A Room for My Bed

One of the many reasons I love my house: my cozy bedroom nook.  I live in a studio, and therefore don't have an actual bedroom, but the nook gets the job done.

It's hard to see, but there is a built-in bookcase/shelf that runs the bottom length of the far wall. Inside is my collection of books and plays, and on top is my favorite duck lamp (which has always been a favorite of mine, much to the chagrin of almost everyone I know)!  My bed, a little closer:

Above my bed are two of my favorite pieces of art.  The tree is a collage made by my sister, Xue, and the orange-framed one is the cover of a children's book called "If"  by Sarah Perry.  The book is made up of beautiful watercolors of scenes that could only exist in the imagination of a child (or in the imagination of an artist; the two are, I believe, very similar).  You can check out more about the book HERE.  The cover image shows green fish growing on a tree where the leaves should be.  My mom gave me the framed picture this past Christmas.  She knows me well.

Moving along to the shelf by my bed, I've got a fun collection of sentimental items...

First, my green light-up owl (uses a green bulb!) that belonged to my grandma.  I have memories of arriving at her house in San Diego to visit and immediately rushing into the bedroom to turn on the owl lamp.  

The brown owl is one I purchased at a thrift/curio store in downtown SLO.  The 'Olive You' painting I bought at a sale in Cambria (my hometown) during a day trip with Luke.  It was the only thing of the artist's that I liked, and at the time (I was completely broke) $18 was a lot to spend on something frivolous like art.  Looking back, I'm so glad I bought it.  I love the colors.

Next is a piece painted using a stencil- designed, created, and given to me by a friend. I've always loved it.  The mask is one that I bought in Venice.  The K is one that I DIY'd.

The Avila postcard is vintage and is one of several that I bought for a friend and then had to go back and buy some for me!  The framed painting next to it is the beginning of my nickname, Kee, made by a street vendor is San Francisco- I've had it since junior high.

Lastly is the sweet little turquoise-colored ceramic elephant (my favorite animal), which Luke bought me at an antique store on our vacation to Cedar City, Utah.  It's actually hollow and is a planter, but I prefer to keep it empty.

Until I started writing this post, I hadn't realized how many special pieces and items I've collected.  But that's always the way I've viewed art collecting; it should mean something.  None of this "I kinda like it and it's something to put on the walls" stuff for me- if it's gonna take up space in my house, then it better have a memory attached to it!

Home: My Favorite Place

I've recently come to realize that I may not live in my studio apartment forever.

Which really (like, really really) bums me out.

Let me back up and paint you a picture...

My studio is one of 3 units attached to a 100-year old craftsman-style home in the heart of San Luis Obispo.   The house itself is on a street that is equal parts residential and office buildings.

My landlord's house (mine is in back)

There are trees, driveway parking, a lovely sunny backyard with garden beds, fruit trees, birds, and not-one-but-TWO porch/patios (complete with grape arbor!).

My studio

My yard

My studio (really a studio +; the kitchen is a separate room) has wood floors, old wavy glass windows, lots of light, a old-fashioned stove, and a built-in sort of nook for my bed.

I'm 2 blocks from downtown SLO, 3 blocks from my favorite Thai restaurant, 4 blocks from the library, and 5 blocks from work (the theatre).

And those are just the physical amenities, which don't even begin to describe how the place feels!  It's sweet, and quiet, and cozy, and airy.  It's inviting, old-but-not-crumbling, warm, private, lived-in, and so comfortable.

Of course there are a few things that I don't entirely love: the occasional ant infestation, the way the house will retain cold and heat, the claustrophobic shower, and very minimal storage space.

But it's impossible to get hung up on those things when the place is so thoroughly charming.

My front door

PLUS it's the first place I've lived on my own, and the first place I've lived where I'm truly comfortable in my own skin and where I am in my life (which are, I think, states one needs to reach in order to live alone- but that's a post for another time).  I'm so very comfortable here and this space is so completely mine.  I don't know if I can imagine anything better.

So you see why contemplating even the possibility of someday moving makes me blue.

So what will I do?  Enjoy it! Take pictures!  Write about it! Love my house in words and pictures!  I've decided to use this blog (in part) as a way to document my time here and my living and surrounding space- so expect to see house-related posts in the future!