Artful Character Colors a Textile Designer's Home

Although Kate and Cody Roebuck had never seen their rental house in person before moving from Georgia to Oxford, Mississippi — just a few smart-phone photographs — the couple trusted that Kate, an artist and also a textile designer, could make the room burst together with DIY pattern, colour and character.

Now a glittery chandelier covers an undesirable light fixture in the dining area, a chicken cage serves as the living room coffee table, and handmade and printed throw pillows from Hable Construction, where Kate does her textile design work, add splashes of colour. Even a very small opossum jaw is appreciated for its layout and made a part of a tabletop display.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Cody and Kate Roebuck
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Size: 1,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, two baths

Corynne Pless

Books and accessories organized by color fill a weathered black bookcase from Scott’s Antiques. “I stored up for the bookcase, because I knew it’d be cherished and loved,” Kate says.

Couch (abandoned): Ikea; throw pillows: Red Sails and Water Birds, Hable Construction

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She discovered the reddish Brahmin Danish Modern chair next to the bookcase in a Regional Goodwill for $20. “My heart was pounding when I spotted it I nearly knocked over some folks racing over for it to claim it as my own!” Kate says.

A large, distressed framework rescued from the side of the road leans on top of the bookcase and frames a shape drawing from school.

International artisans in Stray Dog Designs made the bird figurines by hand.

Lamp: Ballard Designs

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Here’s Kate alongside a small entry table sprinkled with colorful collectibles by front door, which opens into the living area.

Abstract artwork (abandoned): Laura Roebuck; wall paint: Light Blue No. 22, Farrow & Ball

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A hamper from Hable Construction corrals vases and blankets beneath the table, together with boots stored in an antique Pepsi crate, while several colorful feathers dress up a bird’s nest on top.

To Cody’s birthday, Kate allow him pick from a string insect paintings she’d done. He chose the spider, and she had it all framed.

Lamp: Apple Barrel Antiques; small beetle painting: Laura Roebuck

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An aerial view of the coffee table reveals brightly colored succulents, an antique enthusiast and a plate with a discovered hummingbird and small bone. “I suppose the weirdest thing about our house is that I have a fairly extensive selection of creatures around — all which had passed on before I got them,” says Kate. “I want to be clear I am not a killer of creatures — I simply find them that way”

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A colorful medley of bags and straw hats outlines the wall next to front door. A tiny antique chair functions as a side table, together with books bringing texture and height into the seat.

Totes: by Hable Construction except the one with orange leather handles

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A thornbush against a white wall adds texture into a corner. Green-printed paper rolls cover the adjoining dining room’s wall. “I made a decision to pin them like artificial wallpaper to bring some life to our dining area,” says Kate.

Crow painting: Scott’s Antiques

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Kate and her sister-in-law, Laura, made the glittery chandelier for their online internet shop, Bowerbird. It covers the existing light fixture. “With almost any rental you’ve got to be creative to cover exactly what you don’t want anybody else to see,” says Kate. “You can slap something and pattern sparkly on anything, and it is immediately better”

Wall paint : motivated by Cook’s Blue No. 237, Farrow & Ball; drapes: Ikea; vase: West Elm

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Next to the dining area window, then a John Derian plate hangs over a stocked minibar together with a black and white photograph and a miniature butterfly.

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A limited-edition letterpress calendar from Brown Parcel Press hangs by clothespins to decorate a small space over a few kitchen essentials.

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A narrow hallway connects to the rear of the home, with a small trail of local art and antique finds directing the way. “Most of the things in our home have been found or given, which makes them sweet little reminders of their former lives,” says Kate.

Framed heart layout: Kate Roebuck; feather drawings: “Cyan Feathers,” by Rinne Allen; kitty print: Amelia; abstract paintings beneath cat print: Britt Bass

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In the home office, a tiny black desk functions as Kate’s stitching station. The large flat desk holds her computer and doubles as her painting table.

Kate sewed and painted the drapes. “I created those as a inexpensive way to acquire something expressive in this. They are with this heavyweight cotton canvas and painted with bold black brushstrokes,” she says.

Table lamp: Pottery Barn

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Organized by color, all Kate’s fabrics and operate essentials are piled neatly on the shelf. A newsprint poster was painted over and created for the Motel Art Show at Oxford, Mississippi.

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Kate’s desk overlooks the front yard, with large windows offering a visual escape in the small room.

An outdoor fabric covers the desk instead of a normal cotton cloth, to create wiping paint off spills simpler. “My favorite spot in our home is my studio — it is where I sense that jazzy feeling inside of creativity. I could spend all my hours (and I often do) in this area. Of course, I would want to come out every so often for vitamin D and a treat,” she says.

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Neon washi tape frames a colorful corkboard on which Kate keeps inspiring mementos.

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A large tiled wood-framed mirror leans against the installed mirror to bring a more rustic sense into Cody’s hall bathroom, Kate’s effort to create the space more manly, she says.

Mirror: Sophie’s Shoppe; shower curtains: West Elm

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Rich patterns and organic tones adorn the main bedroom to make a quiet space alive with particulars.

A handmade cat garland hangs in the mattress frame, and layered sequined masks hang in your dresser knobs. Kate sewed the pillow shams.

Bed: Ikea; bedding: John Robshaw; comforter: silk, Pottery Barn

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Kate painted the two-toned desks which serve as nightstands. “They needed some silver boots,” she says. An aged lamp sits on the nightstand with glitter feathers over.

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A massive wall piece made from 700 dyed turkey feathers hangs over a dresser and several other collectibles. Two leather folding chairs hold small quilts and throw pillows.

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A small shed offers extra storage at the backyard. Kate hangs her screen-print jobs out to dry on the clothesline joined to the shed.

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Behind the traditional exterior with red white and brick windows lie colorful memories for the couple. “What makes a house your home is the memories that you create there, and we started making those memories the minute we walked in the door,” Kate says.

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