A Peek Inside Week: The Country House Part 1, An Indie Fixx Interview, & Shop Officially Updated

I am so excited to finally show you my office (and more).  My office has been completed for about a month+, and it has been so hard to not share photos etc, in order to save them for this week.  I was inspired to share my spaces by Jen at Indie Fixx.  My interview at her place, and "A Peek Inside"  are officially up.  Thank you Jen!

(If you missed the City house tour, you can take a peek by clicking here.)

All week I will share my city house and country house, with extended photos right here.

   

Today I will share the office, my room and the studio.  Mister and I decided that he should have a little privacy, so the main house was not  photographed, sooory ;)

That is mostly instrument land, where all the playable creatures live and I steal off to play the grand piano... 

        

But my wee spaces are free for touring ;)

Come on in won't you - I am serving tea in my office...

   

To give you an idea, there were three ample spaces used as canning facilities and storage for canning added on to the main house by the previous owners 30+ years ago.  Those spaces were converted into my room (5 years ago), studio (10 years ago) and more recently, my office.  The office and my room almost had to be totally rebuilt.

Today, as I said, you will get a peek into my room, studio and office.  The drawing below is badly proportioned, but drawn to give you a better idea of where you are peeking ;)  (pink areas)

   

There are doors in between each room, which I love.  I can open them and feel like I have one huge space, or close them for guests, privacy or whatever...
  

The main goal of the office was to have a place for me to work and play and package orders, as well as relax and veg...

        

Mister Lovee built all of the work benches you will see here and in my art studio (and the bed), as well as my wee counter in the little kitchen area that is situated in the office.

To the left of my little cozy nook is my packaging station...

        

I am so used to it now, I feel like I have always been shipping orders out of here.  The pups cozy on the stoop outside the door to the left there all day and keep me company...

   

I wanted a little nook in my office so that I could have overnight guests and also, so I could have an escape, to just dream and drift in.  So we turned a huge old closet into my idea of a sleeping nook.  I drew a bed and Mister Lovee built it.  Then I had a foam saga (based on size and such), but happily, it all worked out and there are 4 inches of bed foam to snuggle in...

        

I am loving my office space a ton.  I am lucky to share a country home with a man who doesn't mind that I want my own spaces.  I was so used to living alone when we met and having private spaces, as was he.  So after a few years when I suggested we turn the additions into spaces for me, he thought that was a great idea, and so, we get along and can hide from each other if need be ;)

        

My little desk area, which I am typing from right now, is light and bright and makes me smile.

Here is my desk closed - 

   

I love that I can close my desk if I am having guests etc.  But, mostly it stays open...

  

I created a mood board with all the things I love, and colors that I am into at the moment...

   

I can stare at it all day and not tire of it.  I love having a place to hang treasures that inspire and that are dear to my heart.  Like that wee photo on the bottom right, that hung in my Grandma's house for 50+ years that she gave me last year...

   

I have a tiny antique Victorian lamp on my desk now, that I didn't have (it was at the city house)  when I took these photos a month and a half ago.  But now that I can share photos regularly, you will see it sometime.  It is like, all the things I love, so many that were in boxes and not out, are now able to be out and enjoyed.  That has been the best part of having this extra space...

        

Down this teeny little hall is how you get to the bathroom and then on to the little kitchen area.

        

I personally think that you don't have to have a big fancy house.  All you need is a little space to fill with things that make you happy.  Plain and simple.

Here is what you see if you are at the other end of the little hallway looking into the office...

        

Oh, as a side note, I have to tell you.  You know that huge ship I have outside, that you saw in the last post?  Well, I was out antiquing a few months ago and I found another metal ship that looks like his brother only smaller, which is the one over my linen armoire above.  I was so blown away.  I always wanted a smaller size one to put in the house, go figure.  A lucky find indeed.

Not that you care to see it, but this is my cute little bathroom, built by Mister Lovee.  It has funny steps...

      

And lovely little shelves.  Mister even had vintage lucite daisies tucked away in his workshop, which worked perfectly to hold up my old mirror.   

 

        

I have my own bathroom in the main part of the love-shack, but I am leaning towards making this my permanent powdering of the nose space...

   

Are you having fun?  I think it's time to munch.  Off to what I am calling, the Tea & Sweets Kitchen, since it is tiny and sweet ;).  Speaking of fun, I had way too much fun inventing a little tea menu for my chalkboard...

   

In this kitchen is the door that leads to my studio...

        

If you are entering the kitchen from the studio, this is what you are greeted by...

        

A sweet treat munching spot...

        

Yummy yummy, a place to put my girlie sipping things in, and have you over for tea ;)

   

I have to confess, I almost feel like this is a play house.  I might never go into the real world again...

        

I love that Mister built me that counter.  It was a huge job, especially rounding that super hard wood...

   

I got my little sink from an online place that I thought was going to be shady, but turned out to be super perfect, no shipping fees which tickled me, especially since that is a cast iron sink.  I ordered it from them (can't remember the name right now) because it was larger than a standard bar sink.  We were very pleased indeed.  It arrived in perfect condition and super fast, like 3 days...

   

Now, let's go into the studio through the door in the office kitchen shall we?  This is my studio, where I spend a huge part of my life... (Mister wanted me to come back and mention that my striped rug on the studio floor is painted on and not an actual rug (which is true), funny guy likes to get his two cents in ;)

      

      

       

I love being in my studio.  Although, when it gets insane like it is now, I almost fall over the edge ;)

        

This is the door below that leads you into the office, which I adore painting on.  I once painted the door white to cover all my paint, and Mister Lovee was devastated.  I had no idea he loved it all painted up.  Luckily it got like this soon thereafter all over again...

       

        

To the left of that door is the little nook where I spend most of my creative time.  I just gravitate to that side, plus the sink is there too...

      

Below are just some random studio shots for you to peek at...

 

        

        

        

An art studio is not necessary to being creative.  I used to create in the garden at the city house, in the garage, in my bath tub even.  I don't take my creative space for granted at all though.  It is a luxury for anyone artistic to have a place to store all their stuff, but like I said, not a necessity to being creative...

        

        

Yummy treasures all stuffed in a nook.  I hope I never start a fire, eeeks!

   

        

        

Are you covered in paint too?  Maybe we should say adios to the studio for now...

        

   

Let's go to the one place I can't wait to escape to soon.  It is 3 a.m. (almost 4) right now and I am dreaming whilst awake, of my cozy bed ;)

Through the other door in the studio, and into my private boudoir we venture...

        

When you walk into my room there is a huge white barn closet to the right, which we left from the canning people ;)  - and of course, a sanctuary for the all important sole keepers ;)

        

        

Then there is the dream keeper, who wears a glow in the dark rosary that almost gave me a heart attack the first time I realized it glowed in the dark in the middle of the night.  So funny, now that I think about it...

      

        

All I can say is that, I think it is incredibly important to surround yourself with what you love.  As you can tell, I live in eclectic land, where anything goes.  But it brings me peace and happiness.  That is what is most important in decorating, surrounding yourself with what you love.

   

During spring I might throw in some brightness in my room, but mostly, I like it black and white, emphasis on white.  I don't know why.  I have to sleep in a white room.  Maybe it is just part of my psychosis...

        

But I'll tell you what - this is calling me right now...

        

Big time...

   

So with that, I say, Thank you for peeking in to Part 1 of the country house.  I think our next visit will be to the city house.  Then back to the country later in the week for some gallery and gypsy-land photo treats.  What do you say?

Oh and, here is a secret for you.  Sometime on Monday afternoon (Nov. 30th), I can't say exactly when because it is late and I must get some rest - but sometime tomorrow afternoon my shop will be filled with all sorts of things like-

Fun kitchen labels for any jars, in candy colors & black and white...

   

   

   

And with Elfin and Cakehead creatures...

        

Annnd, some pretty girls from the Fairytale Forest...

   

        

Who can't wait to go out and play.  Have you ever read their story?  Well if you have, you know they put on shows and create costumes and have a blast in the depths of the Fairytale Forest...

   

        

   

There might even be a Wolf masked as granny, reading fairy tales...

   

We all hope that you might consider stopping by A Fanciful Twist Shop Monday afternoon, to say hello to all of our new family members. 

   

        

This has officially been the longest post ever, and I am officially wilted.  But I will be back full of energy tomorrow, err, later today.  It is 4 a.m. eeeeeks ;)

Thanks oodles for stopping in today ;)

 

♥ ,V

 

ps:   Shop is full of treats as of 3:51 p.m. Nov. 30th

pss: My interview at Jen's is up.  She deserves oodles of muffin love, as she outdoes herself over at Indie Fixx and has had all sorts of things going as of late with her sick lovely Granddad etc.  If you get a chance, won't you pop on over to see her?  Thank you much ;) ;)

Comments

[Emma]

Your office, kitchen, studio and boudoir are completely gorgeous. I love peeking at all the treasures you have in jars and hanging in different nooks and crannies. I love all of the colours against the white, which is so fresh. I have to sleep in a white room too! And your tea cups are fab. Thanks for sharing your space.

[Misha/DawaiOser]

Your living spaces and design areas are as if they are pulled straight out of my fantasies and we are sisters of the heart. The fact that your bedroom is all white and downy-cloud, fluffy with touches of black, only seals the deal. My boudoir is that way also. For Christmas I've had dreams of adding royal-red velvet, wintry throws and pillows to the space.

P.S. love the fact that you have a wine 'fridge to chill and store treats in your studio. Plus the pastry pink and pastel colors of your kitchenette is gorgeous! Well done. :)

[Cindi aka oldblackcatboo]

Everyone I know can not understand why I like everything painted white! I try to tell them that my things "pop" up against them! I am going to show them ALL this post! I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it all!!!!
It's a beautiful dream!

[Dawn]

Beautiful, inspiring, fun spaces--I could wander around your rooms for hours admiring your 'stuff.' We girls probably never outgrow the need to play house, do we!

[ylva]

wow... i'm so very busy this morning, but i have glanced through everything and i'll be back to just soak the pictures in. it's just what i had imagine :)! bright and so many special things, but still really organized and not really cluttered. hope you're slepping in your pretty bed right now and... well, i'll be back :)!

[Rodi]

You live in a magical place! I loved the tour so much! Thank you for letting us in and for the virtual tea that was lovely :)

You are the sweetest!

[Maggi]

Wow, your creative spaces are just stunning! ("Sole Keepers" hee hee) Thank you so much for sharing your space with us, it's so inspirational!

[carolee]

Swoon! I'm loving your space - not only is it absolutely, drop-jaw GORGEOUS, but it soooooo reflects who you are; the perfect mix of elegance and whimsy. :)

Thanks so much for sharing this - It's easy to see that creating it was a labor of love for both you and your Mister...

Have to add, your new work is every bit as amazing as your space - all those magical creatures and fairy tale folk....You're truly an inspiration, Vanessa!!

~ Carolee

[somepinkflowers]

OMG!

i am so completely overwhelmed
in only the Best*Way with your sharing
of your spaces!

:-)

yippeee!
i am so inspired now to Go Clean
My House!

{{ so pleased was i
to revisit
the Lovely Reddish-Pink Princess chair
which i have admired from time-to-time!
hope you do not mind
i plopped down there
for a moment to Take It All In! }}

thanks ever-so for the Tea
and i did tidy up in the wee sink
tucked into the corner...

i do wonder how you managed 2 photograph
every thing with out TONS
of friends hanging out,
snuggled up in that sleeping nook....
{{ i would be impossible 2 remove }}

i am just saying....

[Claudia]

I am sitting here stunned! Just gorgeous. Your spaces are so wonderful, and truly reflect your amazing artistic sensibilities. I have to go back and look at all the photos again. Thank you so, so much for sharing your private space with us.

[Lorraine]

Omigosh - you have my Ultimate Creative Space !! Just gorgeous, thank you for sharing so many pictures!

[Cassandra]

swoon.

everything is so deliciously gorgeous!

[Cori. G]

BE still my heart!!! Everything is dreamy perfection and I'm swooning over the sweet weence kitchenette with the mint green hobnail mugs...please pour my tea in one of these...thank you most beloved one!!!
The rug in your office is so gorgeous I think I may faint!!! Ah, such loveliness to behold I think my little brain may be on overload...must come back later so I can drink it all in. And thank you ever so kindly for the tour extraordinaire ... dreaminess...so much dreaminess!!!

xoxo Cori

[Vania Cruz-Perez]

Vanessa your home is so enchanting!
I really enjoyed my stay to the fullest. It's a shame that we are on opposite ends of the states because I would have loved to visit your studio/gallery.

Thank you for sharing all of it with us...

Warm Regards :)

Vania

[Marjorie]

♥ Oh Vanessa! You live in a faerie tale home!! It's like something out of Victoria magazine....no....it's much more beautiful and imaginative! I love the way you've decorated it all....you have such a fabulous eye for detail and magic in your lovely home and work spaces! :)

I hope you enjoyed a most lovely Thanksgiving!!

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

What a charming spot for you Sweet V! I could not have imagined a better space for you. It is cozy and bright and charming and inviting and creative and cluttered (but in a good way, mind you). It is someplace to linger, this new space. I think it is so important to have those separate spaces to love and live in and to know that you feel safe and secure. What a wonderful gift that Mister Lovee has given you to let you be who you are and have the space you deserve. I love that painted door too. Don't ever change, Miss V. You inspire me crazy in so many ways. I am moving this week to a new home with a studio space that will be built from the ground up. And I love all that you have done (but mine would be very different). Thanks for the tour, dear. Enjoy the day! xox Erin

[Tammy D]

Absolutely gorgeous!! How wonderful to have such spaces to create in! And I love the little elfin, cakehead and pretty girls! Such beautiful work.

[Page]

First I want to tell how much I love your design sense. You have done a wonderful job in creating a warm and inviting space and thank you for sharing your home with us. It is like a Princess Palace dedicated to art and love, and joy.

I must ask you, there is a statue sitting on a round antique table in your bedroom near the red chair. Would you kindly tell me what is the name of this statue and perhaps where I may purchase one? There is one that sits in the florist window in my town, have seen it for years now. And now I see you and one other blogger have this (similar) statue as well. Of course now I must have one. Where oh, where may I find one?

<3

[A Fanciful Twist]

Hi There Page ;)

My Statue is an antique wooden carved doll from the Philippines. It
was used in religious processions and dressed up for different holidays and
such. I am sure that if you start googling antique creche dolls or
wooden santos, you might find one ;)

The search is more than half of the fun ;)

[Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions]

Wow, Vanessa! Thank you so much for this tour! You have such great spaces here and I love that you can get to each one from the other.

[Wendy Sice]

Oh my gosh, I am completely overwhelmed and exhausted from looking at this post, but I am in LOVE with your house and your imaginatively created spaces, and everything that just happened. Wendy xxx

[SueAnn]

I am full to bursting!! Your spaces are filled with color and light and so many treasures. Totally dreamy!! Thank you for sharing your world with me. I will be back to partake again; these visual images.
Hugging you
SueAnn

[Brenda Kula]

Utterly charming! In my opinion, in order to create, no matter how small your space might be, we need "our own" space to let our whimsical nature loose. Mine is what I call the garden room. But it has no windows! Just a couple of skylights. It was once a big patio. But this is where I spend the bulk of my time. I surround myself with little pretties special to me, no matter how silly they might seem. And the pets and I call this our spot! I'll be back this afternoon to visit your shop. I love your special spaces!
Brenda

[Deborah]

My head is spinning and I am on yummy overload! OMGOODNESS Vanessa, De-Lovely! I must come back and tour again for there is so much to seeeeeeeeee. Love how your office photographs with the white walls and white floor...so dream-like, floating. Do you have a basket by the door filled with wee white socks to slip on your feet before entering? Love LOVE love it all.
**blows kisses dizzily** Deb

[FairRosamund]

Your spaces are absolutely beautiful! Like your own Petit Trianon :) Thank you for sharing them. And I can't wait to see the new lovelies in your shop!

[Lynn]

You really have a flair for decorating! I love the contrast of the white and black with spots of color in just the right ammount. Sooooo many fabulous treasures. It's bright and airy, but still cozy!
Thanks for sharing that with us.
~L

[Kaerie Faerie]

Simply amazing, lots of white LOL It is so great to have a studio, I to am blessed with a artistic space. But I gave up the Beach House when I got married, I do miss it
Lots of inspiration and stuff to look at, it will take a month of looks LOL
Your new dolls are soooo pretty love the faces
your fairy friend
Karey

[Elizabeth Rhiannon]

Obviously, a lot of love and hard work went into that. Thanks for letting us take a peep into your magical madness :) I'm not a doll person, but I do have to say, I'm loving the Fairytale Forest line, especially the wolf :)
Take care, thanks for the magic,
Elizabeth Rhiannon

[Dale Ann of De La Renaissance]

How absolutely enchanting! Your spaces look as if they have been pulled straight out of a wonderful magazine!

Dale Ann ~

[Kim]

Vanessa:

I really am almost lost for words. This tour was like stepping into my dream. Magical, whimsical, curious, breezy...all the best things a home can offer.

I'm coming back here later this afternoon to look some more.

I know you're super duper busy, but I'm having a give-away on my blog through Wednesday night.

Kim
Gerushia's New World

[Krista Komis]

OH my goodness, this was amazing!! Your home is so so soooo beautiful! I love the painted stripey rug and the paint on the door too, as well as your stunning boudoir and....your studio just makes me about explode, it is heavenly!! I especially adore all of the little things, hidden in nooks and corners..like an unexpected surprise! Just amazing! <3 Thank you soooo much for sharing, and I can't wait to see more! OH and I had been meaning to tell you, those ships you have- my oh my what a find, they are sooo perfect and they fit right in.

[YSLGuy]

Oh my so much eye candy in one post. I LOVE your little desk, and mood board the most.

[A Forest Frolic]

Oh my goodness Vanessa, such a lovely home and studio (hang on, let me wipe up my drool ;-) I can't wait until your shop update, I see some lovelies. I'm off to check out your features...just love Indie Fixx! Big hugs,

Jamie :)

[Elaine]

All I can say is "Sigh"...

[Deana]

Vanessa, Thank you for letting us into your world. So beautiful and unique! Deana

[RD]

What a truly enchanting place to live and work! I think I might faint with delight if I found myself in your world one day. I feel my creative force burning just by looking at your pictures. Thanks so much for sharing your space with us!

[vanessa marie]

This is so much fun! Loving all of it :)

[Rhonda Roo]

Veevala Veevala be still my swoony heart! I kept saying Cowboy, lookit this picture, oh oh, isnt that just gorgeous oh oh, I would totally plop right into the middle of a Veevala dream and skip happily along, canning room to canning room, knowing that any second I would open a door and Mr Teal Boots would be standing there with tea and taffy, cuz it
just
that
dream-worthy perfect.
LOVELY! BRAVO!
I'm inspired! Quick! I need more fabrics and pieces with colors (My walls are all white too, that i wouldn't trade for anything!) ♥
in other news...EEEEEKKSSSS!
I spy an owling!
XOXOXOXOX

[Kym]

Absolutely stunning! I think there's nothing else to add, everyone has summed your space up beautifully! I just don't know where to look first!!!

[Maria-Thérèse]

How beautiful!! There is much more white than I would have thought and fewer things! :D I think you are very brave to share part of your personal life like this btw.

[bettyann]

Yippee I loved the tour of your other house...delicious pics, like sweet candy,...take care..can't wait to the next post..

[Bonnie]

What a dream studio. The light is fantastic and everything seems to burst with creative energy. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful talents.

[Lisa]

Wow - super inspiring. How can one not create when living in those absolutely wonderful spaces? Your office looks so peaceful, yet interesting. I love how you managed to create a quiet restful space whilst retaining your maximalist tendencies.

Also, thank you for sharing that you and Mr. L don't live attached at the hip. Quite refreshing - It's nice to know that there are other couples out there who don't insist on spending every waking hour with the one they dearly love.

Sleep tight, I'm off to peruse the AFT store....

[Ariane Cagle]

Wow!! Your office, studio and room are just pure eye candy. I had to keep looking at the photos just to take in all the little things in every photo. Little treasures everywhere. What amazing spaces!!

[Gabriela]

Hello Vanessa,

I always knew that you lived in a magical place...Love all these fabulous spaces and things...Just amazing!

~ Gabriela ~`

[Pat]

I feel as though I've been inside a fairy tale movie or a dream. Just the most lovely, magical, intoxicating space I've seen in a very long time! I'm just star struck at the storage you have & how creative and inviting it is ~ so open and available. All of it is just brilliant! I am also impressed that you have these private spaces and that Mr L is open to this. Even though one loves another dearly, it's really ok to have one's own privacy.:-)

Is it possible to find out where you found the light fixture above your bed? I LOVE black & white along with red. Your bedroom is delightful!

Thanks so much for sharing ~ I look forward to more! Now....off to your shop.

[karen cox]

Vanessa,
Your studio space is wonderful, and I love that it is your own getaway. Creatives need that kind of space, and yours is wonderful. I love all of your new creations too.

Have a lovely evening.

Karen

[joan herlinger]

Beautiful!!!

[Denise]

Wow your the Queen of wonderland creative space and style! The lighting is like flourescent all around how do you do that? Art and Soul Gallery ordered some of my artwork and wants to buy it in bulk?!! ..Vanessa would love to send you a Xmas surprise perfect for your studio! I love the cakeheads and other characters...where do you find the time?Zap me with that energy!I am sooo curious which of my brothers artpiece you chose...did MrLuvy pick one out for you??!!

[Denise]

Vanessa check out vintage photo of the 3 baboons!
http://unculturedcouth.blogspot.com/2009/11/3-stoogesme-and-my-brothers-photo.html