A ROOM OF ONE'S OWN

TYDA STERBOVA

Before my studio was built, I painted at the dining room table. This meant that, at times, we were having our dinner kneeling around the coffee table. It all worked OK until our first son started standing up and grabbing the paint. I knew then it was time to move my work somewhere safer.

After seeing a few projects by [Irish custom builders] Big Man Tiny Homes, the decision to build a garden studio was made. I was able to give a lot of input and optimise the layout for the best light available; I wanted large windows to bring in as much as possible, especially on the wall I intended to paint on. I also wanted decking, overlapped by the roof, and this has created a great sun trap where we spend our family time.