A few of you know that my passion next to dogs and pet photography is interior design, a love I got from my mom. I’ve had an awesome time decorating my new place. While it’s far from done, I’m a lot farther than I was when I moved in.
The outside of the back door on the left. The inside of the door on the right. The home was owned for many years by gardeners, hence the little garden tool door knocker. And the inside of the door is covered with chalkboard paint. I scribbled this on there the day we moved in in February, and it has remained that way ever since.
The inside of the house is filled with character too. I usually try and keep fresh flowers on the kitchen counter.
The dining room has a built-in cabinet with leaded glass doors, perfect for a liquour cabinet. And those who know me know I love my fancy spirits.
Below on the right is an adorable little painting my friend Angie did of Fergie as a housewarming gift for me. If you haven’t yet seen her work, you must check out Art by Angie, and think about commissioning a piece of your own smily pooch.
Below is the original tile wood-burning fireplace, topped by a white wood mantle . I *love* the fireplace. I’m working on finding the perfect accessories for the mantle, which will most likely include a terrarium and ceramic vase from etsy, but for now I have my hand-carved oaxacan antelope, a very special college graduation present from my dad. We had seen the antelope in a store in oldtown in San Diego, and fell in love with it. A week later when we got home, my dad surprised me with it at my graduation party. I cried happy tears.
Below is an oil painting my mom did in the 70’s that’s hanging in my dining room. I have a very similar, much larger painting hanging in my living room, both of which are framed in simple chunky maplewood frames. I love the funky 70’s retro feel of the paintings, and love that they were done by my own mom. (Go mom!)
On the right below is a large acrylic painting I did many years ago, a centerpiece in the bedroom. The painting is titled ‘water’. Not as industrious or cool as my mom’s oil paintings (acrylic is much easier than oil!), but I still love it nonetheless.
One of my biggest splurges below- the white leather bed. *Love*. (Both the headboard and footboard are tufted leather like you see below).
The bedroom has a Hollywood Regency flair, with whites, silvers and blues. Lots of reflective surfaces and cool colors.
The master bathroom below, where I turned a cloth shower curtain into a lovely light-filtering window panel.
With a large custom travertine tile walk-in shower in the master bathroom, and a jacuzzi tub in the guest bath, I’ve never been more spoiled in a house. The window below is in the shower, and required a little creative privacy solution. That’s just regular frosted window film topped with a removable wall decal.
And finally, my new home office. I love, love this space. It’s super bright and airy, which I think is due in large part to both the freshly painted white walls AND white painted floor and large windows. The office is perfectly utilitarian, and has an awesome walk-in closet with a packaging station and large filing cabinet. It’s downright perfect for my modest little business.
When I had my office at Studio 116 I wasn’t sure I’d ever be happy having a home office again, but since I’ve been working from home now for about 10 months I don’t think I’d ever have it any other way and don’t ever plan to have an office/studio away from home again. The key was figuring out a way to keep all business supplies and ‘junk’ confined to one space, and being able to truly have a private personal space away from business. With this house nothing work-wise leaks out of the office, so all I need to do when I’m done for the day is just close the office door. Love it.
I still fill my office with inspiring little personal effects, including this framed print, one of the first pet photos I ever took about 10 years ago, using black and white film. That’s Lucy and Willa.
Did y’all get your 2010 Cowbelly Wall Calendar?
The next thing I need to get for my office is a comfortable white chair. I have one in mind that I love.
A most inspiring office window view. The red rhododendrons you saw in the last post are just outside this window. I watch the little squirrel family run and play outside under the monkey tree. Yep, definitely beats being in a hot stuffy studio!
Thanks for your patience with these posts, and hope you enjoyed the little inside peek at my world! For more behind-the scenes, follow me on twitter, and check out my updates on Facebook.
