A WFH Pro Shows How to Design a Home to Feel Motivated and Inspired In

published Jan 14, 2021

A WFH Pro Shows How to Design a Home to Feel Motivated and Inspired In

published Jan 14, 2021
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Bedrooms
Square feet

875

Sq ft

875

Name: Eric Garcia
Location: Downtown Baton Rouge Historic District, Louisiana
Size: 875 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years, renting

Eric Garcia, a wedding and portrait photographer, found his home in a historic high-rise in downtown Baton Rouge. It’s situated right in the middle of the city overlooking the Mississippi River — in his opinion, it’s the best view in town. The large wall of windows is one of the first things you’ll notice as you walk in, which is what first drew him to this space.

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Credit: Minette Hand

That natural south-facing light makes way for a good spot for some happy plants, too. The open loft-style space was the perfect palette for Eric to deck out in comfortable corners, photos, books, mementos, and the like.

Credit: Minette Hand

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: Urban / Mid-century modern 

Inspiration: I’ve worked from home now for almost five years. I wanted my space to be a spot I’d feel creative, motivated, and inspired. As much of the world now knows, living and working in the same place is a challenge in itself. I was inspired to set up my apartment with a workflow in mind — editing at my desk, a comfortable spot for lunch, laptop time at the kitchen table, go work with clients, come back to cook dinner and end the nights with a glass of wine and a favorite show. It’s like a little cycle everyday here in my apartment. 

Credit: Minette Hand

Favorite Element: Photographs everywhere. Being a photographer, I have a habit of having (probably too many) photos displayed of friends and family, travel, and little happys around my apartment. Even a framed map of Stars Hollow, the fictional town from “Gilmore Girls.” I want all my guests to be able to get a sense of family and friendship when they walk in. 

Biggest Challenge: Knowing when to stop buying/acquiring plants? The apartment faces south and is filled with the best sunlight almost all day everyday. It’s slowly turned into a baby greenhouse, which I’m pretty obsessed with.  

Credit: Minette Hand

What Friends Say: “Basically a photo gallery,” “great window light and view of the city,” “the definition of cozy,” “you took an industrial modern space and made it extremely warm and cozy,” “a welcoming place to visit.”

Biggest Embarrassment: Honestly I don’t spend any extra time in my bedroom other than to sleep, so I haven’t put forth much bandwidth into that space. The bed is comfy as heck and the bedding is perfect, but that’s the extent of it. So I’m not the proudest of how that space looks (although it feels amazing). I spend most of my time at my desk, in the kitchen, or the living room. 

Credit: Minette Hand

Proudest DIY: I’m not going to lie, I’m not much of a “builder” per se, so you won’t catch me with a hammer or power tool. But, I am pretty proud of how my main photo gallery wall came out. Displaying everything in an asymmetrical pattern, using various frames, adding some personal touches, it really does tie the space together so well.

Biggest Indulgence: Probably my couch. I am so happy with that element in the apartment. The couch is a main focal point as you walk in, and I love how long it is and its ability to fit multiple friends hanging out while I’m cooking dinner or making drinks. I was a little nervous about the aging process for the leather, especially with the amount of sunlight that it sees. But, I think it looks better and better every day. 10/10 recommend that couch. 

Credit: Minette Hand

Best Advice: Neutrals don’t necessarily have to be ~neutrals~! Maybe you really like a green or a bright yellow, and not beige or white or gray. In my opinion, literally you can make any color a neutral if you style it right. 

Dream Sources: I’d love to have coffee with Joanna Gaines. (I’d also love to gift her a family photo session and for her to bring all her baby goats to the shoot.) I’m putting that out into the universe. I love how she takes any space and personal style and creates a beautiful warm environment for her clients. She brings together tons of various textures and pieces, flawlessly. 

Resources

Credit: Minette Hand

LIVING ROOM

Credit: Minette Hand

OFFICE NOOK

Credit: Minette Hand

DINING ROOM

  • Dining Table — IKEA
  • Dining Chairs — IKEA
  • BTR Flag — Etsy
  • Wall Lamps — IKEA
  • Plant Baskets — World Market, Magnolia Home
Credit: Minette Hand

KITCHEN

Credit: Minette Hand

BEDROOM

Credit: Minette Hand

BATHROOM

Thanks, Eric!

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