My Houzz: Eclectic Coziness in a Dallas Studio
Comfy furniture rubs elbows with dress forms, an old-time record player and other vintage treasures in a 950-square-foot Texas home
Life partners Joseph Rogers and Felix Lopez have lived in their tidy and well-appointed Dallas studio for four years. While short on space, their home is a vibrant expression of their relationship. However, it hasn't always been that way. The two admit they have very different design aesthetics; as Rogers says, "When we first moved in, designing our studio mirrored the growing pains of the relationship. Once the relationship grew stronger, the apartment really came together."
Rogers works in fashion retail as a sales associate and merchandiser, and tends to scrutinize small design details. Lopez works for a furniture company and is more concerned with the overall flow, feeling and use of a space. After moving in together, the couple quickly learned the value of coming to a happy design compromise.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Joseph Rogers, Felix Lopez and their dog, Copper
Location: Dallas
Size: 950-square-foot studio
Rogers works in fashion retail as a sales associate and merchandiser, and tends to scrutinize small design details. Lopez works for a furniture company and is more concerned with the overall flow, feeling and use of a space. After moving in together, the couple quickly learned the value of coming to a happy design compromise.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Joseph Rogers, Felix Lopez and their dog, Copper
Location: Dallas
Size: 950-square-foot studio
Before signing the lease to their studio, Lopez made sure the landlord would allow him to paint the walls. "Color is very important to me, and I wanted the space to express who we are," he says.
The couple is in the process of choosing a new paint color for the living room, because they've recently acquired this brown leather sofa from Rogers' sister. Lopez is leaning towards a lighter color that will pop against the new furniture.
Wall paint: Mocha, Valspar; coffee table: Haverty's
The couple is in the process of choosing a new paint color for the living room, because they've recently acquired this brown leather sofa from Rogers' sister. Lopez is leaning towards a lighter color that will pop against the new furniture.
Wall paint: Mocha, Valspar; coffee table: Haverty's
Lopez painted the fireplace trim to serve as a backdrop for an original painting collaboration. "A friend gave me this terrible picture — it was downright scary, but I really liked the colors. I dripped white paint over the top to create an abstract piece," he says.
Favorite albums, including by David Bowie, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac and Tina Turner, hang as art above a wall-mounted multidisc player.
"I love that red chair," says Lopez. "If I'm not cooking or cleaning, I can be found firmly planted in that chair."
Chair: Cost Plus World Market
"I love that red chair," says Lopez. "If I'm not cooking or cleaning, I can be found firmly planted in that chair."
Chair: Cost Plus World Market
Music is a big part of the couple's life, so here they've carved out space for their record player and collection of albums.
Accent table: Hemnes, Ikea
Accent table: Hemnes, Ikea
The couple found this vintage hutch with orange shelves from the downtown Dallas antiques shop Lula B's. Candle sconces, Italian plates and artwork fill the walls, and an earthy wooden accent table rests at the edge of the dining area for extra surface space.
Table: Pier 1 Imports; dining chairs: Cost Plus World Market
Table: Pier 1 Imports; dining chairs: Cost Plus World Market
The living room's interior windows open to the bedroom area. A chandelier in the window frame sheds light on both spaces.
Chandelier: Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Chandelier: Habitat for Humanity ReStore
The front end of the living room boasts a sunroom with slanted windows. While it's the only source of natural light in the studio, it also radiates extreme heat during the harsh Dallas summers.
"The key to living in a small space like ours is organization," says Lopez. "I truly believe that anyone can live in a small space if they have the right tools. Get things up off the ground and use your walls well."
Drafting desk: Ikea; armoire: Lula B's
"The key to living in a small space like ours is organization," says Lopez. "I truly believe that anyone can live in a small space if they have the right tools. Get things up off the ground and use your walls well."
Drafting desk: Ikea; armoire: Lula B's
A crinkled curtain acts as a movable screen to separate the open living area and bedroom. As a fashion enthusiast, Rogers collects bust forms, admitting, "I just can't seem to get rid of them. My closet is full of them."
An oversize and distressed white frame, an unused merchandising prop from Rogers' workplace, stands against the back wall. Reclaimed windows from a Habitat for Humanity resale outlet double as a headboard.
A small cheery blue dressing table with faceted glass drawer pulls displays a scented candle and vintage boxes made of beveled glass. Layered mirrors lean against the wall to create interest and reflect light.
Bedding: Ikea
A small cheery blue dressing table with faceted glass drawer pulls displays a scented candle and vintage boxes made of beveled glass. Layered mirrors lean against the wall to create interest and reflect light.
Bedding: Ikea
To motivate the couple's morning routines, they added a perky yellow hue to their tiny bathroom. A freestanding shelving unit provides much-needed storage space.
"Living in a small space is a process, and communication is key," says Rogers. Displayed on a chalkboard hanging from an entryway closet is a note to Rogers that Lopez will be on dinner duty. It's a small reminder to both of them that you don't need a big house to feel at home.
See more photos of this home | Share your creative studio with us
See more photos of this home | Share your creative studio with us
Rogers (at right) gets design inspiration from his grandparents, who always had small but inviting homes. "I guess that's why I'm so attracted to vintage pieces and comfy furniture," he says.