A Simple Backyard Art Studio
We love this gorgeous and simple art studio we built for our clients in Southwest Corvallis. We tore down this falling apart cabin featured in the 'Before' photo to build this more attractive and useful studio! The exterior finishes match the finishes of the house and detached garage. It is as if the studio was there since the original construction of the house, but with the durable exterior construction we insist on and new interior finishes. The project features a full bath, sink/kitchenette, two garage doors, two side doors, a deck, and a large open space for working or living. It will also serve well as a short-term studio living space for visiting family or guests.
Project Details

Roll-Up Garage Doors
Adding two roll-up garage doors to this art studio makes it easy to enjoy the warm weather in the summertime while painting or crafting, and provides ventilation of any paint fumes that might be used. We added a cedar deck just outside the garage door to provide seamless indoor/outdoor living during the summer. The insulated double glazing in the doors also draws in lots of natural light, provides close-up views of Mary's River, but gives ample protection from any weather.

Deck
A Cedar deck was added to the side of the structure to take a break from working and enjoy the gorgeous yard. With the garage door rolled-up, it provides amazing outdoor space and feels perched just above the Mary's River. Cedar is a sustainable local wood species for a deck because it resists moisture, rot, and insect infestation, and can be recycled at the end of its lifespan.

LVT Flooring
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) flooring was used for this studio for its durability and resistance to water, which is perfect for a space of many different uses. It also requires easy maintenance, which is great for a studio that is used on an inconsistent basis. The finish color of the LVT is classy but will hide any messes.

Floodplains
In order to make this dream project a reality, the G. Christianson team worked with a surveyor and the City to find the hundred year floodplain and keep the cabin just outside of it.
What our Clients are Saying
“Excellent company! Working with G. Christianson Construction was an easy process... Experience, expertise and genuine interest was evident in the professional advice that completed the project within budgeted cost and schedule. HIGHLY recommended!”
Tim Love, Corvallis Waldorf School, Corvallis
“We felt our ideas were listened to, incorporated, and enhanced in the final plans. Elizabeth did a nice job adding architectural interest with the arch above the stove and continuing that feature in the new opening connecting the living room to dining space. Eliminating the wall between dining room & kitchen allowed for a much better flow addressing our desire for a more spacious-looking interior without adding additional space. The hot tub cover is a special feature that enhances our ability to use it daily. And creating a space for the washer/dryer in the house instead of the garage was a real win. ”
Kathy Chafin & Steve Wyatt, Corvallis, OR
See the Vibrant & Balanced Home Remodel project“We live in an historic district and Elizabeth did a great job preparing a design which complements our house. She facilitated a smooth historic preservation permit approval. Building a carpentry shop raises a number of non-standard construction issues. Carl patiently answered our many questions. His knowledge of energy efficiency practices was very helpful. Ron, who runs the cabinet shop, provided invaluable insights regarding layout, power needs, etc. Ben and the entire G. Christianson Construction crew were reliable, on time, and hardworking. It was a pleasure to work with Carl, Elizabeth, Ben and the rest of the team. The end result is a beautiful and functional shop – a dream come true. ”
Josh Smith, Corvallis, OR
See the Historic-Inspired Outbuilding project