Transforming My Home- an Artist’s Master Plan
PART I
I share a multi-generational home in Pinole with my husband, younger sibling, and mother-in-law. Lately, I've been yearning to transform our interiors into something truly special. After five years of living here, it's time to create a space that reflects our unique tastes and personalities.
Inspired by the brilliance of interior designers, architects, and builders I've worked with as an artist, I've come to appreciate the art of crafting beautiful homes. Admittedly, viewing gorgeous multi-million-dollar homes has left me with extravagant tastes, but being an artist has its perks. My varied skills and connections to fellow artisans enable me to explore high-quality and custom interiors that I can afford. So, I've decided to embark on a personal design journey and breathe life into our living space.
The Plan
Before diving headfirst into the nitty-gritty details, I've crafted a thoughtful workbook for my husband and me to fill out over time. By doing so, we can gradually create the home of our dreams. I've learned that starting with an overview of the big picture is crucial, much like how I approach drawing and sculpture. I've linked to a copy to the Google Doc here. It’s a work in progress, so expect some updates.
Choosing My Style and Themes
There are so many home styles to choose from. Fom the opulent Maximalist to the sleek Minimalist, Traditional to Modern, and Rustic to Contemporary – there's an ocean of possibilities. To kickstart our design journey, I delved into Pinterest, saving pins that captivated my imagination. To better organize my thoughts, I created a board for every room of my home. I also have a professional account with ideas ranging from themed interiors to hardware. You can follow me here.
Themes can be the driving force behind a home's personality. Some may opt for a thematic approach tied to the style of their house, such as Spanish Mediterranean, Tudor, or Craftsman. Others might even embrace whimsical themes like Barbiecore, medieval fantasy, or dark academia. While some might raise an eyebrow at these choices, I firmly believe that art and design should be an expression of oneself. If you desire a Star Trek-themed home, go for it! Just ensure it's executed with the same craftsmanship and attention to detail as any other design. I would not want plastic props in a home, I prefer beautifully crafted, long-lasting decor instead.
Our style has been defined by my husband's preferences – he suggested a cozy home teeming with plants, mood lighting, and an abundance of art adorning every surface. Lucky me, I married an art enthusiast! So, our home will boast an artistic bohemian vibe, with a touch of maximalism to satiate my creative spirit. My love for organic design will also play a role, allowing us to blend various trends into a unique and personal aesthetic. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but that's perfectly fine – we're designing it for ourselves, after all.
Colors and Materials: A Palette of Possibilities
Color theory is a vast and fascinating realm, worthy of its own blog post. For now, I'll spare the details, but I encourage you to explore the color wheel, understand tints and shades, and delve into the world of LRV (light reflective value).
As for materials, we've opted to streamline our choices by selecting a few key elements to repeat throughout the home. Sanded and sealed redwood along with some maple will form the foundation of our shelves and tables, adding warmth and character to our living space. My love for forged iron furniture will undoubtedly take center stage. We already have plenty of my handcrafted furniture, and I can't wait to create more pieces to sprinkle throughout our home. (You can see some of the work I currently have in my home below.)
Mixing metals might draw some criticism, but we're fully embracing it. In our artistic boho haven, bronze hardware will shine alongside forged iron, lending an air of creativity and uniqueness to our decor. Luckily, my skills and leftover materials will allow me to handmake every piece of hardware.
Outdoors, we'll let our creativity flow as we explore wood and concrete, shaped in molds or sawed and assembled, adding an artistic touch to the natural environment.
The Road Ahead: A Labor of Love
With the plan in place, it's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Undertaking all the labor ourselves, we know it'll be a long and challenging journey. But with passion, creativity, and a shared vision, we're excited to watch our living space gradually transform into a personalized retreat.
This will be a years-long journey. I promise to share the ups and downs of our design adventure, making it enjoyable and informative for all who follow along.
