At home with Christy Metz
Christy Metz is a florist, designer and stylist. Inspired by her authentic sense of style, I visited her home in Colorado Springs to talk about inspiration, Western lifestyle, and the joy of creating a home.
— Christy Metz’s creative journey has always been centered around creating beautiful environments and expressing her personal style. Her Franklin Street home -that her husband single-handedly and meticulously restored- reveals a curated blend of design and vintage pieces, art, and handmade objects from around the world. Inspired by her childhood in Colorado, Christy has cultivated a lifestyle, around a natural and simple life, meaningful things, and relationships full of love and intention, all with an urban touch.
How did you start your creative journey?
Growing up in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado was a wonderful, idyllic kind of childhood. Always outside, in the woods, in nature, and surrounded by wild flowers and natural materials. I remember as a child making little forts and homes in the woods, with moss, and rocks and sticks. I always had this sense of home, and of creating a comfortable and beautiful space. Then, when I was 12 years-old, I remember seeing my aunt’s house, which was modern and different from anything I’d ever seen. It had different kinds of furniture, art, and I just said ‘this is me’.
The home setting, food, clothing, music, of course flowers and all just beauty I started to realize that was a way to express myself.
Later, after getting married and having two kids, I moved to Chicago. I was exposed to different types of art and artists. It really opened my eyes. I never thought I would become a florist, but I was drawn to a little flower shop where I was invited to be an assistant.
I also worked with Candance, who is my mentor. She is a painter and also a visual stylist in the fashion industry. I worked alongside her. I was hired as an assistant and continued to work as a designer for 10 years, clients included, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren and Neiman Marcus. She was like a Georgia O’ Keeffe kind of woman, and it was definitely a lifestyle. It was not forced, it was not to impress anyone, simply pure and natural. And I thought: This is the life! Family, relationships, making a beautiful welcoming table setting, and just creating a warm, comfortable and beautiful environment.
“I am moved by finding beauty and surprise and curiosity in something so simple like flowers. Bringing beauty and letting someone experience that little, simple pleasure.”
What does home mean to you?
It has always been a retreat, a safe place to be quiet and to reflect. To welcome others and to express my art and my own personality. I do that for myself because I recharge when I am in my space. But specially I feel at home with Mark my partner. He feels like home ♡
We have talked about our mutual admiration for Georgia O’ Keeffe… Do you have other women that inspire you?
Frida Kahlo. Her passion, her expression, her pain, being strong. And also her art makes you feeling a bit uncomfortable.
Is there a Western Style? How would you describe it?
Definitely. It’s based on nature, more rugged, more outdoor and more casual.
What do you love most about living in the West?
For me is the light, it’s the colors of the clay. The blue sky and the terracotta are very Western. The openness is freeing, you can breathe. When it comes to the interior spaces, the outdoor is so beautiful that the interiors are more simple. It’s like you want to let the outside in.
“My favorite place is the Southwest. Where I connect more than anywhere else.
The light, the style. I love it.”
How would you describe your personal style? What draws you to a piece of clothing, furniture, or a flower.
Character. Soul. Something unexpected…also, a sense of humor and not taking ourselves too seriously! I like simplicity and to bring the flair with a great piece of jewelry or accessories. It’s modern but yet organic. We all have different sides of us. I love the fantasy side of Old Hollywood, ‘The Great Gatsby”, the Art Deco style. But I also love the hippie stuff and the urban side. More sophisticated, modern and elegant.
What do you like about the handmade pieces you selected from my store ?
I love the organic feeling of everything, but also the sophistication in the design. Elevated, not fussy or pretentious.
What’s inspiring you right now?
The wild, untamed style. Some Asian florists. Very sculptural, wild, playful and natural.
What are you up to…
Listening – Nina Simone, Billy Holiday and then I love Chris Stapleton. His lyrics and his music remind me of driving through the Southwest. I love his song “The Traveler”. It’s very western.
Watching – I am reconnecting with my fashion side so I’ve been watching House of Gucci and Very Ralph, a documentary that explores the life and career of American fashion icon Ralph Lauren.
Reading – On Flowers by Amy Merrick
For more, visit Metz Design on Instagram @christymetzdesign
