Our accommodations in Marfa, TX: a 1950's beautifully restored Spartan Trailer Coach "The Imperial Mansion". If I ever run away from home, this is probably where you'll find me.

It seems like I’ve been “off the grid” and unplugged from “the matrix” for weeks, even though it has only been 10 days. My family and I have just returned from an amazing trip to Big Bend, the high desert and the mountains of West Texas. The simplicity of the way of life in West Texas is always a welcomed experience and a refreshing change for me. I’ve returned feeling a sense of renewal and focus. As much as I love what I do, I also recognize that it is necessary to take time away to gain perspective and clarity, and to reconnect with the forgotten or ignored pieces of myself!

Our week was filled with hiking, exploring, learning about the history of the area and enjoying time with good friends and family. There were so many memorable stops, but my absolute favorite was our stay at a unique campground & vintage trailer community (in Marfa, Texas) which is geared towards artists, writers, creatives and others who relish in “artistic and intellectual exchange”. Upon first glance, when you arrive at El Cosmico, it looks a little “ghetto”. It’s not until you settle in and start noticing the details and intricacies that you recognize the simple beauty and creative design of this communal outpost in the West Texas desert. The unique lodging concept of El Cosmico was created by Liz Lambert and her talented team of architects and designers at Bunkhouse Management. (Lambert, a very successful hotelier and entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas, is also the visionary behind Hotel San Jose and Hotel Saint Cecilia.)

My son perched on the retro leather sofa draped with colorful wool blankets (which came in handy for star gazing on the deck as it cooled down!)

While there, my family and I stayed in a beautifully restored 1950′s Spartan Trailer Coach. The detail and innovation behind the creativity in design and use of reclaimed materials was “eye-candy” during my entire stay. From the re-purposed rebar used for curtain rods and accent chairs made from mountain bike tires to the well-placed dimmer switches for the ambient lighting (yes, an RV with dimmer switches!) and stainless steel retro fans, it was clear that every detail in our Imperial Mansion was considered and thought out. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the pale pink porcelaine toilet and tub (circa 1950′s) paired with HOT PINK walls, which somehow made the bathroom color scheme look funky, chic and intentional, versus looking like an eyesore which we home stagers would usually consider it to be!

Both personally and professionally, I’m filled with inspiration for projects after my recent travels and I couldn’t wait to share some of the photos with you here on the Interiority Complex blog! I hope you enjoy!

P.S. Be sure to check out the blog on ReadyMade.com featuring some terrific professional photos of my new favorite digs (not just pics from my iPhone as seen here!)

A wooden chair mixed with reclaimed mountain bike tires. (I heart this chair being a cyclist!)

Even the railing on the deck was repurposed, but thoughtfully designed so as not to obstruct the gorgeous desert views.

Close up of the "tire tread" on the accent chair, a piece of the featured art, and my afternoon refreshment!

A beautiful evening shot of the Imperial Mansion via www.ReadyMade.com (be sure to click on this photo to see more amazing pictures in a slideshow featuring this work of art!)

If you need some music to go along with this blog entry, here you go…