Thread: Show off your Studio!

Hi Ladies, I am working towards opening a studio someday, and I love seeing how people set theirs up! I've seen some great pics on the web, but I'd love to see some Bhuz member's spaces! I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love the inspiration.

To get things started, here are a few of my favorites from the net:


FatChance Bellydance Studio:


Ansuya's Studio in Naples:


Wellbeing Studio in Seoul:


Aspara Dance Studio in Vietnam:




Ontario's BellyUp Studio:



DOMBA in AZ
Too big, click the link! http://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload...2-c81993cc7e85

Love it! Mine is only an empty space right now, until Nov 1st when paint goes up the wall...so I'll post a pic in Dec :)

Uh. After looking at the above photos, I'd say my studio is . . . VERY boring by comparison. Maybe I should do something about that!
Rosette

These are definitely on the opulent side of things! It's nice to dream though and maybe take some inspiration from them even if it's not the reality for many of us! :)

Those are great looking! Very nice!

I don't have a studio of my own, but the Müstika studio where I take classes at is one of the coolest by its interior. You can see the photos here

Pildid - Müstika stuudio miljööfotod - Müstika Maagiline Teater - Kõhutantsu Stuudio

I also like Chryssanthi Sahar's studio in Heidelberg, Germany Fotogalerie

Love Mustika !!
Loved my old studio when it existed...

Here's a corner of my basement oasis...
my bellydance studio coming alive again... | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I don't really have a "decorating gene" but what I DO have comes out here, obviously. The rest of the house pales in comparison ..l;,

What's cool is that a lot of the "stuff" is gifts from family or friends, I'm sure you all have the same experience, yes? Once they know you're a bellydancer, they know the kind of stuff you'll like ..g.:

This is my studio. It's actually an old photo. I have lots more things on the walls and more color in the space.

Mahira Belly Dance's Photos - Wall Photos | Facebook

Originally Posted by anthea

Here's a corner of my basement oasis...
my bellydance studio coming alive again... | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I don't really have a "decorating gene" but what I DO have comes out here, obviously. The rest of the house pales in comparison ..l;,

What's cool is that a lot of the "stuff" is gifts from family or friends, I'm sure you all have the same experience, yes? Once they know you're a bellydancer, they know the kind of stuff you'll like ..g.:

Oooh it's cute! Love the brick. And I guess you're right about the gifts, my old teacher used to get TONS of camel paraphenalia! ;) I know I'll definitely be putting in a lot of my own junk that I've been collecting for years...old LP's, sari's, posters etc! :D

Originally Posted by MahiraRaqs

This is my studio. It's actually an old photo. I have lots more things on the walls and more color in the space.

Mahira Belly Dance's Photos - Wall Photos | Facebook

Mahira its GORGEOUS!! Great job!!

this thread makes me so happy. I'm a baby dancer by my own standards, just getting into the professional sphere, but it is my ultimate life dream to have my own dance studio.

I love my new studio, I think it's a warm and welcoming space. But I can't drape it in fabric or decorate it in bellydance style because it's a multifunction space where we also have yoga, Zumba and Bollywood classes.

I've left the walls bare so the space can also be used as an art gallery as well.

The above studios are lovely, though.

I love the art gallery idea Lauren! There are so many ways of personalizing a space.

I must say - I love the diversity within the many creative and awesome members of our beloved Bhuz! Draped and painted or supporting another art form via the art gallery concept - everyone is beyond awesome. I appreciate and admire the info, sharing, opinions and camaraderie. Creative juices flow here and inspire!

I thought I'd already replied to this thread...

But anytime this topic comes up, I post this. LOVE that floor!

Originally Posted by laurasbelly

Mahira its GORGEOUS!! Great job!!

Thank you! I love it! :-)

Originally Posted by zorba

I thought I'd already replied to this thread...

But anytime this topic comes up, I post this. LOVE that floor!

This is amazingly beautiful! What a dream space!

love these photos! i especially love the vietnam studio that was posted

Zorba, that floor is gorgeous!!!

Originally Posted by zorba

But anytime this topic comes up, I post this. LOVE that floor!

I have this picture bookmarked too... someday!

Here is my beloved space upstairs (ignore the pictures of the kitchen, and don't judge me by the lack of sharpness - no flash+dark day+no trippod): http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/...&id=1045603011

Steffi, it is amazing that you've done - you've turned a regular living space into a dance haven... and I bet at the times it isn't a studio, it is a great alternative living room for coffee and chats!

Originally Posted by steffib

Here is my beloved space upstairs (ignore the pictures of the kitchen, and don't judge me by the lack of sharpness - no flash+dark day+no trippod): http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/...&id=1045603011

What a wonderful space! Love all the natural wood and dance decor; you've really made a great place for yourself.

Ah, thanks! I feel very lucky that I have this space.

There are a few "design tricks" I figured out (I am sure experienced interior designers know them, but that's what my trial and error came to):

1. It helps to frame things - e.g., mirrors can be harsh on a room. Framing them with something, whether it's wood or fabric or maybe color, can make them more friendly and luxurious. I have tent or yurt bands from Turkmenistan all around the ceiling, which makes things cozy.

2. I paint many things - ugly furniture pieces can become an eyecatcher with a coat of deep red paint, and my magic can of rubbed bronze spray paint makes cheap metal things into antiques in an instant. No kidding.

3. Things tend to look better grouped - a single belt hung on the wall is puzzling (I tried), a whole set works. Not sure why, but it does.

4. A lot of these things are thrifty finds that accumulate over time - estate sales, ebay, an auction when a local importer closed down his business, ... Patience and thinking of decorating as an ongoing adventure are a key to low-budget luxury ;-)

I did wonder what the long long bands of material were and where they came from (did you get them online or find on a trip?) and how cool that they're authentic tent bands! Was thinking of looking for upholstery trim/strips at a fabric store. Not that I have a studio, just a small personal dance/meditation space.

And have to say, the painted floor in Zorba's picture is just beautiful.

WOW Steffi that's gorgeous! We have very similar taste I think. Love it!

Originally Posted by laurasbelly

Hi Ladies, I am working towards opening a studio someday, and I love seeing how people set theirs up! I've seen some great pics on the web, but I'd love to see some Bhuz member's spaces! I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love the inspiration.

To get things started, here are a few of my favorites from the net:

Ansuya's Studio in Naples:


Aspara Dance Studio in Vietnam:


Ontario's BellyUp Studio:

Oooo beautiful these studios are! I especially love that Bellyup's rich and flamoyant colors :) Do you hqve a particular time frame for getting yours yet?

:)

Originally Posted by IrishLily

I did wonder what the long long bands of material were and where they came from (did you get them online or find on a trip?) and how cool that they're authentic tent bands! Was thinking of looking for upholstery trim/strips at a fabric store. Not that I have a studio, just a small personal dance/meditation space.

And have to say, the painted floor in Zorba's picture is just beautiful.

The This Old House magazine has instructions for a floor painting project on their website, and it seems quite easy, actually, and not nearly as involved as refinishing a whole floor. It could also be a nice project to sprouce up a not-so-perfect floor. I'd probably get stencils, put a chalk line grid down and then generate some sort of pattern, which would also help students in a big studio space themselves.

And, yeah, those tent bands were cool finds. I got them on Ebay - just checked, and what was listed right now are only the very pricey ones; mine were around $25-50, depending on length, + shipping. I also think that maybe sari trim from Ebay could be a superb addition for a more serene, less noisy space - or indeed decorator supplies - just make sure it is wide enough to be visible without costing a fortune. There are tons of materials if you look around - Home Depot has decorative wood trim that would look awesome, for instance. You just have to keep your eyes open; my shamadan has been turned into a lamp with a string of flickering christmas lights that caught my eye, I just spray painted the cord gold to make it disappear - the christmas aisle is a bellydancer's decorating heaven ;-) (I do a lot of home improvement, so I go to the home center more than a sane, normal person.)

And, with stencils like these, http://www.stencilplanet.com/nearand...nstencils.aspx, one could easily make a big wall into a piece of art.

Steffi, you are just a wealth of knowledge! Did you mean this article?
http://www.oldhouseweb.com/architect...d-floors.shtml
If not can you share the link with us?