What does home mean to you? It’s obviously a subjective question, but to local contemporary artist Karen Dellinger and her husband Jamie, home is a place where you can be most relaxed and at one with your surroundings. This concept is paramount when it comes to the look and feel of their single-story, bayside bungalow.
“My home is my happy place. It’s full of peace and calmness,” Dellinger beamed. Stepping through the front door, that sense of serenity is perfectly captured in the neutral color scheme appointed with natural textures and collected, hand-made and vintage décor.
“In remodeling, it was important to make my design selections timeless; nothing trendy,” she said, pressing the notion that the elements filling her home are full of character and meaning. Backstories come to life in a sculpted bust atop the living room sofa table acquired after much deliberation, or the polished copper pots and pans inherited from her father, whose sense of hospitality was unrivaled.
“My home is filled with hand-made art; I can feel the love poured into each piece,” Dellinger mused. These unique items, flawlessly appointing the quiet color palette and furnishings, reflect cultured travels, personality and a lifelong passion for the arts.
The Dellingers knew their dream home needed to be a place that inspired comfort, which meant prioritizing an open layout to accommodate numerous guests, “Jamie and I love to entertain,” she said. “Our home is perfect to host one or even 30 guests comfortably.”
During the renovation, a wall dividing the living room from the kitchen was replaced with a faux, hand-painted wooden beam, creating the open, seamless flow they desired. Working with the bones of the original split-layout, they capitalized on a second primary suite to reinforce their love for hosting. With a flick of the hallway door, guests enter a domain uniquely their own to relax and unwind in privacy.
From ZZ plants known to flourish indoors to statuesque orchids, verdant greenery is spread through each space, emphasizing the fresh and soothing ambiance. “I always have live plants and fresh flowers in my home,” Dellinger said. “They give me the peaceful energy I crave.”
Steps from the main house lies a true surprise: A recently constructed free-standing art studio has been carefully incorporated into the backyard landscaping. As a practicing artist, Dellinger thrives in the uncomplicated, yet expedient space where she creates stunning canvases she adds to many of the rooms.
“My favorite room is my art studio,” she gushed. “I can totally immerse myself in my art and let my creative energy flow.”
A blank canvas is an opportunity, full of potential in skilled hands. In the Dellingers’ home, soft hues set the stage for florae and collected accessories to truly embrace the artistic joy that flows throughout.
