House Tour: Rebecca Tegtmeyer, Sown
Rebecca Tegtmeyer is the talented designer behind Sown, a hip line of pillows made from recycled burlap sacks. Originally from Kansas, Rebecca calls North Carolina her home while she completes her Masters in Graphic Design at NC State.
How would you describe your decorating style?
I think others would say that my style is organized and simple. I feel comfortable when everything is situated in a space, especially since I live in rental spaces that are small and functional. I prefer to have a space with minimal color, white and natural is primary. Since I frequently mix things up and change my space I like to keep the touches of color up to the objects that I have more control over, like fabrics. The larger furniture pieces I choose are either items that I make, like my work table and book shelves, or found pieces. I enjoy browsing flea markets and antique booths for a good find.
Do you collect anything, if so, how do you display it?
I have had several collections that have evolved over time, however, since I have been in graduate school for the last two years I have neglected adding to or even displaying some of my treasures. I currently collect white pottery, preferably white planters that have simple clean lines. I may have extended this to include just any pottery as my last two purchases were green planters! I also collect any sort of ephemera from packaging to books and labels. These are stored in various binders but recently I have been scanning them in to share with others. Another obsession is anything framed. I possess a large amount of framed pieces that haven’t been unpacked since moving to Raleigh. I frame anything that is typographically interesting, old sheet music covers, magazine covers, handwritten pages from a book, labels, etc. Basically anything that is not in one of my ephemera binders. I also purchase several pieces from etsy. Some day I will live in a space that have walls large enough to accommodate all of the frames!
What inspires your decorating sensibility?
There are several individuals that inspire my aesthetic. I had a great aunt that loved interesting objects. I have a few of her items here and there. My mother spent summers with her as she grew up and she still tells stories of all the interesting things my aunt kept in her home. I imagine her home often, even though I think hers may have been a bit more chaotic.
I have a close friend that is currently a photo art director at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. We have known each other for several years through design school at KU then we worked together. He too enjoys decorating his space and the items in it. He has inspired my style the most as he is always finding something new and odd to display in his home or antique booth. It sometimes becomes a competitive treasure hunt between the two of us. A couple of my favorite items are gifts from him…two iron cast birds and my huge orange letter “R”.
I tend to search for inspiration by visiting interesting shops and flea markets. I also keep binders and digital files of photos that I come across of spaces I like. When I am feeling the need to make another change in my space I flip through those…but most of the time I end up back with my own style as I work with what I have at hand.
Favorite Local NC Spots & Things to Do: HARDEST QUESTION FOR ME….
This one is the hardest as I have been living in a graduate school hole since moving to Raleigh. BUT when I came to Raleigh for the very first time for my interview at NCSU I googled places in Raleigh and found Father and Sons on Hargett. I frequent there often “just to look”. I also went to the Purple Armchair (was that the name??) before it closed. Honestly other than Ebay and Etsy, I haven’t had a chance to shop much at all!
As for favorite thing to do in Raleigh…I love hiking at Umstead and anything outdoorsy. Since I am a recent grad and it is summertime, I tend to spend time with my classmates outside of the studio space.
Comments
Rebeca has great ideas when it comes to decorating, I really like her style. Perry Jamal frosted window film
That lovely Rebecca has always had impeccable taste!