They say that moss doesn’t grow on a rolling stone. If that is the case, then I am most certainly moss-free. Recently, my partner Andrea and I bought a new home that really ticks all the boxes for us. It’s in a beautiful city with access to incredible outdoor running and biking routes, yet the property has lots of mature trees and privacy so that you don’t feel like you are in a city of just over 200,000 people. Obviously, one of the big factors for us was that our home needed a place for woodworking.

I’ve always had a dream shop in mind. Like most woodworkers, I had a mental image of a shop that would be perfect for the way I work and in a setting that I love. An important aspect of my dream shop has always been that it wouldn’t be in my house. I wanted a separate building that I could walk to, perhaps past some trees or gardens, then into the shop to work. While I will gladly work anywhere, I think a shop separate from the house marks it as a place of work and creativity. Though the commute might be short, it’s a commute nonetheless.

Many people struggle working from home, a reality brought to the forefront recently with the pandemic we all face. Having a dedicated space to work means that the other trappings of the home are less likely to weigh you down. Chores that need doing, emails to answer, or mindless scrolling on Instagram can be left at the house. The shop can be a place to create.

I am excited to say that the home that Andrea and I picked has such a space—a beautiful brick building nestled into some mature trees in a lovely neighborhood. There are windows aplenty and it is fully insulated. It’s not palatial by any stretch, but that is not something I wanted. This 350 sq. ft. (32.5 m²) space is going to be perfect for the type of work that I do. I build furniture and decorative objects so there is no need for a huge space. I do the odd bit of casework and don’t deal with a whole lot of plywood, so this modest-sized shop is going to be perfect for me.

That being said, there are some things that are going to need some work. The last owner appears to have been a tinkerer so their needs were different from mine. I’m not sure how much power is routed to the shop, so I will need to sort that out, and installing an HVAC system will help with comfort. I would also like to run internet out to the shop as well as running water.

Needless to say, I’m pretty stoked about this new space! This will be my sixth shop in 20 years, so I feel like I have had a bit of practice at this. Over the years I have figured out what I need and what I don’t. I know what I like and what I can do without. These next couple of months will be filled with moving, various contractors, and hopefully not too many surprises. I’ll keep you posted along the way as I transform this new space into the shop I’ve always dreamed of.