Originally hired in 2007 to renovate a beautiful Arts and Crafts home on Oliver Street in Chevy Chase, DC, Ballard Mensua Architecture was thrilled to reconnect with longtime clients Sharapat Sarsenova and Eric Kessler to convert their unused garage into a custom art studio.

Sharapat, an artist originally from Kazakhstan, and Eric, founder of Arabella Investments and a former U.S. Undersecretary of the Interior, are avid world travelers and passionate about philanthropy and the arts. With the garage no longer needed for vehicles, the couple wanted to reclaim the space for seasonal storage and creative work.

We divided the garage in half—dedicating one side to bikes and storage, and the other to a light-filled, efficient studio space. Key design moves include:

• Reusing original ceiling boards to craft a custom desk and wall cladding
• Solid-staining the ceiling structure for a clean, finished look
• Installing new windows and a patio door for natural light
• Using pipe fittings for open shelving to give an urban industrial gallery feel
• Creating an art ledge from reclaimed pine salvaged from the original flat ceiling
• Restoring stucco, adding patio infill, and installing track lighting to complete the transformation

This modest but meaningful renovation reflects a creative, resourceful approach—honoring the spirit of the home, the artistic vision of the client, and a long-standing design relationship.