I am obsessed with the work that Chenin of Boutwell Studio produces. Her photographs are the perfect balance of whimsy and humor, with hard-hitting emotion. You really feel their photography, from eclectic and colorful shots that make you laugh to the more subtle, deeply moving images…

Chenin’s studio is a complete reflection of who she is as an artist. If her photography is defined by whimsy and irreverence, with touches of vintage flair, the studio follows suit. She blended pure white hardwoods with industrial shelving and ultra feminine fabrics, knowing that the mismatched look would come together flawlessly…

Color is a common thread in both Chenin’s work and her sense of design…the bold greens, blues and oranges in the studio speak to her need for color, while the upholstered furniture adds a touch of calm. She wanted a space that was inviting and warm, not intimidating as fine art can often be, thus she challenged herself to create a space that was simple and approachable. .she hung panels of brocade fabric to add depth and dimension to the space (each is approximately 6 ft. tall and 4 ft. wide) to which she then hung her own photography in front of each panel from the ceiling with s-hooks and twine. A simple, unintimidating way to display her work….

The challenge that Chenin had when designing a work space was in creating a place that was comfortable and yet functional (code, she had to fight the ugly). Creativity became a main component of the space. She uses an old, beat-up ladder to display her albums. She uses a vintage wrought iron chair as a side table and a DIY sawhorse legged, glass-topped table as a reception desk. To cut down on messiness, she hung gossamer-like panels from the ceiling to hide her producution area.

From crystal chandeliers hanging from exposed wood ceilings to that awesome faux fireplace, every detail reflects Chenin both an artist and as a girl. She doesn’t ever take herself too seriously and it shows. Her whimsical photos bring a smile to your face and her home away from home captures the same unique charm.

If you are interested in seeing more work done by Boutwell Studios, check out her feature on Style Me Pretty. Chenin is one of our favorite Little Black Book members so we love that she let us peak inside the doors of her creative studio!