Get the Look Decor: Lovely Loft

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Iheartmoustaches

Story by Christine Domanic

Published on Mar 25, 2012 in Shop

Iheartmoustaches

This weekend’s Get the Look Decor is inspired by the South Boston loft of Mae Chevrette, where she lives with her boyfriend Mike and their cats, Gracie and Chubby Boots.  Their 750 square foot apartment is nestled inside a former brick factory, and marks a place where nature and industry coincide.

Thrilled to have a private studio within her home, Mae creates beautiful mixed media paintings and photographs that reference nature and words of inspiration. Check out her work at maechevrette and stop by her blog for posts on art, photography and adventure.

Describe your home decorating style.
Industrial. Rustic. Tropical. Artsy. Cat-sy? Our decorating style takes advantage of the exposed brick and industrial pipes in our building and then mixes in lots of wood and other organic textures and brightens it up with big plants and pops of colorful artwork. Decor should be about what makes you happy, and what makes us happy is a fun open space with lots of color and life. Our apartment is also home to my painting studio. I spend most of my workday here, so I put extra effort into creating a space I wouldn’t mind spending a lot of time in.

   
   

[Clockwise from top left: Tropical Landscape Original Painting by artbydennis; Textured Black Leather Pillow by ArtisticTextiles; Wall Mount Slatwall Guitar Rack by jonesn84; Sago Palm by darrellreid; Reclaimed Barnwood Coffee Table by triple7recycled; Palm Springs Inspired Succulent by oberryssucculents.]

Did you decide to decorate in this style or was there an evolution to your decorating process?
A little of both. Our decor style was mostly decided early on by what we knew we liked: relaxed, rustic, tropical atmospheres with fun vibes; a comfortable lounging space for him and lots of art for me. Challenged with a very small budget and just 750 square feet, the decorating process evolved as we figured out ways to make the most of this small space and scout out furniture and decor within our budget. All the furniture in our home is a family hand-me-down, Craigslist find, or was handmade by me (including both desks and our barn door coffee table), which adds to the homey, rustic feel we love. Our decor is also constantly evolving: I rotate and hang my own paintings as they are made and sold, along with original work from other artists including Geninne Zlatkis and Ulises Peres. Storing items like Mike’s guitars and our snowboards “on display” helps personalize our space. I like to think of these items as the artwork of our lives.

   
   

[Clockwise from top left: Stoneware Planter with Carved Decoration by virginiawyoming; Aspen by Geninne; Ecologica Bar Stool by EcologicaMalibu; White Industrial Barrister Bookcase by openairmodern; Reclaimed Barnwood Table by andrewarena; Single Amorphous Porcelain Cylinder by ULTRALIGHTING.]

What inspires you when it comes to decorating?
Contrast of all kinds is inspirational to me — textures, colors, materials and origins. The way stainless steel complements brick, or how stoneware looks against wood is a visual treat for me. I’m also hugely intrigued by the urban environment of South Boston, which is sandwiched between the bustling downtown area and the beaches of Boston Harbor. Despite rapid development, our neighborhood still has pockets of overgrowth and greenery, and the natural vs. industrial vibe continually inspires our home and my artwork. Too many objects in a small space can make it feel cluttered very fast, so living in an apartment this size has inspired me to focus on decorating with fewer items that make a bigger statement.

   
   

[Clockwise from top left: Vintage Dresser In Winter Blue by minthome; 8 antique cobalt blue bottles by lilyandrubyvintage; Always - 16 x 20 paper print poster by maechevrette; Filigree Picture Frame by BohemianLil; Earring Holder On A Stand by tammnoony; Nautical White Duvet Cover by nurdanceyiz.]

What is your favorite part about your home?
The brick walls and 14-foot windows made me fall in love with this apartment at first sight, but my small art studio takes the cake. It is literally a lifelong dream come true. Prior to moving here, my work area was also our living area, which made it difficult for either one to serve its full function. Now I step through a brick archway, close the curtain divider, and feel completely free to make a creative mess.

   
   

[Clockwise from top left: 20 mix color flower string lights by cottonlight; Upcycled Sawhorse Tables by TheSouthernMermaid; 4" ceramic planter by GlazedOver; 3D Garland with 5 Inch Paper Stars by 5280bliss; Turquoise Ceramic Planter by Extrudergirl; 1920s Stanford University Dorm Ladders by Nachokitty.]

Where are your favorite places to shop for home items?
I’ve found several of my favorite accessories and pieces of art here on Etsy. Handmade items bring an inherent good vibe to our home because they were made with love. It’s a great feeling to look at something beautiful in our home and know its presence also supported the livelihood of another craftsperson.


Looking for more styles and interiors? Check out our video series, There’s No Place Like Here, where creative types show us their unique spaces — infused with their aesthetic and filled with the treasures they collect. Get involved and show us your amazing space in this Flickr pool.

More Get the Look: Home Decor Editions.

Housewares Category | Vintage Housewares

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