See a Tile Maker’s Colorful Home Studio
Natural materials, light and handmade tiles cheer this Seattle ceramicist’s art studio
South-facing studio location: A studio space with lots of natural light was most important to the clients. The back, south-facing facade of the house was the ideal location for the new studio space.
Partial remodel and new addition: The home’s original layout had a laundry room and hot water heater space at the rear of the house; the team reworked it to join the new addition to the existing structure. They put the old water heater to rest and mounted a new tankless heater to the exterior to gain additional square footage inside. Shown here, the new addition bumps out from the rear facade.
Landscaping: The new addition ate up a chunk of yard space. Builder August Bergdahl of Crescent Builds says he integrated the structure with new landscaping and hardscaping to create a relaxing garden retreat that flows directly from the house and studio.
Partial remodel and new addition: The home’s original layout had a laundry room and hot water heater space at the rear of the house; the team reworked it to join the new addition to the existing structure. They put the old water heater to rest and mounted a new tankless heater to the exterior to gain additional square footage inside. Shown here, the new addition bumps out from the rear facade.
Landscaping: The new addition ate up a chunk of yard space. Builder August Bergdahl of Crescent Builds says he integrated the structure with new landscaping and hardscaping to create a relaxing garden retreat that flows directly from the house and studio.
Exterior studio access: While the studio is attached to the house, there is no interior access between them. Instead, the architect maximized the studio’s function and storage by building exterior double-glass doors, shown here on the left and in the previous image.
Floor tile: Clark’s creations inspire her underfoot as she works. Installed as decorative inserts, her art tiles pop against the earthy, terracotta-hued floor tile. Yellow- and orange-painted walls tie into the colorful tile, adding loads of cheer to brighten dreary days.
Kiln considerations: Kilns can heat up to 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit, so Bergdahl installed fire-resistant concrete board to the rear wall adjacent to the 240-volt electric kiln. The kiln does push out some heat when it’s fired up, but Bergdahl says it doesn’t bother the clients. As a precaution, an additional door, seen at the rear right, provides extra air circulation, if necessary.
Floor tile: Quintana Spada, S’Tile; decorative tile: Agapanther Tiles
Floor tile: Clark’s creations inspire her underfoot as she works. Installed as decorative inserts, her art tiles pop against the earthy, terracotta-hued floor tile. Yellow- and orange-painted walls tie into the colorful tile, adding loads of cheer to brighten dreary days.
Kiln considerations: Kilns can heat up to 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit, so Bergdahl installed fire-resistant concrete board to the rear wall adjacent to the 240-volt electric kiln. The kiln does push out some heat when it’s fired up, but Bergdahl says it doesn’t bother the clients. As a precaution, an additional door, seen at the rear right, provides extra air circulation, if necessary.
Floor tile: Quintana Spada, S’Tile; decorative tile: Agapanther Tiles
Here’s a view of the studio from the other direction, toward the wall shared with the house.
Cabinetry and shelves: Custom built-in wood cabinetry and open shelves provide easy access to tools and storage.
Ceiling: Wood car deck framing spans between hefty Douglas fir beams to tie in with the other natural finishes in the studio.
Cabinetry, shelves and countertop: Stephan J. Lesser Woodworking
Cabinetry and shelves: Custom built-in wood cabinetry and open shelves provide easy access to tools and storage.
Ceiling: Wood car deck framing spans between hefty Douglas fir beams to tie in with the other natural finishes in the studio.
Cabinetry, shelves and countertop: Stephan J. Lesser Woodworking
Bonus deck: The builders finished the roof of the new studio addition with stained tight knot cedar to create a roomy deck off the upstairs master bedroom. Through a new pair of double French doors, the Clarks have 250 square feet of extra outdoor space to take in the hilly views of their Madison Valley neighborhood.
This is a sampling of the tiles Clark creates in her new studio.
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Studio at a Glance
Who lives here: Ed and Barbara Clark; Barbara is a ceramic tile artist and owner of Agapanther Tiles.
Location: Madison Valley neighborhood of Seattle, Washington
Size: 242 square feet (23 square meters); 11 by 22 feet
Designers: Interior designer Emilee Birrell of Crescent Builds and architect Shirley Wilson
The backstory: This couple recently purchased their dream home in Seattle. However, the house had one shortcoming. Homeowner and ceramicist Barbara Clark, who specializes in making carved art tile, needed an inviting home studio space to create and fire her artwork.