unexpected guests: johnny & stacie.
this week we’re dropping in on a super creative couple, artists and of johnny&stacie. johnny and stacie love to make things, and share them with us in their etsy shop by, well, the same name johnny&stacie! the couple met in college over drinks while discussing art, and four and half years later the two were married. johnny and stacie live in Saint Paul, Minnesota with their adorable and much beloved dog Ruby. Stacie is an art teacher by day, and Johnny likes power tools and is a freelance designer by day. let’s take a look at the stylish artist co-op they live and run their studio from. you can also see more of their ‘a poster a day’ project here on flickr. thanks for the tour, guys!
What city/neighborhood do you live in?
We live in the Tilsner Artist Cooperative in lowertown Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Tilsner is a renovated warehouse from the 1800’s that is currently a residential artist community located right next to the Mississippi river and Saint Paul farmers market.
What is your idea of a perfect day in Saint Paul?
The morning would be a good cup of coffee followed by a dog walk with Ruby, our little terrier, in the bird sanctuary we live near. We would spend the afternoon perusing various thrift stores and maybe take in a movie. Sushi, drinks, and live music with friends would be the perfect evening.
What don’t you leave home without?
Our iphones and a sketchbook or two.
What are some of your favorite local shops?
The Axman surplus store is fun, quirky, and filled with so many wonderful items you don’t really need but can easily talk yourself into spending a quarter on. We also love Swank Retro, a little vintage shop with everything from modern to kitsch. Hunt and Gather is another favorite thrift store with an awesome and inspiring collection. Last is Wet Paint, a locally owned art store with a nice variety of supplies and knowledgeable and friendly staff.
What’s on your wish list?
We have been on the look-out for a letterpress for awhile, and we definitely would love to be able to travel more. Eventually we hope to own a home too.
What’s your favorite bargain find or product?
Our blue dot furniture that we scored for super cheap at their factory sale in Minneapolis and the Eames shell chair that johnny got for a very low price and refinished for my (Stacie’s) birthday.
What is your biggest interior design nightmare?
Too much carpet, fake flowers, bad massed-produced “hotel art” that matches the sofa.
Who is your favorite artist? And why?
We both feel like we are inundated with too many talented and brilliant artists on a daily basis to choose one or two that are favorites. Honestly, I (Stacie) teach elementary art and my favorite artists are my students. They are honest, uninhibited, hardworking, and they have wonderful imaginations.
Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere! As corny as it may sound, we keep our senses engaged, because inspiration can often be where you least expect it. The internet is a phenomenal tool for finding inspiration, but you also have to go out a live life.
Do you collect anything?
We have amassed quite a collection of mid-century furniture and also have and assortment of vintage globes.
What’s your favorite feature in your home?
Wood floors, ceiling height, and old beams are the best parts of our space.
Who would you like to sit down to drinks with?
Our family–with love them so much and don’t see them often enough.
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Feel too guilty to share them! Probably related to some deliciously awful food we shouldn’t be eating.
What is your most treasured belonging?
Is a dog considered a belonging? This is a tough question. We really try not to look at our belongings too preciously. But our dog ruby is perfect!
What’s souvenir did you bring back from your last trip?
A fuzzy, flocked jackalope coin bank from the great state of South Dakota.
What’s your greatest indulgence?
art and design books.
What is your idea of living hell?
Not having a supportive and loving family or being stuck in a relationship with someone you don’t love or who doesn’t love and respect you.
What are some of your favorites websites/blogs to visit?
ffffound, all the mountains, FOR ME, FOR YOU, Fine Little Day, design*sponge, the house of milk, Design for Mankind, 2 or 3 things i know, aaaahhhh! way too many to choose from!
*some photos courtesy of james ramsay photography.
I love that interview. I especially appreciate that you gave their history of how they met! So cute!
Lila Ferraro
Queen Bedroom Sets
This house is gorgeous. I’m so inspired by the creative bike storage, the plywood studio, the globes and the chairs!
I love your unexpected guests- interviews…it’s so nice to get to know somebody, you would probably never meet in real life!
xo, Bine
Wow! That studio tour was like chair porn. LOVE IT!
just saw this one. repeat.
christina – oh! i did not know. where?
Such a cute couple. I love their style.
thanks all! and hi annie! :)
i did not realize they were just featured on apartment therapy, so christina, i guess you got the pleasure of seeing even more of the creative couple. :)
I would love to know where the pink dinosaur painting comes from.
The world is a better place because of creative thinker and artists, like Johnnie & Stacie. Thanks for the great post!
such a cool house, and i agree with kayla – total chair porn! fab stuff
What a wonderfully unique couple! And their dwelling is truly peaceful and stylish. I’m impressed by how they said they try not to look at belongings too preciously. As an aspiring minimalist living in a 400-square-foot condo, I admire that attitude!
very cool to have some midwest love! go twin cities! it’s always inspiring to see accessible design – and just across the river from me, too!
I love the overall style of their place. wonderful…
This home is WONDER-FILLED! I love it-so inspiring!!!
Thank you for sharing. I’m going to make some funky art. RIGHT NOW! :)
It’s a cute place, but the statement “we really try not to look at our belongings too preciously” is humorous when you consider this couple’s dropped several thousand dollars on seating alone. Why is faux anti-materialism so common amongst MCM devotees?
TC – i think if you read the post, and their blog, you’ll find they found this seating secondhand for the most part, and breathed new life into it with spray paint and hard work.
Love the globes in the kitchen…and the poochie. Overall, a really fantastic home that’s both stylish and liveable (just what a home should be). This post also reminds me that I do need to get up to San Fran. I’ve never been but I’ve always felt like I was missing out.
Lovely couple and a lovely space. It’s obvious that they both have a great eye — and it’s fun to see how it’s translated into a home that’s so creative and inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing, V!
:-)
glad you liked it guys! it’s such a great space! :)
The house is gorgeous, the bike storage is the cool. xx
I can see why one might think we spent a lot of money on seating, but i asure you that we have found amazing deals thrifting, searching craigs list, and refinishing the furniture ourself. Our budget would not allow for extravagent furniture buys! However, even if one spends money on furniture, that does not mean that they look at posessions preciously. Meaning, at the end of the day…..we know what the most important things in life are for us, and it’s NOT our furniture.
what a beautiful, creative home! i love that you have a swing in your apartment!!
(and… stacie, i don’t think anyone other than TC was thinking you guys “are precious about your possessions”… the stuff in your place is RAD, and it’s obvious that you have a lot of fun finding great pieces!! fabulous home. xo)
Oh what a fabulous space. And Ruby is divine! x