Our Focus series shines the spotlight on the details: the extraordinary materials, spaces, and ideas that take great projects to the next level.

By day Elizabeth is a civil engineer, but in her Portland, Oregon, home, she’s a multihyphenate artist exploring mediums like kinetic sculptures, screen printing, and fiber art. When she approached M.O.Daby Design to create her house, she requested a loft-style space she could use as a workshop and craft studio.

The residence is driven by her interest in natural materials, interactive elements, and flexible spaces. “We didn’t want the it to feel alien to the things happening inside it,” says M.O.Daby Design founder Matt Daby. A palette of plywood walls, concrete forms, and metal reflect Elizabeth’s favored crafting materials.

While a built-in fireplace was approved for the final design, Elizabeth opted for a freestanding one because it was less expensive. However, by that point the foundation had been completed and walls were being framed—everything was set for the built-in to be installed. Faced with the challenge of how to occupy the cavity meant for the fireplace, Daby pivoted and designed a pullout craft-supplies cart that docks into the wall.

Daby used the same cement-board cladding as the surrounding wall, extending it to the floor to conceal the cart’s wheels. The cart’s only giveaway is a slender metal bar used to maneuver it, painted black so it blends with the siding. Inside the cart is a compartment with shelves and hooks where Elizabeth stashes her supplies, including natural dyes, woodworking tools, rug looms, and alpaca wool.

Daby says he never saw this as a design derailment, but rather viewed the “happy accident” as an opportunity to reflects Elizabeth’s casual and artistic lifestyle. “Like the house, the interior of the cart is open and flexible,” says Elizabeth.

The solution accommodates Elizabeth’s desire for dualistic spaces, allowing her to roll it to whichever area she’s using as her studio that day. When she’s done, she can tuck it back into place. “I love that I can be creative both at work and at home,” says Elizabeth. “Problem-solving is part of creativity.”

With the Pacific Northwest’s abundant greenery but often dreary weather, Elizabeth wanted an indoor/outdoor space that maximized natural light on sunny days." layout="wide" credit="Photo by Erin Riddle of KLiK Concepts" photoUserId=""/>

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