I was able to explore beautiful Guadalajara in Jalisco, Mexico at the end of 2019. Aside from eating amazing food and enjoying some of the best architecture I’ve ever seen, one of my favorite things was meeting designers (and all-around cool guys) Juan Pablo and Ruben. Their home is tucked away in a quiet lot that’s lined with apartments, but it clearly stood out with the bright yellow door.

Juan Pablo and Ruben are the designers behind Estudio Toribia, focusing on interior and product design. When they moved in, the home wasn’t as open and colorful as it is today. They wanted to improve natural light and airflow, make the space look and feel bigger, and maintain a ’70s vibe. 

The end result is a space that is bright, airy, and perfect for entertaining. My favorite thing about their home is how it’s very much inspired by Mexico, bright colors, and textures. Every spot featured beautiful ceramics or prints from Mexico’s most talented designers. And those big plants in the living room? I mean…come on! 

All of the photos I took of their home are published on Apartment Therapy. 

Thanks again for welcoming me into your home, Juan Pablo & Ruben! You can see some of their awesome work and design projects on Instagram.

A few weeks back, a friend mentioned to me that artist Day Schildkret was moving out of his Richmond cottage to go on tour to promote his new book, and that I must immediately go to his home to capture it through photos. I had not met Day before, but I was familiar with his colorful, nature-inspired art, so I was curious about how his home reflected his personality.

I reached out to Day, and a couple weeks later (luckily, just before he officially moved out), he welcomed me into his home. As soon as I stepped through the front door, it was obvious that the connection he shared with the space was strong. He immediately pointed out heirloom pieces and old portraits of loved ones that covered an entire wall.

The house itself is tucked away in the Richmond Hills, just a few blocks from Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. The driveway is surrounded by tall trees, and wild turkeys roam freely just outside his door. Being surrounded by nature is just what Day wanted in a home, as it would allow him to forage his own backyard for objects to use in his art.

In the 1920s, the home was a fishing lodge for the Wildcat Creek. To this day, the small creek runs at the bottom of the hill and can be seen from the living room window. “I love the old wood floors, the way the light pours through the redwoods, and how each room of my home was designed to be a sacred altar,” Day says.

The green hills that surround the cottage are the perfect setting for quiet morning hikes at sunrise. On said hikes, Day brings a hand basket that holds found objects like flowers, leaves, seeds, and feathers — all of which are used in his art. 

Day says,  “Every moment in this home has been an inspiration that has fed my artistry.” After our photo shoot, Day packed up all his belongings and left his Richmond cottage, but was happy to have photos of the space as a reminder. His new book is released on October 30.

Thank you so much for welcoming me into your home, Day!