For small business owner, Cath, finding permanent premises in a turbulent rental market was proving frustrating and impossible.
So, instead of being at the mercy of landlords, she decided to take control.
After years of studio-hopping and facing the uncertainty that comes with renting spaces, Cath found a permanent home in her own backyard. And a stunning Melwood Workshed became her small business premises.
“Our experience with Greenspan was
a dream…nothing was a drama.
An enormous thank you!”
Nomadic no more
Cath, a talented textile artist, juggles her beautiful commissions with running The Happenstore – a multifaceted space for like-minded creatives to meet, make, learn and be inspired.
But Cath needed more than just a workspace. She required a secure sanctuary where creativity could flow freely, uninterrupted by the looming threat of property developers or the next big move.
The unpredictable rental market in tightly packed Inner West Sydney was starting to take its toll.
“For years I had rented studios and warehouse spaces that inevitably were bought by property developers. I was tired of moving and being at their mercy,” says Cath. The constant upheaval and uncertainty made it clear that she needed a permanent, stable workspace.
And Cath had the perfect solution.
“We decided to use the option of a garden building,” she says. The idea of securing her own boutique business premises, nestled in the serenity of her garden, was too good to pass up.
A stand-out choice in Greenspan
The next challenge was finding the right garden building supplier in Sydney. However, our expertise and customer service immediately stood out from the crowd.
“We chose Greenspan for their immediate response to our needs and the simplicity of the process,” Cath explains, “The choice of studio spaces was sufficient and exciting, and their showroom was local”.
It wasn’t just the range of options for her new small business premises that won her over. The relaxed yet informative approach left a lasting impression and made them feel genuinely cared for from the get-go.
“We felt like we were in good hands… and as the process progressed, so we were!” Cath recalls.
A perfected process
After almost 50 years in the business, we have perfected a reliable process we call The Greenspan Way. This ensures our customers experience clarity, support and a smooth journey every step of the way, from concept through to creation.
For Cath, this tried-and-true approach made all the difference in creating her ideal creative studio to use as her new business premises.
“The process of choosing and designing our building was easy, and our salesperson provided us with a three-dimensional computer visual. This really helped as it is quite difficult to imagine,” Cath remembers of the design process.
Working closely with her experienced Design Solutioneer, Cath was able to bring to life her dream.
And this seamless, stress-free process continued right through to the very end.
“The build was faultless and the studio was up in a day!” Cath recalls. “Delivery was on time and every step of the build was professional.”
In what felt like next to no time at all, Cath had a permanent boutique home for her business and a peaceful textile studio, just steps from her back door.
A small business premises with so much more
“We wanted something simple, modern, yet warm and cosy,” Cath states.
And with the flexibility to personalise her chosen design to be exactly what she wanted, that’s exactly what she got!
A Melwood Workshed formed the basis of her new space. It’s a classic design, inspired by its namesake but offering so much more!
Cath opted for a Workshed 2654, providing approximately 14m2 of open plan workspace, and a clearspan pitched roof for added height.
The double doors, typically positioned on the side, were relocated to one gable end, with an additional set applied to the other. This thoughtful positioning creates a breezy flow of air, a sense of spaciousness and a work area that is filled with light.
A textile artist’s perfect palette
Cladding to one side of the building was upgraded to Colorbond® in “Monument” to match the roofing. This eliminated the need to paint this side of the building, which was in a tight spot, close to the fence and adjacent to an existing garden bed.
The remaining three sides received an upgrade to pre-primed weatherboard, which was later painted in the same shade for a cohesive all-black aesthetic.
Offsetting the black, Colorbond® gutters and downpipes in “Surfmist”, along with white windows and doors, complete the contemporary monochrome palette.
This is a look that continues inside, with funky ply lining to walls, floor and ceiling painted black and white respectively.
This colour scheme is the ideal backdrop in which to showcase Cath’s bright and colourful textile art and that of her community of creatives who now also enjoy this beautiful new space.
From hustle and bustle to serenity and song
Choosing to shift from the uncertainty of renting to the security of her own backyard has completely changed life for Cath.
For someone deeply inspired by nature, the transition from a premises on a busy inner-city arterial road to the peace and tranquility of her own garden was nothing short of transformative.
Now she is surrounded by the calming presence of greenery, birdsong, and the gentle rustle of leaves, not bitumen, concrete and traffic noise.
Her new workspace not only fuels her creativity but also provides a sanctuary where she can truly connect with her craft. The shift has allowed her to immerse herself in the natural beauty that now frames her every day, making her Melwood garden studio the perfect haven for both work and inspiration.
“I am thrilled!” she exclaims, “I use my Melwood every day and it has totally eliminated my concern for space. My studio is small yet concise…completely functional for my design and making business and is integrated into our backyard living.”
Cost-saving and value-adding
And Cath has never been happier!
Not only does she now have stability. Her investment in a Melwood to use as her small business premises and creative workspace was a wise investment. In addition to saving on what seems to be ever-increasing rental costs, there’s been an added financial bonus.
“It has certainly added value to our property and I’m sooooo happy,” she tells us.
Take a look at Cath’s beautiful creations and find out how you can join her community of creatives at The Happenstore.
Cath’s Melwood is a Workshed 2654 measuring 2.6m x 5.4m.
It features a pre-primed weatherboard cladding upgrade to three sides with Colorbond to the fourth. She selected aluminium windows in “White”, Colorbond® roofing in “Monument” and gutters and downpipes in “Surfmist”.
She further personalised the design to include additional double doors and positioned each set to each gable end.
All measurements are approximate.
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