Unused Garage Becomes a Sculptor’s Studio
Beautiful cabinetry for tools, a vacuum system and a screen to let in fresh air make this a productive room for creating
Sink. The wood sculptor wanted his studio to have a washing-up sink; it stands across from the workbench on the left side of the room.
Carriage doors. This photo shows the carriage doors, which swing open to let in light and fresh air. They stand where the garage door used to be.
Carriage doors. This photo shows the carriage doors, which swing open to let in light and fresh air. They stand where the garage door used to be.
Mosquito screen. The sculptor needed protection from Atlanta’s summer mosquitos and other bugs, and he also wanted the option of privacy, so Mozen devised a special screen. The upper portion is mosquito netting; the bottom portion is vinyl. The screen allows in fresh light and air while preventing bug bites. This photo shows it pulled fully down.
When the screen is pulled partially down, the dark portion covers the carriage door windows so passersby cannot see in — particularly useful when the woodcarver is working at night.
When it’s not in use, the screen retracts into the top of the doorway.
When the screen is pulled partially down, the dark portion covers the carriage door windows so passersby cannot see in — particularly useful when the woodcarver is working at night.
When it’s not in use, the screen retracts into the top of the doorway.
Vacuum system. The homeowner also wanted to have a vacuum system to pick up the chips and slivers he creates during the carving process. This photo shows a portion of that system. Mozen installed it within an existing coal chute that ran from the garage to the basement of the main home. She also installed an air compressor that the sculptor uses to power his tools, below.
Cabinetry. This photo shows the other side of the carving studio, and the many cabinet units that Mozen designed to keep the space organized. The Shaker-style hickory cabinetry is bookmatched, meaning made to look as though the grain patterns of the two adjoining pieces mirror each other. “We thought a woodcarver should have all his items in his room bookmatched,” Mozen says.
The two tall cabinets on the back wall, on either side of the flat-screen TV, contain the sculptor’s larger tools, such as grinders and power tool sharpeners, as well as a printer and laptop. A cedar soffit above the cabinetry houses the room’s mini split system, which is a ductless heating and air system that allows temperature control in individual rooms.
The two tall cabinets on the back wall, on either side of the flat-screen TV, contain the sculptor’s larger tools, such as grinders and power tool sharpeners, as well as a printer and laptop. A cedar soffit above the cabinetry houses the room’s mini split system, which is a ductless heating and air system that allows temperature control in individual rooms.
Carving tool storage. The sculptor uses the drawers in the cabinetry bay beneath the sink to store his carving tools.
Wood countertop. A slab of Bubinga wood forms the counter for this cabinet bay.
Painted brick wall. The brick was originally the side wall of the home when it was built in 1928, before the garage was added.
Faux paint. The window sashes and the door that leads into the home have a faux finish that incorporates multiple green colors to get the dark green look.
Wood countertop. A slab of Bubinga wood forms the counter for this cabinet bay.
Painted brick wall. The brick was originally the side wall of the home when it was built in 1928, before the garage was added.
Faux paint. The window sashes and the door that leads into the home have a faux finish that incorporates multiple green colors to get the dark green look.
Compressor hose. This close-up of the cabinet bay shows the blue hose for the air compressor that powers the sculptor’s electric carving tools. The air compressor is located in the basement.
Lighting. Mozen and her client chose industrial pendants that felt appropriate for a carving studio. Dark shades on the windows prevent the woodcarver from feeling as though he’s in a fish bowl when working late at night. Layers of recessed can lighting and task lighting make his work possible at any time, day or night.
Carving table. This image also shows what looks like a handle on the end of the carving table; it’s a vise that the carver uses to hold wood in place.
Finishes. The ceiling material is tongue-and-groove pine planks; the beams and accent wood pieces are all cedar. The floor is hickory wood, stained dark to contrast with the lighter cabinetry and other wood finishes.
Carving table. This image also shows what looks like a handle on the end of the carving table; it’s a vise that the carver uses to hold wood in place.
Finishes. The ceiling material is tongue-and-groove pine planks; the beams and accent wood pieces are all cedar. The floor is hickory wood, stained dark to contrast with the lighter cabinetry and other wood finishes.
Sculptures. This photo shows some of the wood sculptor’s work. “He uses a lot of leftover wood from the job to make things,” Mozen says.
Apron hook. The homeowner carved the hook for his woodworking apron.
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Studio at a Glance
Who works here: A wood sculptor
Location: Atlanta
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Designer: Judy Mozen of Handcrafted Homes
This former garage in Atlanta had become a catchall for pots, fertilizer and other items, and the homeowners didn’t use it to park cars. They decided to turn the space into a carving studio for the husband, a wood sculptor, as part of a larger renovation of their home. “He’s in there every day while we’re still building the rest of the house,” says Judy Mozen, the project contractor and designer.