Now that the physical structure is up and we are starting the finishing of the house, it is time to start thinking about the interior design. We’ve been so focused on getting the house done, I’ll admit I haven’t given this nearly enough thought. My tastes in interior decorating are historically eclectic, but I really want to push myself to reduce the noise and do something more simple, clean and elegant, but a little funky so we keep some of that eclecticism.
Aside from the tile, I’ve set myself up with as blank a canvas as you can get. Concrete and off white walls will be fun to dress up, but it is so simple that I’m having some difficulty with a vision for the furniture and decor. I do still like the combination of modern and rustic, so I’m hoping I can find some good pieces to pull off a space that feels cozy.
I went to the Alameda Antique Fair this morning hoping to get some inspiration or find a piece or two. Mid-century modern is dominating right now, which I like as an aesthetic, but doesn’t fit as much with the colonial/modern thing I’m pondering. I did find a cool hand-colored map of Mexico (pictured) from 1865. I’ll frame it and put it somewhere.
Our designer says we should plan a furniture buying trip and head to the mainland. Guadalajara tends to be a hot destination for this activity. Lots of people building houses in Baja travel there, load up and have everything shipped to the peninsula. Apparently the shipping is cheaper within the country, and the furniture is definitely cheaper. I’m down with this plan, but I also don’t necessarily want the typical chunky mexican furniture you see everywhere. Wandering through the stalls at the fair this morning, I had an epiphany that they likely also have antique stores there, so maybe we could find some older colonial mexican furniture.
Until then, I should probably focus on the immediate needs of kitchen countertops (concrete is out for the kitchen because it will make the countertop too high), kitchen backsplash and lighting fixtures. Even if we move in to a house with a mattress on the floor and plastic chairs, it will be home and we can add as we go along.
