Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » sneak peek: matte stephens {update}

today is all about illustrator matte stephens. you can catch a peek into his new work and studio over on our guest blog (with sarah fox), but we wanted to share a bit more of his awesome retro-inspired home right here. isn’t where he lives so indicative of his style of illustration? you can find more, full-sized images of his home right here, and don’t forget to check out the other installments of his sneak peeks in the past here and here. the home is truly always a work in progress. [thanks, matte!] -anne

p.s. click here for the direct link to his studio on the guest blog today!

[Above: We moved to Portland several months ago. We first moved into a Victorian house that wasn't set up very good for us. So we set out to find a Mid Century Modern place. We found this condo in SW Portland and just fell in love with the place and the area. The condos were built in 1956 and have flat roofs with little back yards. They are one story and are shaped in a u with a courtyard in the middle. The people who live here take really great care of the garden /courtyard.It is a wonderful place we feel very lucky to be here.]

This is a photo from the outside in you can see that we collect modern design stuff. Most all of the things we have are from the time period.

This is our living room. you can see an eames house of cards,herman miller catalogs, my accordian, George nelson clocks and lamps,Eames red plywood lounge chair,Eames Plywood coffee table,George Nelson swag leg coffee table. 1962 4 sheet movie poster.

Jens Risom for Knoll chair,dining room Set of 6 eames dcm chairs and fireplace

Our dining room Eames dining chairs, Old travel posters, Norman churner chair, Eva Zeisel china, george Nelson clock, Richard Shultz table for knoll.

This picture is of our book shelf. Old display hands a vintage George Nelson spindle clock for howard Miller. An old Molecular set and a red owl store promo.

Why, oh why are all of the good mid-century places to live in SW Portland or outer SE? And why are there never any used Womb chairs for sale on craigslist or e-bay? Not fair. Welcome to Portland, Matte.

Talented artist! But I’m skeptical this is a real house… Where’s the un-hip remote control? Doesn’t anyone do laundry, have an animal, file a paper not in a folder? books not bound by a single imprint press?

Dre, that was so funny! We only have 1 Tv which is in my work room. So no remotes about the house. It stays pretty clean. We put our cloths in a laundry basket :) My work room gets messy but I cleaned it to take photos. We do have animals. Why would anyone want to look at a messy house? Thats what my Dad always said .:)

I’ve purchased three prints from Matte and LOVE them. His designs are beautiful and have a great sense of humor that is hard to find. His house looks just like I would have pictured (if I’d ever pictured his house. ) (…which I didn’t).

glad to see the new place! We miss you here and can’t wait to visit!

As far as Mattes home goes – he has always had a kept a very neat home and well maybe a little more messy in the studio i bet :)

Love all the new work, and can’t wait to see next years halloween head! The owl was just great!

I’ve been lucky enough to see this place in person and I can honestly say it is AMAZING! Matte and Vivienne have done such a great job of turning this fantastic space into a completely personalized home. And its definitely lived in… and loved by them both. We’re so glad you’re in Portland, guys!

I really like your interior design, I have tried to create something similar in my own house but I think you need to get a lot of the same quirky design items otherwise they look a bit on their own. I think I should buy some more stuff.

Its actually a very old library bookcase I found at an antique store several years ago. I would look in your paper or craigslist for old businesses that are closing and selling there stuff. There are warehouses all over the place filled with great stuff waiting to be found :) Thank you!!!

I have seen a lot of your art (and Vivienne’s) on flickr, and your house is like a living piece of art that is TOTALLY YOU. I love that. I wish I could get my house to look like me…..ok wait, my house is a mess, that’s pretty accurate.

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