Back in 2006 I began a renovation of my detached "back" workshop. It was a fun project and quite a challenge, but in the end it was very rewarding.
The garage was not in the best shape when I started. All of the exterior cedar trim boards were tacked onto studs with no sheathing or insulation, so the entire space was drafty. I took everything down to bare studs, ripped out the carpenter ant-invested sheathing (see picture below) and punched out two windows to let in some natural light and provide extended views of the ocean mountains from my workbench area. The insulation now makes it comfortable to spend extended time here.
I removed and beefed up all of the electrical and added outlets so that I would never be more than 2' feet from power. It might sound overkill until you realize just how convenient it is to have power at your fingertips.
Although the space is only 550 square feet, I had fun with it and took the time to do it right the first time around. I conducted a lighting analysis by importing the dimensions of the space into a software program that I use to provide lighting calculations & renderings for electric lighting and day lighting system analysis. I removed the cheap hanging fluorescents and replaced them with two T5 HO fixtures for ambient lighting and six halogens for task lighting directly over the workbench area. Better lighting makes such a difference!
Wanting the space to feel open ... and also not have the overhead garage door obscure the ceiling and great lighting I'd just installed by a door and the operating hardware ... I decided to replace the 20 year old overhead garage door with beautiful swinging carriage doors. It was one of the best decisions that I made.
The existing floor had a peeling epoxy floor which I upgraded for porcelain tiles. I was looking for a classic, timeless look and decided on a diamond-shaped pattern with a pattern that I designed consisting of 85% white tiles and 15% black tiles.
With the slatwalls, beaded ceiling and moldings installed, I then installed new cabinetry, which sure was a vast improvement from the melamine cabinets before them.
Three new porcelain enamel neon signs, a very cool crankshaft lamp, and a few lighted gas pump globes & antique memorabilia really create an atmosphere. I have three Wayne pumps undergoing a full restoration in Associated, Polly and Gilmore colors respectfully which I hope to add to the space soon.
You can view a video of my garage on YouTube by clicking on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyYaPoaN_9A Here are some pics:
