We converted an old shed in my backyard into my interior design studio. See the complete transformation here.
The transformation of my design studio is so amazing that it needs few words.
Converting a backyard shed into a design studio
Above is how it looked the day we took possession of our house.
This is after we renovated it in the Spring, about six weeks later.
After the flagstone was installed this Spring.
After
Here’s an updated picture in June 2014
Here’s another angle while shooting pictures so that my talented Landscape Architect MaryAnne White could start the design all the way from New York.
During the demolition of the front and back yard. Nothing was sacred it all had to be ripped out with this much concrete everywhere.
Wait for it. . .
Ta ta da da!!!!
After
After
See more of the transformation inside. Check out my ivy wall mural inside the studio.
Here’s the before again.
After
All winter long, we ran back and forth from the house to the office. It hurt my eyes every time, haha.
Never underestimate the power of landscaping.
Thank you Mary Anne for your vision!
With this kind of transformation, you can see why I consulted her on every detail. This is not what I do, I didn’t know a single thing about plants. Prior to shopping and selected all the plant material, I would see flowers and plants and just think “That’s pretty”. Now I walk down the street or into someone else’s yard and say:
Aha, Rose of Sharon in purple, lovely.
That’s one way to clip Cherry Laurel shrubs.
Bobo Hydrangeas, wow those are huge! Mine will look like those soon!
I have a whole new language now, I love it!
Have a great week my lovelies!
Related posts:
How to Choose the Colour of your Flagstone: Before & After
Sneak Peak of my Boxwood: Before & After
Danger: Your Designer has Left the Building
If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk up to the front door, become a client. On-line or In-person.
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Everything is simply beautiful! I’m so happy for you!
Absolutely stunning! Great proof that we should all hire professionals!
Wonderful transformation!
Beautiful! I love it!
Very nice! Looks so cozy and inviting! Love the chairs!
So incredible – Home and Garden magazine needs these pictures – and while you’re at it Houzz! Great job Maria!
Absolutely Sharon!
This looks fabulous, Maria! I have been closely following your landscaping project, because I am seriously considering using MaryAnne for my own yard! Your landscaping is coming along beautifully! I look forward to each new post. Thank you so much for sharing it with us and allowing us to get to know MaryAnne and follow your progress. I believe she is in New York. I’m wondering if she has experience with California’s inland areas with its hot, dry climate, and the challenges associated with it. How did you go about getting your plans for your contractor to work from? Did you or she take messuements and mark all existing landscape elements? Did she make an initial visit? It’s truly amazing what can be done over the web!
I sent her all the measurements (she was never here) she sent detailed plans for my contractor to work from. Landscape Architects just follow the zones for the area (not sure if that is correct language) but it worked great given our climate is really wet! Maria
She is doing a fabulous job, just as you are doing on the inside of the house! I just love watching the progress and transformation. I thoroughly enjoyed your summer school and I want to attend one of your classes in person. If you ever offer a conference anywhere in California, I want to be the first to know and sign up! Love your blog and Pinterest boards. Always looking forward to your next post. Sending some California sunshine your way. ~Alicia
Another wonderful transformation!
Gorgeous! Love it!
Wow! Love it and love seeing the transformation! Enjoy.
What a beautiful place and what a very talented designer.
This is just sooooo gorgeous! What an amazing transformation!
WOW!!! What a difference!!! Absolutely gorgeous…
BEAUTIFUL transformation Maria! Mary Anne really did a wonderful job working her talent and magic. -Brenda-
P.S: I wonder what the previous owner of your home would think if they seen it now. ☺
Beautiful transformation, Maria! Congratulations.
Maria, as an urban design graduate and now a professional home stager, I fully comprehend your transformation- this job was very well executed and turned out great! Congratulation to both of you.
I am sure this space will bring many happy years of enjoyment
Incredible! Just shows what a difference it makes when a lot of love goes into a place. I’m amazed to see how many people around me doesn’t take care or pride in their properties. Which they have to pay for and go home to after a long day at work. Enjoy your house and studio! No place like home 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous and inviting!!! We are making progress, thanks to you, and your inspiration!
Gorgeous transformation. You must love being back there. There is something so wonderful about “pretty”.
xo
“A picture is worth…..” franki
This is such an amazing transformation! Maria, I am addicted to your blogs! They are full of inspiration and lessons to learn. Thank you.
Soooo beautiful!
Wow!!
Looks lovely! So much better than before. I wish I could convince my husband to let me do a major overhaul of our yard… Of course, I also wish he would let me have an art studio. ahhh…someday.
What’s your favorite plant that your landscaper suggested?
That’s a good question, it’s hard to say, I do love the Bobo Hydrangeas, they really are stunning and prolific! Maria
Wow Maria — I am so happy for you — all the hard work is SOOO worth it…congrats..
What a joy! One can’t help but think of the good feelings and smiles that will come your way each time you walk to your studio.
Wonderful! Stunning! Gorgeous! Every word everyone else used above and more. And best of all, it looks as though it’s always beem there. What a treasure you found in MaryAnne and how smart of you to seek her out and let her bring the vision to life. Enjoy every view from every angle every day!!!
it’s wonderful Maria – I love your green chairs
too. What a happy place to work in! I, too, agree with the comment that it pays to hire professionals.
It’s lovely, Maria!
Beautiful and what a transformation. I, too, love the green chairs. They harmonize nicely with the landscape.
I love it Maria – great job!!
It’s beautiful! Now that your yard is done, think of the free time you’ll have.
Picture perfect transformation! I love it! It looks like you have a nice little raised bed veggie garden too…well done. You are in such a picturesque part of the lower mainland.
Fabulous results! As the garden matures it will only look better and better. The design of the fence for the vegetable garden is perfect! Truly an inspired addition to the entire design.
Beautiful Maria!
Absolutely beautiful, Maria! ……So when do we get to see inside your studio?? Hee hee…. I’m sure it’s going to be equally as awesome!
Fantastic! Everything looks great, what a big improvement. Enjoy!
I’m going to add my “Wow!”
you must be in heaven…the outdoor seating in the round is awesome.
Beautiful inside. Beautiful outside. That’s you! I’m also laughing about you turning into a gardner. I see a pair of overalls in your future 🙂
It’s absolutely Gorgeous Maria. Maryanne has such a vision. Love it! Now to enjoy it…what are you going to do with yourself now, lol. perhaps relax a little I would hope.
I just love viewing your transformations! Gives me hope and inspiration! What a dramatic change. Love the vision of your brilliant landscape architect! It is as stunning outside as it is inside! Lucky girl!!!
What a transformation! My sister just hired a landscape architect, I can’t wait to see her yard transformation!
So beautiful Maria! Love it. I also love outdoor design and the flowers and just making outside beautiful too!
Yes, this before and after needs to be published – a testiment to a collaboration between Mary Anne White and Mari Killam. And an inspiration.
Yes, Heather, this should be published. Mary Anne probably has media contacts. My sister’s garden was published in Sunset magazine. Although Sunset is strong in the Northwest, I’m not sure if they go into Canada.
Amazing!!!
What a wonderful transformation and so nice that you get a dose of inspiration before you even start your day.
Maria,
Just testing to see if I am on the correct forum here. Should be your private forum. If not, can you let me know please. Love your garden:))
Ta,
Angela
Fast work! What a fabulous transformation. Wow.
Maria,
I looks fantastic! I love the conversation area. Where did you get the chairs, and if painted would you mind sharing the paint color?
The choice of flowers are perfect. Lucky you!
Kristen in Atlanta
Wonderful! I just tuned in after many months of not checking in here. The flagstone and green elements are such a fantastic combo. Kudos to you and your designer!
Hi Maria, I’m reading many of your blogs all at once, I am catching up. What a treat to see your studio, patio and garden looking so beautiful, it really does look so sophisticated and happy all at once.