My Houzz: An Artist's Home and Studio Exudes Creativity and Personality
This Californian artist has created her home around her art, and her art around her home
Margot Hartford
25 January 2015
Houzz Contributor. Interiors photographer in the Bay Area for over 15 years. Publications include Veranda, California Home & Design, Sunset Magazine and Better Homes and Gardens.
Houzz Contributor. Interiors photographer in the Bay Area for over 15 years. Publications... More
Artist Marie Van Elder has always made her home integral to her work. She uses it as a studio, workshop and gallery. The walls are filled with work by her and by her artist friends, and the largest room in the house is her studio space. The rooms have been rearranged as the family has evolved, but the art has always been part of every room. ‘In a way the art has been part of the house as much as the house has been part of the art,’ she says.
Marie’s daughters grew up around her art and ‘would come home from school and go running to see what I did that day,’ she says. And they would sometimes work beside her on their own projects. Although Marie uses one room primarily as her studio, she says, ‘Frankly the whole house has been used for art: the kitchen counters, the patio, the garage for art classes for kids, the attic for storage and all the walls for exhibition space. My daughters will tell you that the smell of linseed oil is the smell of home.’
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Marie Van Elder and her dog, Gazou
Location Marin County, California
Size 3 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Year built 1922
That’s interesting Marie moved the main door from the front of the house to the side. ‘I didn’t want people walking straight into my living room,’ she says.
Marie’s daughters grew up around her art and ‘would come home from school and go running to see what I did that day,’ she says. And they would sometimes work beside her on their own projects. Although Marie uses one room primarily as her studio, she says, ‘Frankly the whole house has been used for art: the kitchen counters, the patio, the garage for art classes for kids, the attic for storage and all the walls for exhibition space. My daughters will tell you that the smell of linseed oil is the smell of home.’
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Marie Van Elder and her dog, Gazou
Location Marin County, California
Size 3 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Year built 1922
That’s interesting Marie moved the main door from the front of the house to the side. ‘I didn’t want people walking straight into my living room,’ she says.
The largest room in the house is used for Marie’s studio. The vaulted ceilings are original to this Mediterranean-style house, as is the light fixture.
Marie, seen here, kept the original curved arches and pillars intact, and everything is painted white to allow the light to bounce around the rooms. The garden walls are also painted white to bounce as much light around as possible.
Marie keeps everything organised in the living room–turned–studio by using boxes and old crates. The windows look out to the garden, which surrounds the house on three sides.
Along with using a few easels, the artist also likes to work on a flat surface, depending on the project. This large worktable is ideal for that.
Discover simple ways to bring art into your home
Discover simple ways to bring art into your home
Although her daughters are off at university, the house, Marie says, ‘does not feel as empty to me, especially since there are a lot of paintings of the girls displayed.’
Sofa and ottoman, Summer House. Paintings, Marie Van Elder.
Sofa and ottoman, Summer House. Paintings, Marie Van Elder.
Since the original living room has become the studio, Marie has put the smaller rooms to use as hangout areas.
Corner sofa, Tillary from West Elm. Cushions, Anthropologie. Painting, Leo Bersamina. Leather chair, Summer House.
Corner sofa, Tillary from West Elm. Cushions, Anthropologie. Painting, Leo Bersamina. Leather chair, Summer House.
This small room off the kitchen has a daybed, which has turned it into a relaxing retreat.
Cushions and blankets, The Goods. Window Daybed, West Elm.
Cushions and blankets, The Goods. Window Daybed, West Elm.
The dining room table is used for every meal. The mixed chairs were found at various car boot sales.
Table, Summer House.
Table, Summer House.
A small kitchen, bedroom and utility room used to sit at the back of the house. A redesign opened up all three rooms into one large and inviting kitchen. The layout is unusual, but it allows for plenty of working space.
Kitchen renovation, Tamalpais Construction.
Kitchen renovation, Tamalpais Construction.
The floor of the kitchen is painted in dark grey oil paint by Benjamin Moore.
Carpet runner, Serena & Lily.
Carpet runner, Serena & Lily.
The new main door on the side of the house opens into a small hallway that leads to the central staircase.
Dog painting and blue painting, Christopher Brown. Girl painting, Marie Van Elder.
Dog painting and blue painting, Christopher Brown. Girl painting, Marie Van Elder.
More of Marie’s art hangs at the top of the staircase.
The master bedroom was once Marie’s art studio, but she soon grew out of the space. The crocheted cushions and blankets were done by a family member.
Lamps, CB2. Bed, antique from Indonesia.
Lamps, CB2. Bed, antique from Indonesia.
The loft was converted into a bedroom for her daughters. Marie took advantage of the unusual shape of the room by putting the bed in the alcove.
Bedspread and cushions, Anthropologie.
Bedspread and cushions, Anthropologie.
A recessed bed also sits above the living room.
A painting in the girls’ bathroom depicts an imagined street corner using their names. The same lime green is repeated on one other wall. It’s a surprising burst of colour that works well in this space.
Check out more green walls
Check out more green walls
Marie (shown) is working on small pieces that will be part of an installation about natural disasters, seen hanging above her desk.
Desk, antique from Belgium.
TELL US…
What do you like about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. If you would like your home to be featured, please send information and photos to ukeditor@houzz.com.
Desk, antique from Belgium.
TELL US…
What do you like about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. If you would like your home to be featured, please send information and photos to ukeditor@houzz.com.
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Wonderfully light space for working in. Leo