Designing Home
Welcome to my personal family room, the heart of our home. This space is an authentic expression of our family's relaxed lifestyle. In the spring and summer here in Colorado, our doors & windows are always open.
We have a long way to go with updating our 1911 Victorian cottage. As true with most designer homes, it is never quite finished. It is a continual work of art where fresh ideas and discoveries fit with an ever changing canvas.
Approachable, English country homes that feel lived in, with dirt on the floor from the garden and windows thrown open – that feels like home to me.
Brass details, chippy paint, floral motifs, and colors found in nature were the foundational elements. From there, I layered in some of my favorite collected antiques & textiles. Pieces with patina, marks, and imperfections - nothing is too precious for everyday living.
Mixing styles and pieces from different places and time periods brings energy and life into the home. The best part is that every piece has a history and it is always a pleasure to share their stories.
The Swedish bow front chest surprisingly fit in the nook perfectly, and the scale of the piece and interesting hardware spoke to me when I purchased it years ago from one of my favorite dealers.
The French black glass lamp and Spanish metal sunflower pendant are Round Top finds. The sofa and English trunk used as a coffee table were both found at auction.
The 19th c. French corner cabinet was the first piece we purchased together. It was in storage as it was too tall for our rental house, and it now has a home. If you love something, you will always find a place for it (eventually!).
The wool rug, layered on top of my favorite affordable seagrass rug, carries a pattern inspired by a traditional Swedish design. During the long Colorado winter, the lively color brought me so much joy.
“Color is good for the soul, it can soothe you and excite you, it can make you smile.”
Collecting does not have to be intimidating – buy what your eye is drawn to and start slowly. Learn what you love by attending antique fairs, visiting historical homes, and reading design books.
As I was designing this space, I consulted a few of my favorite coffee table books: At Home by Isabel López-Quesada, Stephen Sills By Stephen Sills, and Three Houses by Rose Tarlow.
As we continue to update and design our cottage, my hope is to bring you along and share details on design selections, antique finds and the inspiration and planning for the remaining spaces of our personal home.
Thank you for following along!
