This Professional Baker Has a Gorgeous Cake Studio in Her Backyard

Between baking equipment, soccer gear and all the other everyday items in between, Tina and Patrick were feeling crammed into their home. As a professional baker, the mother of two needed her own space to get her fondant on, while the boys were absolutely clamouring for an area to expel some of their energy. Add in Patrick’s desire for a family deck and these homeowners knew they had to call in contractor Brian McCourt and designer Sarah Keenleyside for help. Check out the customized cake studio, soccer court and family-sized deck the dynamic duo were able to fit into this outdoor space, making this backyard the envy of everyone on the block.

1 / 10

Decorative Doors

Sarah really wanted to make an impact with the doors to this cake studio, so she created an entrance to remember. With decorative trim, all-season siding and a statement colour that adds a pretty and modern touch, we’d say she did a bang-up job. Add in a small vertical herb garden in antique pots and a small outdoor table where Tina can sit and muse about her newest creations, and this is a home away from home.

2 / 10

White and Bright

Inside Sarah transformed the space into a bright working area that feels like a kitchen… but one situated in a backyard, of course. The beautiful tiles add texture to the room but the white finishes keep it open and airy. There also happens to be storage everywhere you look.

3 / 10

Marble Countertop

This gorgeous marble countertop is perfect for rolling out dough and fondant or just for whipping up a good old fashioned cake batter. Aside from looking great, it’s also a breeze to clean. Meanwhile a fully functional (rolling) sink and storage at the back give extra prep space, and the extra shelves above are great for storage and display purposes.

4 / 10

DIY Display Board

We love, love, love the way Sarah transformed this board into a work of art thanks to a simple decal she had printed with Tina’s favourite go-to recipe. It adds a unique, personal touch to the space but it also serves as a display shelf for all of Tina’s pretty plates. This feels like the entrance of a cake shop, not a little barn tucked away into someone’s backyard.

5 / 10

Worldly Tiles

These intricate, old school European tiles are elegant and add a real design detail to a room. In a small space like the barn they completely transform the space and make it feel elegant and slightly luxurious.

6 / 10

A Cupcake Display

You can’t have a baking studio without having a display of cupcakes. After all, something needs to inspire all of your baking endeavours and get the kids in there to visit every once in a while.

7 / 10

Separate Spaces

There are plenty of new wood features to draw the eye in this backyard, but it’s all sectioned off in order to feel like an open-concept living space. The deck is an extension of the home itself while the actual baking studio feels like a separate, zen creation. Note the netting by the grass? It’s yet another genius idea so that Tina and Patrick can hang out outside without soccer balls coming at their heads.

8 / 10

Room for Eight

This beautiful, painted table is all-season and it adds a nice pop of colour to the porch, making it seem larger than it actually is. Thanks to the benches the area seats lots of extra people, but it can also serve as a lounge area, too.

9 / 10

Bonus Storage

This bench seating isn’t just genius in that it adds extra room for family members and guests; it also doubles as extra storage for all of the kids’ sporting equipment and toys. If Tina and Patrick can actually get their kids to pick up their stuff, of course.

10 / 10

Faux Terrain

What do you do when you’re tasked with creating a soccer area for two boys but the homeowners aren’t exactly fond of lawn maintenance? You give them an artificial turf lawn, of course. Now the guys can play all day and no one ever has to break out a mower. This back yard might not be huge, but it certainly is mighty. And now thanks to Brian and Sarah it has something for everyone in this family.