Building a home studio
Discussion
Been wanting to do this for a very long time so decided to try and convert the back bedroom into a home studio. The room itself is only about 11x11feet but should give me more flexibility than my current portable stuff.
This is how it was when we bought the house last year, I had a lodger living in it for a few months so only just got around to working on it...
This is as it was when we bought it
The fitted wardrobes took up a good few feet in space and despite their lovely doors they were actually really well made, propper wood. A shame to rip it out but had to do something with it
Despite evidence to the contrary I actually did the bulk of the work
Getting there, after quite a few coats of white it is ready for the top coat. Gone from the satin finish to go for the pure brite white matt. However I'm still not sure it is white enough, the ceiling paint (white bathroom paint) is what I am putting around where the skirting was. It does look much more like a crisper white so might try that out... The carpet removed revealed the boards to be in good condition.
Thats where I am today. I have tried to find some suitable flooring but so far come up blank. None of the local firms do lino in pure white big enough, fired a quote request off to some studio flooring experts but I fear that may cost a bomb... so the plan is now to paint the boards white and see how it works as I can always put paper down at times if needed.
I know Emma suggested paper rolls but trying to avoid that for now, as for black backgrounds one of the walls will have a wide rail attached to drop different drapes from. If any of you have advice on the flooring it would be good to hear.
This is how it was when we bought the house last year, I had a lodger living in it for a few months so only just got around to working on it...
This is as it was when we bought it
The fitted wardrobes took up a good few feet in space and despite their lovely doors they were actually really well made, propper wood. A shame to rip it out but had to do something with it
Despite evidence to the contrary I actually did the bulk of the work
Getting there, after quite a few coats of white it is ready for the top coat. Gone from the satin finish to go for the pure brite white matt. However I'm still not sure it is white enough, the ceiling paint (white bathroom paint) is what I am putting around where the skirting was. It does look much more like a crisper white so might try that out... The carpet removed revealed the boards to be in good condition.
Thats where I am today. I have tried to find some suitable flooring but so far come up blank. None of the local firms do lino in pure white big enough, fired a quote request off to some studio flooring experts but I fear that may cost a bomb... so the plan is now to paint the boards white and see how it works as I can always put paper down at times if needed.
I know Emma suggested paper rolls but trying to avoid that for now, as for black backgrounds one of the walls will have a wide rail attached to drop different drapes from. If any of you have advice on the flooring it would be good to hear.
Edited by stigmundfreud on Tuesday 1st April 19:05
Micheal,
Re the flooring (I'm a chippy) you could try gluing and screwing some 9mm MDF down, car-body filler for the joints, sand it down and then use a purpose made floor paint.
Martin.
ETA - I'd loose the skirting too...maybe make good the plaster then use some 50mm planed arris rail (triangular sectioned timber) and round off with filler to loose the joint.
Re the flooring (I'm a chippy) you could try gluing and screwing some 9mm MDF down, car-body filler for the joints, sand it down and then use a purpose made floor paint.
Martin.
ETA - I'd loose the skirting too...maybe make good the plaster then use some 50mm planed arris rail (triangular sectioned timber) and round off with filler to loose the joint.
Edited by Jenx on Saturday 16th February 22:26
cheers Martin, I had thought about some boarding but how does it cope with expansion etc? Is it prone to curling at all? I suppose it is a good idea and wouldn't take too much effort so that is now at the top of the list! I'm still going to paint the boards as is and trial it out - I like the idea of a clean floor but whats the problem trying out a different approach.
The only issue I could see with teh boarding is the current floorboards are not fully even so I'd need to sort them out - unfortunately the partition wall goes over so would mean some cutting out but nothing major...
eta the skirting has gone, the bathroom paint has done a good job of covering the rough plaster but will either look at smooth skimming the bottom where the skirting was or just get it all re-skimmmed at some point - will look at what you mention there too - thanks for the advice!
The only issue I could see with teh boarding is the current floorboards are not fully even so I'd need to sort them out - unfortunately the partition wall goes over so would mean some cutting out but nothing major...
eta the skirting has gone, the bathroom paint has done a good job of covering the rough plaster but will either look at smooth skimming the bottom where the skirting was or just get it all re-skimmmed at some point - will look at what you mention there too - thanks for the advice!
Edited by stigmundfreud on Saturday 16th February 22:37
Nice work on the room, looking good so far.
I'd go with Martin's approach, simple, cheap and most importantly isn't permanent. If you want to convert the room back into a bedroom at a later date and varnish up the floor you still can!
I'd go with Martin's approach, simple, cheap and most importantly isn't permanent. If you want to convert the room back into a bedroom at a later date and varnish up the floor you still can!
Gingerbread Man said:
And what is Jenx?
Last name Jenkins!_dobbo_ said:
Nice work on the room, looking good so far.
I'd go with Martin's approach, simple, cheap and most importantly isn't permanent. If you want to convert the room back into a bedroom at a later date and varnish up the floor you still can!
This man is a Genius!I'd go with Martin's approach, simple, cheap and most importantly isn't permanent. If you want to convert the room back into a bedroom at a later date and varnish up the floor you still can!
Gingerbread Man said:
And what is Jenx?
Last name Jenkins!
cheers nick, the plan today is to paint the floor - 2 to 3 hours for the 2nd coat then 2 to 3 days to harden 
Once that is done, will do a few test shots and if I like the look with the flooring I'll just use paper/lino for shots when I dont want the planks in (or quickly photoshop). If not I'll use Jenks excellent advice from before (chipping must pay ok for a Nobel
)
Once that is done, will do a few test shots and if I like the look with the flooring I'll just use paper/lino for shots when I dont want the planks in (or quickly photoshop). If not I'll use Jenks excellent advice from before (chipping must pay ok for a Nobel
)Update:
The first floor coating is applied and after the other half took the mick about me painting myself into a corner I made sure I worked towards the door. I hope to have the 2nd coat on later this afternoon and then by late this evening complete the floor by touching up with a final coat.
I've used B&Q performance white floor paint and it seems to be doing the job so far - but time of course will tell. I'd say the cost of this project has been in the region of £60 so far.
The first floor coating is applied and after the other half took the mick about me painting myself into a corner I made sure I worked towards the door. I hope to have the 2nd coat on later this afternoon and then by late this evening complete the floor by touching up with a final coat.
I've used B&Q performance white floor paint and it seems to be doing the job so far - but time of course will tell. I'd say the cost of this project has been in the region of £60 so far.
Edited by stigmundfreud on Tuesday 1st April 19:06
Looking good!Gingerbread Man said:
All labour and minimal cost.
It's looking good. Will a white sheet work for a floor if and when you need to? Or is it too much hassle to decrease it etc...?
...It's looking good. Will a white sheet work for a floor if and when you need to? Or is it too much hassle to decrease it etc...?
probably should work nicely. Creases shouldnt be a problem if lighting is done ok.
If you look at the 2 shots with the unpainted wood, when looking towards the big wall that is going to be for white background shots so I can get 2 flashes on the background if needed to blow it out.
The wall next to the door and window is where I am going to hang a rail for dark background shots as I'll only need flash on the subject.
Thanks Emma!
Update - she's finished:
Well, the door needs finishing off....
Finally got the last bit done tonight, fitting the blinds. Had to wait for the missus to get home from work and by the time it was all in place it was gone 12 = her knackered. Got a few test pics done and the planking actually works nicely. She wont let me post the pic as she is in her Eeyore pajamas but it has worked well.
Going to try and get someone to model on Sunday to get a bit of practice in.
Well, the door needs finishing off....
Finally got the last bit done tonight, fitting the blinds. Had to wait for the missus to get home from work and by the time it was all in place it was gone 12 = her knackered. Got a few test pics done and the planking actually works nicely. She wont let me post the pic as she is in her Eeyore pajamas but it has worked well.
Going to try and get someone to model on Sunday to get a bit of practice in.
Edited by stigmundfreud on Tuesday 1st April 19:07
Gingerbread Man said:
Jenx said:
I'm a chippy
Really? Don't know why but saw you as maybe something in the city, office wise I mean.And what is Jenx?
don't get me started! 
I've been called Jenx from age age 6
stigmundfreud said:
I'd say it'd be fine if it's well stuck...and don't spill any water on it. As for expansion, leave 4mm gaps and fill with white silicone bath sealant after it's been painted white.That's looking really good mate, but how do I get the Noble in?
Martin.
Edited by Jenx on Friday 22 February 11:44
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