An Artist’s Mexico City Home & Studio

Psychologist, artist & creator of La ma r, Alana Burns is inspired by the concept of both memory and evolution, a balance of the past, present & future that affects both her work and living space. Her vast collection of found objects, treasured gifts, and her own works born from a range of artistic mediums create a visual tapestry in her home & studio, situated in Polanco, Mexico City. Through our conversation, Alana meditates on the notion of nostalgia and offers a window into her craft; what she’s working on, and where inspiration lies.

“This home is very special to me. Every little thing in it, the objects, the paintings and the furniture was given to me by someone I love. That makes the space warmer.

This home is very special to me. Every little thing in it, the objects, the paintings and the furniture was given to me by someone I love.

“I've been living here for 2 years. I live by myself with two cats. I like to take a moment to sit down in the mornings, let the cats out to play and watch time pass through the living room windows.”

“The bedroom is like a cozy cave, at the back of the apartment. It’s the room that receives less light in the house, but it’s the quietest.

“I love finishing my day and getting in bed. Or having a lazy morning in bed.”

Alana's bed is dressed in pleasing palette of Dove Grey, Cocoa & Lilac from our 100% Linen collection.

“Memory inspires me, I think the feeling of nostalgia has a lot to do with my interior style.

“Every item in this home has a special meaning to me, they either had a previous story or were given to me by someone I love.

“For example, a lot of the furniture came from the house I grew up in with my mother. In the pictures you can see a painting I love, which was made by my grandfather (the volcano one), a tablecloth that belonged to my great grandmother, and a shell mobile that was a gift from my best friend.

“And all of these objects that surround me belong to people that are no longer with us. So their presence lives with me everyday. I feel so grateful for that.”

“I don't consider myself a jeweler, I have worked with different mediums over the years, and la ma r was not something I think I envisioned. I was just playing around creating some pieces for myself to wear and decorate the space, and it sort of took a life of its own.”

I have worked with different mediums over the years, and la ma r was not something I think I envisioned. I was just playing around creating some pieces for myself to wear and decorate the space, and it sort of took a life of its own.

“I am always inspired by the disintegration of the actual meaning of something, the change, the transformation. I am constantly inspired by the possibility to transform and evolve into something else. Or to play around with all the possibilities we have to create meaning to things.”

I am constantly inspired by the possibility to transform and evolve into something else.

“I normally sleep in a nightgown, I water my plants at night, do my face routine, make some tea, and get into my bed. Maybe watch something on the projector, talk to a friend, read for a little bit. Cuddle with my cats.

“You will find on my bedside table, a candle, some cream or oil, a book and a jar of water.”

“I take walks regularly, I especially like to go to the parks that are close by and sit down. When I moved here I was only interested in finding a space that would resonate to what I was looking for, and wasn't thinking it would be in this area particularly [but] I like the trees, the parks.”