alright, alright… pictures of my little design studio
BUT, before I show you my tiny world of design… I insist on sharing this quote with you… it has been taped to my computer screen since the birth of this business…
"Goodness is more important than greatness,
And compassion more eventful than passion."
- Sambo Mockbee
Are you familiar with Sambo Mockbee? If not, you should read this, written by DK Ruth, a professor I had for History of Architecture while at Auburn. Sambo Mockbee’s daughter Carol was a fellow Interior Design grad with me at Auburn. Her father (a professor of Architecture and creator behind the Rural Studio) passed away during our time at Auburn, but his legacy (built on goodness and compassion) will forever live on. If my memory serves me right – that quote came from this book. So many designers get caught up in being "great" but how sad to miss the "goodness" in this business, I hate to think that it is rare to sincerely love "your job" and to do it with compassion for others. Okay… the pictures…
Paisley – definitely the sweetest little thing in this place.
Left side of my credenza… still deciding where to hang my collection of letter Es. Mega bulletin board is nothing fancy… just a 4′ x 8′ board from Staples – I covered it in white duck canvas and added upholstery tacks. If you are a Mac lover – you may wonder why I don’t have one… one reason: AutoCAD. Not compatible with a Mac. Maybe some day. I’ve thought about getting a Mac for graphics and presentation stuff… but we’ll see.
Right side of credenza… more inspiration stuff on bulletin board… handy dandy {almost vintage now} HP all-in-one which I use for scanning only… little engine that could. Diploma, sideways, waiting for the perfect place to hang her. Heather – see your bedside table fabric… your skirts shipped Monday – get excited (I really wanted it to be a surprise, but I just blew it)!!
Penelope… guard dog… she bit Buddy (the UPS man) last week. She’s still grounded. Blurry because she’s fast and moves a lot.
Printer station… (big bad printer bottom left) wall hung sorting cabinet (antique mall Nashville $14)- can’t see it too well… but it’s crunchy and peeling and from beneath the ivory paint is a light blue. Makes me smile. This sorter holds biz cards, paint fan decks, specialty paper, tags, envelopes, stamps, stickers, etc. Beneath it hangs an Ikea rod that holds cup for scissors, box cutters, Xacto knives. Afore mentioned orange boxes from dad. White lamp waiting for a home.
Receipt center… not very exciting, but very necessary. More daily system bins from PB in the filing closet – too messy to photograph now.
Bathroom. Chance and I laid every piece of that subway tile. I used to like subway tile.
Only one mirror is hung… so I’ll save a wide angle shot for later. Behind those mirrors is the shower area (still awaiting frameless glass to separate vanities from wet shower area)… see shower head coming from ceiling. Towel warmers… not being put to good use – hanging curtain panels from them… curtains on towel warmer go in window behind tub… will take another picture later when they are hung. Shower system is Grohe. If you want a sweet shower system – go Grohe. When the shower is done (floor isn’t even grouted yet) I’ll snap some more shots – there are 2 shower heads (ceiling) and 2 body sprays, 2 thermo valves (dual temperatures) and 2 towel warmers (so no one has to share)… hope someday to use this shower! Oh and also in the shower… there is a bath tub niche… I insisted… more later.
Front entry – my baby… a circa 1925 (art deco) wedding cake light fixture. Re-wired by my husband. Dad and mom gave this to me for Christmas 5 years ago. I found it here… Joe Ley Architectural Salvage in Louisville, Kentucky. I lost sleep over this when I saw it – didn’t buy it – then went back the following week and it was gone. Upset would be an understatement. Gone, only because my dad tore down there and bought it for me. Thanks dad. Love you.
Wide shot of my space.
I’m sort of embarrassed that this is what I refer to as a "clean desk".
And… the "tidy" women work here at this big island… {scary how obvious by the cleanliness}:
Archipelago candle from Patchouli’s (best little apothecary shop in the world)… Pink Grapefruit is the flavor. MMMM.
Where’s Waldo? Do you see Penelope? Barn doors that separate me and my mess from the tidy women in my world. Barn doors from Architectural Heritage in Birmingham, Alabama. Bought them online, risky, but sometimes risky is worth it. School house pendant over my desk… old and original from Apalachicola annual yard sale (paid $8 for it – bought all 5 that the guy had) rewired myself.
Little niche by front door… the Keep Calm that was damaged in shipping, new and perfect one is at the frame shop. Do you know Keep Calm? Their service was unreal. My "eye chart" as Chance refers to it… is being framed right now too:
read: You Can Rarely See What Is Right In Front Of You
Kitchen… stainless sink system (5 sinks in an 11′ long single unit) came from a side-of-the-road flea market in Alabama (photos in Christmas recap post). Icemaker (nearest) and 18" dishwasher (awaiting stainless panel) finally were installed this weekend (thank you Chance). GM boys checking on a stainless panel for the dishwasher. Uncoated brass (the only way to do brass – "uncoated" meaning it will patina) cabinet pulls custom designed by me and my plumbing supplier. They will patina out to a dull brass. They are intended for plumbing – used around here for the popular "Seaside Shower" – outdoor showers that weather well with salt water air. Love the contrast against the stainless. The ikea lights have brass fittings on them also, but the light is so glared you can hardly tell (sorry the picture quality stinks). Upper cabinets from my precious friend Jen’s father. A plumber in the hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio scored those 2 when they "upgraded" the cabinets in the hospital many many years ago. Jen’s father {"Pops"} gave us these cabinets (as in, they were free) and we are forever grateful. WE LOVE THEM. They have shelves – we still need to put them in.
Opposite the sinks (galley kitchen) are the under-counter fridge, freezer, and slide in dual-fuel range. And just what everyone keeps atop their freezer – rug samples and hanging files. And the gray rubbermaid storage box will soon make its way to the garage.
The floors are Benjamin Moore "Camouflage".
Upper counters – Cloud White Zodiaq Quartz. Would have been Carrara Marble, but I found a remnant of Cloud White.
Vintage coke machine also serves as a great dog food and water bowl station.
Basket storage and bulletin board shelf… not being put to very good use… need to be better about "putting things back".
I spared you the conference table, because I had a meeting and "messed" it up today.
The end.
by Erika
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