growing up I always had aspirations to be a national geographic photographer. well, today’s sneak peek comes from penny de los santos, who does just that, but she also shoots for saveur and most recently, martha stewart living. she bought her 1938 austin bungalow in 2003 and along with her partner did a 14 month remodel last year. the entire house was designed to pull in northern and eastern natural light; the architect – kimberly kohlhass – designed it so that during the day not a single light ever needs to be turned on. besides being filled with light and life, the house is also centered around the kitchen. it’s the largest room of the house, the heart of the home and the gathering place for the people she loves in her life. you can find additional images here, and don’t miss penny’s work here and on her blog here. {thanks, penny!} -anne
[above: Where everything creative happens, the center of this house the kitchen. 2 sets of windows, 1 North facing 20foot windows, the other 20 foot east facing windows bring the outdoors in and allow for amazing natural light throughout the day. Perfect for this food photographers cookbook shoots and various food related assignments. Center table purchased from the Wooden Duck in Berkeley, CA. in the 90's and chairs inherited from an a great aunts house on the Texas Mexico border. A vintage chandelier is at the center, purchased at Home Girls in Austin. Used in the evenings for more elegant meals.]
Detail of the stove with the counter and unique European tea pot along with various spoons collected from assignments in various parts of the world.
The master bedroom, looking out onto the back of the property, north facing light, 20 foot commercial grade glass windows make you feel like you are waking up outdoors under the trees.
CLICK HERE for the rest of penny’s peek (including all of the images on one page) after the jump!
Secondary view of the Master bedroom with North and east facing windows.
Vintage John Fluevog shoes bought by owner worn once and then made into a piece of art. [right:] No Mexican-American photographer’s house is complete without a portrait of Frida Kahlo. She resides over the kitchen blessing all creative energy and reminding all to be brave in their thoughts.
The lounge, designed for the cocktail hour with original Barcelona chairs from the 60’s bought a bank in North Texas as it was closing. The room is complete with original photographs from French Magnum photographer Cartier Bresson and Mexican photographer Graciela Iturnide. The vertical window is west facing and diffused which makes a perfect light box for shooting in the afternoon.
Secondary view of the kitchen work station/desk. Original art from visual journal series by Penny De Los Santos/Me on display at top. Sacred cookbook collection and other pieces of inspiration.
Guest bathroom, the only original bathroom in the house. Austin furniture maker Mark Machek designed the build-in counter with drawer, made with Mexican wood called chichi pâté. My childhood arrowhead collection sits at left.
View of the outside patio just off the east wall of the kitchen. Vintage patio furniture collected from around Texas fill the space.
