This month, we're visiting Gina, located in Boulder City, Nevada. She lives in one of the historic homes that was built in the 1930's to house the supervisors when they were building the Hoover Dam.

 

Residing in their home for six years, Gina and her husband Gary have poured their hearts and creativity into their home. Building decks, re-doing hardwood flooring and revealing old brick are just some of the projects that Gina and her husband enjoy doing together. Gary is totally supportive of Gina's decorating endeavors, and he appreciates her creative style.

 

With her home being old and historic, it has much architectural character, featuring the original brick work that reveals old penciled in measurements, back from when the house was built in 1932. It is Gina's goal to keep the home as original as possible, while incorporating her own creative touches.

 

Gina describes her decorating style as "Vintage Cottage", which to her means comfy and welcoming. Light pastels, aquas, pinks and whites. Lots of metal architectural pieces, chippy metal, and pieces that show they have been loved and used. Shiny crystals with old chippy pieces, slip covered chairs that have been washed over and over again. Pieces that others in the past have used and enjoyed at one time. Nothing in Gina's home goes unused or unloved.

 

One of Gina's favorite decorating tricks is opening up a space with vintage etched mirrors that are very hazed; either a group of them or just one, depending on the space. She also likes decorating with old mantels, placing them unusual spaces and accessorizing them. Gina's favorite things to collect right now are chandeliers, etched mirrors, medicine cabinets, plates & tea cups, ceramic dogs, anything with rhinestones, sea shells and metal architectural pieces.

 

Her favorite room is her bedroom with french doors, which lead out to her veranda, which Gina describes as "light and airy,and absolutely comfortable". She enjoys laying in the old iron bed out on her deck, piled with a sweet collection of bedding and pillows.

 

Getting her decorating influences from magazines and flea markets, Gina admits she often finds herself redecorating in her mind, even if she's sitting in the waiting room at the dentist's office. Gina has very keen eye, not only for great decor, but how to pull it off really well. She enjoys hunting for her newest treasures at the Rose Bowl flea market in Pasadena, as well as the Ventura flea market.

 

If you like Gina's style, you can visit her booth at Goat Feathers antique store, located at 1300 Wyoming St, in Boulder City, Nevada. She shares her booth with her friend Leslie. If you stop by, please tell them The Old Painted Cottage sent you! -JG

 

(Photographs provided by homeowner, written feature by Jennifer Grey)