“We built a custom home on this little pie-shaped lot close to downtown,” begins Stephanie. “We wanted to bike more and get out of our cars, and it worked! We have three outdoor spaces we love, especially the covered patio on the first floor where we love to relax. When friends are over, we use the gas fireplace when it’s chilly out, and for dinner parties I move the patio furniture out and use a long table with a lot of candles and flowers — somehow it is just more festive and fun to dine outside.”

My Style: I guess I would say I strive for eclectic elegance. I love color and want our home to be joyful and welcoming and unique to us.

Favorite Element: I love the tall ceilings downstairs that contrast with the more cozy, “under the eave” feel upstairs.

Biggest Challenge: Our lot is a small, pie-shaped lot that proved challenging to make a welcoming entry. We tried not to make our house look like, “welcome to our garage” in the front, and so there’s a balcony over the garage doors along with an eye-catching custom crow-themed gate I designed in trade for a website.

Proudest DIY: I laser-cut cabinet panel inserts and I painted the mural in our dining room and I love the orange and plum color combo. I like variety and change so I plan to re-paint that with large, blue herons in the next year or so though!

Biggest Indulgence: We indulged in tall ceilings with large sliding doors and windows above them around our patio, and they were totally worth it.

Is there something unique about your home or the way you use it? We designed our house to be efficient and also full of light. Our back porch faces south and we use it year-round — it shades us in the hot summer months, and the low angle of the sun in the winter warms up. Even when its 40 degrees outside, it can be hot in the sun out of the wind on the patio.

What are your favorite products you have bought for your home and why? The upstairs loft is my home studio and I use a beautiful nine-foot long dining room table as my main work table. My dad made that table and has since passed away so I love being able to use it every day and think of him. So okay, I didn’t buy that but it’s my favorite. I also love using various artist-designed fabrics off Spoonflower.com.

Please describe any helpful, inspiring, brilliant, or just plain useful small space
maximizing and/or organizing tips you have: Our girls are in their twenties so rather than have traditional second and third bedrooms, we have “bed nooks.” This was my husband’s idea — built-in queen beds with a closet and small desk or ledge and drawers under the bed. That’s it. Simple and compact and great for guests, too. They are like little charming train compartments under sloped ceilings, and super efficient.

Finally, what’s your absolute best home secret or decorating advice? Always use lots of lamps! I don’t love overhead lighting, but I love lamp light to make rooms cozy and inviting. I designed the electrical plan to turn all the lamps in a room on with the flick of a switch. My best friend made fun of me when she counted five lamps in one room.

• Main color — Sherwin-Williams’ Ecru, 6135
• Family room — Sherwin-Williams’ Anonymous, 7046
• Black accent wall — Sherwin-Williams’ Tricorn Black, 6991
• White — Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster, 7008

• Gray sofa — CB2
• Pillows — Spoonflower and Society6
• Coffee table — Wayfair.com
• Pella windows
• Abstract head painting — William Lewis
• Drawing of Stephanie’s dog (Elaine) — Hallie Maxwell
• Tiny houses — Stephanie Inman

• Dining Table — Craigslist
• Dining chairs — Williams Sonoma, but I purchased secondhand
• Red glass chandelier — Etsy
• Dining room mural — Stephanie

• White subway tile – Home Depot
• My childhood dollhouse sits on top of the fridge

Thanks Stephanie!

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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