{"id":78867,"date":"2024-03-24T20:17:39","date_gmt":"2024-03-24T20:17:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/24\/this-artist-painted-flowers-all-over-her-first-solo-apartment\/"},"modified":"2024-03-24T20:17:39","modified_gmt":"2024-03-24T20:17:39","slug":"this-artist-painted-flowers-all-over-her-first-solo-apartment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/24\/this-artist-painted-flowers-all-over-her-first-solo-apartment\/","title":{"rendered":"This Artist Painted Flowers All Over Her First Solo Apartment"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Early in the pandemic, artist and designer Frances MacLeod<\/a> moved from Brooklyn back to her homestate of Kansas. \u201cCOVID made the decision for me,\u201d she says, \u201cbut I knew that I wanted to be closer to family in the Midwest longer term.\u201d Take the tour, below, with photos by Rachel Loewen<\/a>\u2026.<\/p>\n

LIVING ROOM<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Table: IKEA<\/a>. Bentwood chairs: \u201cvintage from my friends at Good Behavior<\/a>,\u201d similar<\/a>. Rug: Rugs.com<\/a>. Art: Frances MacLeod<\/a>, \u201cme!\u201d Sofa: Interior Define, but no longer available, similar<\/a>. Coffee table: All Modern<\/a>. Mirror: vintage, similar<\/a>. Black console: consignment from Revival Home Furnishings<\/a>, similar<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On a sofa disaster:<\/strong> During the pandemic, furniture had ridiculous wait times. My couch was delayed and delayed and delayed. Then finally I got an email that it had been part of the largest maritime disaster in recent history. They were like, \u2018Your couch is unrecoverable.\u2019 So, I ended up with this green one that arrived within a month. It\u2019s great, but I still think about my beautiful blue sofa on the ocean floor, maybe with an octopus sitting on it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Clock: Frances MacLeod on Society6<\/a>. Vase: Chemex<\/a>. Table: IKEA<\/a>. Bentwood chairs: \u201cvintage from my friends at Good Behavior<\/a>,\u201d similar<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On living alone:<\/strong> Before moving to Kansas City, I\u2019d always lived with roommates, and I was nervous about the change. But when I moved into my very own apartment, I wasn\u2019t prepared for how happy I would feel or how delightful spending time with myself would be.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Art: Monica Garwood<\/a>, Weronika Marianna<\/a>, \u201can iPhone photo of Cuttyhunk blown up,\u201d and a print out from Mary Cassatt Wikimedia. Spool Table: \u201crefinished from Facebook Marketplace, there seem to be more of these out here in Kansas,\u201d similar<\/a>. Sofa: Interior Define, but no longer available, similar<\/a>. Brass candlesticks: thrifted, similar<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

On brass candlesticks:<\/strong> When I moved in, my friend-turned-boyfriend lived around the corner (now we lived together). We once looked up the exact distance on Google Maps \u2014 800 feet! We spent so much time together during the pandemic, and then we got engaged in Big Sur on a road trip. I\u2019d been collecting brass candlesticks and realized they\u2019d be beautiful for our wedding. Now this collection will always remind me of that day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Nook: not wallpaper, hand-painted. Sofa: Interior Define, but no longer available, similar<\/a>. Chair: vintage and then painted with leather paint<\/a> with a deglazer<\/a> and sealant<\/a>, \u201cholds up great!\u201d Cabinet: estate sale, similar<\/a>. Candle sconce: Hoppe Shoppe<\/a>. Orb lamp: IKEA<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On painting the nook:<\/strong> Even though this is a rental, I was curious to make a pattern that would cover the whole nook. I didn\u2019t want it to feel like static wallpaper \u2014 instead, I wanted it to feel like a design made exactly for that space. So, I painted simple flowers first and then I wove in stems and leaves. It was a fun puzzle to solve. It took me a couple of weeks \u2013 with podcasts for company.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Chair: vintage and then painted with leather paint<\/a> with a deglazer<\/a> and sealant<\/a>, \u201cholds up great!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

On a special leather chair:<\/strong> I came across this chair at a higher-end thrift shop<\/a>. The price was good, but the leather was distressed enough that it would need some TLC. I\u2019d been using leather acrylic paints to customize clogs\/shoes for friends (here<\/a> are<\/a> a<\/a> couple<\/a>) and this was just a bigger canvas. Going with a tonal pattern made it a little less intense, and I love how the details draw you in.<\/p>\n

DINING ROOM<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Pendant lamp: IKEA<\/a>, hand painted with fabric paints. Table: High End Used Furniture<\/a> on Chairish. Chairs: \u201c$40 Facebook Marketplace find, reupholstered with fabric from Joann\u2019s,\u201d similar<\/a>. Pink rug: \u201cI got this at the Anthropologie outlet with my dad & uncle,\u201d similar<\/a>. Blue rug: Target, similar. Curtains: Frances MacLeod on Society6<\/a>. Art: \u201cpair of prints blown up from Geoff McFetridge art book<\/a>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

On painting off the canvas:<\/strong> The lampshade of the IKEA pendant was the first piece I did for the apartment. The shade came in a roll, so I could lay it flat. It made such an impact that I was inspired to paint other things in the apartment. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Shelves: IKEA<\/a>. Picture ledge: \u201cmade by dad from PVC.\u201d Pig bookends: Amazon<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On a lasting pandemic habit:<\/strong> Buying flowers was something that started and stuck through the pandemic. I found such joy in picking out bouquets at Trader Joe\u2019s and putting them in vases I\u2019d thrifted. <\/p>\n

KITCHEN<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Print: Bill Rebholz<\/a>. Dish towels: Baggu<\/a> and Ferm Living<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

On easy entertaining:<\/strong> I like having friends over on weeknights, like a \u2018come by after work\u2019 dinner. I make Alison Roman\u2019s vinegar chicken with crushed olive dressing<\/a>. With chicken thighs, they go into the oven, you fix a drink for everybody, and by the time you\u2019re finished with your drink, the chicken is ready. <\/p>\n

On takeout:<\/strong> When people are visiting Kansas City, we often end up ordering local barbecue. I love Joe\u2019s Kansas City<\/a>! Make sure to order a Z-man (the pulled pork sandwich with onion rings they are known for), and prioritize the sides. Their mac and cheese and French fries are both excellent.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

On a painted arch:<\/strong> I wanted to highlight the architectural details of this apartment, and strawberries are just the cutest fruit, so I added them to this arch between the kitchen and office. I just used craft paint from the hardware store. <\/p>\n

OFFICE<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Desk: similar IKEA base<\/a>, IKEA top<\/a>.Chair: IKEA<\/a>. Thin black frames: Walmart<\/a>. Tiger rug: Kaye Blegvad<\/a>. Green Rug: IKEA<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

On a workday ritual:<\/strong> Before I moved here, I shared a studio workspace with friends. Everyday at around 2 p.m., we\u2019d all go get coffee together. Now I\u2019ve kept that same coffee appointment with myself. It\u2019s nice to get outside in the afternoon, walk somewhere, and see people. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Art: Starshaped Press Attitude Print<\/a>, Kelly Thorn Moth<\/a>, Crowd of people by Geoff McFetridge framed from Mohawk Quarterly<\/a>, \u201cOtherwise, framed work from friends, museum postcards, good greeting cards, etc. I have worked as a graphic designer for a long time, so I definitely have a poster affinity.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

On framing:<\/strong> For affordability, I use lots of Walmart frames<\/a>, which have real glass. I also look for good frames at thrift stores and estate sales, too, then I\u2019ll get a mat cut to a custom size online or at a frame store. I\u2019ve also paid to have a couple of pieces professionally framed. It was an investment and I definitely had sticker shock. But professional framers are very kind and very good at their job. I feel strongly about using a local framer \u2014 heading to a nearby frame shop is such an easy way to be part of your community. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Artwork: \u201cmine, adhered with 3m painters tape<\/a>, baby!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

On a favorite subject:<\/strong> I love drawing flowers. In this apartment, I added flowers to a lampshade, pendant, nook, archway, and leather chair. I try to capture the beauty of the natural world. I\u2019m drawn to the work of William Morris<\/a> from the 19th century. Flowers have always been a decorative motif, and I like thinking about how they fit into today\u2019s home.<\/p>\n

GUEST BEDROOM<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Bed: Soho Home<\/a>, \u201cbought on super sale.\u201d Mattress: Amazon in a box<\/a>, \u201cI keep buying these, they\u2019re amazing!\u201d Bedding: \u201cold Anthropologie.\u201d Artwork: Ping Zhu<\/a>, \u201cpair of birds by me.\u201d Lamps: \u201cFrom estate sale with fresh shades from At Home<\/a>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

On hosting overnight guests:<\/strong> Having a guest room has made me very generous with my invitations! It changes everything when you don\u2019t have to worry about rearranging the living room or pulling out an air mattress and stepping over someone in the morning.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Loveseat and stool: from estate sales. Curtains: IKEA<\/a> with pinch pleat hooks from Amazon<\/a>. Throw pillow: IKEA, similar<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

On a controversial loveseat:<\/strong> I got this loveseat at an estate sale, and the print is surprisingly polarizing. I could reupholster it down the line, but I actually love the print!<\/p>\n

PRIMARY BEDROOM<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Dresser: estate sale, similar<\/a>. Lamp on dresser: thrifted. Nightstand: \u201cOriginally PierOne, purchased on Facebook Marketplace,\u201d similar<\/a>. Sconces: Urban Outfitters<\/a>, \u201cfrom ages ago!\u201d Bedframe: Hayneedle<\/a>. Curtains hanging on bed: Vince Camuto, found at HomeGoods. Pillow: \u201ccover is sold out from CB2, but here\u2019s the insert<\/a>,\u201d and a similar pillow<\/a>. Red piped duvet: sold out IKEA, similar<\/a>. Block printed quilt: sample sale<\/a>, similar<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

On illustrating a motivational book<\/a><\/strong>: Before Covid, my artist friends and I felt like we were on upward trajectories. Then the pandemic hit and it was brutal \u2013 so many hard punches, and so many friends lost their dream jobs. We like to think we\u2019re in control, but life is much bigger than we are. At the very end of the book I wrote<\/a> is one big spread that just says \u2018keep going.\u2019 That\u2019s the thing I\u2019m most proud of in myself \u2013 that I\u2019ve kept going, even with things not always looking the way that I expected or wanted them to.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Candle: Roen Marmont<\/a>, \u201cmy favorite.\u201d Nightstand: \u201cOriginally PierOne, purchased on Facebook Marketplace,\u201d similar<\/a>. Sconces: Urban Outfitters<\/a>, \u201cfrom ages ago!\u201d Bedframe: Hayneedle<\/a>. Curtains hanging on bed: Vince Camuto, found at HomeGoods. Pillow: \u201ccover is sold out from CB2, but here\u2019s the insert<\/a>,\u201d and a similar pillow<\/a>. Red piped duvet: sold out IKEA, similar<\/a>. Block printed quilt: sample sale<\/a>, similar<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

On making curtains look perfect:<\/strong> The curtain above our bed is evenly spaced with toilet paper tubes, thanks to Pinterest<\/a>. Nipping the toilet paper tubes and sliding them on your curtain rod makes them full and even. I love a Pinterest hack (here\u2019s my collection of good ones<\/a>), and the great thing about the Internet is somebody has probably already attempted your project, taken pictures, and generously shared their experience.<\/p>\n

Thank you so much for sharing this special home, Frances<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S. More home tours<\/a>, including our most colorful house tour<\/a> and a farmhouse built for Black joy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(Photographs by Rachel Loewen<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Note: If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We recommend only products we genuinely like. Thank you so much.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

93<\/span> COMMENTS<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section><\/div>\n