each little piece :: sam and julian

Oh, my dears, I am so very excited! 

Today's home tour is one that I love, and I am so honored to be able to share it with you.  We're peeking into the home of Samantha Martin-Evans and her seven-year-old son, Julian.  Sam's a photographer, and her skilled eye for all that is lovely shows in every nook and cranny of her home...It's eclectic, it's colorful, it draws you in, and above all, it tells the sweet, sweet story of the lucky people who live here. 

Do come in!

You will notice beauty everywhere.  When I asked Sam if she felt that her creative profession perhaps directed her home's appearance, she had this to say: 

"I don't think that being a photographer has necessarily influenced my decorating style...I think my penchant for grouping particular objects and color combinations resides in the same part of my imagination that my photography style comes from. In other words, my home is an extension of my train of thought, as are my photos."

Don't you love that?!  The idea of your home being an extension of your train of thought--your creative train of thought--is such a wonderful one to me.  That's what home should be, I think--the life you are creating, piece by piece, at it's most intimate, and Sam and Julian's home is a perfect expression of that.

Each item adds to the whole, in an indispensable way.   It's as though each little piece were a word in a story, a story that would not be complete without it.

detail of living room wall

sea urchins and heart-shaped stones

The house itself is a former carriage house, built about a hundred years ago in the San Francisco area.  Sam has lived here 12 years, and says that the home has "evolved to this saturated state, with art creeping up the walls, like ivy."

The kitchen is truly bohemian-chic, with a twist of whimsy and lots of color and drama.  I love it, and I would imagine that Julian does, too.

His table is right beside the big one, for eating, crafting, and all manner of childish goodness.

kitchen detail

 

Around the corner, the stairs lead you up to the loft area, where the home's origins as a carriage house can clearly be seen...

And into Julian's room, which is suitably awesome...

It's filled with all the little items that tell his particular story, the one that's all his own.

J for Julian

Julian's room, detail

Sam's room (below)?  Positively swoon-worthy, in a totally unexpected way:

The whole room has a simple charm that is calming and full of life, all at the same time.  I love it.

"...art creeping up the walls, like ivy."

I also asked Sam about whether she felt having a child influenced her design choices.  She says that "truthfully, my "style" has always had a youthful, over-the-top quality to it. (I've always been drawn to bright colors and contrasting patterns.) In terms of my approach to decorating (believe me, there hasn't been much of a strategy), I basically acquire things that I love without worrying how they will fit in...I always find a place!"

And that's why it makes sense.  It's all her, and her boy, and what could be more beautiful than that, really? 

Nothing, friends.  Nothing at all...

Please see Sam's photography website for more of her beautiful work.  And her flickrstream is chock-full of more beauty, both at home and in life, from Sam.  Do be sure to check them out!

Back later, sweet friends.

xoxox.
 

Comments

[annalea]

i love love love it. this place feels so right to me. i remember seeing photos of their home last year and being inspired. thanks for sharing!

[Happy Find]

Soooo beautiful! My mind is spinning with inspiration and ideas for my home! LOVE the post!!!

[tricia]

Oh wow!

[Sarahjwallis]

I love Sam and Julian' home! Thanks for sharing it. By the way, your pouf is cute!

[Tracy]

So much color in such a small place, and it all works so well together! That's a feat! It looks really livable.

[Kylie]

Just beautiful. I always think I'd like white and spartan uber-design but then I realise when I look at homes like this that it's really warmth and colour that make a home feel like a real home to me. Thanks for sharing these. Kx

[Richele @ Studio D]

So enjoyable, so eclectic and cozy. Very nice article!

[Queenie Bee]

Gosh! It makes my flat seem very boring! I'm off to get some colour!

[Julie]

I can totaly live there!

[Philippines property]

WOW! This is so beautiful. The center piece are so lovely. What a beautiful world when you have a home to stay like this. Really enjoyed looking the photos.

Deirdre G

[sunny]

I agree..the pouf IS cute....I liked the color combinations....you did good. well. YOU know.

And this house. SOOOO pretty. Details everywhere to look at and it looks sooo homey. They must love living there! (the bedroom is my favorite..those floral bed linens and the accessories.... gorgeous!)

[Mama Veg]

So sweet. I love the lanterns and pretty colors.

[Natalie]

What a colourful and inspiring place to hang out in - great post!

[martha Smith]

simply wonderful! I would live there in a moment!
Artful use of color! a photographers eye for sure!

[suprlipopette]

How lovely it is... I feel like at home, even if my place looks different

[peggy]

Hello! I love your blog. I remember seeing this home on Apartment Therapy. Not really my cup of tea, except for her fab bedroom. I adore the way she used textiles over her window with effortless. Whenever I try to achieve a carefree look, it always looks, well contrived.

Anyway, for my own taste there is too much stuff and clutter here, but I wanted you to know how much I appreciated your romancing of the place with your words. I so enjoyed your loving description, that I gained a better appreciate of the place. And that's what art is all about isn't it? Seeing from someone else's perspective. Thanks for that. xxoo

[peggy]

Sorry for my typos - first paragraph - effortless should be effortlessness. Second paragraph - appreciate should be appreciation. Oh gosh. I'm sure you got the point, though. :)

[Amy Hanson]

Peggy, I am the typo-queen. Do not sweat it. Thank you, though, for your words. I am so glad that you found a bit to think about here, on my silly blog! And thanks for stopping by...xoxo.