Can't spell Studio without Stud at John Mackey's Blog

August 17, 2008

Can't spell Studio without Stud

I think we finally have my studio in order here at the new house in Austin. I wanted a room that felt warm — and not too “workplace-like.” I didn’t know what that necessarily meant, but AEJ did. The result is a large steel McDowell & Craig office desk — enameled in a cream color — and a gynormous metal computer monitor, but combined with floor-to-ceiling velvet drapes and a totally bad-ass vintage chandelier from the early 1970s.

For comparison, here is what the room looked like when we bought the house:

And here it is now:

This is what it looks like at night:

Here is one of the accessories the previous owners had in this room. AEJ’s brother referred to as something like “angel with a patriotic erection.”

My replacement accessory: The Tube Lamp. (Next to it is the Waterphone.)

And the most dramatic change… The former light fixture:

And the new light fixture – Liberace-style.

The studio looks sweet — and thanks to all of these yards upon yards of velvet, plus the black cowhide rug on the floor, the sound in here is great (although lacking massive low-end, as the subwoofer is currently in the family room).

Now I really don’t have any excuse… I kind of need to start writing Asphalt Cocktail.

6 Comments

6 Comments to “Can't spell Studio without Stud”  

    1
  1. At 11:15 am on August 17, 2008
    Mark S. Says:

    Reminds me of my dinning room. Expect there isn’t a computer, keyboard, or waterphone in there.

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  2. At 2:56 pm on August 17, 2008
    Kevin Howlett Says:

    I had thought at first that the first picture was your studio as it currently is and that you were renting it out to wayward babies. I was thinking “ah…John…they’re gonna be a distraction…”

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  3. At 4:48 pm on August 18, 2008
    Robyn Says:

    FABULOUS studio. I think even I could compose in that space! What I think is really cool, though, is how the waterphone disappears at night. Spooooooky.

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  4. At 5:13 pm on August 18, 2008
    Travis Taylor Says:

    That is one pimp chandelier.

    -Travis-

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  5. At 6:54 am on August 19, 2008
    Connie Miller Says:

    Awesome workspace. I think that chandelier will inspire all sorts of creative pieces in the years to come.
    By the way, my daughter Sami said that Longhorn Band is doing a “Texas Composers” show this fall. She couldn’t remember any of the composers’ names, but I was wondering: since you now live in Texas, do you think you made it into the show?

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  6. At 7:14 pm on August 23, 2008
    Brian Hodges Says:

    Actually, I believe you need to start writing my cello/piano piece.

    But you know, I wouldn’t mind if you called it “Asphalt Cocktail”. I think that would make a great title for a cello/piano piece….

    Just a thought….

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