I asked 31 bloggers the same 35 questions for my 31Days Series.
Here are there answers:
I have been watching Brynne of The Gathered Home for a while now. The girl has some serious skills when it comes to knocking off a piece. Seriously. I am utterly amazed by what she makes, including some of the best lighting (Agate and Copper Wall Sconces, let that sink in). Oh, and homegirl loves copper 😉
And she finds the most amazing vintage pieces of furniture. Truly jealous of what she picks up!
Interwebs, Meet The Gathered Home:
1. A bit about yourself, where did you grow up?
Hi guys! I’m Brynne and ever since I was little, I’ve described myself as “a little girl with dreams to do big things.” (I’m pretty sure that’s written in curly handwriting and sparkly gel pen in one of my teenage diaries. Possibly in poem form.) My favorite things in the world are “finding” and “making” and then sharing what I find and make with other people.
I’ve lived in Texas for most of my life now! I grew up in a small town in the Houston area and spent most of my childhood writing stories, playing outside, crafting, putting on plays, and sometimes stealthily redecorating my parents’ house.
2. Main subject of your blog?
The Gathered Home is about – you guessed it – finding and making! I chose those words because they can encompass a whole range of topics, although you’ll mainly find me posting about vintage and thrifted finds (all hail Craigslist!), DIY, and home decorating.
3. Was a design background something you were interested in when you were young?
Ever since I was little I’ve enjoyed putting together pretty things – setting up vignettes on my family’s bookcases and mantle, decorating my dollhouse “just so” (it was NOT for playing with), rearranging my bedroom furniture on a bi-monthly basis… Whenever my mom’s decor magazines would arrive in the mail I would sneak them out of the pile so I could pore over them first. As a kid, I didn’t realize that a designer was a possible career choice, so I wanted to be a veterinarian (I guess with a really nicely decorated office.)
P.S. I did not become a veterinarian, but I still do decorate my parents’ mantle for the holidays.
4. Fall or spring?
Both! They are the prettiest times in Texas, for the few weeks we have of each. But possibly I love Fall just a little bit more because there’s nothing like that first cool, breezy morning when you step outside and are hit with the relief and joy that autumn has arrived!
5. If you could have a different profession, would you?
I’m so lucky to be able to do the things I love to do! Creating makes me the happiest. But…
6. If so, what would that be?
If could be a professional interior designer, I think that would be a fun career choice!
Or a private investigator… I basically want to be petite, blonde, and Veronica Mars.
7. What style do you usually post about?
My style could be dubbed “Vintage Eclecticism”, which translates to “anything that I love, but featuring a lot of found pieces.”
8. What is a style that you are drawn to, but isn’t part of your normal material to talk about?
I am drawn to minimalism – huge white walls, clean modern lines, wide open spaces – but I could never incorporate it into my lifestyle because I am a “maximalist”; more color, more textures, more brass animals… But I love and appreciate minimal and modern designs by others!
9. East Coast or West Coast?
Most of my extended family lives on the East Coast, so there is a special place in my heart for New England. But I would love to visit and/or live on the West Coast.
10. Main go-to colors?
I love pairing brass and different shades of gray. And then really adding any shade of the rainbow to them.
11. Color combo’s you have been dying to try?
I’ve wanted to add some hot pink to our home for a while. My husband nixed the hot pink living room walls I was pining for several years ago, then the hot pink velvet curtains (spoil sport!) but I’m slowly adding some small amounts of hot pink now. I love it paired with emerald green!
12. Antiques or new pieces of furniture and decor?
I go for the old pieces every time. And I’m a sucker for a good back story! I love buying pieces of furniture with a little bit of history, even if that history involved some battle scars along the way.
13. Avid DIY’er or would you rather buy it finished?
DIY or die! Just kidding. There are definitely times I would prefer to buy something finished. I tend to weigh the time and difficulty involved in DIYing against the cost yet convenience of buying premade to make my decision. Sometimes it’s just easier and the cost is a wash between doing it myself or buying it already done. I do get tremendous personal satisfaction from DIYing though, so that tends to tip the balance in its favor.
14. Favorite Music to work to?
I know I am so weird to not listen to a ton of music, but I tend to work either in silence or with Netflix on in the background.
15. Early Bird or Night Owl?
Night owl! Most of my blog posts are written between 10pm and 1am the night before they are published. I am a night owl AND a procrastinator.
16. Eat in or Go Out?
I hate cooking. But I like being home. So if I could afford it every evening take out or delivery would just about be my perfect meal scenario! We tend to eat at home though so I have more money for DIY projects 😉
17. Coke or Pepsi?
Neither – I don’t like the taste of Coke or Pepsi. Ginger ale is my soda of choice!
18. Carpet or Hard Flooring?
We have carpet in our house, but I would love to add wood flooring someday!
19. Country you want to visit?
Anywhere in Europe! All of Europe!
20. What do you do to unwind?
I tend to be a workaholic and always have something going on. Even if I’m sitting in front of the TV, I’m typically working on something on my laptop or iphone (or both). I enjoy playing video games because then I’m completely immersed and cannot divert attention to other things! And I like to read before bed.
21. Who is your Design Icon?
Emily Henderson. I want to be her when I grow up. I just can’t get enough of her style!
22. Outside or Inside?
Definitely inside! I was an outdoorsy child, but I’ve come to appreciate the great indoors so much more. Especially living in Texas: the air conditioning wins out over all outdoor attractions. 😉
23. Piece of work that still makes you proud till this day?
I’m still pretty proud of my Copper Pipe Icosahedron Light (http://www.thegatheredhome.com/2014/03/diy-copper-pipe-icosahedron-light.html). It was one of those projects I wasn’t sure I could pull off, so it was very satisfying to see it come to life!
24. What is the movie that you can watch over and over and it never gets old?
Fight Club. It’s my husband’s favorite movie and I was ambivalent about it at first, but I’m a convert. It’s just so good on every rewatch. Also, The Royal Tenenbaums is another of my favorites.
25. Favorite Social Media Platform?
Currently, Instagram. As a blogger, so much of my social media usage is “businessy”, so I love that Instagram still feels fun and personal.
26. What movie character do you think you identity the most with?
Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series. That was me as a child, bushy hair and all.
27. Cupcakes or Cake?
Cupcakes are so cute! And you get more icing per bite.
28. Best gift you have ever received?
My husband bought me my iphone as a Christmas present several years ago – I’m still thankful for it every day!
29. Best gift you have ever given?
When we were engaged, I gave my husband a glass jar full of origami ninja stars (like this). Inside each folded paper star, I wrote something I love about him. I had no idea he would love the gift so much, but he still hasn’t opened all the notes – he saves them for a pick-me-up on a particularly bad day! Such a simple gift, but it was perfect for my very sentimental husband.
30. Would you rather talk to or text someone?
Text. I don’t like talking on the phone very much.
31. Coffee or Tea?
Coffee.
32. One thing you cannot live without?
My phone. I might have already mentioned it… I am completely (and probably unhealthily) addicted to it
33. Favorite type of flower?
Sunflowers.
34. Best thing about this year?
Growth. So much growing happening in my life and in my blog. Sometimes growing pains are uncomfortable, but I look forward to the results!
35. What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming months?
Finishing my living room makeover, continuing to tackle my kitchen renovation, and figuring out my “next step” in life that I feel like is coming down the road!
Now hop on over and give Brynne some love at The Gathered Home, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.