Last summer I shared a post about Charlotte artist Diane Hughes, who creates gorgeous paintings based on still lifes and nature photography. When I visited Diane at her studio for our interview, I was enraptured by her home. Diane’s space possesses the same ethereal yet darkly romantic feel as her artwork. Her rooms glow in a painterly palette of soft watercolors mixed with charcoal, inhabited by billowing draperies and furniture that looks like it has a story to tell. It’s a space that manages to perfectly capture the spirit of the artist. Immediately it struck me: Design Carolinas needed to do a virtual home tour! Here I share a little Q&A with Diane about her space and her decorating style, as well some splendid photos taken by the artist herself.
Charlotte artist Diane Hughes in her home studio (photo by Design Carolinas)
How long have you lived in your home, and what attracted you to it initially?
I have lived in my home for 12 years. I was attracted to it because I loved the neighborhood. There was and still is a beautiful old camellia bush outside the master bedroom that I just fell in love with. Growing up and living in NY made me appreciate older homes. I love the bungalow style of the neighborhood, the high ceilings, plaster walls and hardwood floors. I also loved the fact that it was a fixer upper and that I had the ability to restore it back to its original state. I pulled up carpeting and linoleum to expose the beautiful floors and fixed the strings in the old windows.
Describe your decorating style:
A good mixture of old and new. Relaxed, unfinished, not perfect but comfortable, I took my time decorating. I have traveled a lot, brought back some small things from my journeys but then found items from France, Spain, Colombia, Mexico and New England right here in Charlotte at the Metrolina flea market and antique stores. Craigslist is also my best friend.
Proudest DIY accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment is my kitchen floor. I found the stone and tile, designed it and helped lay it down.
Favorite room?
My smaller bedroom. I love the glazed ceiling, the striped walls, how the drapes match the room perfectly and the size and comfort of the room. I also love how the windows look out onto my patio and I can see the sunrise every morning without getting out of bed.
Item you’d most like to splurge on?
More drapes. I just love drapes. Handmade, with thick lining, hand stitched hem. I love picking out the fabric. To me, they are like evening gowns and they can really dress up a room. I like them wide and full with a small puddle on the floor.
Finish this sentence: My home would not be complete without ____
Family, friends and animals to share it with. Its fun to decorate but its even more fun to share it. Oh and my artwork….not only mine but my collection. They are like little people living in my home with me.
———-
This last photo is the only one of the home tour bunch that I took. Diane’s cat looks so comfy on this (obviously much loved) velvet chair, I couldn’t resist.
Many thanks to Diane for the virtual tour of her lovely home. All photos unless noted otherwise are by Diane Hughes.