the Creative Santa Cruz Studio of Artist Couple

3 Jul

the Creative Santa Cruz Studio of Artist Couple

When celebrity Sarah Bianco along with her husband Pasquale learned of plans to transform the historical Santa Cruz Tannery into affordable live/work spaces for artists, they had been ready to do anything it took to secure a place. Following two successive nights camping out in the parking lot along with other optimistic tenants, their persistence prevailed. “The process had been first come, first served, and I understood precisely which floor plan I needed,” Sarah says.

The couple scored their dream two-bedroom flat at the Tannery Arts Center, now filled with color, artwork and a whole lot of character. “I really like living in this area where I can be societal and can get creative comments,” says Sarah. “There are so many different cultures and lifestyles in 1 place.”

in a Glance
Who lives here: Sarah and Pasquale Bianco
Location: Tannery Arts Center Apartments, Santa Cruz, California
Size: 1,000 square feet; 2 bedrooms; one bath
That is interesting: The Tannery stays open studios for the General Public through the year.

Shannon Malone

Sarah’s new studio, Apricity, is right across from the Tannery apartment building where she lives. She shares the space with jewellery designer Crystal Liebold, and they all have their own work stations.

Shannon Malone

Sarah would love to achieve the fashion of the studio, with its earthy, warm tones, in her local apartment. She awakened the walls of the studio herself though she loves how they turned out, it had been a lot of work.

Shannon Malone

Sarah discovered this industrial/rustic-style desk in one of the favorite places to shop: Charley & Co in beachside Capitola Village, down the coast from Santa Cruz.

Shannon Malone

The majority of the bold, vibrant artwork in Sarah’s studio reflects her older work. Her newer work, on display at Stripe in downtown Santa Cruz, includes softer colors.

Sarah is currently working on her new set, titled”Jump.” The majority of her artwork was abstract, so she is changing this up by adding some still-life pieces.

Shannon Malone

At first, adjusting to the apartment’s open floor program after dwelling in a 400-square-foot space was a bit of a struggle. “We tried the furniture all different ways,” Sarah says. “We still move things around.”

The couple swapped out all of the existing fluorescent lighting for track lighting. Sarah is still experimenting with paint colors to determine where to divide the spaces with color. A wide horizontal stripe on the extended wall adds dimension to the narrow space.

Paint: Vellum and Just White, Benjamin Moore

Shannon Malone

If her flat weren’t a lease, Sarah says, she would really like to change all of her kitchen cabinets. However, for now, splashes of yellow and green paint along with an eclectic display of jars jazz up the spacious shelving unit.

Shannon Malone

An eclectic mix of secondhand furniture and artwork, found during travels and also at flea markets, furnishes the couple’s space. Sarah purchased the vibrant area rug, made by a friend, in a garage sale.

The upholstered seat within this space was discovered on the side of the road, and Sarah painted and reupholstered it. The rocking chair was a present from Sarah’s mother and will be refinished.

Painting: purchased while vacationing in India; feces: Saffron & Genevieve

Shannon Malone

“My decorating doctrine is all about attaining that effortless texture,” Sarah says. A simple white couch, patterned rug from a visit to India and industrial coffee table from Charley & Co represent her comfy aesthetic.

Shannon Malone

After the couple first moved in their flat, the walls were plain white. “I needed it to be warm yet mild,” Sarah says. She coated the walls using a mix of pale yellows and white and can be considering some cool light grey colors too.

The yellow wall was hand-plastered by Sarah with American Clay at Tuscan Gold.

Shannon Malone

This rustic armoire in the living area showcases Sarah’s residential painting abilities. Along with custom partitions and artwork, she paints and refinishes furniture.

The flat lacks storage space, therefore this piece provides an extra cupboard to hold Sarah’s garments.

Shannon Malone

The master bedroom is just one of Sarah’s biggest works in advance. She intends to replace the smaller rugs with one larger piece and add artwork to the rear wall.

“I really want to complete all the jobs that I have started. There’s pretty much just a little bit to do in every area,” she states.

Shannon Malone

The guest bedroom has been originally Sarah’s studio, and she used her flat as a gallery for showing her work. After she moved to her different studio space within another building over, Sarah changed the room back into a guest bedroom.

A friend gave her salvaged locker, which she painted red to get a tall flair of color.

Paint: Healing Aloe, Benjamin Moore

Shannon Malone

Sarah has always been attracted to the picture of a woman with bows from British street artist Bansky. She soon realized it would be an ideal picture to paint within this spacious corner using a glimpse in wall shade. “I love that it has numerous layered meanings for me, and the program is perfect because it seems like she is floating across the pony wall.”

Shannon Malone

Sarah says it was critical that the couple snag a apartment with a balcony — a rarity in the Tannery. They love the space once the weather is fine. The balcony overlooks the San Lorenzo river, which runs behind the Tannery.

The distance blooms with blossoms and flowers, and series lights hang all around. Sarah is currently fixing up a few patio chairs, which can be in the process of becoming reupholstered.

Shannon Malone

The Tannery Arts Center has everything from artwork studios to dancing studios and is in the process of opening up a cafe.

Shannon Malone

The flats consist of two large structures, linked together with all bridges. Bright red paint and tenants’ patio gardens warm up the industrial architecture of the building.

Shannon Malone

Sarah stands facing her original art. Behind her is a painting titled”Fantasy,” and to the best is”That manner.”

Are you an artist with a creative, modern space? Share it with us!

See related