Hannah’s Inspiring Oakland Studio
Name: Hannah Ruskin and her dog, Stella
Location: McClymonds — Oakland, California
Size: 700 square feet
Years lived in: 2.5 years; Rented
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Having previously used her Oakland live-work space for her now thriving business, Hannah is happy she can now claim the space as her own. Although her small studio continues to allow her to work on creative projects, most of her work from home is personal in nature, whether crafting at her desk or caring for more than 40 flourishing plants.
Although she specializes in finding furniture and decor for commercial clients, she is proud of her budget-friendly home which consists of mainly items that were gifts, thrift store finds or taken from the sidewalk. “What I love most about my space is being immediately surrounded by inspiration—artwork by friends, unique decor and keepsakes from my past,” she said. “My home was designed with quality and care in mind, while still being budget friendly.”
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Eclectic; Reclaimed, Salvaged and Repurposed; Mid-century Modern
Inspiration: California, Oddity Shops, Music, Folk Art, Charles and Ray Eames, Nature, Old Industrial Buildings
Favorite Element: I love being so close to makers, fabricators, and art studios in Oakland.
Biggest Challenge: Dividing the open space into functional areas that still felt seamless
What Friends Say: “Dang, that’s a lot of plants!”
Biggest Embarrassment: Never actually using my dining table as a dining table
Proudest DIY: Designing and fabricating a room partition/plant shelf using 2x4s and Thermoclear plastic left over from a project
Biggest Indulgence: It would have to be a tie between my Eames chair and a custom mural by Alex Holmes
Best Advice: Always try to fix it first!
Dream Sources: An old barn or industrial salvage yard
Resources
PAINT & COLORS
- BEHR: Bright White, Flat
ENTRY
- Metal Bookshelf: Thrifted
- Wooden Coat Rack: Found
- Door Mat: Ikea
- Reclaimed Wood Cabinet: Found
- Various Decor: Thrifted, found or made by me
LIVING ROOM
- Sofa: Crate & Barrel
- Coffee Table: Thrifted
- Side Chair: Thrifted (Vintage IKEA!)
- Record Cabinet: Thrifted
- Pillows: Ikea + Made by me
- Rag Rug: Gifted
DINING ROOM
- Dining Table: IKEA
- Dining Chairs: Found
- Dining Stool: IKEA
- Pendant Light: Made by me
- Art: Work from friends or made by me
KITCHEN
- Trash Bins: IKEA
- Chopping Block: Boos
- Knife Set: West Elm
- Dish Drainer: IKEA
BEDROOM
- Bed Frame: IKEA
- Sheets + Duvet: IKEA
- Clock: (Karlson) Gifted
- Side Table: Thrifted
- TV Stand: IKEA
- Storage Trunk: Target
- Rocking Horse: Handmade
- Side Chair: Found
- Bookshelf: CB2
- Dressers: IKEA
- Hamper: Found
- Shoe Rack: Found
- Plus Sign Pattern: Etsy
BATHROOM
- Mural: Artist Alex Holmes
- Woven Rug: Thrifted
- Shower Curtain + Hardware: Target
- Medicine Cabinet: Thrifted
- Wooden Crate Shelf: Thrifted
OFFICE/DEN
- Vintage Steelcase Tanker Desk: Found
- Vintage Herman Miller Eames Chair: Secret source 😉
- Metal Plant Stand: Found
- Mid Century Dual Head Lamp: Thrifted
- Metal Locker Cabinet: IKEA
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