Recently in one of the discussions taking place on Chapters’ Community pages authors have been sharing images of their work spaces, prompted by Gail Anderson-Dargatz who received an invitation from Hal Wake, artistic director of the Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival. Each week the festival website will feature the writing room of a different BC writer, both in photograph and essay. Gail thought it would be nifty if we did the same sort of thing on the Chapters’ Community pages.

I agree. I also thought it would be a nifty idea to post my workspace here on my blog.

My studio is located on the third floor (former attic) of this 130 year old stone house. Despite the fact the loft needs major renovation, I have found it to be the most inspiring working space I’ve ever had. There are huge, gorgeous solid butternut purlins and king-post, which we hope to keep exposed when we set to renovating. The windows, two in the west wall and two in the east, were replaced last spring with double-glazed, low-e awning windows which very much reflect the originals. They were certainly a boon last summer in the humidity and heat as I was able to obtain a cross-breeze even on the worst of days.

Next year, when the new steel roof goes on, we’re going to have installed two skylights on the south face (my desk faces north at the moment), which will further brighten the space. I think there’s going to be a very ethereal feeling up here when the skylights go in.

Eventually we’ll put a 3 piece bathroom to the west, which will take up part of my working space. Surprisingly, however, I won’t lose any storage space because of how the walls will be configured.

On the east side of the loft (the space is bifurcated by the stairs) we’ll create a media room with large leather sectional sofa, large screen TV and surround sound. Of course hardwood floors, large carpet in the east end, the ugly barn board gone, Venetian plaster finish done in a neutral paint, beams to reflect the rafters we’ll have to cover, and built-in storage and work surfaces. But even as it is, it’s an interesting and inspiring space.

This is where I write, paint, embroider. This is where the process happens.