Normandy Designer Terry Tondelli was recently called upon to transform an unfinished attic into an artist’s oasis. The homeowner, an accomplished watercolorist, was in need of a light filled room to paint and store her work. The only usable space she had to claim as her own was the upstairs attic. This unfinished area was considered to be a ‘blank canvas,’ with low-ceilings and a collection of family mementos.
In order to transform this attic into an art studio, Terry first addressed the space and its lack of head room. A large dormer was built to add height and allow for large windows, bringing in tons of natural light.
“Providing ample lighting was important for the homeowner’s creative process,” said Terry. “We also added a combination of recessed cans and track lighting for optimal control of lighting conditions within the room.”
Another important item on the homeowner’s list was storage space.
“In order to maximize storage space, we capitalized on the recessed areas within the attic for shelving,” said Terry. “This provided a place to house paintings, supplies, and various materials.”
“We also used the area over the staircase for additional surface space to store canvases,” added Terry. “It was topped with a charcoal colored laminate that was both durable and aesthetically pleasing.”
Now that the renovation is complete, this new artist’s loft is open and bright, with plenty of natural and artificial light. Details such as baseboards, casing, flooring and lighting convert this attic space into a beautiful extension of the home.
Terry recently received a Remodeling Excellence Award from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) of Greater Chicagoland for this beautifully executed renovation. If you are interested in creating a dedicated space for your passion projects, set up a meeting with Terry. You can also follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.