Howard’s Eclectic Art-Filled Studio
Name: Howard Kurtzman ; Painter at Howard of Howard
Location: Virginia Highlands; Atlanta, Georgia
Size: 950 square feet
Years lived in: 10 years; Owned
One magical night, I happened to find myself in a room filled with people and fantastic curiosities. In awe of all the color and detail, I began asking each person in the crowd if they owned this whimsical home, and each one simply replied, “No, it belongs to Howard,” as if he were the Wizard of Oz himself. When I finally happened to meet the man behind the curtain, it all made sense, as if I had already met him by the walk-through of his home. Though, he’s a bit younger and smilier than the wizard of Emerald City.
When I returned in the light of day, the colors and creations spoke just as they did that night, like walking through a storybook written by Howard. As we got to talking, he described that he loves to entertain, being out in nature, and all things shiny. He then continued to tell stories of being held at gun point, dying and having an out-of-body experience, being struck by lightning, and a detailed story about witnessing an octopus being caught and brought aboard a fisherman’s boat in Turkey; the images and experiences sticking with him ever since. All of the above combined have translated into his lifestyle and the many paintings that fill his home.
Needless to say, Howard has lived on to tell a fantastic tale. One that has manifested through his creativity and personality into his home; an environment that maintains the “tequila flow” and the inviting spirit for all guests stopping by.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Eclectic, colorful, repurposed, classic
Inspiration: Color. The beach. Mountains. Rocks. Tequila. Friends.
Favorite Element: The light! My view is sick! Tons of sun, and a view of the skyline.
Biggest Challenge: Working with the size and shape of my condo while trying to make it my own.
What Friends Say: Wow! Looks like a carnival exploded in here! Haha. It makes for a great entertaining space.
Biggest Embarrassment: Walking smack into my kitchen upon entry.
Proudest DIY: Hanging my dog run wire for my bedroom curtains.
Biggest Indulgence: The chandelier.
Best Advice: Don’t shit it up.
Dream Sources: The Beverly Hillbillies. I loved their black and white checked floors. I like farm life and incorporating it into my home.
Resources of Note:
PAINT & COLORS
- Metallic paint painted with a one inch brush in the entry. Took a long time. Haha
ENTRY
- Plates – my own art
- Tool Chests – Sears and Costco
- Knick Knacks – random finds
LIVING/DINING ROOM
- Art – Mine, about 65 paintings or so
- Cow chairs – They were my mother’s, Bloomingdale’s in New York circa 1957, and I reupholstered them myself and made the pillows with a cowhide rug
- Dining Table – Dave and Mabry
- Chairs – My friend, Tonya. Traded for a painting of mine.
- Chandelier – Chandelier Art
- Sofa – Horizon
- Curved Silver Lamp – Progressive Lighting
- Side Table (next to sofa) – Repurposed transistor from a power line, and I had my friend Dan Bellor take the surplus Brazilian Cherrywood from the floors and build the top
- French Bombay Chest – my grandparents
- Drapes – my friend Angela’s mother, Gwen, made them. I chose the fabric.
- Silver bar cart – original doctor’s office furniture from my family neighbor growing up who was a doctor that I repainted
SITTING AREA
- Chairs – Ikea, then I drunkenly drew on them with my friend, Meiers, with metallic paint pens
- Pendant Lamp – Progressive Lighting
- Metal Tool Box – normally for a truck, repurposed as storage/table
- Bench – Handmade by Dan Bellor from the Brazilian Cherrywood from the floors
- Mirror table – Target
BEDROOM
- Japanese bed frame
- 3 cabinets from Lowe’s, I added mirrors in the doors
- Hand-painted cabinet – unfinished furniture that I painted
- Photographs – Meiers Tambeau
Thanks, Howard!
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