I am going to convert our garage into a jewelry studio and I need some help thinking through the steps. Please share thoughts or ideas on what I might want to do differently.

Big picture I want to insulate and close the walls and refinish the floors and possibly close out part of the garage so it's a separate space. 1/2 studio 1/2 storage.

Budget is biggest consideration because we just bought our home and there are other things in the actual house that need attention so as much as I would love to do it all I can't. What I do want to do is think through the whole project though so that over the years I can do little bits....

First though, I need light. Right now there is only a small window on the North side. (The back wall In the photos the wall in the back, not the wall on the left) is West facing and in the summer it's gonna get hella hot but there is a giant persimmons tree on the neighbors yard that will cast substantial shade in the summer and in the winter I hope to get some passive solar heat.

I am trying to decide what type of window to use. I would LOVE multi-slide patio doors and really open up that back wall, however that is not the budget I currently have. I am leaning toward french patio doors that open out. But i'm open to other ideas that I might not consider. I love the look of old windows but energy efficiency is important because of very hot summers and cooler winters.

In my dreams I would put in a bunch of old windows along the top of the South facing wall (the left hand side of the interior photo) and possibly a hinged window that opens out on that side.....So many ideas. Help me make the best decision! I want the windows to give me lots of light and make the space visually interesting.

Once the big window is in and I run more electricity, what should I do next? epoxy the floor or another option? insulate and close the walls? replace the rickety garage door? should I put in all the windows before I insulate the walls?

To consider: the exterior is stucco and there is not currently any insulation. It's just the framed out garage.

I've included a studio that I LOVE for inspiration and so you can get a sense of what I would love the space to be like. (My space is NOT this big)

Upcycled Art Sudio · More Info