I have finally converted my garage into a dance studio-help style it please...

[shopalot]

I have dreamt of having my own dance studio for many years (am a ballet teacher) and finally the builders are here. The room is long and thin. It has a built in cupboard at end so no need for any other furniture apart from a small two seater soda at other end. I am using the studio for private lessons and adult ballet so needs to be somewhere lovely to come.

The question is......

Do I go contempory gym type mirrors and barres, keep it minimal and modern.

Or do I go more vintage with arched large mirrors along the wall like these There would be five or six along one wall.

Which one would you prefer?

sofa

link didn't work-sorry

The link just routes to the Laura Ashley front page but I think arched mirrors sound lovely, maybe with a retro sofa

Can't make the link work. It is the Patricia floor mirror that I am talking about.

I'm also a dance teacher. Thinking of the way you want to use it, can you go vintage luxury without it costing the earth? I use portable barres and a hall, am
oooh just think, some beautiful but subtle ballet prints, mirrors, wooden floor.... when can I come to visit then

The sofa is definitely retro as my Nan gave it to me. It is cream with a tiny bit of pink....

a studio we use for our teenagers has mirrors and some voile curtains to pull across for when you don't want to be staring at yourselves, works beautifully and might go with your whole lovely retro idea

(even more )

Old mirrors.

Hello MrsS3. I use village halls at the moment so will be a joy to have a purpose built room. (just wish it was a bit bigger but hay). Wood floor is sorted and is floating with loads of give as it is being laid on celetex. (cheaper than a sprung floor)

Do you think I need wall to wall mirrors? Or just a few mirror for corrections? I don't really want my girls to become mirror dancers however they will still be dancing in the halls most of the time anyway.

I like the idea of muslin curtains....

I have looked in the local antique shop but if they are old they aren't usually safety glass. Would need to buy new that looks old IYSWIM. (I have slightly fallen in love with the mirrors in Laura Ashley )

Next question would you do wall mounted barres or portable? I could store the portable in built in cupboard but it may be easier to have them on the wall already. Too many decisions...thanks so much for your help. I asked my husband and the builder and their eyes glazed over!!!!!!

My DD has had ballet lessons for 6 years in a hall with a barre but NO mirrors. They all do wonderfully in their exams so maybe a wall full of mirrors not necessary. Probably useful to demonstrate a correction though

My kids did a few years so no expert here. Can you have a small fixed bar at one end and some portable?

we use halls with no mirrors, but the difference in my dancers with a couple of sessions in the studio is amazing, particularly when they're growing quickly and the kinaesthetic feedback is temporarily scuppered I'd probably want a couple of mirror for correction and armline purposes, but ones that can be covered for when you need them gone... definitely not a whole wall of them or anything.
Don't know about barres. we have five or six portable ones, the plus side is that they have adjustable height, the down side is that they're not completely stable unless the legs are at just the right angle. Any use getting a couple of portable while you decide what you want, what height, and where? What are you planning to do most of (apart from enjoy dancing in it yourself )
that flooring sounds amazing. I'm definitely coming round now.

I like your thinking. The advantage of having the mirrors will be that the room will look wider than it is. But I do agree with you and looking at yourself all the time might make me crazy!!!!

I am planning on doing exam coaching in the studio in groups of four. Adult ballet during the day. (I have eight adult ballet ladies who I am entering for RAD grade 6 next term so they are quite serious. ) I will be able to do all barre work and some body conditioning in the studio and centre practice once a week at the hall. Also toddler ballet in the day.

My timetable for next sept is a bit full. May have to cut it down a bit as too tempting to keep working! So very excited, can't you tell!!

You are welcome- we can dance around merrily whilst the children play in the garden!!!!!!

it's nice to be so enthusiastic and excited! Having such a real passion for it all is how and why you do well :) Getting adult ladies to G6 is amazing, go you lot!
(more at the studio)