A Fiber Artist’s “Dreamland” of Textured Art

Name: Meghan Bogden Shimek
Location: Oakland, California
Size: 1,200 square feet
Years lived in: Rented 6 months

Meghan’s live-work Oakland loft is very personal and full of inspiration, found in her beautiful fiber weavings, work by her creative friends, or vintage furniture that brings her joy. Though she’s lived in the space for less than a year, Meghan is already enamored with the amount of space the loft provides her, both to create and share with her 5-year-old son.

Meghan is a weaver, fiber artist and tarot card reader. She calls her style Dreamland—defined as “an imagined and unrealistically ideal world”—and finds inspiration in loss, constant movement, healing and the acknowledgment of uncomfortable feelings. These inspirations can be found in the fiber art throughout her home and at her shows. The large wall hangings above the dining room table, as an example, were created after losing a loved one and going through a divorce.

What Meghan loves most about the space is how much freedom she has to add and remove from the large, high walls. She just recently installed a Murphy bed built by one of her friends, and her work space showcases art from other fiber artists that inspire her. “I only add new things to my home that I love,” she says.

My Style: Dreamland

Inspiration: Constant movement

Favorite Element: My cocoon. I originally made the cocoon for my show ROVE in Seattle. When the cocoon came back to California, I decided to reassemble it in my home and have it on display here. I love that it is a constant reminder of the time I spent in Seattle and everything that show meant to me. I also love my hammock chair. I try to find time to sit in it everyday and take breaths.

Biggest Challenge: Sharing my space with a 5 year old and trying to keep our live and work areas separate.

What Friends Say: Since I recently moved to this space, all my friends have been very excited about how much bigger it is and how I am able to truly make it my own. The loft was a blank slate and each day I get to add and subtract from the walls.

Biggest Embarrassment: I am terrible at organizing and everything is always put in piles. I wish I was one of those people that could figure out how to use baskets and cute boxes to make things look nice.

Proudest DIY: My Murphy Bed! My good friend Nate Jordan made it for me. He was so patient with me and it looks incredible! I can’t take any credit for making it, but it is the thing I am most excited and proud of.

Biggest Indulgence: My vintage Baumritter couch. I bought this couch when I briefly lived in Arizona. I love the color and shape.

Best Advice: Only add things to your home that you love, not just because you read somewhere that it is a trend or someone telling you that you need something.

Dream Sources: I would love to buy a table from Aleksandra Zee.

⇒ House Tour & House Call Submission Form

See More:
⇒ Recent House Tours
⇒ House Tours on Pinterest