Textile junkies, you're not alone.
Kristin Peters has been a chiropractor for 25 years, balancing bodies and mitigating stress, aligning the spine with the nervous system. She's a healer, so it comes as no surprise that having a calm, cozy space is imperative to her existence.
"An important part of healing is helping the brain and body relax," she says. "This is easier to achieve when you have a beautiful space to support and nurture your healing."
For the past three years, in addition to owning her own chiropractic clinic, Peters has been staging homes for friends and family. But have a cup of tea in her own Oakland house and you'll know instantly that this is her nearest, dearest and ever-ongoing project. Over the past 14 years, she and her husband, Corey—who had a vintage shop, works as a contractor, and will soon focus solely on real estate—have worked together to renovate their 1963 mid-century ranch home in Redwood Heights. And she's still overflowing with ideas on how to transform the space, often rearranging things to suit a new season or her current mood—Corey says she's even rearranged the living room to make the perfect place for a new pillow.
To say Peters is a maximalist would be putting it mildly, and her penchant for heavy textures, bold patterns, and plants galore align her look with that of Berkeley-born,uber-bohemian, Jungalow blogger Justina Blakeney. And while Peters admits that the flower child designer is one of her biggest inspirations, her style holds its own with a mix of modern and antique items from near and afar.
As a big fan of vintage ("I love anything old with soul"), she's been known to spend the weekend scouring thrift shops for a great deal, but will also splurge on a statement piece or works by a local artists. Some of her favorite places to shop include Alameda Point Antiques Faire, Gypsy Road Studio and Piedmont Lane Gallery. Instagram is also a go-to resource for finding makers such as Jennifer Harrison, whose Flea Market Fab is her fav for poufs and rugs.
In putting together a cohesive, zenned-out home, she spills the beans on her process. First, she evaluates the quality of light; then she takes a hard look at the room to determine if it's being used to its full potential. She is a believer of tearing down barriers—in both the physical and psychological realms—to make way for energy, and is always looking for a different perspective.
"Just because a room is built as a bedroom doesn't mean you have to use it that way. I have a bed in the living room and an exercise room in a bedroom!" she laughs. "I like to use pieces of furniture in unexpected ways. For example, I took a pair of wicker shelves and turned them upside down to make end tables....I buy based on gut instinct, often without thinking. If it makes my heart sing, I will find a way to make it work."
Peters always has her next several design projects in mind, currently yearning to redecorate her office, convert her garage into a giant rumpus room, and remodel an Airstream trailer. Until then, take a peek inside her highly Instagramed home.
