When Petra set out to create her own dog grooming salon, she imagined a space that felt welcoming, full of character and beautifully suited to her cottage garden setting. That vision is now a reality with her Glendale Cedar studio, which has become the home of Little Cottage Dog Grooming in Moss Vale.
Designing a Space with Character
Petra wanted a space that reflected both her business and her home. The Glendale Cedar studio offered the warmth and traditional details she was looking for, particularly the timber construction and the classic colonial-style windows and doors. The design felt perfectly aligned with the charm of her garden and the feel of her business.
Guidance from her mum, Megan, played an important role in the decision. With experience in building, design and colour consulting, Megan helped Petra navigate the planning process and ultimately led her to Stilla.
“My Mum guided me in the right direction to use Stilla for my salon and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome,” Petra says. “Stilla were incredibly helpful, making the process very timely and easy.”
A Studio That Complements the Home
Petra had recently renovated her home, which features Monument walls and a Cottage Green roof, so it was important that the studio complemented the existing palette.
The Glendale’s Cottage Green roof option made the choice easy. Petra then stained the cedar using Intergrain Charcoal, tying the studio beautifully into the colours of the house.
The result is a structure that feels like a natural extension of the property rather than an addition.
Perfectly Suited to a Cottage Garden
The Glendale Cedar studio also suited Petra’s cottage garden perfectly. With her business named Little Cottage Dog Grooming, the style and scale of the studio felt just right for the space.
Set among the garden, the cedar studio blends naturally into its surroundings while providing a dedicated professional space just steps from Petra’s home.
Customising the Interior
Inside, Petra transformed the studio into a fully functional grooming salon.
She added an extra window and double doors to bring in more light and improve access. The interior was insulated and lined, with waterproof vinyl flooring installed over the subfloor to create a practical, easy-to-clean workspace. Lighting, shelving and carefully chosen decorations completed the fit-out and brought the space to life.
“Everything went together so well and being able to add the little extras really pulled my dream salon together,” Petra explains.
Crafted with Quality
What Petra loves most about the studio is its character and craftsmanship.
“The look of it, the character and how well constructed it is are my favourite things. It has worked so well for my business.”
The Glendale Cedar studio delivers both aesthetic appeal and durability, making it a perfect foundation for a backyard business.
A Dream Brought to Life
Creating the salon has been a special journey for Petra, supported by family, clients and the right outdoor studio.
“Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped create my dream dog grooming salon,” she says. “Stilla for a perfect cedar studio that fits into my little cottage garden and has worked so well to make my dog grooming business become a reality. Our builder helped pull everything together, and my amazing Mum put so much energy into helping make this happen. Her expertise in building, creativity and planning is incredible.”
Petra is also grateful for the support of her clients, many of whom patiently waited while the salon was being completed.
Today, her Glendale Cedar studio is more than a beautiful addition to the garden. It is the heart of a growing local business and a space where Petra can welcome both clients and their dogs into a calm, thoughtfully designed environment.
You can see more of Petra’s work and follow her salon on Instagram at @littlecottagedoggrooms.
