Houzz Tour: Agnes Blum's Heartfelt Home
Every Room Tells a Story Through an Austin Crafter's Creative Decor
Kerrie Kelly
February 28, 2011
Welcome to Agnes Blum's craftsman-style home in Austin, Texas, where she nestles in with husband, Justin, and daughter Abby-Sue — all Texans to the core. Here, she decorates with colors inspired by the vitality and happiness of their city and with vintage treasures that have a personality and a story. She incorporates family history into her decor, as well as her own fanciful felt and yarn creations, which she shares on her Etsy store and her blog, Knock Knocking.
One of Agnes's handmade wreathes adorns her sky-blue front door. "Every item I create comes from a love of color," she says. "I inherited large quantities of vintage haberdashery from my French Canadian mémère and love to pull out snippets and pieces of this finery to include in my artwork... Since I stay at home with my daughter, part of my creativity is keeping this little lady busy, which involves setting her up with bowls of acorns, pine cones and buttons which she busily sorts while her mama works. Music is incredibly important to my creative process, and each creation is usually set to a different rhythm, a mood reflected in the feel of the finished piece."
While Agnes is drawn to color and collectibles, she also feels some satisfaction from good old-fashion housekeeping. "There is something so comforting about a wooden drying rack."
The kitchen is full of color and vintage details.
This fun dining room was created from dime store finds, repurposing hand-me-downs and creative use of fabric.
Agnes' window seat gets its closeup, showing more detail on her up-cycled pillow creations. Her decor doesn't have to "match" — it just has to be fun.
"Nothing heats as well or looks as cheery as copper pots and pans," Agnes says.
The chalkboard chair project was a fun, easy project. Simply paint an old stool with chalkboard paint.
For the master bedroom, Agnes wanted to keep nature as close as possible with light textiles and simple prints.
Blum tops her vintage French chest with shoes after a long day in the sun.
In a guest/play room, Blum uses a mid-century side table and mushroom stool as a desk for little ones.
The family is "bunk bedding it up" in preparation for Agnes and Justin's newest addition, due in the spring.
Agnes keep the children's bedroom interesting and kid-friendly with bright color and texture.
Another Knock Knocking wreath adorns a door.
Simple but fun artwork by Sarah Jane Studios — cards, string and clothespins— creates another garland for a childen's space.
A reading nook in the guest area caters to all ages. "I love vintage big-eyed art, and it was a bonus that this set came as a boy and a girl."
Warm yellow stripes and a jar of lemons brightens a bath.
With her Etsy business, Agnes is surrounded by yarn and textiles. Here she is able to use it for a garland and some "smile effect" in the guest room. "I always have extra yarn lying around, why not make something fun out of it?"
Gifted, thrifted and handmade, this apron collection adds color and pattern to a white room.
Agnes had to capture a little more Texan fun for her hallway areas, too. "Having fun at carnivals, rodeos and fairs is what Texas is all about in the summer," she says.
Candybouncer chairs add pop to the Blums' back porch. "I love vintage metal patio chairs, and was really exited to find out that the original creator of the very same vintage chairs was still in business making new ones every day," she says.
"We painted the door as cheery a blue as we could find to add a touch of color to the front of the home, and to reflect the bright Texas sky," Agnes says.
Visit Anges's Etsy store and her blog, Knock Knocking.
More: Step inside more inspiring homes
Visit Anges's Etsy store and her blog, Knock Knocking.
More: Step inside more inspiring homes
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Just wanted to mention, I don't think the side table pictured above the mushroom stool is really considered mid-century style. I could be wrong. I believe it's called colonial style. Love those pieces! I've been collecting them and hoping they stay off the radar, unlike mid-century pieces.