A Private Studio for a Professional Silversmith

Fiona is a multi-disciplined artist and silversmith who crafts fine handmade jewelry. She needed a private, fully functional workshop where she could create freely and without restriction, while staying close to the home she shares with her parents.

A backyard studio was the obvious solution. Close enough to respond to a family emergency in minutes, close enough to act on a spark of creative inspiration without a commute between idea and execution. For makers, artists, and craftspeople who need to stay near family, a backyard workshop is often the most practical creative space available.

What made Fiona's project stand out was how prepared she was before reaching out. She had already designed her layout in SketchUp and knew exactly what she needed the space to do.

The Design Process

Fiona was deeply involved in every decision. She was clear about her priorities: a space suited to her work as a jeweler, designed with environmental consciousness, and built to last without unnecessary concrete impact on her yard.

The foundation was an early decision point. A standard concrete pad was not acceptable for Fiona's property because of the yard's drainage characteristics and her commitment to minimizing concrete. We specified a Perma column above-grade foundation instead, which:

- Drastically reduced the amount of concrete required
- Preserved the existing yard landscape and drainage
- Elevated the structure above grade to protect against future water encroachment
- Gave the studio a clean, cabin-like appearance from the exterior

The heating decision was equally intentional. Fiona wanted a wood stove, both as a practical heating source for year-round use and as a design element that created the warm, cabin-like presence she envisioned for her forge. While mini-split climate control is our standard recommendation for insulated studios, a wood stove paired with full wall and ceiling insulation gave Fiona exactly the atmosphere she was after.

Materials and Finish

The exterior combines 1x6 tongue and groove pine siding finished with a Clear Coat for weather protection, Galvalume corrugated steel on the sides and rear, and white trim throughout. The clear coat preserves the natural pine tone while protecting the wood against Ontario's seasonal weather extremes.

The interior was finished with light stained pine tongue and groove walls and laminate flooring. The light pine and white accents create a clean contrast against the all-black wood stove and black iron pipe furniture, giving the space a bold but ultimately clean look. Two windows and a windowed swing door bring in natural daylight, which is important for detailed jewelry and silversmithing work.

What Fiona Said

"Most builders I met with were not interested in such a small scale project as I suppose it would offer limited profitability. Others provided sky high estimates that were miles out of my reach."

After working with BES, Fiona's perspective on the install:

"The crew was here two days in total from start to finish. We had an agreeable and prompt city building inspector and everything went as well as could have been expected. I'm feeling hopeful, grateful and inspired."

The Result

What started as a practical need for more workspace became something more. Fiona's studio is a place where she can create freely, work at her own pace, and fully relax into her craft without the distractions of a shared home environment. The combination of the wood stove, pine interior, and natural light through the swing door and windows creates an atmosphere that feels more like a craftsman's forge than a backyard shed.

For her full perspective on the process, Fiona documented her experience on her own blog.

Want a Backyard Workshop or Creative Studio?

We design and build custom backyard studios for artists, craftspeople, and makers across Ontario. Whether you need a jewelry studio, woodworking shop, pottery space, or creative retreat, we can help you think through what fits your property, your work, and your budget.

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