artist's loft, part 2

Yesterday I shared with you images from outside artist Vicki Bruner's Richmond loft, showcasing the urban garden on her patio and in other corners of her building. Today, as promised, we take a peek inside her quirky, art-filled home.

This first photo picks up where we left off. Through those doors is the lush patio featured yesterday. The entrance to the loft is just to the left of those doors, and most of the living spaces (kitchen, dining room, office/studio, living room) are situated around the edges of this central space, all open to one another. Only the bathroom and bedroom are behind closed doors in the rear corner of the loft.

Let's work our way clockwise around the loft. First, the living room, which was my very favorite part of Vicki's home. I adore the golden tones woven throughout this space through the art, the rug, the rattan floor seating, and some of the wooden furniture. It's especially handsome against the darker, richer tones of the exposed brick and the plum-colored upholstery. But it's not just the colors that make this space work so well. Each object and work of art seems to tell a story and collectively give the impression that Vicki lives a very interesting life and that the artifacts of her adventures are gathered around her here in her home.

A handsomely adorned bookshelf marks the transition from the living room and central open area to the more private back corner of the loft, where the bathroom and bedroom are located. I love how even the bathroom is filled with quirky art and objects!

At the back of the loft's central open area is Vicki's workspace, separated by a half wall that is covered in corrugated metal. A similar treatment was used on the kitchen island to create a unifying look. That fun zebra marks the transition from kitchen to dining space.

Finally, here are a few detail shots for you, taken near the entry to the loft. The whimsical painting of the woman in a bikini was done by Vicki herself.

What a wonderful home Vicki has created for herself! If we hadn't just poured all this money and energy into renovating and adding on to our own house (and if we weren't so attached to our location by the James River), Bob and I would be tempted to want to make this our new home. (Vicki is in fact considering selling the loft. You can read more -- and see actual professional photos -- here.) However, we both remarked that it wouldn't be quite the same without Vicki's unique collection of art, furnishings, plants, and other objects.

Thanks again to Vicki for letting me share these photos and to Venture Richmond for hosting the fabulous Downtown Loft Tour that provided the opportunity to see this and so many other wonderful homes!