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Meghan Marie Photography
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Meghan Marie Photography
Common Room Studio Tour
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Meghan Marie Photography
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Meghan Marie Photography
Common Room Studio Tour
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Meghan Marie Photography
Common Room Studio Tour
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Meghan Marie Photography
With a bright and open floor plan, a skylight, colorful furniture and large windows, a unique new space for creatives has opened in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood.
Design and lifestyle blogger Nole Garey opened Common Room Studio, at 428B Hume Ave., in late 2017 not only as a workspace for herself, but for others to use for photo shoots, workshops, meetings, company off-site work meetings, retail pop-ups and events.
“People are really excited to have a venue in Alexandria,” said Garey, who found the space on Craigslist, conveniently located near the Target she frequents. “It’s nice to have something that’s not in DC proper and it is a different look from elsewhere in DC.”
In DC, where Garey lives, she was only finding tiny, dark and really expensive spaces geared more toward traditional office renters. In the Hume Avenue space she found a “clean but industrial” vibe.
So far, teachers have hosted calligraphy workshops, a Tarot card workshop and a Suminagashi paper marbling — a Japanese art form in which you fill tray with water and use a paintbrush to create intricate ink patterns.
Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls group even filmed interviews in the space this spring. People have also hosted bridal and baby showers at Common Room Studio. Garey has also hosted a book signing.
There’s a different mix of people at every event or workshop, Garey said. It’s nice to see people get excited to see art they might only see online in real life, she said.
Garey first fell in love with the world of wedding invitations and stationery in 2008 while planning her wedding. This led her into the world of art and design. Garey began her lifestyle and design blog Oh So Beautiful Paper shortly thereafter.
On the blog, she shares entertaining and do it yourself (DIY) project ideas, her favorite paper goods, wedding invitations, home décor inspiration and original cocktail recipes. The blog’s Facebook page has nearly 150,000 followers.
The around 800 square foot space includes a kitchenette with a sink, refrigerator and Nespresso machine. Those interested in using the space can book online here. Prices range from $50 per hour for photography sessions to $100 to host workshops for up to 20 seated students. An 8-hour rental for $400 is well-suited for off-site meetings.
Upcoming workshops include a food styling event and macramé art workshop, a 1970s style of string art used to create wall hangings and plant holders.
