My Houzz: Artists Look to the Southwest for Inspiration

When artisan woodworker Aleksandra Zee and musician Antom Kury moved in together, they kicked off a new chapter in their life with a purge. As artists who lead busy lives, they wanted to create a calm and peaceful space to come home to. They both tend to gravitate toward a clean, minimalist style, but they also value a personality-filled home that inspires and nurtures creativity.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Aleksandra Zee, Antom Kury and their dog Jack
Location: Mission neighborhood of San Francisco
Size: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom

In the light-filled entry hall, a jolt of color on one wall adds visual interest, but the room’s otherwise neutral colors and ample light help set the tone for the rest of the apartment. Shelves throughout the apartment allow the couple to display mementos and artwork without cluttering surfaces.

Both artists wanted to be able to go to bed at night and wake up in a clean, peaceful space. “It’s good for creativity — to be calm and peaceful where you lay your head,” Zee says.

Wall hanging: Afterlife; wall art: vintage from Aspen


When Zee and Kury first moved in, they gave the apartment a fresh coat of paint, fixed the holes and got rid of a lot of their clutter. Their focus was on adding what they needed to make the space work for both of them. Now, they’ve halted their buying cycle and are slowly accumulating special little things that have memories for the two of them.


The banquette is not original to the kitchen, but it perfectly fits the period room. Zee got it from a friend. A shelf below the nearby window houses a small collection of succulents, a tribute to the couple’s Southwestern design inspirations.


With their busy lifestyles, Zee and Kury appreciate having space to breathe at home. Soft neutral furnishings don’t overcrowd the living room, and textiles collected from Native American trade shops and small stores they’ve picked up while traveling in the desert add texture and visual interest.

Wall hanging, macrame: Urban Outfitters; couch: Ikea; coffee table: custom made by Katie Gong; eye pillows: Urban Outfitters; blanket: vintage; rug: Ikea


Zee also believes that it’s important to not have your pictures only on your phone and computer. They display Polaroids in a basket on their coffee table for reminders of treasured moments shared with close friends and family members.


The living room media center is an artful mix of vintage and modern.

Table: Aleksandra Zee, stool: thrifted; mirror: New Mexico


Zee and and Kury describe their design style as clean, modern and eclectic with heavy Southwestern influences. Their house is scattered with textiles and small objects gathered on their travels.

Woodwork: Aleksandra Zee; bookshelf: Katie Gong


They especially draw lots of inspiration from the desert. Earthy colors and minimalist design are seen in every room, including the bedroom.

Bedding: Target; pillows: Gravel and Gold; macrame: Sara Berks; shelf: Aleksandra Zee


Besides being avid textile collectors, they both love to collect hats. All of their hats are from their travels and are worn frequently, in addition to being part of the decor.

Desk: Aleksandra Zee and Antom Kury; chair: Target; lamp: Ikea


The mix of textiles and patterns throughout the home also keeps Zee’s creative juices flowing. “All of my art is inspired by textiles,” she says. When searching for the perfect piece, she advises looking for a good color scheme and pattern.

Trunk: Alameda Flea Market; basket: The Perish Trust; textile: Pendleton; lamp: antique


Zee also has a few antiques from her childhood. She loves their vintage patina and the stories they bring to mind.

Mirror: antique; wall shelf: Katie Gong; dresser: antique


Jack relaxes in his own space in the bedroom.

Wall textile: Indian trading post near Joshua Tree National Park


Kury and Zee are pleased with the feeling they’ve created in their home. “There are so many things you don’t need. It’s a fine line between your house looking like a thrift store and intentional things. It’s more important to have a handful of little decorations, rather than a lot of meaningless items,” Zee says.

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URL: My Houzz: Artists Look to the Southwest for Inspiration http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-25993.html