Sunday, September 30, 2012

my new studio: the barn








This year has been quite an adventure.  This summer, my husband and I said our goodbyes to Brooklyn and moved to Maine full-time! Last year we started building a barn on our property in Maine that includes a ceramic studio, for me, and a woodworking shop, for him.  It's been quite a process and is in it's final stages....see the lengthly list on my chalkboard (that was back in July!)

It all started with the idea to thin the woods behind the house.  Then with my husband deciding he wanted to build a barn using the wood we thinned.  Soon we were talking about moving to Maine full-time and how I would need a ceramic studio.  Next I knew, my husband was suggesting sharing the barn.....and before I knew it I was designing a ceramic studio!  I am posting some images (below) from the start of the project.  We hired an amazing timber framer, Mike Beaudry, he is in one the photos below wielding the ax. He hand hewed most of the timbers in our barn.  My husband designed a contraption that whittled down pieces of wood into pegs that are now holding our barn frame together.  Last summer we had a barn raising party that included many of our neighbors and friends in Maine.  Last fall we enclosed the barn.  Over the winter, spring and summer we have been finishing the exterior and interior with the help of some talented friends and crews. 
















I will post more photos once the barn is done.  This week the last of the insulation goes into the barn.  The heat will be installed...which is a very good thing since it's getting cold here in Maine! Hopefully the faucet will get hooked up so I can use my new sink.  Along with the rest of the interior and exterior lighting.  Oh, and the wood arrives to finish the front decking!  Then my wonderful husband can start on his side of the barn!!

















19 comments:

  1. I live in New York City and my husband and I have started dreaming about moving to the country a few months ago. We are getting a bit tired of the rat race and longing for some fresh air and more space. This lifestyle change is so drastic, it's a bit scary! But I'm dreaming of my own little studio in the backyard and I know for sure this won't happen in manhattan! The barn is lovely - congratulations!

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    1. Thank you, Lily! We are so happy we made the move....we thought about it for years and finally it just seemed like the right time to do it! Hopefully one day you will be able to make the leap!

      kind regards,
      Michele

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  2. Michele, your barn looks utterly divine! Thank you for sharing it with us all. :)

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    1. Thank you, Will! So lovely to hear from you! I see that you are busy these days
      with lots of projects....I feel like I see your name everywhere!:)

      best,
      Michele
      xo

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  3. Wow wow..! This is amazing! Congrats!!

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    1. Thank you, Erin! Somehow I missed your comment....sorry about that!

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  4. This is wonderful!!!! Where in Maine are you? We were in Deer Isle this summer and we are obsessed!

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    1. Hi Judi, sorry I missed your message way back in September! Thank you! We are in mid-coast, very close to Wiscasset. Hope you get back to Maine soon!

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    1. Hi Vicky! Yes, it is! The color is actually called "soot".....and it's a very blue black. I wish we could paint our house this color too. Unfortunately I think it will have to stay it's "cottage red." xo

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  6. Michele-this looks absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to see more! :-)caroline

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    1. Thank you, Caroline!!! I'll be sure to post more photos!

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  7. MM! I am speechless! It is so great!!! I love all the work in progress shots! ox

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    1. Thanks, Kim! Can't wait for you to actually see it in person one day soon! xo

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  8. Hey Michele
    Checking in on you and WOW WOW WOW. So excited for you! It looks absolutely heavenly.
    Denise

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    1. Hi Denise,

      Thanks for checking in!! It took over a year for us to build and complete the barn....it's such a great feeling to have it (almost completely) finished! I've been working in there for several months now. Hope you are doing well in the aftermath of the storm. Please come and visit us in Maine one of these days!
      Michele
      xo

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  9. I did not know you lived in Maine! I live in Wiscasset. Welcome to the beautiful state of Maine. We moved here 10 years ago from Chicago, and I must say the transition from urbanite to Mainer has been interesting. I love it so much now, but sometimes rough. If you ever need a list of resources etc, let me know! I'm an artist, painter and studying ceramics with Ingrid Bathe now too.

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    1. Hi Lari,
      Thank you! We are so happy to be here!
      Ingrid's work is wonderful....that is great that you are studying with her.
      Hope to get to meet you one of these days!

      kind regards,
      Michele

      p.s. I sent you an email message too!

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