Scenes from the Country Peony Studio
Scenes from the Country Peony Studio: Dreaming, Creating, and Playing
Today I want to give you a behind-the-scenes look at where I create: the Country Peony Studio. This space is more than just a studio—it’s a place where dreaming, creating, and joy happen. It’s also deeply rooted in the history of Ammansville, Texas, and I’m so proud of what it has become.
*All photos in this blog post are by Candace Rhea Photography
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Preserving History with Purpose
The studio has a special backstory. It used to be a general store, AJ Cernosek Grocery—a beloved local gathering spot that operated until 1965. The store sold everything from home-baked goods to fresh produce. It even housed a meat market: Eugene’s Meat Market. It was a community hub for decades, and I wanted to preserve that history when transforming it into what it is now Country Peony Studio.
We carefully deconstructed the original building and salvaged as much of the exterior wood as we could. Unfortunately, a lot of the interior wood had to be discarded because of water and termite damage, but preserving what we could was so important to me. The studio is located near the original footprint of the store, and every piece of salvaged wood is a beautiful reminder of Ammansville’s past.
A Studio That Inspires
Now, let me tell you about the space itself! I wanted the studio to feel light, bright, and inspiring, so we painted the walls in Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace. It’s the perfect fresh, clean white backdrop for all of my projects. There are also plenty of fun touches to make the space feel cozy and unique, like an antique washboard sink we salvaged from our farmhouse and turned it pink, and a pink fridge that always makes me smile.
I’ve also filled the studio with antique pieces I’ve collected from Round Top and thrift stores. They’re not just practical for holding supplies—they each tell a story and spark my creativity. Like my antique oak notary cabinet all the way from France! I’m a big believer that the space you work in should inspire you, and I’ve poured my heart into making this studio a space where magic can happen.
Shop the Studio
A Bathroom with Personality
Even the bathroom has its own personality! It’s a small space—just 60 square feet—but I wanted it to feel big on charm. I started the design with Suzanna Wallpaper from Lulie Wallace. I’ve loved her art for years, and this wallpaper, with its delicate florals and pops of pink, green, and blue, felt perfect.
I paired the wallpaper with chunky wainscoting painted in Valspar’s Pretty in Peach. It pulls from the wallpaper and adds a playful, yet sophisticated vibe. My brother Joe helped me lay pink and sage hexagonal tiles into a floral pattern on the floor, creating a vintage-inspired look that I absolutely love.
For lighting, I chose Homary’s Modern Gold 3-Light Glass Globe and matching sconces. Lighting is like the jewelry of any room, and these pieces add so much charm. I also added a Victorian-style tin ceiling and a beautiful Bella-patterned register from Pacific Registers—because yes, even vent covers can make a statement!
Where Creativity Blooms
The Country Peony Studio is more than just a place to work—it’s where my creative dreams come to life. Whether I’m crafting, filming online workshops, or preparing for events, this space is filled with inspiration and joy. It’s also a place to honor the past while building something new. Every time I walk through the door, I’m reminded that creativity has no limits—and I hope this space inspires you to dream and create, too!
Thank you so much for following along and for creating with me!
