If you are a creative person, then the chances are you have a creative space in some shape or form. Whether it’s a corner of your spare room, a garden retreat, or a huge loft room studio, it’s your space; a space to make, write, paint, design and it’s likely you have expressed your creativity in the decor of the area you work in. A brand new book by Sally Coulthard delves in to the creative spaces of a wide range of makers, designers and crafters. Studio gives us a peek into their working lives and how they have chosen to build their surroundings in order to offer practicality as well as daily inspiration.
Photo: Caroline Rowland
I was lucky enough to be part of the team that helped put this book together. I worked alongside Sally to source the imagery for the book, and it was a joy to research and collate a beautiful collection of studio spaces from creative people whose work I admire or have discovered through the project. We, of course, love a studio tour here at 91, so it was a bit of a dream freelance job to work on alongside my work on the magazine!
Nathalie Lete’s studio – Photo: Joanna Maclennan
Catherine Derksema’s studio – Photo: Rachel Kara
The first part of the book categorises different looks – bright, mono, natural, industrial and collected. Each section features case studies which have perfected these styles, such as Claire Basler’s stunning painting studio in a French chateau, where she has brought the outdoors in to inspire her nature focussed work. Designer Natahalie Lete’s studio (above top), featured in the ‘collected’ section, is a treasure trove of quirkiness, and is completely idiosyncratic of her fairytale inspired work. I loved exploring Australian textile designer Cath Derksema’s industrial space (above) – her colourful work brings a happy, playful vibe to the warehouse’s raw materials and large expanse. Each section also includes a ‘Get the Look’ spread, with some ideas for creating a similar space yourself.
Lise Meunier’s studio – Photo: Joanna Maclennan
The book goes on to look at the various types of work that takes place in these creative studios – from ceramics and woodwork to fine art and illustration to blogging and photography. Sally talks a little bit about the considerations of each type of working environment before highlighting a collection of real studios spaces. She has gathered together some really notable creative people, from artist Lisa Congdon, to woodworker Ariele Alasko to ceramist Lise Meunier (above).
Lisa Congdon’s studio – Photo: Janis Nicolay
Sally Taylor’s studio – Photo: Victoria Harley
What is particuarly lovely about this book is the vast variation on types of studios featured. While I seem to have selected images which are all quite feminine and colourful here (!), the book does not ignore darker colour palettes, masculine spaces, and those that are less about style and more about the creative process. While you will find it in the Interiors section of your book shop, and it is indeed filled with images of interiors, I find it is much more than just an interiors book. It is about the people that inhabit these spaces, their creativity and the work that is produced within their walls.
STUDIO: Creative Spaces for Creative People by Sally Coulthard is published by Jacqui Small LLP and is available for pre-order. Release date: 16th March 2017.
