Artist in residence

Fashion designer and e-tail entrepreneur Amy Michielle Freeman talks with us about the warehouse-like downtown Minneapolis space where she works and lives, her no-fail recipe for fried ravioli and what constitutes a nappable sofa.

Q What's it like living where you work?

A Sometimes I sew in the bedroom. I have a commercial Singer and a Kenmore. Lately I've been sewing at my dining room table. I have a piece of granite over there that I sort of put crossways across the table so it gives me a little extra workspace.

Q Are all of the apartments in this building workspaces, as well?

A Right now there are only three of us that live here and work here but I think there are 10 units that are workspaces. We have everything from sculptors to painters to illustrators. The guys two doors down are into filmmaking.

Q How large is your place?

A About 750 square feet. Storage is an issue for me.

Q But even though your kitchen, office, dining and living rooms are essentially one space, I see you've given your clothes and shoes their very own room.

A I'm a total clotheshorse. I've also got two armoires. I had 52 pairs of shoes in high school and I've gotten over counting. I just kept going.

Q Did you put up that funky galvanized tin wall?

A It was here, and it's screwed on. There's actually a door behind it that connects to the next unit. That's how I got most of my furniture in here!

Q What's your favorite place to relax?

A We're sitting on it. It's where I am a good portion of the time. I got it three years ago from Ikea when I moved in.

Q How do you spend your downtime?

A I knit a lot. Love to read. Right now I'm reading "Reallionaire" by Farrah Gray. He's probably 23 now. Started his first business when he was 7. I also subscribe to Dwell, Time, Black Enterprise Inc. and Fast Company. I'm a "Sex and the City" junkie. I like "The Game." It's on the CW. Also "America's Next Top Model" and "Project Runway."

Q Do you have a guilty pleasure?

A I love candles. Right now I'm using Alora grapefruit-eucalyptus. They're based here and in Hawaii.

Q How do you like to entertain?

A In my previous home I did an annual holiday soiree. But this isn't conducive to having a hundred people in here.

Q Isn't 100 a lot of guests?

A Yeah, but I don't want anyone to feel left out. So everyone gets an invite. Since I've moved down here I do more intimate gatherings -- wine and easy hors d'oeuvres. Then we'd probably go out and hear some music: Jason Peterson DeLaire, JoTo, the New Congress.

Q What constitutes an "easy" appetizer?

A Things that look impressive but are really easy, like fried ravioli. This is an ancient secret I'm giving you here. You take some frozen ravioli, make sure they're defrosted, then put them in an egg wash. Roll them in bread crumbs and then sautée them in a pan and serve them with a side of marinara!

Q You have an eclectic decor. What will you purchase next?

A As comfy as this couch is, I'd purchase another one, with a lower arm. Because this isn't a good nappable sofa. I love a good nap.

Q What's your best decorating tip?

A To have your own personality with your home. I always laugh at that episode of "Friends" where Rachel loves the Pottery Barn, so she slowly was creating her living room to look like the showroom. When I used to work at Room & Board, people were like, "I want this page" but I was like, "OK, but where are YOU on that page?"

Kim Yeager • 612-673-4899