A Creative Space in Kensal Rise, West London

The Story Behind My Garden Studio

For years, my art studio was just a spare room in our tiny London flat. It worked well enough, I even taught my first watercolor workshops there. But when the pandemic hit and my husband and I were both working from home, I knew I needed more space. I also dreamed of a garden, a place where I could be surrounded by plants while painting.

Photo taken in 2017 by Etsy for the article 'A Day in the Life of CreativeIngrid'

When we found our current home in Kensal Rise, I immediately fell in love with the little wooden shed in the garden. It wasn’t much—no heating, no lights—but I saw its potential. We gave it some love, and I named her La Casita (Spanish for "small house"). It became my cozy, sunlit sanctuary for painting and teaching.

Fast forward three years, and I was ready for something more permanent. I had spent enough time in La Casita to know exactly what I needed: more space, warmth for year-round use, and plenty of natural light. Construction started in January 2024, and within a week, La Casita 2.0 was standing—still charming but now bigger, better, and fully insulated (hello, underfloor heating!).


La Casita, December 2020	La Casita, August 2023

The new space fits up to 8 students, has large windows, glass doors, and even a few skylights for that all-important natural light. The walls are crisp white, the floors light wood, and my worktable? A DIY creation using kitchen cabinets for storage and a custom board on top. Everything is on wheels, so I can rearrange the space as needed.

Watercolor Workshops with Ingrid Sanchez in Kensal Rise, West London

La Casita 2.0 - Ready for the first creative workshop!

By April 2024, I was welcoming students into my new studio, and it's been a joy to see my garden bloom while I work. La Casita has evolved, but its heart remains the same, a space for creativity, connection, and a little bit of magic.

Curious to see it in action? Join me for a workshop and experience the magic of painting in my garden studio!