The goal for this ranch-style home in Dallas was to convert a one-car garage into an art studio, and have it look out onto a courtyard. A narrow, unused side yard became the courtyard. The first priority was to block the afternoon sun with a solid patio cover. A custom wooden garden gate leads to the side yard, and a brick wall extends from the house to afford privacy. The patio hardscape is rock-skin stamped concrete and concrete stepping pads with Tejas black gravel joints.
Photos: Michael Hunter

Professional artist Susan Lancaster had a dream for an art studio that opened to an inviting courtyard. She imagined a multifunctional space that would provide room for an art gallery, workspace and outdoor living. Susan also desired an industrial aesthetic, despite the contrasting traditional 1980s ranch architectural style of her home.

Landscape designer Melda Clark collaborated with the Lancasters to establish the goals for their side yard and how best to achieve them. The one-car garage conversion to an indoor art studio started the renovation of the space. Double sliding doors frame the corner of the art studio, which allow the artist to be fully engaged with the newly remodeled courtyard.

 

Transforming the narrow, impractical side yard into a multipurpose courtyard was no easy task. The main goals for the side yard were to maximize usable space; create an exhibit space for artwork and storage for art materials; design a covered outdoor living area for everyday use; provide privacy with a gated entryway; and to complete all of these goals with an industrial flair, while still complementing the original architecture. The designated front walkway provides access to the courtyard and leads to the custom wooden garden gate within the brick wall. The architecturally identical brick wall extending from the house solves the privacy concerns and emphasizes cohesion. When entering into the courtyard from the front yard gate, the guest is instantly transported from a traditional front yard to an inviting, yet eclectic courtyard.

The vegetable garden is placed just left of the garden gate, situated close to the sitting area and easily accessible from the kitchen. Food is grown in the galvanized steel tubs to accentuate the industrial motif. The custom designed trellis and Susan's mirror artwork enhance this corner space to be an effective node within the enclosure.

The art studio (behind the sliding glass doors) immediately looks out onto the breakfast nook beneath the solid patio cover. The traditional and modern furniture was selected by interior designer Donna Rosene.

The outdoor living area is located right of the interior breakfast nook, with access and visibility from the art studio. The previous side yard was a problem, as the afternoon sun made it unbearable for the homeowners. Finelines Design Studio addressed the issue with a solid patio cover designed to look as if it was part of the original architecture. It provides a comfortable shaded sitting area, perfect for eating meals outside, mingling, working, or just enjoying the outdoors.

A fence was resurfaced with a corrugated metal façade with a black stained wood frame, with metal hooks attached to the top of the fence, which provided several uses for the side yard, such as presenting art work for future exhibits, and hanging café lights. The corrugated metal fence completes the modern industrial feel, makes a wonderful backdrop for art, and creates a delightful ambiance at night by reflecting the café lighting.

The entry to the courtyard displays stamped concrete, rustic pottery with salvia (foreground right) and potocarpus (left), the new brick wall addition and the architect's custom designed wooden garden gate.

The courtyard finishes on the south side with the outdoor storage area for art supplies. This area is enclosed using the same corrugated metal fence and coordinating custom gate to keep the clean aesthetic intact. Utilities were enclosed with the same materials to hide them from plain view.

One of the challenges with the hardscape and planting for the site was the easement requirements. The five foot easement line within the narrow side yard was able to be properly addressed through the usage of stepping pads and container plantings.

The homeowner, an artist, desired incorporating an "industrial aesthetic" into the side yard design. This played out in galvanized horse tanks, filled with horsetails, and corrugated metal fencing. Hooks on the fence are to hang art. A rustic clay accent ball is seen at left.

The side yard hardscaping was kept simple. Rock skin-textured stamped concrete was used in the vegetable garden and outdoor living area. Stepping stones with Tejas black gravel joints created the pathways and outdoor art studio workspace. Interior designer Dona Rosene was in charge of finding the perfect furniture for this space. She chose contrasting pieces, such as the metal table and bright orange accessories, to help pull together the house and courtyard aesthetics. The rustic designer selection pottery and balls to tie the contrasting concepts.

Most of the plantings are in containers. Galvanized steel horse tanks and barrels create the desired industrial appearance and produce visually interesting elevation changes. Plants such as horsetail reeds, ornamental grasses and fig ivy were selected to soften the metal and brick enclosures. Color was added to the space with azaleas, roses, red and blue salvias and annuals.

The home's small side yard was configured into the prefect sanctuary for the residents and a great place to host an art exhibit, dinner, or informal gathering at any time of the year. The design completes all of the intended functionalities the Lancasters were hoping for, and has made their dream courtyard a reality.

The side garden has vegetables growing in galvanized steel tubs, and wood famed wired trellis with loofah ivy and herbs. At left is mirror artwork by Susan Lancaster.

Team List
• Finelines Design Studio, LLC. - Landscape Architect
• Melda Clark - Project Manager and Principal of Finelines Design Studio, LLC
• Donna Rosene - Interior Designer
• Michael Hunter - Photographer