This Charles Village Home Mixes Nature with Comfy Midcentury Kitsch

WHAT YOU SEE: A lot of my furniture is from the ’50s and ’60s, or recreated in that style, and I collect random relics from that time period. I’m a nature girl, so lots of fresh flowers and plants spread around the house, mixed with botanical-themed fabrics and art.

HOUSE-TORY: It was built in 1929, and one of the previous owners was a bit of a carpenter and created the built-in shelves and island. A friend of a friend bought it in 2016, and she now lives on the West Coast, so I’ve been delighted to call this home for the past four years. I love sitting in the living room on a sunny afternoon. The west-facing windows let in beautiful light through the dining room and make the plant collection shine. And my couch is exactly the right size for my pit bull, Betty Mae, and me to curl up on and relax.

MAXIMILLION: I’m definitely not a minimalist. I like things neat and orderly, but with color and kitsch. I’ve collected things that reflect my interests over the years, like retro beauty magazines and pinups, weird taxidermies, posters from shows my friends have performed in, and local art from folks in Baltimore.

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: My “Duckvine” taxidermy, a duckling modeled after Divine in Pink Flamingos. I’m a vegetarian, so I don’t even eat animals, but this was a gift and is one of my favorite things. My “Queen of Eggs” sash and tiara; I won the infamous Deviled Egg Pageant in 2022 and it’s basically the pinnacle of success to me. I’ve been riding that high ever since. My “Baltimore Burlesque” collection, including autographed Blaze Starr photos, and entry tickets to the Two O’Clock Club she once owned. And my collection of over 70 plants. They are a labor of time and love and money, but I’m extremely proud of them.

IN THE ART STUDIO: I’ve been making all different kinds of art my entire life, and right now I’m in a dried florals phase. This was originally born out of my inability to waste literally anything, even dead flowers. I like to pick up odd nature bits while walking the dog, too, like dried seed pods or anything that catches my interest. Having this room to rearrange and suit my artistic whims is such a blessing.

GREEN HOUSE: I’ve always been barefoot outside playing with nature; it’s how I was raised. Both my parents are gardeners, and that appreciation of plants never left me. The life and vibrancy they add, their various shapes, colors, really transform a room, making it feel more serene to me. And the act of caring for them is scientifically proven to benefit your brain.