I think we finally have my studio in order here at the new house in Austin. I wanted a room that felt warm — and not too “workplace-like.” I didn’t know what that necessarily meant, but AEJ did. The result is a large steel McDowell & Craig office desk — enameled in a cream color — and a gynormous metal computer monitor, but combined with floor-to-ceiling velvet drapes and a totally bad-ass vintage chandelier from the early 1970s.

For comparison, here is what the room looked like when we bought the house:

And here it is now:

This is what it looks like at night:

Here is one of the accessories the previous owners had in this room. AEJ’s brother referred to as something like “angel with a patriotic erection.”

My replacement accessory: The Tube Lamp. (Next to it is the Waterphone.)

And the most dramatic change… The former light fixture:

And the new light fixture – Liberace-style.

The studio looks sweet — and thanks to all of these yards upon yards of velvet, plus the black cowhide rug on the floor, the sound in here is great (although lacking massive low-end, as the subwoofer is currently in the family room).

Now I really don’t have any excuse… I kind of need to start writing Asphalt Cocktail.