I get so excited when I have a new house tour to share. It feels a little bit like Christmas: like a wee gift to unwrap during the week. So, here’s your gift… Today, we are peering in to the home of designer (and artist) Sofia Barao of Sbarao boutique, a shop filled with all kinds of beautiful things (crocheted jewelry and accessories, mixed media artwork, and the occasional piece of vintage clothing).

Not only did Sofia agree to share her home with everyone, she also answered a few of my questions. Here’s our mini interview (and a couple images of Sofia’s work as well)…

-Tell us about yourself.

My name’s Sofia I’m a Portuguese artist-designer, and I live now in France with my French husband. We live near Paris, about 45 minutes away. Our pretty town is between a forest and a river and several small lakes. I work part time at a museum and the rest of the time I create.

I call myself a maker and a daydreamer. I love to create all the time. Whether it is with paints, paper, fabric, yarns, leather, cold porcelain, feathers or whatever I can get my hand on. I mostly work with vintage supplies, dead stocks and small stocks; I especially love to create unique pieces. I have a passion for literature, especially poetry. Sometimes I need to write as I need to breath and when that happens I can write for months every day.

-How would you describe your design style?

I don’t really think I have a design style. Or maybe yes because most of the things are from flea markets. I love vintage so here in France and especially around Paris I really am lucky to have such wonderful flea markets. I always find something whenever I go.

-What is your favorite decorative element in your home?

I love the big Paris school map I have above my sofa. It is from the 40’s-50, and I found it for nothing at a flea market too.

-And how has having such a creative career inspired you in decorating your home?

I guess that when you have a creative career it reflects a bit on your home’s decoration, but not always. I can say it does at my home when I go to my friend’s houses or when they come to visit me because in terms of decoration we don’t really have the same type of deco at all.

I need to have things that I love around me, and also things that inspire me that will inspire my work. I also think that I have too many things around, I just can’t throw anything away so I accumulate and accumulation leads to creation…almost every time, so it’s like a circle, I need what’s in my home to create and my home needs my creations to continue to expand.

Thank you so much Sofia for allowing us to peek into your beautiful home.

Please visit Sofia Barao‘s website and online boutique to learn more about her work.

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