A concrete studio in Seattle

If I could convince husband that our dilapidated garage needs to be replaced with something like this I would be SO stoked! This space designed by Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig would be a dream come true (although maybe in wood instead of concrete). The Brain is a 14,280 cubic-foot cinematic laboratory where the client, a filmmaker, can work out ideas. Physically, that neighborhood birthplace of invention, the garage, provides the conceptual model. The form is essentially a cast-in-place concrete box, intended to be a strong yet neutral background that provides complete flexibility to adapt the space at will. Inserted into the box along the north wall is a steel mezzanine. All interior structures are made using raw, hot-rolled steel sheets.

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Once a garage, now a studio

In my backyard is a detached garage. It is tilting to one side and is a dumping ground for all sorts of crap. And we can't even fit our car in it. I would give ANYTHING to turn it into something this incredible. This backyard writer's studio was created from the conversion of a 100 sq ft garage. WHOA. Interior design: Andrea McLean Styling: Laura Melling Photos: WTFU

Garage doors by Garaga

I was approached recently by Garaga, a Canadian manufacturer of garage doors, who offered me a brand new garage door of my choice. I was elated, as garage doors have always been a bone of contention with me. Here in Ottawa builders always install cheap, run of the mill garage doors on houses and you are guaranteed to see this on every house in the suburbs in particular. Something that has rattled my cage for as long as I can remember is how much I hate that most homes have garages that are set forward from the rest of the house so it is ALL you see. Yet no one seems to put any thought into the design of their garage doors. My current home is located in an old neighbourhood (1940's) and most garages are detached and located in the backyard at the end of a long driveway. Lucky for me because my garage is a bit of an eyesore. It really needs to be re-built one day as it is in rough shape and leaning to one side which is why I turned down the offer of a brand new garage door (soooo bummed). It would just look ridiculous. I will however absolutely take Garaga up on that offer when I have a new garage. :)

To show you why I am so bummed, here are samples of some of the fantastic garage doors they have designed, starting with some modern ones.... 

And some with a bit more of a traditional/country look

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Kerrie Kelly

Kerrie Kelly is an interior designer based in Northern California whose designs caught my eye while surfing the internet. Kerrie and her team of designers at Kerrie Kelly Design Lab have got what it takes - with various design styles in their portfolio they're pretty great at just about anything - from a bit traditional to more modern/contemporary. Kerrie and some of her projects may look familiar as she's been a featured designer and has consulted with several DIY and HGTV Network's "Crashers" shows. The garage conversion below (after the jump) is an amazing transformation - and it had me laughing. You NEVER see garage conversions up here in Canada. The garages of Canadians are precious and sacred spaces that save us from having to scrape ice and snow off our cars (which on bad days can take a half hour). 

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