The Building Tour

Hand-painted Furniture, Accessories, and other Unique Items and Ideas for Your Home

The Martial Arts Room

"Sanctuary"

One recent change is the conversion of the entry to the third floor. It was a big, open, ugly room on the second floor for which I have consistently apologized everytime I walked someone through on the way to my residence.

This room had been the subject of debate forever. I would decide on one theme or another and just as quickly discard the ideas. For a long time it was slated to become a game room.

But then I did some serious rethinking of my needs. I work too many long hours, with very little time off. So my time off has to be somewhat productive as well as enjoyable. My dream of pursuing the Martial Arts has been the focus of my free time, so what better use for a room than as a home gym, designed with this in mind.

I wanted something more than functional however. I wanted a room which reflected a new lifestyle. It needed to have serenity as a focal point, simplicity and the kind of ambiance to make it a room I would enjoy spending time in.

An oriental theme seemed the only option to achieve this goal, and with a little ingenuity the theme began to take shape in my mind. But I was working within a strict budget.

The carpet was removed and the floor was in terrible shape, a drop ceiling had to be turned into an asset rather than a liability as it housed a nightmare collection of ducts, vents and electrical. At every turn there were problems.

My father came to the rescue with research, cost comparisons, and finallly an enormous amount of hard work on his part. (Thanks dad!) The room was completed and surpassed my expectations. And it stayed in budget!

Screen and Chair

Walls were painted a soft bamboo, and all pipes,ducts and doors were painted and camouflaged. Wicker accents were added, along with a lacquered screen. The hamper holds karate gear after use.

A pretty cramic box from a North Carolina antique store.

Detail of screen

A perpetual laminate flooring covered a very distressed floor and oak trims were finished to match.The drop ceiling was meticulously repaired; dividers painted, tiles cut perfectly to fit and to create a completely flat surface.

Silk orchids mix throughout the room with live ones.

Entry

The wicker and wooden bench and cushions were a gift from my parents. Two sconces flank the bench, filled with ivy and orchids. My Eskrima sticks sit in ready reach in hooks, handy for those late night noises. Lanterns and Fen Shui chimes hang in the foreground. Dragon grass mats add a practical touch.

Corner Shelves

Shelves were replaced in an existing storage unit and painted on the edges with bamboo vines. The ledge was covered with faux tiles creating the perfect home for one of the lighted fountains. An oriental design umbrella stand holds bamboo of varying lengths. A decorative corner protector was painted in soft contrasts. A new light fixture was added.

The corner became the media nook, storing martial arts books, martial arts videos, CDs and boom box. A new light fixture brightens everything, while a gargoyle perches in a high corner for good luck and protection.

Vault View

The door in the distance leads to a vault which is a leftover from the building's fur days. It now houses an ever expanding workshop, a basketball hoop and firewood for the numerous fireplaces.

Supplies for sushi dinners are stored in black oriental style cabinets and boxes.

Sushi Table

A table I had previously painted with water birds became a place to enjoy a cup of tea or an intimate sushi dinner. Bookcases stained the same color as the table were rescued from duty in the store. Floral cushions are tied to solid counterparts to provide comfy seating. Recently I found the perfect ribbons to tie the pillows.

Leftside Bookcase

This bookcase houses collectibles; blue and white porceleins, Calcedon ( both real and reproduction) and various other items. A trio of Chinese warriors keep guard.

Some things old and some things new; cranes, swans bring longevity, stones bring harmony and all teapots are placed so the spouts point outwards to direct negative energies away. A pair of Fu Dogs provide protection, orchids give energy to the Chi of the room. Each item reflects only positive energies.

Workout Space

A wavebag and Total Gym® sit on rubber mat squares in front of a wall of mirrors. There is plenty of room to warm up with a Tai Chi routine, get in a little weight training and practice a few roundhouse kicks. Hopefully soon my former studio which is adjacent, will house a larger matted floor for practice.

Workout Space

Another view showing how the TV reflects in the mirror. Some people raise their eyebrows over a punching bag, forgetting that Martial Arts is indeed a form of fighting and involves many hours of bag work. This bag is water weighted and weighs around 240 pounds, giving a good representation of an opponent. And yes, I do use my gym, because I have to walk by it every day.

Orchids

A collection of orchids and bromeliads brighten a window which was best described as hopeless. A ledge was added and tiled to give them a secure home. A bamboo vine border was painted around the frameless window and a bamboo shade added. Flower pots were covered with burlap and tied with twine to provide a neutral palette for the blooms. Bamboo mats protect orchids from afternoon sun.

Dragon Mirror

A leftover mirror with wicker insert from a discarded dresser was mounted to act as a focus for the wicker trunk which stores my karate gear. My Sai case sits on top along with a calligraphy set. A television with VCR sits on an adjustable shelf ready for exercise videos and karate practice tapes. A gold dragon flies above.

A reproduction of "The Green Destiny" sword from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a conversation piece as well as a beautiful piece of craftsmanship.

Chinese Coins

Framed chinese coins adorn the wall by the bamboo. They symbolize prosperity.

Decorative dragon swords rest in a stand in front of a wall which will be mirrored with three 7'x 4' mirrors. The swords and their reflection will accent the depth created by the mirrors.

The swords feature stainless steel blades, dragon handles and intricate hilts, each of which hides two daggers.

Old factory door

The old doors were painted, trims were painted a contrasting color. Decorative wood moldings were painted gold and mounted in a design. Stencils were added above the doors. Dragon door hangers hang from the knobs. An orchid sits in a bamboo torch while my Bo staff sits in its own nook on the other side of the pipe.

Hallway

A narrow hallway is used to display martial arts certificates and retired belts. A pair of red chinese dragons add a whimsical touch to remind me of the balance between work and home. The far door leads to a complete apartment which is currently being renovated.

Stairwell

The stairwell window displays a stained glass hanging created by a local artist. This stairwell leads to the third floor.

Stairwell Corner

The stairwell was recently painted a mustard color. My dad also recently redid all the mortar on the exposed brick wall, replacing any broken bricks. This is an outside wall and the brick and mortar were crumbling and the wind was blowing in through the cracks. It is now warm and cosy thanks to dad.

The mirrors are installed, covering a 12' x 7' span, and the dragon swords take their rightful place as a focal point. It is a truly serene and welcoming place to spend my evening practice or to relax with the flowing movements of Tai Chi. It is also a very visible reminder of the journey I undertook to blackbelt and now that that journey is almost done, it seems to have become that transition space I need to go from work to preparing for class.

I hope you enjoyed visiting my sanctuary. The sound of fountains, chimes and japanese flute music greets me every day which is a source of instant relaxation. It is still a work in progress, and it was alot of work. It is a different treatment of a home gym, aimed not only at the physical side of a discipline, but also the mental and spiritual sides. It also provides a transitional room between my business on the first floor and my residence on the third floor, something very much needed if one lives and works in the same space. The simplicity and ease of maintenance makes it a welcome sight at the end of a long day, because don't we all dread working a long day and going home to be reminded that our work has just begun? The best part is that I no longer apologize when someone enters my home!

Just click onward to continue through the tour, while home will return you to the menu.

Becca, Ltd.
208 Broadway P.O. Box 325 Berlin, WI 54923 877-750-8697rm@berlinwi.com

One recent change is the conversion of the entry to the third floor. It was a big, open, ugly room on the second floor for which I have consistently apologized everytime I walked someone through on the way to my residence. This room had been the subject of debate forever. I would decide on one theme or another and just as quickly discard the ideas. For a long time it was slated to become a game room. But then I did some serious rethinking of my needs. I work too many long hours, with very little time off. So my time off has to be somewhat productive as well as enjoyable. My dream of pursuing the Martial Arts has been the focus of my free time, so what better use for a room than as a home gym, designed with this in mind.	I wanted something more than functional however. I wanted a room which reflected a new lifestyle. It needed to have serenity as a focal point, simplicity and the kind of ambiance to make it a room I would enjoy spending time in. An oriental theme seemed the only option to achieve this goal, and with a little ingenuity the theme began to take shape in my mind. But I was working within a strict budget. The carpet was removed and the floor was in terrible shape, a drop ceiling had to be turned into an asset rather than a liability as it housed a nightmare collection of ducts, vents and electrical. At every turn there were problems. My father came to the rescue with research, cost comparisons, and finallly an enormous amount of hard work on his part. (Thanks dad!) The room was completed and surpassed my expectations. And it stayed in budget!
Walls were painted a soft bamboo, and all pipes,ducts and doors were painted and camouflaged. Wicker accents were added, along with a lacquered screen. The hamper holds karate gear after use. A pretty cramic box from a North Carolina antique store.	A perpetual laminate flooring covered a very distressed floor and oak trims were finished to match.The drop ceiling was meticulously repaired; dividers painted, tiles cut perfectly to fit and to create a completely flat surface. Silk orchids mix throughout the room with live ones.
The wicker and wooden bench and cushions were a gift from my parents. Two sconces flank the bench, filled with ivy and orchids. My Eskrima sticks sit in ready reach in hooks, handy for those late night noises. Lanterns and Fen Shui chimes hang in the foreground. Dragon grass mats add a practical touch.	Shelves were replaced in an existing storage unit and painted on the edges with bamboo vines. The ledge was covered with faux tiles creating the perfect home for one of the lighted fountains. An oriental design umbrella stand holds bamboo of varying lengths. A decorative corner protector was painted in soft contrasts. A new light fixture was added. The corner became the media nook, storing martial arts books, martial arts videos, CDs and boom box. A new light fixture brightens everything, while a gargoyle perches in a high corner for good luck and protection.
The door in the distance leads to a vault which is a leftover from the building's fur days. It now houses an ever expanding workshop, a basketball hoop and firewood for the numerous fireplaces. Supplies for sushi dinners are stored in black oriental style cabinets and boxes.	A table I had previously painted with water birds became a place to enjoy a cup of tea or an intimate sushi dinner. Bookcases stained the same color as the table were rescued from duty in the store. Floral cushions are tied to solid counterparts to provide comfy seating. Recently I found the perfect ribbons to tie the pillows.
This bookcase houses collectibles; blue and white porceleins, Calcedon ( both real and reproduction) and various other items. A trio of Chinese warriors keep guard.	Some things old and some things new; cranes, swans bring longevity, stones bring harmony and all teapots are placed so the spouts point outwards to direct negative energies away. A pair of Fu Dogs provide protection, orchids give energy to the Chi of the room. Each item reflects only positive energies.


A wavebag and Total Gym® sit on rubber mat squares in front of a wall of mirrors. There is plenty of room to warm up with a Tai Chi routine, get in a little weight training and practice a few roundhouse kicks. Hopefully soon my former studio which is adjacent, will house a larger matted floor for practice.	Another view showing how the TV reflects in the mirror. Some people raise their eyebrows over a punching bag, forgetting that Martial Arts is indeed a form of fighting and involves many hours of bag work. This bag is water weighted and weighs around 240 pounds, giving a good representation of an opponent. And yes, I do use my gym, because I have to walk by it every day.
A collection of orchids and bromeliads brighten a window which was best described as hopeless. A ledge was added and tiled to give them a secure home. A bamboo vine border was painted around the frameless window and a bamboo shade added. Flower pots were covered with burlap and tied with twine to provide a neutral palette for the blooms. Bamboo mats protect orchids from afternoon sun.	A leftover mirror with wicker insert from a discarded dresser was mounted to act as a focus for the wicker trunk which stores my karate gear. My Sai case sits on top along with a calligraphy set. A television with VCR sits on an adjustable shelf ready for exercise videos and karate practice tapes. A gold dragon flies above.
A reproduction of "The Green Destiny" sword from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a conversation piece as well as a beautiful piece of craftsmanship.	Framed chinese coins adorn the wall by the bamboo. They symbolize prosperity.
Decorative dragon swords rest in a stand in front of a wall which will be mirrored with three 7'x 4' mirrors. The swords and their reflection will accent the depth created by the mirrors.	The swords feature stainless steel blades, dragon handles and intricate hilts, each of which hides two daggers.
The old doors were painted, trims were painted a contrasting color. Decorative wood moldings were painted gold and mounted in a design. Stencils were added above the doors. Dragon door hangers hang from the knobs. An orchid sits in a bamboo torch while my Bo staff sits in its own nook on the other side of the pipe.	A narrow hallway is used to display martial arts certificates and retired belts. A pair of red chinese dragons add a whimsical touch to remind me of the balance between work and home. The far door leads to a complete apartment which is currently being renovated.
The stairwell window displays a stained glass hanging created by a local artist. This stairwell leads to the third floor.	The stairwell was recently painted a mustard color. My dad also recently redid all the mortar on the exposed brick wall, replacing any broken bricks. This is an outside wall and the brick and mortar were crumbling and the wind was blowing in through the cracks. It is now warm and cosy thanks to dad.