House Tour-Olivia

Name: Olivia Treviño (nickname Señorita O)
Location: Monterrey, Mexico
Square Footage: about 1,000 square feet
Years Lived in: 3 years
Rent or own: I rent this house from my grandfather, it's an old familiy house that's always been inhabited by family members. My aunt Eloisa lived here before me and when she passed I moved into this house with my boyfriend Carlos. You'll find lots of old pictures of her around the house.
Describe your style: I think the decoration in my house is pretty eclectic I don't think I have a certain style, I like old things, recycled things and I very rarely buy a new piece of furniture. Most of the things you see around my house belonged to my parents or my grandparents, or were found at street markets or antique shops. This is an old house, so it feels natural to decorate it with old things, besides, I don't like spending too much on a piece of decoration and I'm very good at doing a lot with very little. I also like having art around, and books and toys, lots of toys!
Blog/Website/Twitter: radioinmyfingernail.blogspot.com/, www.flickr.com/photos/srita_o/

What's your favorite free/found item? 
My boyfriend is a designer and he will use just about anything to make a collage or paint on it, my favorite piece is an old wooden door he found in the trash and made a huge collage of a giant squid and a zebra on it. The thing is huge and heavy but it looks amazing just leaning against a wall.


What's your favorite purchased item?
All the toys I bought in my recent trip to Japan.

What has been your biggest obstacle in decorating/design?
Well, in my case, working in an old and long neglected house. My biggest problem until now has been water leakings and humidity, that can pretty much ruin your pretty painted walls.


Is your design style organic or planned?
Never planned, I just place things around where they look nice.

What is your favorite spot in the house?
The arch and columns that divide the living and the dining room, it's very rare and very beautiful.


How has your style changed in the past 5 years?
Not much, although I've been buying a lot more figurines and other kitschy stuff lately. I'd say my style changes depending on the things that come my way.

What is your favorite resource or store?
Street markets.


What is your biggest decorating/design pet peeve?
Not sure what pet peeve means...

What has been your favorite design trend?
Toys and kitsch stuff, in Mexico, there's plenty of both.


What is the biggest influence on your design/decorating style?
Old pictures and old movies.

What in your home dictates how you design/decorate?
The fact that it's an old mexican house, it inspires me so much.


What is the simplest thing you have done that has made the biggest impact?
Painting things like figurines, chairs, or choosing weird colors for the walls, using walls as canvas.

all photos courtesy of homeowner. If you would like to have your home featured please send me an email or submit pictures of your home to the flickr group.