The Nook: Inside the Relaxed Bedroom of Artist Maggie Stephenson
Welcome to The Nook, our new weekly series chronicling the dreamy bedrooms of our favourite people on Instagram. For this instalment, we invite you inside the relaxed, tranquil home of artist, illustrator and Bed Threads collaborator, Maggie Stephenson.
Artist and illustrator Maggie Stephenson is inspired by nature, the human form and emotion. Her ability to command—in the gentlest way possible—a sense of calm with her abstract and sometimes surreal illustrations led to our recently launched exclusive collection of Maggie Stephenson x Bed Threads art prints. In one, a woman sits among ferns and gazes up at the stars, at one with herself and the universe. In another, a mass of bodies are intertwined as four women dance in festivity. These are spiritual tableaus for private moments and at-home social spaces.
Art was always part of Maggie's life, and her parents always encouraged her to explore her creativity through painting, but it wasn't until later on in life that she considered pursuing it full time.
"In my early 30s, I found myself at a crossroads, not knowing where to go in life, unsure of what career to pursue," she tells us. "I suppose the only thing I was confident in was art, so in my mind that was the only option. Once I made the decision to focus on art as a career, it sparked my artistic passion more than ever before. I feel truly blessed to be able to do what I love for a job. It keeps me motivated."
Born in Poland, Maggie spent most of her life in Germany before settling in the south of the United States. She's been in her Florida home for nearly eight months now, and continues creating beautiful illustrations for the world to enjoy.
"I can't imagine my life without the ability to create," she says. "Life itself holds so much inspiration. Creating through different phases and experiences is an incredibly fulfilling process."
Read on to find out more about Maggie and tour her relaxed bedroom.
Shop Maggie's look with Sage and Rust Linen in our Build-Your-Own Bundle, plus 'Growth' and 'Celebration' from the Maggie Stephenson x Bed Threads print collection.
Hi Maggie! Your bedroom is beautiful. How did you go about styling the space?
I really just want things to feel welcoming, clean and bright. I love light, so incorporating as many light neutrals as possible, is very invigorating to me.
Whats your best advice for creating a calming bedroom?
Keep it simple and don't focus on too many things at once. Pick a neutral colour palette and add colour pops through accent pieces or plants. Trends change but plants and natural elements never go out of style.
Shop Maggie's look with Sage and Rust Linen in our Build-Your-Own Bundle, plus 'Growth' and 'Celebration' from the Maggie Stephenson x Bed Threads print collection.
Tell us about your current home. How did you know it was the space for you?
It was the first place I looked at. From the moment the door opened, all this light hit my face, I looked around and instantly felt this feeling of being "at home". I can't describe it in any other way, it just felt right, warm and it made sense. I was supposed to look at a few more places but ended up cancelling.
Do you have any special décor pieces you're looking to add?
I wouldn't say that I have my eye set on anything particular but I do want to focus on quality rather than quantity. I always keep my eyes on the lookout for fun pieces made of wood or stone. I love the addition of natural elements in my home.
Shop Maggie's look with Sage and Rust Linen in our Build-Your-Own Bundle, plus 'Growth' and 'Celebration' from the Maggie Stephenson x Bed Threads print collection.
You recently created some exclusive artworks for us. Can you talk us through your creative process?
That varies from day to day. I try not to follow a certain routine because I hate feeling like I'm doing the same thing. Typically once an idea surfaces, I try to hang onto it until I can sketch it out. The initial sketches look like very rough messy line art. Sometimes they remain at that stage for a while, during which time I go back here and there and refine until I think it makes sense. Other times I am content with how it looks rough and leave it at that. If I add colour, I try to pick a colour palette that is soothing to the eye. Sometimes this process takes what seems like a long time and requires me to step away from the image multiple times, until one day when I look at it and it feels right. Lastly, I like to rough up the image with loose lines and texture.
What's been the most challenging lesson learnt since you started your career as an artist?
You can't please everyone because everyone has a different opinion on what you create. The same applies to so many situations in life. Ultimately that has taught me to trust my instincts and create what brings me joy, what feels natural, rather than creating art that I think others will like. If I'm happy and at peace with what I have put down on paper, then it's a win win in my eyes.
Shop Maggie's look with Sage and Rust Linen in our Build-Your-Own Bundle, plus 'Growth' and 'Celebration' from the Maggie Stephenson x Bed Threads print collection.
For more from Maggie, follow her at @_maggiestephenson_ and shop the Bed Threads x Maggie Stephenson print collection now.
Loved this bedroom? Discover more inspiring sanctuaries in our weekly series, The Nook.
Inspired by this bedroom tour? Here is how to style your own 100% French Flax Linen sheets.
