Thanks for all of you who have taken the time to share your opinions with me. It means a great deal. My husband and I are the owner/builders for this home, as we have no desire to deal with a builder. (We have the skills to do this). This also enables me to build exactly as I want, and to make changes as desired. I've carefully weighed the outbuilding idea, but I can't really seem to get very enthused about it. I don't want to build something like that when I haven't got a true hankering for it, and then have it sit as an expensive guest area that seldom gets used but has to be maintained anyway. I have always wanted a loft sewing room....for as long as I can remember. I am in my mid fifties now, and feel barring an accident or a huge unforseen health issue, I can't see where stairs are a problem. I feel some forced exercise is a good thing. We will be staying in this house hopefully for the rest of our lives, so maybe when I'm very old I won't be able to go up the stairs any more. By then I would probably not be able to see well enough to sew anyway. As for an unforseen surgery, (which has happened to me before), a sewing machine can always be set up in the living room. The master bedroom is planned for the main level, and all doorways will be 36" wide, so I am planning for some of the "what ifs".... I want to finally be able to set up my sewing furniture, and not have to move things or put anything away because the space is needed for something else, or for a guest. Over the weekend we looked at a model log home with a loft looking out over the living room, and the vaults were not huge where the couch, etc. was. It depends on how the house is designed, which I was thrilled to see. The other option is to try and fit a small main floor sewing room in which I can bump into the living room with my cutting table when needed. It would work, but I'm not enthusiastic about that either. That's what I had to do for years. Not an easy decision, is it? However, an architect commented to me that if I would love a loft, then even getting just 20 years pleasure out of one is more than worth it. Sandy

I'm very impressed. I would love to have a craft/sewing studio separate from the rest of the house! Your studio is just perfect. I'd like to hear about & see where everyone else sews. I turned our never used dining room (only 10 x 14)into my studio. I used white cabinets too, but could use more and another closet, I have all my calico fabrics on shelves in the entryway closet which is about 10 steps from my studio, right next to a 1/2 bath/powder room. I have my machines set up in front of a double window with a beautiful front yard view. I have porceline tile floors which are easy to keep clean and find dropped pins. There is a door on a "cubby" space about 3 1/2' square and 2 to 4' high under the bottom 6 steps going upstairs that I will use for bulky stuff. It's sheetrocked in there & ready to paint, then I bought wood tiles for the floor. Your pictures really made me want more cabinets NOW!

Since it's a small space how about keeping most of the walls light and adding an accent wall with some texture looking repositionable, removable, alternative wallpaper I think this is on Modenus but may be elsewhere). That way you could keep an open feel but add interest with the walls with wallpaper and the rest with cool wall art. You could give the illusion of more space. When or if you decide on a reusable wallpaer color just add some pillows of that shade to your bed. To further that idea add some interesting lighting, some that shines up and some that shines down (mix it up) and have dimmers. Have a wall with art that has painting lights.

We are in the process of designing a new exercise lab space in a historic textile mill building. that is being completely redeveloped. I am not the architect or designer but we are providing feedback on layout. I agree with Lars in that I also recommend the rubberized interlocking floor tiles (or you can have hardwood but will be much more expensive) , and you will need mirrors. Can you see the entrance from the desk? I'm not sure if you can do that. You will need to be able to have some sort of secure storage and locking cabinet or cupboard. Do you have to consider electrical needs like outlets? Some of our treadmills require a dedicated electrical line, 220V. I worked out in a small studio that had a combination of light gray on the walls accented with a burnt orange. Do you have a brand, etc. that you associated with for colors? That might play a factor? You may need to consider facility design standards if you want to follow accessibility standards. I would recommend this American College of Sports Medicine book. You can probably pick up used copy cheap or else download .pdf. https://www.amazon.com/Health-Fitness-Facility-Standards-Guidelines-4th/dp/0736096000