Art & Freedom

My why and words for the year. In December when I made a pretty huge decision to change my life (divorcing my husband of 22 years and falling in love with a woman), I knew what I wanted my future to look like and had to have a plan to get me there. I needed a place to work and live with our 11 year old daughter and 2 cats so I started using the shit out of my network, as one does in this circumstance. I called Brett who hooked me up with Scott who was thinking of moving his law firm to a different location a couple of blocks away. But Scott's current location up for grabs was a 100 year old brick building in downtown Wahoo that I have ALWAYS loved and admired since moving from Kearney in 2011 but had never set foot in her until the time was right for me. The universe has been pretty damn amazing to me this year and I'm filled to the brim with gratitude to only make one payment and have a 20 second commute to the studio,

With the help of my father, I purchased the building and took the keys in March of this year. We renovated in 6 months - hours of hard work to take her from 1970 to 2025. All new plumbing, electrical and very pretty to look at, if I say so myself. I always say that if I wasn't a photographer, I'd be an interior designer. Something magical happens when your head and heart are surrounded by beautiful things.

A series of joyful expressions and laughter captured in black and white portraits against a light background.

photo by Daniel Muller

“I'm going to make everything around me beautiful and that will be my life.”

—Elsie De Wolfe

before + AFTER

The Exterior of 666 N Broadway

She was rough. Sure her windows are original, but in rough shape. We reglazed the windows and they all got a fresh coat of white paint. The railing, a new coat of black. Completely new landscaping with sexy spotlights at night. I traded power washing for branding photography. The sidewalk between buildings was mudjacked and now level AF and the backyard now boasts a delightful flagstone patio and outdoor kitchen.

Red brick building entrance with concrete steps and wooden handrails leading to multiple windows.

Traditional red brick church building exterior with arched windows and landscaped grounds.

Exterior view of a brick building with grassy landscaping and trees.

Landscaped area with stone pavers and mulch beds around brick building exterior.

The Lobby

Is my crowning jewel. No expense was spared (with the exception of my tile.. I went with the least expensive installer and he did the most perfectly imperfect job making the hex tile look original) This is my happy place. My plants love it in there, too.

Thank you Maven tile

Rug: Wayfair

Sofa: Facebook Marketplace (I think they said they got it on Amazon originally)

All other furniture/accessories were thrifted.

Long interior room with drop ceiling, carpeted floor, and built-in wooden bookshelves along the wall.

Modern studio space with white walls featuring framed artwork and large windows letting in natural light.

can we talk about the lobby ceiling for a hot minute, though?

Goodbye gross 1970's drop ceiling....hello beautiful blue sky. I bartered photography with my friend, Angie, and she did a beautiful job. My light fixture was the very first thing I purchased for this room and it just sings (although it stressed my electrician out due to the fact that they had to drill through solid concrete to install her). It's like a necklace. Makes me so happy every time I look up in gratitude.

Light fixture: CB2

Bird & Star decals: Etsy

Empty room interior with fluorescent lighting fixtures mounted on a plain ceiling.

Art gallery wall with pendant lights hanging from a mint green ceiling and multiple framed photographs.

Lobby Closet

This little closet is I guess where they made coffee when it was a telephone building. It now serves as a place to store clerical supplies and client orders awaiting delivery.

Light fixture: created with an Edison bulb and antique fish trap

Bitch be Grateful: Etsy

Stool & rolling cart/rack: thrifted

Narrow room with white walls, red tile flooring, and long curtains framing a window.

Dark room with wire storage shelves, terracotta floor tiles, and papers posted on black walls.

The Phone Booth

You may wonder why there are two doors to this adorable little space. Well - it's so they could lock the two doors to the building and people could come and go and use the telephone. I found this telephone on Facebook Marketplace for $40 bucks and the little stool which came from another phone booth for $100. That little note taking roll of paper I got at a garage sale years ago for $1.

Custom floor decal: Etsy

Wooden framed closet or storage space with cleaning supplies visible.

Narrow hallway with wooden trim and doorframes featuring black signage.

The Camera Room

We took out a door way and 2 walls, merging two former offices, to create one big shooting space for me. The quality of light I have from these gorgeous original windows (which I have NO plans to replace - they are perfect even though only, like, 3 open) is so beautiful.

Construction site showing exposed walls, ladders, and windows in a renovation project.

Long empty white studio space with high ceilings and industrial windows.

Main Powder Bath

We didn't feel especially bad painting over the original woodwork in here because it wasn't really that special. Heidi took one for the team and painted the first coat. And then four coats of white paint later.... she's bright and fresh. The old pedestal sink was placed in the downstairs bath to make way from a handicapped friendly wall-mounted guy. (and of course, gold grab bars. On-brand.)

Light fixture: Pottybarn, new in the box from Facebook Marketplace

Small marble topped table: Anthropologie

Mirror: antique from a garage sale for $10

Vintage bathroom with dark wood paneling, hexagonal floor tiles, and period fixtures.

Clean white bathroom with wainscoting, pendant lights, and vintage-style fixtures.

Hair & Make Up

A storage closet it it's full glory became my hair and makeup room. This cabinet my dad made for me for my last studio and it fit perfectly with a new granite top and a bar sink (because after all, half the time I'm a cocktail waitress). It's been so convenient to have my fridge, ice, and a sink all right there and I'm not in my artist's way at all.

Granite: LL Countertops

Chalkboard: estate sale for $10

Storage room filled with shelves containing boxes, books, and various supplies.

Modern kitchen with black chalkboard wall, wooden countertops, and large windows.

The Dressing Room

This room was formerly the law office's break room. Not very inspiring to say the least. The wallpaper was in great shape, however, and had a nice texture so I just painted over it in here. And four coats of white paint later, it's bright and light in there. I can better serve my clients by giving them a lovely place to get dressed. It even has its own powder bath, which was important to me.

Dining area with brick wall, pendant lighting, and casual seating arrangements.

Bright bedroom with white walls, hardwood floors, and a classic wooden bed frame near large windows.

Compact bathroom with white fixtures, hexagonal floor tiles, and floral wallpaper accents.

Vintage bathroom interior featuring bold floral wallpaper pattern and white hexagonal floor tiles.

Our Private Apartment (lower level)

I walked through the building with the city inspector before purchasing with the burning question: Could we live here?

My entire life's happiness rested on Travis' answer. (Which was obviously yes!)

We just needed 2 egress windows, a fire door, a kitchen and a bathroom. No simple tasks, as she is a solid concrete and brick building with outdated everything. But she's up to code and should be around for another 100 years now. The portrait of Violet and I (printed 40x60) was taken in the lobby after the wallpaper first came down. I'm braiding her hair. It's kinda our thing. I love everything about this portrait of she and I. Very storytelling to me, plus people know who loves here.

All furniture: thrifted

Sconces: Amazon

Art light: Amazon

Rustic basement with exposed stone walls, wooden beams, and industrial lighting fixtures.

Long hallway with hardwood floors, framed artwork, and vintage furniture along white walls.

Unfinished basement space with exposed pipes, concrete walls, and wooden staircase.

Modern basement hallway with white walls, patterned area rug, and wall-mounted lighting fixtures.

Dining Area

Our little Parisian alleyway. It is just big enough to accommodate our twosome plus a couple more friends for dinner.

Large mirror: garage sale for $10

Table and chairs: all thrifted

Dark basement hallway with exposed brick walls and dim lighting creating an eerie atmosphere.

Long basement corridor with white walls and ceiling fixtures leading to a distant doorway.

The Kitchen

Because there was not one. Busting through concrete to create a new plumbing system was not easy for the plumbers, but I hired the right team. I am SO satisfied with this space because one of my happiest places is in the kitchen.

Granite: Custom Countertop

Unfinished basement room with dirt piles, exposed wooden studs, and painted concrete block walls.

Basement hallway with wooden doors and decorative runner rug extending into the distance.

Bathroom/Laundry

Oh this room. So much planning and things to consider to pass inspection. My God.

Heated floor (which was a pain in the ass to install), stackable washer and dryer, and a fancy bidet that has a remote and dries your butt. And I found out just last week that this tub came from my childhood home! This whole time I thought it came from one of my Dad's random rental properties, but I was wrong. Again... the universe. I'm tellin' ya. And I kept the feet raw. I think it works well with the tile that was chosen.

Stackable washer/Dryer LG: Lowes

Tile: The Tile Shop

Heated Flooring: Walcro

Fancy bidet: Amazon

all other furniture/accessories: thrifted or Amazon

Bathtub refurbishing: AAA Electrostatic

Empty basement space with exposed pipes and ductwork on white ceiling.

Basement bathroom renovation showing vintage tile floor and new fixtures.

Weathered metal fountain or water feature with rustic patina finish.

White clawfoot bathtub with gold fixtures on patterned tile flooring.

Living Room

I wasn't going to put a TV down here, but decided it would be a pain in the ass to have to go up to the lobby to watch a movie or whatever so I caved. It doesn't take away from the gallery wall too much, does it?

And our sofa arrived in 3 boxes and is surprisingly comfortable. I got it online at Anabei.

Dogbed: Amazon

Light Pink throw: Amazon

All other furniture/accessories: thrifted

doors are antique (there's a time and place for a big-box home improvement store, but zero soul. I spent a lot of time and energy sourcing these doors) Conner's Architectural Salvage

Rug: Rugs USA

Unfinished basement storage area with exposed concrete walls and various boxes.

Modern living space with yellow sofa, pink throw blanket, and gallery wall of framed photos.

Primary bedroom (aka my tiger's den)

Color drenched in a deep navy. I'm only down here at night so hence the dark, moody sexy vibe. WARNING: take an imaginary (or real) Xanax before you check out the before pic... but then imagine you're curled up next to your love in a cozy king bed. Very dim and love light in her (or his) eyes.

Tiger Tapestry: Shein

Curtains: Wayfair

Bedding: Amazon

Storage area with exposed ceiling beams and various boxes and equipment scattered throughout the space.

Dark basement room with exposed beams and scattered furniture against painted walls.

Violet's Bedroom

Violet lacks an appreciation of historic buildings. She definitely prefers modern architecture. New build. No bugs. She has yet to sleep in her new room solo - but I get it. LOTS of transition and it's all very new. I think it will be helpful once the dogs come to stay in a couple of weeks. Some familiar warm bodies to snuggle with.

Bedding: Amazon

Nightstand: Walmart

Dimly lit storage space with cardboard boxes and industrial shelving units.

Clean white bedroom with multiple beds and minimal furnishings.

What I've learned along the way

I am a much wiser woman after this renovation.

What I was ready for was many hours of hard, manual labor. I am truly thankful for having a strong young enough body to do a lot of heavy lifting. My vision was so strong but it was the simple pleasures in life (that I no longer take for granted) that kept me going through painting in the dark by myself before the town woke so many mornings. And so.many.gallons.of paint. I guess it took about 30 gallons total when it was all said and done.

What I wasn't prepared for is my contractor ghosting me halfway through. But between my Dad and I and a core group of subs, we made it happen. I was also surprised how much labor and installation actually costs. In many cases, it was the same or more than the cost of materials.

I learned that true friends are there for you when you're at your absolute worst and want to give up.

I know that all of my life experiences up until January had prepared me for this journey. Because a normal person would have jumped off a fucking cliff by now.

The amount of pride I feel is indescribable.

Interior photoshoot in a bright white room with hardwood floors and decorative rugs.