A few years ago, I learned not to chase happiness, but to seek peace in my life, and that way of thinking has changed the way I decorate. I have just finished refreshing a space that has needed one for a long time, a downstairs study that has been feeling really bad for a long time.
The space was originally a formal dining room, then turned into a children’s space (here are pictures from 2012) and I reinvented it to be a room for relaxing, reading, playing games or dreaming quietly by the fire.
I like the quote: “If you have a library and a garden, you have everything you need.” Translation: a room full of books you love and plant babies is extra special.
The framed artwork is one of several vintage landscapes I have listed in my Etsy shop. The candlesticks are wireless, I cut the wires and used the rechargeable bulbs that come with the remote instead. I’ve done it before, it’s so easy to add lights to the walls using battery operated or rechargeable bulbs.
My son is an excellent chess player, so I offer to beat him from time to time. 🙂
It’s not a big space, only 10 feet wide and 14 feet long. The blue sofa seen below used to live in the family room (see it here) but I replaced it with a white sofa I had in a studio I rented years ago, so now the white sofa is in the family room and the blue one found here a new home. We had it custom ordered through a local furniture maker here in our town ten years ago.
A favorite element of this space is the art collection. While traveling, we collected several pieces of fine art from galleries in Italy and California, and street artists around the world, and I thought it would be nice to bring them all together in one space. A few oil paintings hang over the table, along with watercolor prints I bought from artists in Montreal, Salzburg and Quebec City.
I can’t believe it took me so long to frame and hang them together. I remember so clearly the moment I bought these prints on various artist trips around the world. I deliberately chose decorative frames to display them, they feel timeless.
I’ve had this walnut campaign table since my Las Vegas renovation days, we brought it back to Uhaul years ago, you can see it in this sunroom I blogged about six years ago. I love this wooden writing desk and good news, it’s still available at World Market! I would buy this desk over and over again for any home office.
Another favorite accent in this space is the recessed lighting fixture with gold leaf. I kept this one for almost a year and finally bought it. I absolutely love the elegant leaf detailing and the little accent lights, it’s so pretty at night when it’s all lit up.
This space has become a favorite hangout spot for our family cat.
Do yourself a favor and buy or DIY a slimmer sofa table with charger like this one. It’s great for plugging in your headphones, tablet or phone, it’s also a place to put drinks and takes up so little space. Under the window the shorter version allows the curtains to fall to the side, I’m surprised how much I use and love this inexpensive table. 🙂
I found twelve yards of fabric in a box that I had completely forgotten about when I was cleaning the house from top to bottom back in September. I loved the heavy weight of it and the terracotta, green and blue colors in the botanical fabric, so I sewed the panels into the pleat curtains for a custom look using this pleat tape, it was easy if you know how to sew a straight line with a sewing machine. The pillows were sourced from HomeGoods and Target.
I had the idea to further soften the space with linen curtains at the entrance. There are two entryways without doors very close together and I wanted to give the space a slightly more enclosed feel without the expense or loss of space that comes with installing doors so I added soft fabric panels instead. Hear magic. There is something about the space behind the curtains that lures you in and makes you think “what’s inside?”.
The study peeks out into our dining room and family room just beyond, so whenever you’re lounging inside, you can still be connected to the activities going on around the house.
To keep the magic going, I kept two strings of battery-powered twinkle lights from my Christmas stash and hung them around the bookshelves. I don’t think twinkle lights should go away in January, they are so charming they should be a part of winter decor, don’t you agree?
Collected memories, books and family photos fill an old bookcase that fits on the short wall between the two entrances to this space.
The space is not “designer”, it’s more a collection of old furniture rotated, stacked books, hanging memorabilia and art gathered in one space that looks like a throwback, like it’s not clear what decade you’re in, which I love. I will be spending a lot of time here during the winter months.
Oh, and the fireplace is electric! Check out this collection of modern electric fireplaces that you can add to your spaces to make them cozier.
___
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Your living spaces should be a reflection of what makes YOU most comfortable and what brings YOU the most joy. Interiors designed solely to show the world are not truly authentic living spaces. Be true to yourself. Who cares if it’s not magazine worthy, what matters is how YOU feel. And at the end of the day I can say that I feel so comfortable in this space filled with softness, warmth and memories.
Love to you all and Happy New Year friends.