Type
Commercial
Location
Echo Park, CA
Year
2024
Area
1,600 sq ft
Materials
900 board feet of reclaimed cedar and pine
Timeline
5 weeks
Budget Range
$30,000 - $40,000
Wood Species Used
- Reclaimed Western Red Cedar (wall cladding)
- Reclaimed Eastern White Pine (reception counter & shelving)
Finishes Applied
- Natural clear matte on cedar
- Light satin polyurethane on pine
Project Story
This yoga and wellness studio in Echo Park was designed to be a sanctuary — a quiet, calming space that immediately puts visitors at ease. The studio owner, a longtime yoga practitioner, wanted natural materials that would engage the senses and reinforce the mindfulness philosophy of the practice.
We recommended reclaimed Western red cedar for the main studio wall cladding based on its natural aromatic properties. Cedar releases a subtle, pleasant scent that has been shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation — a perfect material for a yoga environment. Our cedar was sourced from a residential fence replacement project in Topanga Canyon, where the wood had been protecting a property for over 25 years.
The cedar was installed as a feature wall spanning the full 40-foot length of the main studio, creating a continuous backdrop of warm reddish-brown wood that students face during practice. The boards were installed in a random-width pattern using 4, 6, and 8-inch widths to create visual interest without distraction.
The reception area features a custom counter built from reclaimed Eastern white pine — a soft, inviting wood with a light honey tone that contrasts beautifully with the darker cedar. Behind the counter, open shelving in the same pine displays retail products, yoga accessories, and plants.
We intentionally kept the finish treatment minimal on all wood surfaces — a clear matte coat on the cedar to protect it while allowing its natural scent to permeate the space, and a light satin polyurethane on the pine for durability at the high-touch reception area.
The studio has been operating for over a year and the cedar wall continues to emit a subtle fragrance, especially during heated yoga classes when the room temperature rises. The owner reports that the wood element is the single most-commented-on feature of the space.
Before & After
BBefore
The previous tenant was a hair salon, and the space featured floor-to-ceiling mirrors on one wall, vinyl flooring, fluorescent lighting, and acoustic tile ceilings. The space felt clinical and harsh — the opposite of the calming environment needed for a yoga studio. All previous finishes needed to be removed.
AAfter
The studio is now a warm, natural sanctuary. The 40-foot cedar feature wall creates a stunning backdrop of rich, aromatic wood. The reception area features an inviting pine counter and shelving filled with plants and wellness products. The space feels grounded, calm, and organic — qualities that students consistently cite as reasons they chose this studio over others in the area.
Material Specifications
Feature Wall
Reclaimed Western red cedar, random widths (4", 6", 8"), ~25 years old from Topanga Canyon fence removal. Clear matte finish to preserve aroma.
Reception Counter
Reclaimed Eastern white pine, 1.5" thick top with waterfall edges, light satin polyurethane finish.
Display Shelving
Reclaimed Eastern white pine, 1x10" boards on concealed bracket mounts, matching counter finish.
Project Timeline
Design Consultation
1 weekMet with the studio owner to understand the desired atmosphere. Recommended cedar for its aromatic and aesthetic properties.
Material Preparation
1 weekCleaned and surfaced all cedar boards. Sorted by width for random-width installation pattern. Built reception counter and shelving in our shop.
Wall Installation
1.5 weeksInstalled furring strips on the studio wall. Mounted 40 linear feet of cedar cladding in random-width pattern. Applied clear matte finish.
Reception & Finish Work
1.5 weeksInstalled reception counter and shelving. Final finishing touches and cleaning.
Challenges & Solutions
Challenge
The cedar boards from the fence had nail holes and surface staining from metal fence hardware that would be visible on the finished wall.
Solution
We positioned boards so that nail holes fell in less visible areas near the floor and ceiling. For unavoidable holes in visible areas, we filled them with cedar-tinted wood filler. Surface stains were removed with a light sanding that preserved the overall patina.
Challenge
The studio runs heated yoga classes at 95-105 degrees F, which could cause wood to dry out, shrink, and gap over time.
Solution
We installed the cedar with 1/16" spacing between boards to allow for movement. We also recommended that the studio maintain a basic humidifier to prevent excessive drying during heated sessions. After one year, the wall has performed perfectly.
“The cedar wall changed everything about this space. When students walk in, you can see their shoulders drop as they take their first breath. The scent, the warmth, the texture — it all works together to create the environment we dreamed of. And knowing the wood was reclaimed aligns perfectly with the yoga principle of ahimsa — non-harm.”
Jennifer L.
Studio Owner & Instructor