anything pertaining to the beverages and snacks. Lastly, we refreshed the space with a new color palette, accessories, and layers.
Once the space was complete, the zones were clearly defined and the overall space was completely organized. The revamp was just enough to make the studio feel up to date, but not feel new & different than what was originally created.
