Featured image from our interview with Brandy Joy Smith by Michelle Nash.

The Best Couches for Small Spaces

I’ve rounded up a variety of sofas that fit into every category you may be prioritizing. Are you ready to splurge? Save? Need a sleeper sofa? I’ve got you covered. The most important factor across the board with these couches is that they are all available in a smaller size, so you won’t have to worry about them being too large for your space. All of these sofas sit between about 60” and 80”, which means they comfortably seat two people—three if you’re in a pinch. Ready to dive in? Read on for all the deets!

Our top picks

1. Best Overall: Lido Sofa, Albany Park, $1244 
2. Best Budget: Oliver Sofa, West Elm, $699
3. Best Splurge: Gather Deep Leather Apartment Sofa, Crate and Barrel, $3,999
4. Best Sleeper: The MCM Sofa Bed, Benchmade Modern, $6,410
5. Best Slipcover: PB Comfort Roll Slipcover Sofa, Pottery Barn

1. Best Overall: Lido Sofa, Albany Park

Why We Love It: I love this little sofa. I have one in my home office and when I’m not working from my desk, I’m curled up on this couch. It’s the perfect size for a small space, it’s cozy and the stain-resistant basketweave is super easy to clean. Delivery and assemby was also a breeze! In short, I’m obsessed. 

Pros:

• Soft and comfortable
• Easy to clean
• Ideal size for a small living room or home office

Keep in mind: 

• This sofa requires two people to assemble

Specs: 

• Dimensions: 75″W x 32″H x 37.5″D
• Upholstery materials: Boucle, velvet, vegan leather, and stain-resistant basket weave
• Number of seats: 3  

Lido Sofa

$1,244 (reg. $1,509) at Albany Park

2. Best Budget: Oliver Sofa, West Elm

Why We Love It: The best couches for small spaces should be high quality, stylish, and comfortable—but adding budget-friendly is like a cherry on top of a sundae. West Elm delivers all four of these with the Oliver sofa. At 72” across, this is one of the best couches for small spaces, especially studio apartments. 

Pros:

• Under $1K
• Deep seated with optimal support
• Ideal for studios and small apartments

Keep in mind: 

• This is a firm couch. Skip it if you prefer a softer, plush feel!
• Only three fabric and color options are available

Specs: 

• Dimensions: 72″ W x 32″ D x 30″ H
• Upholstery materials: Chenille, twill and yarn dyed linen weave
• Number of seats: 2

Oliver Sofa

$699 at West Elm

3. Best Splurge: Gather Deep Leather Apartment Sofa, Crate and Barrel

Why We Love It: If you’re going to splurge, you might as well go for a deep-seated, ultra-plush leather sofa. This one from Crate and Barrel ticks all the boxes—it’s sized for small space living, made from high-quality leather, and comes with extra plush cushions. The deep seat is perfect for putting your feet up and curling up with a good book, too.

Pros:

• Compact and luxurious
• Cozy deep seating

Cons:

• One of the more expensive options

Keep in mind: 

• Slightly modern look might not be everyone’s style

Specs: 

• Dimensions: 77″W x 26″H x 43″D
• Upholstery materials: Leather
• Number of seats: 2

Gather Deep Leather Apartment Sofa

$3,999 at Crate and Barrel

4. Best Sleeper: The MCM Sofa Bed, Benchmade Modern

Why We Love It: The best couches for small spaces should absolutely include sofa bed options. You can still have guests even if you live in a tiny apartment! This cozy sofa bed from Benchmade Modern is highly customizable with lots of upholstery options, which is a huge plus. It’s small but mighty, as it pulls out into a queen-sized bed.

Pros:

• Wide range of fabrics
• Down alternative cushions available
• Cozy pull out bed

Keep in mind: 

• These sofas are hand-built and take four weeks to deliver

Specs: 

• Dimensions: 72″W x 40″D x 37″H
• Upholstery materials: Velvet, leather, performance weave
• Number of seats: 2

MCM Sofa Bed

$6,410 (reg. $7,541) at Benchmade Modern

5. Best Slipcover: PB Comfort Roll Slipcover Sofa, Pottery Barn

Why We Love It: If you want a small-space sofa that still feels plush and oversized, the PB comfort roll slipcover sofa is the couch for you. The generous proportions come in a compact package, so you can still enjoy a classic roll arm, a soft seat and the classic charm of a slipcover sofa, even in an apartment. This one looks a bit like the sofas in Nancy Meyer’s film Father of the Bride, don’t you think?

Pros:

• Deep seat and plush cushions. This sofa is made for comfort!
• Tons of fabric and color options
• Small space sizes range from 63” – 82”

Keep in mind: 

• Most fabric options deliver in 5+ weeks

Specs: 

• Dimensions: 76″ W x 38.5″ D x 37″ H
• Upholstery materials: Basketweave, boucle, everyday suede, linen, velvet, twill, chenille, plain weave, and pattern
• Number of seats: 2

PB Comfort Roll Slipcover Sofa

$2,399 (reg. $2,999) at Pottery Barn

6. Best Modular: Modular Performance 2-Seater Sectional, Anabei

Why We Love It: Finding a comfortable and compact modular sofa that works well for apartment living can be a bit of a challenge. Modular sofas are generally on the larger side, but this sectional by Anabei is one of the best couches for small spaces, for sure. This sofa includes machine washable covers, making clean up easier than ever. Since each piece is modular, you can easily switch up your layout whenever you want to make a change.

Pros:

• Machine washable, spill-resistant, and pet-friendly
• Each piece is modular, so you can rearrange your layout easily
• Covers are removable and interchangeable

Keep in mind: 

• The arms on this sofa are very thin
• Estimated time to ship is early September

Specs: 

• Dimensions: 68.5” W x 68.5” D x 36” H
• Upholstery materials: Plush weave, blended weave, heirloom velvet, luxury velvet, knit boucle, 

Number of seats: 2

Modular Performance 2-Seater Sectional

$1,294 (reg. $2,157) at Anabei

7. Most Comfortable: Sloan Sofa, Interior Define

Why We Love It: Interior Define’s Sloan sofa has so many options for comfort, it had to take the cake for the comfiest small-space sofa. You can upgrade the cushions for an extra soft seat, and you can opt for a deeper seat as well. On top of that, it’s available in both 75” and 79”—both fantastic options for small-space living. 

Pros:

• Truly customizable! Standard and deep seating is available, as well as different cushion fills. 
• Tons of fabric options
• Available in both 75” and 79”

Keep in mind: 

• There’s a $249 delivery fee

Specs: 

• Dimensions: 75″W x 35″H x 36″D
• Upholstery materials: Chenille, classic weave, brushed knit, heavy knit, pebble knit, velvet, tweed, boucle, and more
• Number of seats: 2

Sloan Sofa

$1,316 (reg. $1,645) at Interior Define

8. Best Leather: Sven Charm Sofa, Article

Why We Love It: A compact, comfortable, and affordable leather sofa had to make our best couches for small spaces list. The Sven sofa from Article is available in five different leather colorways and includes a tufted bench seat and two matching leather bolsters. Foam-padded, fiber- and feather-filled cushions make this a comfy seat, and the size is perfect for apartment living.

Pros:

• Includes two bolsters
• Not too firm, not too plush. Just right!
• Five colorways

Keep in mind: 

• Leather varies in color and shade—your sofa won’t look exactly like the photos.

Specs: 

• Dimensions: 72″ W x 38″ D x 34″ H
• Upholstery materials: Leather
• Number of seats: 2

Sven Charme Sofa

$1,599 at Article

9. Best Boucle Sofa: Gwyneth 68″ Boucle Loveseat By Goop

Why We Love It: Simply put, this loveseat is gorgeous. Boucle is having a moment, and this CB2 and Goop collab proves that sleek design can come in small packages. Available in both white and black boucle, this loveseat will look gorgeous in a living room or home office.

Pros:

• Chunky woven boucle is especially cozy
• Chic silhouette

Keep in mind: 

• Only available in one size and two colorways

Specs: 

• Dimensions: 68″W x 29″H x 36″D
• Upholstery materials: Boucle
• Number of seats: 2

Gwyneth Boucle Loveseat By Goop

$1,499 at CB2

10. Best Aesthetic Sofa: Josie Sofa, Pottery Barn

Why We Love It:  The Josie sofa from Pottery Barn has an understated beauty that makes it especially lovely. The slender roll arms are not only pretty to look at, but the streamlined shapes makes it great for small space living. Scale is important, and the details of this sofa won’t overwhelm a tiny living room or office. There are three size options available, ranging from 58” to 82”, and all of them are ideal for apartments and studios. 

Pros:

• Pretty details like slender arm rolls 
• Won’t overwhelm a small space
• All three sizes available are great for small space living

Keep in mind: 

• Not as plush as other sofa options
• Legs aren’t customizable and only available in Espresso

Specs: 

• Dimensions: 73″ W x 37″ D x 33.5″ H
• Upholstery materials: Basketweave, boucle, linen, velvet, chenille
• Number of seats: 2

Josie Sofa

$999 at Pottery Barn

The post 10 Gorgeous Small Couches for When You’re Short on Space appeared first on Camille Styles.

Alongside her husband, Brittany Wurzak Hakimfar founded the Philadelphia-based design firm, Far Studio in 2017. Their projects exude a thoughtful curation of natural materials, textures, and patterns. Each home is distinct but cohesive, evoking an approach to design that pairs lived-in charm with high-end aspiration.

Far Studio Founder, Brittany Wurzak Hakimfar Reflects on Renovating a Residential Gem

It’s evident from the images alone that Brittany has a gift for contrasting natural light with moody elegance. Rather than feeling cramped or cluttered, she opened up the space with built-ins, strategic window placements, and paint colors that evoke a pastoral calm. Brittany layers complementary materials to capture a visual interest while maintaining an underlying coherence. She understands the importance of playing to the opposing ends of the design spectrum—working with negative space to find the inherent beauty within.

I sat down with Brittany for an inside peek into how she approached the project. From designing for the homeowners’ lifestyle to infusing the space with an enduring allure, this is how Far Studio makes a house a vibrant, beautiful home. Step inside, let’s take a tour.

When someone walks into a space and says it looks like a Far Studio interior, then I have done my job. 

Brittany Wurzak Hakimfar

Brittany Wurzak Hakimfar is the founder and lead designer of Far Studio, a full-service Interiors & Lifestyle studio is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brittany graduated from George Washington University with a major in interior design where she then began her career in New York City working for Mark Cunningham. In 2012, she moved to Los Angeles to work with renowned AD100 designer Waldo Fernandez for five years where she honed her skills in high-end residential and commercial design. She then returned to her hometown of Philadelphia to begin her own design firm and start a family.

Tell us about the space. What were the homeowners’ goals in remodeling the home?

This was a wonderful home to design! It was on a charming street in a great and walkable area, and the home had a lot of charm and potential. The homeowners were a young family with one little girl and a little boy on the way. They wanted the house to feel special and timeless while still being practical for small children.

The house needed a full remodel and some space planning. In the beginning, we wanted to best figure out the flow of the home and how the clients would live. The master suite also needed a full rework. We took that space down to the studs and completely relaid out the rooms to give a beautiful primary bathroom with a large shower, vanity and tub, and a large walk-in closet. This made for an amazing master suite.

The other rooms were reworked as well, and every finish was touched so that it felt like a new home with the qualities and characteristics of a classic house with a lot of character.

There’s a certain moodiness that feels elevated but approachable expressed in the paint, dark trims, and neutral accents throughout the home. What is the inspiration behind the color scheme?

Paint can transform a space, and we created a color story early on for the home. Each room had its own mood and feeling that the color helped to create. I also love doing lighter furniture in a darker room to create a beautiful contrast.

Talk to us about a room that you particularly love.

My favorite room in this house is the kitchen. The green we selected was Farrow & Ball Lichen, and it was a perfect color for the space. Then, we used the beautiful handmade pendant lights from Lostine and a stunning Rohl bridge faucet. 

You layered in some incredible decor accents. What were some of your greatest finds? Where are your favorite spots to source vintage decor?

For accessories and styling pieces, we love to use vintage and found objects. We spend a lot of time sourcing pieces for our studio that feel special and unique. We source from all over the U.S. and the world!

You have a talent for keeping the spaces you design balanced and timeless, as well as minimal yet warm. What’s your secret? 

I love to use natural and good materials that will stand the test of time.

Bringing in texture and unique neutral colors to create a warm and layered space is key.

What advice can you share for those who are new to design?

Find your style! I have a strong sense of style and of what I like and that can lend itself to many different styles of homes, yet there is always an element that carries through my designs that feels like me. When someone walks into a space and says it looks like a Far Studio interior, then I have done my job. 

The post How a Pennsylvania Design Studio Transformed This Classic Home Into a Cozy Haven appeared first on Camille Styles.

Alongside that, a complete dismissal of convention. (After all, innovation only happens when you operate outside the lines.) The couple worked with designer Amy Pigliacampo to bring their vision for the four-bedroom, three-bathroom project to life. And rather than conducting the first meeting in-office or via Zoom, Amy packed up her truck and drove 17 hours solo to camp with Harper and Cameron in their Airstream. She reflects on the journey, calling it “a crash course in all things Harper.” The experience helped Amy and Harper reach a shared design middle ground—finding common footing in each woman’s “undefinable creative process.”

Featured image by Claire Schaper.

Tour Cameron Duddy and Harper Smith’s Dripping, Texas Home

It’s proof that patience and an unfettered embrace of creativity pays dividends. What’s more, with so much of their lives spent on the road, Harper and Cameron naturally sought a country haven for their passions and pursuits outside of their professional work. With that, the home is grounded by an evident value of family. The couple has a young son, Kitt Cassidy and an always-budding farm of dogs, cats, pigs, chickens, donkeys, and more. Ample space is dedicated not only to house the couples’ vintage finds but to support their love of gathering and connection.

The long dining table quickly transforms into a post-dinner card game and the stand-up piano is the place of many an impromptu concert. You step inside, and it’s immediately evident: creative people live here. Thoughtful people live here. People who both want to make the world all the more beautiful and vibrant—while also leaning into its simplicity. Let’s take a tour.

This project was conceived with unique beginnings—camping with your clients in their Airstream, allowing you to gain a deep understanding of what they wanted from their home. How did getting to know your clients on such a personal level positively impact your process and the final result?

I ask Amy this, deeply curious about the extent to which this project differed from other remodels she’s worked on in the past. She reflects on her and Harper’s mutual history—a background that reaches back to the past decade when both women worked in fashion. They were briefly introduced, but as Amy notes “the universe clearly had plans for us, but we were a little early.”

Fast forward those ten-plus years to when Amy found herself road tripping to Round Top, Texas where they kicked off the project. “We basically had a sleepover that night and talked about all the things.” (She adds as an aside, a wish to repeat this with every client.) From the experience, it was clear that “ultimately, we wanted the same things out of the project.”

What about the property resonated with you? Considering that everything in the home was redone, where did you see the potential in the space?

With Midwestern roots, Harper is no stranger to a life on the farm. Having grown up in Iowa, space to roam and explore her passions took priority. “The wraparound porch was major,” she says. Nostalgia—that inescapable sense—sealed it. “The flow of the house reminded me of my childhood home, with the fireplace as the central pillar.”

And of course, Harper loves a challenge, particularly in the form of a house project. “This home had just enough to love with just enough to fix.” A perfect balance of give and take.

Were there elements of the original build that you wanted to keep? How did you weave in parts of the original architecture into the final design?

Good bones give a designer plenty to work with, offering the freedom to iterate while also providing a peek into a home’s past. From developing such an intimate understanding of her clients’ needs, Amy knew that while the “almost quintessential Texas farm house” layout was an advantage, Harper and Cameron wanted to find their personal vision within the final design. “The main lines and shape of the house stayed the same,” notes Amy. “In addition to major repairs and a primary suite addition they were able to use materials that felt fresh but still classic.”

What were some of the major changes you focused on in the redesign?

Amy shares that the primary focus centered on the home’s exterior, noting that it was in desperate need of a refresh and a way to tie the addition into the original home. “Their builders, SRD, really listened and collaborated. [They cleaned] up the lines, textures and tired materials, unifying everything with simple board and batten siding, a metal roof, and glorious new windows.”

But it took replacing the windows and adding a new, custom front door that transformed the home “from tired to like new without stripping away any of the character,” Amy observes. Mindful of this push-pull tension inherent in any renovation—wanting to honor the original character while also giving the space a modern feel—required much input and leaning into different perspectives. “In the end, everyone got it and made it happen,” says the designer.

What is your idea of “farm life”? How did that impact what you wanted from the home? How does it manifest in the final project? 

As a city girl myself, I ask Harper this with genuine curiosity. I want to understand how a quiet life—one that’s deeply connected to the nature and animals that surround and support it—informs not only the design process, but how one inhabits that space.

“If I could have put a ramp up to every window to allow my animals to greet me each morning, I would have,” she says, noting that “all rational people involved in the project” shut the idea down. But with an unfaltering conviction and perhaps a tone of wistfulness, she clarifies: “Farm life to me is only hearing the noises of your own human and furry family. Daily chores dedicated to taking care of the animals, and the potential to raise and rescue more.”

“We just added a new buddy to the family (my Christmas present). Honey Bear, the Highlander cow. So I suppose the short answer is that I can trade in the finer gifts in life for dirty, noisy, crazy farm friends.”

There’s a deep sense of personality woven throughout the home. From the images alone, it’s easy for someone to build an understanding of who lives there. How would you describe the experience and feeling you were looking to create in the final design?

Harper’s quick to slate herself and Cameron as “eclectic,” and I love her conviction when describing her ultimate wish for what the home would be. “I wanted this place to be painfully personal, i.e., not for everyone. We wanted to take risks and stay away from safe.”

Her words apply in a much broader sense, speaking to what one should feel in any creative endeavor when bumping up against a true and authentic final result. “There were times I thought we went too far, which in retrospect I think is what you should feel when creating a forever space.”

Ultimately, it was a bold and unabashed breaking down of boundaries that led Harper and Cameron to a home reflective of where their lives have been and how they wish to orient themselves to the future.

This area of Texas is known for its stunning landscape and beautiful natural elements. How did you seek to integrate the redesign into the surrounding environment?

Amy sums up this area of Texas in naming its definitive “magical” quality. There’s romance alive in its lush, abundant nature—a perfect place to play with the design of a home. “Harper and Cam’s personal style had evolved, and they both wanted to incorporate more modern materials in some really fun and surprising ways.”

Because the remodel required so much work, a stretched budget forced the couple to get creative. Amy cites a few examples, including calacatta viola marble, custom cabinetry, and plaster work—not to mention making their own tile when what they wanted was out of budget.

Amy embraced the couple’s want for a deeply personal house. The home “is filled with so many windows and light”—not to mention a lack of neighbors thanks to the property’s 22 acres. As such, “there wasn’t really a need to intentionally integrate the outside in.” And in that way, as she notes, it became simply another element of the home.

With anything we take from an idea to concrete reality, it’s gratifying to see it evolve into something that expands past where you initially sought to land. It’s a simultaneous intentionality and openness to the process that leads you to somewhere that feels so clearly and distinctly like home.

The post “I Wanted This Place to Be Painfully Personal”—Harper Smith Shares Her Beautiful Version of Life on the Farm appeared first on Camille Styles.

As the owner of Tess Interiors, an LA-based design studio, Twiehaus and her team seek to understand every property not solely through its functional purpose, but by how the clients inhabit it. Because of this, she’s able to create beauty in its fullest sense: incorporating a sentimentality that extends beyond the visual. And when the final result is revealed, that intricate allure is felt throughout the space.

The designer herself remarks that this “evolution” is one of her favorite parts of what she does—and a key player in how she brought this upstate New York barn renovation from start to finish. Ahead, we dive into the project, and Twiehaus reflects on the challenges, decisions, and learnings the process brought. Read on to inspire your wildest interior imaginings. My Pinterest board is ready.

Tess Interiors Upstate New York Barn Renovation

When Twiehaus initially took on the project, the intention was to renovate the space into an exterior apartment where the owners could host guests on the grounds. But as the renovation got underway, the barn’s purpose shifted, with the client wanting a home office instead. Nimble and ready to pivot, Twiehaus and her team took on the shift with excitement, prepared to explore the extent of what the space could offer.

The final project yielded an interior that extends beyond what an office traditionally boasts—and an exterior that melds seamlessly with the surrounding environment. But as we discuss in the interview ahead, it’s that multidimensional exploration of a project that Twiehaus loves, and that energizes her approach. Discover the details ahead.

Tess Twiehaus

Tess Twiehaus is the owner of Tess Interiors, a full-service interior design studio creating bespoke, expressive spaces for high-end residential and commercial clients.

What initially drew you to this property and inspired the project?

Right off the bat, I was captivated by the property. You get off the train, drive a few minutes up a winding road, and then these iron gates welcome you to almost five acres of trees and rock gardens. It was unbelievable. Coming from Southern California, I was blown away by how lush everything was. Then as soon as I stepped foot inside the space I realized how much history it held. There was so much character and potential. I just wanted the space to look the way it made me feel. 

Maintaining the bones of the barn was a must. We knew the shell had to remain the same so we wanted the structural components supporting it to remain as well. We didn’t remove the beams, we just refinished them, and we didn’t relocate the windows, we just upgraded them. We didn’t even change the location of the kitchen. Instead, just reconfiguring the layout.

A true juxtaposition of old and new. 

Adjusting the layout for the bathroom and demolishing the center partition gave us so much room to play. From there, it was mostly about layering in the right materials and fixtures. Our main objective when sourcing was to curate items that look like they could be original at first glance, but are actually quite modern when you study them further. The custom rift white oak flooring with the framed herringbone layout, the inset cabinetry, the intricate details on the decorative pendants, the aged brass hardware—they’re all a true juxtaposition of old and new. 

You gave the home a modern feel while still maintaining the integrity of the original architecture. Can you talk us through some of those choices? In gutting the property, how did you decide what to keep?

This probably sounds crazy, but whenever I’m tasked with remodeling an old home, I like to pretend I’m a designer from the era it was built. I imagine that I’m collaborating with the original architect. As with any collaboration, you want to keep an open mind, respect the other person’s ideas, and hopefully come out on the other side with a cohesive vision that’s a true melding of the minds. 

You chose to paint the exterior black and incorporated moodier elements in the interior. And yet, the home illuminates such an incredible light. How were you able to capture that and reflect it through the space? 

Painting the exterior black was the plan pretty much from the start. The foliage surrounding the barn is gorgeous and we wanted the barn to act as its backdrop. Also, there’s a sort of yin and yang effect we wanted to create with the main house. While the main house is white on the outside with lots of color and pattern on the inside, the barn is black on the outside with lots of natural materials and neutral tones on the inside. 

As far as the bright interior of the barn, that’s in large part due to the windows and skylights we put in. We also took down a wall that was cutting the space in half, which allowed all of the windows to work in unison and flood light throughout the space. The moodier elements are a result of the many wood tones we layered together.

I love using natural materials to create a moody effect because it never feels dreary or overly dramatic. It just feels earthy and balanced. 

When approaching a project, are you able to envision the final result from the beginning?

Not exactly! I always know how I want the space to feel and I do see clear opportunities for specific design details when I’m doing the initial walkthrough, but the evolution is one of my favorite parts of my job. I truly enjoy the surprises that the demo phase brings and the client opinions we learn as we go. Those unexpected “problems” always result in the most interesting solutions, and they often end up being my favorite details at the end of a project. 

For instance, the barn has a classic gambrel roof. This means that we had to deal with all sorts of fun angles on the inside. Since the client wanted to use the barn as an office for their employees, and I wanted each employee to sit in front of a window, there were only so many places to build the storage an office requires. The storage cabinets in between the desks are deepest on the bottom and shallowest at the top due to the angle of the roof. We decided to put glass inserts at the top cabinets where the roof slopes and treat them as the display area, whereas the bottom houses the necessary paperwork/supplies. I certainly didn’t have that solution from the start, but I’m so happy with where it ended up.

What major changes did you focus on in the renovation?

The primary objective was to make the kitchen and baths functional and beautiful. That bathroom layout was the biggest change. Originally, it was shoved into a corner. We created a bathroom suite by relocating it to the end of the barn and allowing it to take up the entire width of the space. 

Exposed beams, oak floors and cabinetry, and marble countertops dominate the space. How did these elements and this aesthetic come into play in your design process? 

Again, I go back to the property. The nature surrounding the barn is so beautiful, and we simply wanted to bring that outside beauty in. It was important to me and to the clients that we use materials found in nature. Real hardwood floors, genuine calacatta stone, unlacquered brass, and walnut furnishings.

What all of these have in common is that they are from the earth. They will age over time and we will appreciate their beauty then as much as we did when they were first installed.

The post An Upstate New York Barn Renovation Made Us Rethink Our Relationship With Black Paint appeared first on Camille Styles.

Brandy Joy Smith’s Dreamy Joshua Tree Cabin Tour

When we entered the serene one-bedroom cabins—there are two, side-by-side—we were rapt. Soft natural materials complement smaller industrial accents. Light pours through the windows, which capture the rays and the desert views. Everything is considered, boasting exceptional ease.

“The goal was to make these cabins feel zen, calming, and tranquil,” says Smith. “Somewhere where you can escape from the hustle and bustle of urban living and just take a breath in complete stillness and peace.”

“The goal was to make these cabins feel zen, calming, and tranquil.”

Smith and her husband built the cabins from the ground up, working in tandem with Duane Smith of Hundred Mile Homes.

It was a process, as building any home from scratch is, but so evidently worth it. Now the Smiths’ goal is to share the cabins with family and friends as much as possible. That is, when others aren’t already scooped them up. (Yup, they’re available separately or together on Airbnb and Vrbo.)

We asked Smith to walk us through the cabins and her process. Here she breaks down how she nailed that high-desert, off-the-grid, totally relaxed vibe.

Image by Zachary Gray

Keep it simple, classic, and 100 percent true to you. 

Image by Zachary Gray

What inspired these cabins?

Tyler and I love the desert. We knew we wanted a special place to ground us. We also wanted a place to share with our family and friends—remote but not so far away that we couldn’t access the restaurants or national park. Our realtor, Clayton Baldwin, found the perfect lot with breathtaking views. 

Left image by Zachary Gray

Image by Zachary Gray

What noteworthy elements do you love about the house and its setting?

Both cabins are off the grid, meaning we don’t tap into city electricity or water. We loved creating spaces with a low carbon footprint that blend into the beautiful surroundings. The cabins sit on a 10-acre lot surrounded by the mountains. The sunrises and sunsets are not to be missed.

Our favorite features of the cabins are: 

• The skylights over the beds
• The outdoor shower and hot tubs 
• The views from the couch through the kitchen windows 
• The lighting over the dining tables—they are such a focal point

Right image by Zachary Gray

Image by Zachary Gray

How would you describe the aesthetic?  

We wanted each cabin to have its own identity but a similar vibe. We decided to mix soft natural materials with some smaller industrial accents. We placed the windows so they soak in the views and drench the homes with natural light. 

The North cabin is bright and warm with pinks, whites, and neutrals. The South cabin is more neutral with browns and soft ash—more on the moody side.

Image by Zachary Gray

What role did color play in your decorating process?

I was really hands-on in the interior and finishes process. In the desert, mid-century modern is the go-to, but I have more of a wabi-sabi vibe. Duane and I did a good job of merging the two styles to create something modern yet approachable and soft.

Image by Zachary Gray

You have a knack for creating beautiful spaces. What decorating wisdom are you willing to share?  

While it may be tempting, don’t go for too many trendy pieces! Keep it simple, classic, and 100 percent true to you. 

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Diving into total renovations is a passion for Zinnecker. As the founder of Claire Zinnecker Design, an Austin-based boutique interior design firm, she leans into her mantra that “every space tells a story.” Clients flock for her organic approach to aesthetics. She has a rare ability to marry a person’s narrative and interests with a timeless essence. “Maybe as a designer, I should be into labeling aesthetics,” she says when asked about her design style. “But honestly, I try to steer clear of that. I like it when homes completely capture the people that live in them.”

If she had to describe her beloved 1898 home, she’d say, “Maybe European Farmhouse? Haha, I don’t know!” If we were to define it, we’d say it’s purely Zinnecker: eclectic, airy, and vibrant. Everything has its place, lending to it a quiet beauty. But the layered, laid-back vibe didn’t come quickly, admits Zinnecker. “Because of time and budget, it’s been a fairly slow process, finding pieces on the marketplace, at antique stores, on the side of the road.”

“The second I walked in I knew I needed her.”

Zinnecker and her husband, Adam, redid nearly every surface of the home. They up-leveled the necessities, including adding a new roof, insulation, plumbing, and electricity. They removed the old linoleum, sheetrock, and tile, and they replaced the windows. “The list goes on,” adds Zinnecker. Thankfully, for those of us rapt, she captured most of the project on @savingidahouse.

Claire Zinnecker Reflects on Renovating a Farmhouse Fixer Upper

Scrolling through the images of the restoration, one additional element becomes apparent: Zinnecker’s unrestrained appreciation for her home. “I love the personality of the house, even the not-so-ideal quirks of living in a 1700 square-foot, 120+-year-old home. The details, the dings, the fact that nothing is level. This home has such life and I’m grateful to be able to continue that.”

“I wanted every moment to be a photograph whether it’s styled or messy—because typically it’s slightly messy, I’m always moving/changing things!”

How did you first discover your home?

I found my home on Facebook Marketplace! She was for sale (to be moved off the lot she was on) because developers had bought the property. The second I walked in, I knew I needed her. She was in desperate need of love, of removing the layers that had been added to reveal all the original bones.

Can you tell us about the renovations you made to your home?

Oh goodness, what haven’t we done?! We moved her and added piers, a roof, insulation, plumbing, electricity, and HVAC (the necessary things). We’ve pulled off all the old linoleum, sheetrock, and tile, moved the bathroom, added a second, built an entire kitchen, repaired and replaced windows, sanded, stripped, painted, etc. The list goes on!

What noteworthy elements of the home and property would you like to share?

I love everything! We are on five acres on the river with animals—I’m living my childhood dream. I love the personality of the house, even the not-so-ideal quirks of living in a 120+-year-old home. The details, the dings, the fact that nothing is level. This home has such life and I’m grateful to be able to continue that.

How would you define your home’s aesthetic?

Maybe as a designer, I should be really into labeling aesthetics. But honestly, I typically try to steer clear of that when working with clients. I like it when homes completely capture the people who live in them. If I was forced to… maybe European Farmhouse? Haha I don’t know!

What was your goal in decorating your home?

This home is definitely a layered and collected feel. Because of time (and budget!) it has been a fairly slow process, finding pieces on [Facebook] Marketplace, at antique stores, on the side of the road. I wanted it to feel from another time period but also completely usable and practical for everyday life and for the way Adam and I live. I wanted every moment to be a photograph whether it’s styled or messy. (Because typically, it’s slightly messy. I’m always moving/changing things!)

I wanted it to feel from another time but also completely usable and practical for everyday life.

What decorating wisdom has helped you along the way?

Sometimes, my “vision” didn’t align with what the house needed/wanted (or what my budget would allow!) and that was okay. I had to be flexible. I had to give myself grace because, with client work, I didn’t always give myself enough time to focus on my own house.

Your space doesn’t need to look like everyone else’s that you see on Pinterest or social media. It needs to tell the story of your life, that’s what makes design fun and interesting.

What role did color play in your decorating process?

Texture and history played the biggest role in the house. The colors I brought in had to complement what was in the house that I was keeping—the natural woods, the green/blue chippy paint on the ceilings, and the distressed floors. For the most part, I kept it neutral but chose a rich color for the entry hall. I’m so happy I did (I almost painted it white!).

Do you have a favorite room?

Depends on the day (and the time of day). In the mornings, I love the kitchen and dining area. In the afternoons, I love the bedrooms. And in the evening, I love the front hall. But if I was forced to pick a room, I would say the kitchen. The antique windows we found and added along the river wall were game changers. It’s truly such a special house, I feel so fortunate.

How have you set up your space to support your lifestyle?

It’s definitely taken some time to make an 1800s house fit a 2000s lifestyle, but I feel like we have finally settled in. I have my office set up (although I’m continuously running out of storage), and I love it. We moved an old rotting cabin from a friend’s backyard out to the land a few years ago and Adam has completely transformed it into his office/workshop. I’m not-so-secretly jealous of it—someday I hope to have my own studio cottage, but for now, my office works perfectly.

I think our main complaint (or mine at least) is that we don’t have any proper closets and that can get a bit tiring. When the budget allows, I would like to invest in some proper built-ins to serve as closets.

The post “Every Space Tells a Story”—Claire Zinnecker on Designing the Austin Farmhouse of Our Dreams appeared first on Camille Styles.

Upstate Down is based in New York state’s picturesque Hudson Valley, and combines brokerage, interior design, and a curated home goods store in the form of UD Studio, where visitors can browse the brand’s thoughtful, considered décor in person. Co-founders Delyse and Jon Berry inform the business with complementing backgrounds—she in rental management and he as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. With their dream of a holistic real estate and lifestyle brand calling, the duo pooled their expertise, and in 2021, Upstate Down was born.

Upstate Down Shares Their 1770s Home Renovation

When I say you won’t believe this before and after—believe it. Oftentimes, the challenge of renovating a home built hundreds of years ago is that there’s history and character to preserve. But the best designers know: it’s those stories woven into the details that deserve the spotlight.

I sat down with Delyse and Jon to reflect on their most recent project: the complete renovation of a gorgeous 1770s home in Fall Kill, New York. Below, they speak to the home’s original architecture, the potential of the space, and how they bridged the beauty of the past and present. Let’s dive in—I guarantee you’ll want to add these pictures to your ‘dream home’ Pinterest board.

Delyse and Jon Berry

Delyse is the CEO and Principal Broker while Jon supports the business as CFO and Real Estate Agent. They began Upstate Down 10 years ago when Delyse began managing vacation rentals and saw an opportunity to deliver a holistic service for home care and sales. Upstate Down the Brokerage launched in January of 2021, and by Memorial Day they had opened UD Studio, a physical space for their real estate and lifestyle brand to grow from.

What initially drew you to this property and inspired the project?

When I first saw the house, I described it as having magic. The original charm was covered over by layers from the 60s-90s but the energy was special. I also loved how quiet the property was. Often homes of this era are built on roads which have become major thoroughfares over the years, but this one was still in a peaceful setting. 

The house was dying when we bought it and we felt honored to be stewards that would assist in giving it new life. 

This home has such a presence. Take us through some of the unique elements of the original architecture.

When we finally closed on the house (which took six months), the pipes burst which meant that the house needed to be restored even further than we thought. We had no idea what was behind the walls but when we started pulling things apart, we were overjoyed by finding the original floors, hand-hewn beams, hand-blown glass windows, original siding, and even the initials in the wall of the person who built it. Every inch of these findings needed to be restored but it was so worth it. The house was dying when we bought it and we felt honored to be stewards that would assist in giving it new life. 

Working with a home of this age, I knew I wanted to honor it for what it is rather than make it something it wasn’t.

You featured an unbelievable before-and-after of the space on your Instagram. With low ceilings and small windows, how were you able to see the potential of the space and execute it beautifully?

Working with a home of this age, I knew I wanted to honor it for what it is rather than make it something it wasn’t. Instead, I looked at things we would define as challenges and made them assets. To me, the low ceilings meant intimacy and the small windows meant moody. We painted the walls a rich color and made the space monochromatic so the architecture could stand for itself. We also then balanced the experience of the original part of the house with the light and bright addition which features a second living and dining space. 

The house isn’t huge, but having two living spaces and two dining spaces allows for an easy transition into old and new as well as morning into night. 

There’s a push-pull tension inherent in any renovation—wanting to honor the original bones while also bringing a space into the modern day. What were some of the major changes you focused on? 

Everything original was restored and everything not original was replaced. This allowed us to blend the old and new while not losing the house’s integrity. When making new material decisions, we considered the original home and used the human hand in our material choices as much as possible. For example, all the tile and hardware are handmade and there are no white walls. We opted for a prep table rather than a kitchen island, and used materials that will patina over time (just like the house).   

Building on that, how were you mindful of reconciling the past and present? How did that balance impact the final project?

We wanted people to walk through the house and feel the history of the home but also wanted to make it liveable. Bearing in mind how people live today really helped us accomplish a good flow and function in the house. The house isn’t huge, but having two living spaces and two dining spaces allows for an easy transition into old and new as well as morning into night. 

When you’re on the property, you feel connected to the land. The flowing stream, old barn, vintage stone walls… It feels as though they are all telling a story.

Exposed beams, light wood accents, organic shapes, and natural textures dominate the space. How did these elements and this aesthetic come into play in your design process?

The house is perfect in its imperfections. We wanted to make sure our design choices didn’t distract from the integrity of the home and therefore used the original treasures as our inspiration. Furniture stayed neutral and organic in order for it to connect to the structure and we elevated our final finishes to create some modern comforts. 

The Catskills are known for their stunning landscape and enviable natural elements. How did you seek to integrate your redesign into the surrounding environment?

When you’re on the property, you feel connected to the land. The flowing stream, old barn, vintage stone walls… It feels as though they are all telling a story. There is so much history in the area and while you feel that in the home, there is no doubt that you equally feel that on the property too. 

The post You Won’t Believe This 1770’s Home Renovation in Hudson Valley (Psst… It’ll Be Available on Airbnb!) appeared first on Camille Styles.

Each space she occupies reflects Maj’s inherent draw to nature, and her subtle ability to bring the calming energy and colors of the reigning Mediterranean climate indoors. 

Maj Henriques Shares Her Sunny Summerland, California Home

The creative atmosphere that hangs about this stunning, sunny home should come as no surprise. As creative director of her own multi-disciplinary design and branding agency, Creative Notes, Maj brings her skills to every facet of her life. She’s transformed the space into somewhere that looks and feels like her family’s own, even amidst the limited confines of renting the property. 

Maj’s approach always prioritizes the personal, selecting pieces that exude a strong point of view and can stand boldly on their own in any space, while still feeling accessible and warm. She has seamlessly blended a mix of European designers, both old and new, that at once convey a timelessly stylish sensibility with little need for following the trends of the day.

In Maj’s words, the goal is soulful. As far as not being able to make any dramatic changes to the home, she says, “Being a renter is an exercise in creating a homey and beautiful space that reflects your personality—without renovating.” With cozy corners to sink into, strikingly pared-back visual moments, and pops of vibrant color throughout, we think you’ll agree that she’s managed to do just that.  

Who do you share your space with? 

I share my home with my family. My husband, Frederik, and my two kids—Magne, age sixteen, and Hannah, age 13. 

What was your goal in decorating your home?

Interior-wise, I like simplicity. I tend to decorate sparingly with statement pieces that can look good anywhere. The pieces I bring into my home have to be worth the resources spent on them, and therefore need to age well. I like adding personal and unexpected items, as well as both contemporary and vintage.

At the same time, I’m very aware that my home should feel comfortable and welcoming. It has to fit the flow and needs of everyone living in it. My home is where I recalibrate. I love the everyday life spent here.

A home works well when it feels effortless to move from task to task and moment to moment. The goal is for the space to be soulful.

I work from home, so I spend a lot of time in my house. Morning coffee, soaking up the sun on my deck, reading, watching movies, an evening glass of wine, cooking and connecting and checking in with my husband and kids are regular routines I savor. Occasionally we have small, intimate and informal dinners with friends. More and more, I prefer casual and relaxed settings—and this space is perfect for cultivating those kinds of moments. 

You have so many exceptional—mostly European—designers featured throughout your home. Can you tell us about some of your faovrite brands and pieces?

My home is filled with contemporary brands like E15, Magniberg, and various pieces from the design collective Valerie Objects. The blue table and stools in the living room and the blue chair in my bedroom are all from Swedish-based Magniberg. A lot of my lighting, the incredible double-lounger in my entryway, and the multi-colored chairs on the patio are from Belgian duo Muller van Severen, who work under the Valerie Objects design label. In my opinion, these are the brands that will be the classics of tomorrow.

I have also collected pieces from designers already considered to be classics, like Rietveld, Gio Ponti, and Le Corbusier. My only Danish furniture is outdoor brands like Skagerak and Carl Hansen, and I have some rugs from Linie Design. The beautifully textural rug in the living room is from a gorgeous Danish line called Cappelen Dimyr. 

Is there a vibe or aesthetic that defines the look of your home?

California beach town meets Copenhagen—what I refer to as CoCal. 

How would you describe your style in three words?

Simple, sculptural, personal.

How has your design sense changed—if at all—to reflect your new California surroundings, versus how you might decorate back in Copenhagen? 

Here we have, of course, more focus on our outdoor spaces and the flow from inside to outside. Besides that, I’ve become very aware of surrounding myself with long-lasting quality pieces. I prefer when furniture has a sculptural quality, so that each piece looks amazing from all angles and in many different spaces. This is an important element when you move a lot. 

How did you first discover your home? What spoke to you about the space?

A dear friend made this magical place happen for us after we had to move out of our last rental. 

I LOVE our ocean view! I wake up and go to bed surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, in golden-y pink hues. It’s unbelievably beautiful and I would compromise on almost everything else for that view.

What role did color play in your decorating process?

I like earthy and calm colors, but I do also enjoy a touch of unexpected color splashes for contrast. For instance, the baby blue Magniberg pieces bring something special and surprising to each room.

Do you have a favorite design feature or room?

I love love love the dining table that my son made for me (in junior high woodshop class!) and my Rietveld arm chairs.

What are some ways you’ve creatively worked around the inevitable constraints of living in a rental? 

My approach is to have a few really cool signature furniture pieces, which tends to take the attention away from some of the less beautiful details in a rented home.

What are some of your main design influences, both in your home and your work?

I’m very much shaped by and rooted in the design scene in Copenhagen. I love to look at Danish magazines like RUM and Ark Journal. 

Some of the places and people I look to the most for design inspiration are the following: 

• Studio X
• Atelier Axo. Amazing talented young Danish designers.
• Studio Kristia Lula. An artist who makes sculptural art/design. 
• Established brands like Linie Design (the most amazing rugs!) and Skagerak for outdoor furniture.
• The coolest gallery in Copenhagen: Etage Projects.

Any decorating wisdom that has helped you along the way? And in that light, any wisdom you’d be willing to pass on?

Build your home slowly so it reflects your own life and personality. Take the time to get good quality pieces, and always add vintage.

The post “Build Your Home Slowly”—How Maj Henriques Transformed a California Rental With Her Danish Aesthetic appeared first on Camille Styles.

With any house entirely made by hand, her family’s lake home is full of character and charm. The house—though you’d be hard-pressed to imagine it today—was a labor of love. Anastasia shares that she gets emotional reflecting on the past year of renovations and remodeling. But after foundation work and replacing the subfloor (and many of the designer’s signature touches sprinkled throughout), the home is a gem worthy of its stunning scenery.

“The property is dotted with dogwoods, redbud trees, crepe myrtles, Japanese maples, and pine trees,” notes Anastasia. And though the renovation isn’t entirely complete—there’s a little work left to do finishing out the basement—she says with enthusiasm and what I have to imagine is a sigh of relief: “It finally feels like home.”

Step Inside Anastasia Casey’s Stunning Holiday Home

And the timing’s just right. For most home design enthusiasts, there’s never a better time to lean into our love of décor than the holidays. The weather outside is frightful, and in turn, we’re embracing our coziest inner homebodies. By the looks of it, Anastasia knows the vibe—and she’s going all in. But rather than opting for over-the-top decorations and garish lighting, she’s well-versed in making the subtle celebratory.

Below, we asked Anastasia all about her holiday home design process: what she envisioned for the space, the traditions she’s holding onto, and how she infuses it with a sense of novelty year after year. So step inside, you’re in for a treat.

Anastasia Casey

As a web designer and branding expert specializing in luxury lifestyle brands, Anastasia’s mission is to help boutique brands reach their target audience through refined design and strategic marketing. She has created content for brands like McGee & Co., Herbivore Botanicals, Snap Kitchen, and many more.

How would you describe your holiday design aesthetic?

Unfussy, natural, and a little whimsical. I like things to be unusual, unexpected, and always inspired by nature.

What was your process in decorating your home for the holidays?

This is the first year we’ll spend at the lake house, and I really wanted to focus on nostalgia. When spending a holiday in a new place, I think it’s particularly important to bring familiar elements into a space. My process this year was based on making things feel natural, but also easy to walk away from.

For once, I opted for faux greenery we could use year after year, without worrying about things dropping needles, drying out, or causing any fire hazards. I invested in the faux cypress garland from Afloral and selected a few specific places to decorate: the entryway, the living room, the kitchen, our bedroom and the bunk room.

Afloral Faux Long Pine Needle and Pinecone Christmas Garland

u003cpu003eu0022The garland had such a natural drape to it, I literally just threw a couple of nails in the corners where I wanted to hang it, and draped it casually.u0022 u003cemu003e— Anastasia Caseyu003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e

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When it comes to decking the halls, it’s easy to go overboard. What are your tips for making your home feel distinctly “holiday” without overwhelming the space?

Hang stockings on hooks you already have around the house! Don’t limit yourself to just the mantle. Our stockings are hung by the front door this year, and since that’s the center of the home, you walk by them multiple times a day. It’s the perfect little glimpse of holiday without feeling smothered by it.

A simple wreath in a room is often all you need. I love a sweet bedroom moment with just a wreath where you normally have artwork.

How do you balance trying something new while also being mindful to give space for traditional touches?

Instead of a full-on theme every year, I just focus on one color. This year, I wanted things to feel nostalgic, but modern, so I went with a tomato-red velvet ribbon. It’s nearly a burnt orange, gives a nod to tradition, but it perfectly complements the olive greens of the house.

What are your go-to resources for holiday décor?

Afloral for their faux garlands and wreaths. I love Target’s Wondershop—they had so many super fun and charming glass ornaments for $5 this year, I stocked up on about 20!

Wondershop Cloche with Mini House Ornament

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Wondershop Gold Bell Ornament Set

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Wondershop Ornament Set

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Decorating your home for the holidays is a tall order. What would you suggest someone prioritize if they’re tight on budget or space?

100% start with the greenery. While I always prefer real garland and wreaths, it’s a sizeable investment year after year. By selecting really high-quality faux greenery one year, you’ll save every year after that. You don’t need very much, and can fill in with clippings from your own yard! Nothing feels more classic or festive than a plain tree or garland with really twinkly lights.

The biggest bang for your buck is tinsel. For about $5, I totally covered our tree at the lake house and it brings so much joy through the season. Just make sure to save it and use it year after year to keep it out of landfills.

How are you decking the halls this holiday? Share with us in the comments!

The post This Dreamy Holiday Home Is Straight Out of a Nancy Meyer’s Movie appeared first on Camille Styles.

Such a sweeping renovation may not have been planned, but it certainly feels meant to be. The finished space is the epitome of California rustic modern. Everything flows. Natural elements of wood and marble marry with the warm Los Angeles light. An airy kitchen washed in the color of clouds gives way to a high-ceilinged living room anchored by a dark linen sofa. It’s a study of understated opposites: warm and cool, bright and moody, rich and airy. 

Feature image by Shade Degges.

Even more so, the home is very Sarah Solis. The designer, who is known for her love of wabi sabi, has a knack for embracing the beauty in imperfection. Solis chose wood wall paneling with “knicks and dents and physical imperfections,” exposed beams made of Douglas Fir salvaged from a Kansas barn, and reclaimed European white oak wood flooring that has “beautiful inconsistencies.” 

Like every great designer’s intention, Solis’s home is a work of beauty. It’s also a space of intention. As she walks us through her design process below, one thing becomes clear: this is a home for living in the present.

This home, which was built in 1954, has such a vibe. Take us through some of the unique elements of the original architecture.

There is an incredible use of open and closed spaces in the house. We balanced high vaulted ceilings to achieve big awe moments and breath of space with low ceilings where we wanted cozy, comforting spaces. For example, the dining room and library have lower ceilings and are painted darker tones to create super cozy intimate settings. They invite you to get comfy and stay a little longer.

One of the most special features are the bay windows and reading nooks in every bedroom. It’s a romantic ideal that I always dreamt of having as a child. So when the opportunity presented itself, we leaned in! We doubled down with creating a built-in banquette in the kitchen, as well.

You extensively renovated this space while honoring the original bones. What are some of the main changes you made?

We changed the floor plan to create an elegant and functional flow. The kids’ bedrooms are on one side of the house and the primary suite is on the opposite side. There is a central hallway that creates a calming center and architectural axis while also making the home feel longer, bigger, and more expansive. 

Images by Rennie Solis

The center of the home is for entertaining and gathering. We expanded the great room with a vaulted ceiling and added square footage. This created the heart of the home off of the kitchen. 

We added vertical wall paneling in the great room and a few extra beams for more interesting detail, rather than traditional heavy moldings. We played up the kids’ bathroom with wall paneling as well. 

Wood, natural light, and organic hues and tones reign. How did this come into play in your decorating process? 

That’s my personal aesthetic! Variations of neutrals and natural wood are the foundation of my design work. This palette is very calming for me. It’s serenity. It also allows my ever-rotating collection of great finds to effortlessly cycle through my home as singular bold moments. I’m constantly sourcing and falling in love with pieces and then moving them to a project that best suits their design. 

What is unique about the property?

The coolest part about this property is that it is a fully contained acre of land in the middle of the city. It’s unassuming when you drive up to the single-story, low, sprawling classic California ranch house. Once you enter the home the magic of the space is mesmerizing, the whole way through to the backyard. 

“Everything is calm, grounded, and complementary to the surrounding nature outdoors.”

The guest house is just as charming—if not more charming—as the main house with an outdoor shower enclosed in reclaimed barn wood. The property is pure magic with a tennis court and an area we call “The Farm” with multiple raised garden beds and a generous chicken coup for our chickens, “The Ladies.” 

“My goal was to create a serene and cozy home that transported you out of the Los Angeles lifestyle, so it felt like you were somewhere else in the world.”

What piece of decorating wisdom Would You Like to share? 

Try not to crowd a space. Let a space breathe to give it balance. Not everything you love will work together so it will be a loving practice of restraint. Embrace the process. 

The post Inside the Modern-Meets-Rustic California Farmhouse of Designer Sarah Solis appeared first on Camille Styles.

The creative director behind multifaceted design firm A1000xBetter, Blazek approached the Billock’s home in the same vein she does all her projects: by looking at the nuance and layers of the life that will unfold there. Creatives and avid cooks who love to host, the Billocks live here with their two children. To support how they inhabit the space, Blazek—who worked with designer Patrick Maziarski on the project—employed her experience in art and color theory in every design choice.

The details are eclectic and bohemian. Blazek also merged the kitchen and dining spaces, allowing for a greater expanse to gather, cook, and eat. (And, of course, for the sunny Los Angeles light to drench every corner.) A large dining table custom designed by A1000XBetter provides an anchor for all of it to come together.

The result is more than a stunning scene. It’s a feeling. And it’s a place filled with unexpected details, like the regal Heath ceramics backsplash in the kitchen. This added “visual interest to the long back wall of the kitchen,” says Billock. It also complements the swaths of open shelving that hold greenery and Christy’s ceramic works. 

Greg and Christy Billock inhabit a home of intention and warmth. Everything is in its right place—which is why I couldn’t wait to ask Blazerk for the details on how she accomplished the look. Let’s get started.

open shelving showcases owner Christy Billock’s ceramics next to works by LA ceramist company Kat & Roger. The Cabinets and Millwork are by Eaton Designs.

Step Inside the Los Angeles Home of Greg and Christy Billock

What first stood out to you as you embarked on designing the Billock’s home?

The homeowners had a lot of great pieces of furniture, beautiful artwork, and textiles and we were able to incorporate all of their existing pieces. We love mixing styles. The dining table is Craftsman in its origins, but fits in seamlessly with the other design elements in the Spanish meets Mid-Century kitchen and library.

What is a piece of decorating advice for us to steal?

Don’t be afraid to mix styles! We don’t like to do anything that is too referential, and we love to bring in an eclectic mix of furniture, art, and decor. We believe that if items are innately great, then they can all work well together and not look out of place.

What role color Does Color Play in your work?

Color is hugely important to me when I design a space. I am always very conscious of creating a cohesive color story from room to room. The nuances in color are also fascinating to me and I put a lot of emphasis on finding exactly the right shade and saturation of each color that we are selecting.

Do you have a favorite design feature or room?

I love the whole back wall of the kitchen. We installed new, larger custom windows to increase the natural light and incorporated open shelving into the design. The Heath tile was the perfect choice to add both texture and an extra layer of visual interest to this long wall while remaining neutral in color.

The post A Home Fit for Gathering: Step Into This Eclectic, Midcentury-Meets-Spanish Oasis appeared first on Camille Styles.

Jessie is a manifestation coach with a powerful vision to usher others toward their most vibrant life, one that aligns with their soul’s true calling. Brian is the co-founder and president of Proper Hotels which boast some of the most inspiring respites to lay your head (and satisfy your appetite) in California and Austin. Together, they share the 3,800 square-foot home with daughters Amelie and Lucia. “Kids are always running around and dancing,” Jessie shares. It’s why the indoor/outdoor space isn’t just about aesthetics—it provides a functional foundation for the De Lowe family to thrive.

About That Bathtub…

“Our Concrete Nation bathtub gets a LOT of love,” admits Jessie. The basin is a show-stopping piece—you could very nearly call it a work of art. And it’s no surprise to find the tub was designed and ethically handcrafted in Australia, residence to the ultimate purveyors of stylish, laid-back living.

Ahead, we step into the De Lowe’s home (dubbed the Four Feathers Farm House) where the breeze flows freely—and the baths are on point.

Montecito Meets Mallorca

How would you describe your home’s aesthetic?

When it came to décor, Jessie describes their inspiration as “Montecito meets Mallorca,” which explains the general approach toward design: textural by way of natural materials that result in a calming, “uncluttered but cozy” home.

Earthy, Vintage, and a Touch of the Unexpected

How did you decide on the color scheme?

We wanted earthy colors that were soothing and unexpected.

We are constantly cooking and entertaining, so it was important to us to create a great flow between the inside and outside.

What were your greatest décor finds?

Lots of vintage art and vessels from Round Top, Texas.

Identify a Focal Point and Run With It

Brian and Jessie chose cabinetry and fluting for the island from Brothers of Industry (and they sourced that beautiful Calcutta gold slab from a stone yard in LA). It all came together perfectly to complement the star of the show: the stunning grey-blue Ilve range.

A Functional Kitchen Centerpiece

This range is truly an investment piece. Inspired by professional kitchens, it’s crafted to be the best of the best. Equally important? It’s stunning.

ILVE Double Oven Range, $17,500

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Perfect Cane Counter Stools

The De Lowe’s sidle up for snacks, chats, and views out the window in these classically-designed stools.

Rejuvination Counter Stools, $629

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Leather Dining Chair

The dining room features a wooden Jenni Kayne table surrounded by these beautiful leather chairs.

Jenni Kayne, $995

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Where Style Intersects the Sentimental

Do you have a favorite piece of furniture?

Our concrete nation bathtub gets a LOT of love. In terms of furniture, our Kelly Wearstler Credenza (above) is very special.

How did your home’s architectural style influence the design process?

There were many different sections of the house, and we opened up and widened a lot of the hallways to make it flow better and feel more open.

Describe your California farmhouse in three words.

Open, calming, and happy.

A Few Final Words of (Design) Wisdom

Do you have any words of wisdom to share with would-be decorators?

We started with a few key focal pieces and then designed spaces with House of Honey around those pieces. For example, we knew we wanted the Concrete Nation bathtub and basins in dusty pink, so we designed the bathroom to complement that. In the kitchen, we knew we wanted the Blue Grey Ilve Range, so we designed the kitchen around that!

Finally, any advice for creating a space that’s minimal, yet warm and inviting?

Create a lot of built-in storage or furniture that contains storage so that there is a streamlined system for things to live.

Weatherby Side Chair

A traditional design with timeless style.

Rejuvenation, $509

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Discover the Stunning Products That Brought This California Farmhouse to Life

BATH:
Bathtub: Concrete Nation

KITCHEN:
Cabinetry: Brothers of Industry
Island Fluting: Brothers of Industry
Appliances: Ilve Range, Kohler sink/fixtures from Ferguson, Thermador fridge/microwave from Ferguson
Counter Stools: Rejuvenation
Pendant Lights: Natalie Page

LIVING 1:
Sofa: Lulu and Georgia
Pendant Light: Lightology
Coffee Table: Vintage from First Dibs
Rug: Lulu and Georgia
Poufs: Vintage
Wooden Table: Vintage
Throw Blanker: One Wednesday Shop
Vase: Tina Frey

DINING:
Dining Table: Jenni Kayne
Dining Chairs: Jenni Kayne
Pendant Light: Ay Illuminate from Global Lighting
Rug: Armadillo and Co
Dried Flowers: Idyll Wild Floral
Artwork: Heather Day from Tappan Collective

MAIN BEDROOM:
Bed: Anthropologie
Bedding: Cultiver Linen Sheets and Shop One Wednesday x Jessie De Lowe Manifestation Blanket
Pillows: Sheepskins from Jenni Kayne
Sconces: Rejuvenation
Bench: Lost and Found Shop
Console Table: Vintage
Nightstands: Jenni Kayne
Rug: Armadillo and Co
Curtains: Everhem

LIVING 2:
Sofa: Restoration Hardware
Lamp: Anthropologie
Coffee Table: Jayson Home
Pillows: Mexican Artisan, Coral & Tusk
Rugs: Sheepskins from Prima De Sur
Art above the couch: Katie Gong
Art above the fireplace: Nik Nik Studio

OUTDOOR BAR:
Counter Stools: Saffron and Poe
Paint Color: Costes by Portola
Light Fixture: Hudson Valley Lighting

OUTDOOR DINING:
Table: Kokoro Home
Dining Chairs: Rejuvenation
Lights: Corbett Lighting from Hudson Valley Lighting
Pillows: Custom
Paint: Portola

The post Montecito Meets Mallorca—A Dreamy California Farmhouse That Lets the Sunshine In appeared first on Camille Styles.

Ryu’s first encounter with her house was kismet. She and Lee spent about six months “going to open houses every single weekend,” fending off the blues of being outbid over and over. When they came across this 1927 three-bedroom bungalow along a leafy street in LA’s El Sereno neighborhood, the pillars they were seeking aligned: There was an art studio in the backyard, perfect for Lee, an artist and actor, to create. A majestic 100-year-old oak tree. And views and light that Ryu says are “incredible.”

All felt right—except for the obstacles that accompany buying a home. The house needed serious work. “Everything had to be replaced after we moved in,” says Ryu. The couple was, yet again, nervous about their offer (the third backup bid for this house). As things progressed, Ryu looked to energy healer Caitlin Marino for guidance. When Marino pulled the word “harvest” from her deck, Ryu took it as a sign.

Below, Diana Ryu reflects on the organic beauty and calming presence of her Los Angeles home.

“She said there would be immense joy and harvest in this house, so we felt confident to move forward,” remembers Ryu, who says she and Lee named their home The Harvest House.

That sense of growth imbues the overall ethos of the house. A swath of creamy whites and minimalist décor, punctuated by vintage finds and art, the home is anchored by layers of wood, a material dear to Ryu. It was in the Harvest House where she founded Namu, a collection of heritage wordwork home items sourced from Korea.

When Ryu, who was a longtime editor and writer, looked at the 100-year-old tree in her backyard, she gleaned strength to spawn her business. “The tree has seen countless winters and tragically loses its leaves every year,” she says. “But no matter how cold the winter, it knows spring will come.”

We visited Ryu to see how she weaved that tenacity into their home. Her design wisdom is a lesson on choosing pieces that speak to the soul. After all, we design our homes for the same reason we travel and read: to remind ourselves of the possibility that exists both within ourselves and the world.

Images by Michelle Nash.

What was your goal when decorating your home?

We want it to feel like an exhale when you walk in. We use a lot of wood or wood tones to warm up our white house. There was a study done in Japan about materials used for homes. Wood was the only material that helped lower blood pressure, so we try to curate a lot of it. The goal was—and is—to have a space that feels calming. We both spend so much of our time working and living at The Harvest House, and it’s been a beautiful and stable constant even while our lives have shifted dramatically.

How do you describe your home’s aesthetic?

There’s a lot of Asian influence. Most of the art in our home is from Asian or Asian diasporic artists, including my husband, my aunt, and our friends. We’re lucky to have very creative people in our lives. We’d like to think our home is conducive to creativity and it feels inviting and calming. 

What decorating wisdom has helped you along the way?

It’s OK to shop wherever you have access. Our homes—and our lives—don’t need to be perfect. Homes should be functional for us and our families. Namu Home Goods’ ethos is based on finding the value and beauty in imperfection. Our house isn’t perfect, and it probably won’t ever be. We want to see friends and family be comfortable and feel relaxed enough to lay down on the couch.

“I have always been drawn to wood as home décor—I think because I’m a highly sensitive person and my surroundings impact my mood.”

How has building Namu Home Goods impacted your approach to design and life?

We try to live simply. We’ve adopted this philosophy from our Namu artists in Korea. I remember for one meeting, we met a Namu Home Goods woodworker who gave us each a single candied walnut with some coffee. My American mind is so used to abundance and overstuffing that I was like, that’s it? But, it made me so, so enjoy and savor the one walnut I did have. It’s an extreme example (I probably could’ve eaten a whole bag, they were so good), but it taught me something about enjoying just what’s in front of me.

What role did color play in your decorating process?

These days I’m really obsessed with Namu Home Goods Umber, one of our brand colors. I acquired these amazing vintage Italian barrel back chairs by Giancarlo Piretti and our Nordic Knots rug in Umber as well. I’ve become an extension of the Namu Home Goods brand at the moment. I’m living it in every aspect! The majority of color comes from our art and books. We’re not opposed to color at all, but just happen to feel close to wood and nature and that happens to be represented in our house. 

Do you have a favorite design feature or room?

We spend the most time in our living room, dining nook, art studio, and backyard. Just based on that alone, I’d say those are our favorite spaces.

The art studio has great energy. Joe will paint or work on lines and I will work or read on our daybed and we’ll absorb all the wisdom of our oak tree. We like our living room because it gets great light and we don’t have a TV in the house; we use a projector and have subscriptions to our streaming sites, we’re not off-grid. In the daytime our house is quiet. We play music and listen to the birds chirping.

Our dining nook is special because the Cy Twombly prints were a gift. I bought one for Joe and he bought one for me and we exchanged them without knowing the other got the same thing. It was very funny and I’m glad we got different ones at least. 

Our backyard has the most incredible views of the hills and we get a nice hilltop breeze. I think our home must have been the only house in our neighborhood for decades. Our home was built in 1927, but every other house on our block was built in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

It must have been a quiet existence for a long time.

The post “Our Homes and Lives Don’t Need To Be Perfect”—Diana Ryu on Crafting a Calming Home appeared first on Camille Styles.

Segal let this kinship guide her as she renovated the charming home of her client, an “incredible” retired woman who lives with her dog Lexie and occasional long-term guests (mainly the client’s two college-aged children). While most of the house’s elements were “in dire need of updating,” Segal recalls, the house, which was built in the 90s, had solid bones. The original heritage-style oak inlay floors, gorgeous stained glass, and “old beat-up” brass door hardware were treasures that Segal salvaged to honor the eclectic, vintage character of the neighborhood.

With her love of blending old and new, bespoke and vintage, Segal chose décor elements that honored the house’s “storied” feel. This included blending heritage and contemporary features, showcased through vintage floor lamps, custom ottomans, a Montauk Sofa couch, Arteriors Home sides tables, and B Zippy & Co. ceramics. A neutral palette allows the eclectic pieces and art collection to shine. 

The finished home is “elegant, unexpected, and effortless,” as Segal describes it. We couldn’t agree more. To get a deeper look at how she pulled it all together, we connected with the talented designer. We must say: this stunning Craftsman house renovation really is the product of sheer talent and intuition.    

How did you honor the original bones of the home?

We wanted to achieve eclectic elegance. To do this, we maintained some of the original features like the inlay oak floors, which we stripped and re-stained to make them feel modern. We kept original wainscoting in the areas we could and added new, more refined moldings with pencil rails for an updated twist. The home featured several stained-glass windows. These were beautiful but the client disliked how traditional they felt, particularly with their palette of all primary colors. Instead of removing them, we designed new windows by creating our interpretation of stained glass. This turned out to be one of my favorite features.

Talk to us about a room that you particularly love. 

This kitchen is one of my favorites that I’ve designed to date. It feels so peaceful, elegant, and inviting. While the materials are seemingly quiet, we focused on the detailing such as the cast metal post running through the island, sculptural bronze pulls, minimalist Bocci Design plugs, and a marble casing around the newly designed stained glass. Selecting light fixtures is always one of my favorite parts of the design process, and this project was no exception. The Pelle pendants with brass with cast paper flowers are a work of art. And the Apparatus Studio fixture in the kitchen is another favorite. It gives off the most beautiful light.

Resilience is key, no matter where you are in life, what you are doing, or what field you are in. Failure happens, you need to learn from it and continue to push forward with a positive mindset. 

What is the inspiration behind the color scheme?

We worked with a fairly neutral palette, layering in subtle hues of color and saving the most saturated hues for the incredible art. We wanted a palette that felt warm, sophisticated, textural, and also representative of the natural hues found along the beaches of the Pacific Northwest.

You layered in so many incredible décor elements. What were some of your greatest finds?

With the more neutral palette, we wanted to focus on materiality to create a layered and warm look. We used lots of natural stones, mostly marbles, and worked with oak in a variety of finishes throughout the home. We also worked with several metals, including cast bronze, patina brass, and blackened steel.

I also love the art collection we built together, which has an emphasis on Canadian artists. The Erin Armstrong pieces in the dining room are so bold and whimsical. We also commissioned Curtis Cutshaw to do the two black and white wall sculptures in the living room that mirror the fireplace and the TV, which is concealed in a cabinet above it. The area rug from The Rug Company in the living room is another personal favorite. A fun fact: After her first party in the home, our client called us with a design emergency: A guest had spilled red wine all over the rug! Thankfully, the wool-silk blend is so durable that it was like new after cleaning it.

You have a talent for keeping the spaces you design balanced and timeless, as well as minimal yet warm. What’s your secret? 

I have made a conscious effort to move more and more towards working with natural products and materials, handmade items, and small-batch pieces that have a story and support a craft or a trade. It’s that bit of imperfection that brings the magic. It’s what brings life and feeling into our home. Without these things, spaces can feel sterile and new rather than timeless. 

Add in layers. Make sure that the layers are different materials, whether it’s for bedding, paint, wallpaper, drapery, or lighting. This approach creates a cozy ambient space. 

What advice can you share for those who are new to design?

The most important thing to offer your client is a personalized experience! We pride ourselves on educating our clients in the design process while making it as stress-free and fun as possible. We strive to create original work for our clients that pushes design boundaries while simultaneously feeling like it represents them. Ultimately, we want to do everything we can to make our clients happy. 

The post “Elegant, Unexpected, Effortless”—This Historic Craftsman Gets a Seriously Sophisticated Upgrade appeared first on Camille Styles.

Of course, Wearstler didn’t hold back with her panache for fusing color, pattern, texture, and vintage in one space—it’s loud, fun, and in your face and we love it! But she definitely took it up a notch when she designed the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel. Scroll on to step inside the historical property and explore Wearstler’s latest color-soaked project.

*hotel and rooftop photography by The Ingalls

A Hollywood Icon Reimagined

Wearstler projects always have a glamorous air, but the newest Proper destination arrived with a built-in allure. The development process included the careful restoration of a historical landmark with Old Hollywood origins: a 1920s-era renaissance revival building by iconic L.A. architects Curlett & Beelman. Initially, a stylish private club frequented by Cecil B. DeMille and Harry Warner in its heyday, the stately, 13-story structure served as a YWCA in the ’60s—two novelty suites make use of a vintage basketball court and indoor swimming pool. 

Led by the award-winning development team, KOR Group the adaptive reuse project took three years to complete and left Wearstler with an incredible canvas to bring the 1920s icon back to vibrant life.

A Proper Look

With the vestiges of Curlett & Beeman’s work as her base, Wearstler blended the ideals of Mexican modernism (an artistic movement that first flourished in the 1920s) with elements of Portuguese, Spanish, and Moroccan design as a nod to the South Park neighborhood’s multicultural roots. The result is an immersive, intoxicating world of color and warmth.

As referenced above, local collaboration is a key component to all Proper hotels, including in the design process. Wearstler enlisted a group of L.A. artists for custom murals and installations—Abel Macias painted a mélange of Mexican folk art animals in the lobby, glass artisan Judson Studios created a striking stained-glass structure that guides guests to the lobby level’s Caldo Verde restaurant, and ceramic murals by Ben Medansky and Morgan Peck pop with dimension in the Proper pool suite and front desk.

The Rooms

Downtown L.A. Proper’s 148 guest rooms are far from cookie cutter. Vintage furnishings, original window casings, and Wearstler’s fearless approach to gorgeous color create spaces that are homey and inspired. Designed to evoke a residential feel, Proper suites are built for entertaining, while all rooms offer slick views of DTLA surroundings.

The Little Things

A great hotel stay is all in the details, and Proper always does a thoughtful job. Luxury Aussie skincare line Aesop stocks the bathroom with full-size products, a collab between Wearstler and Parachute has your plush robe needs covered, while Vifa speakers let your personalize your room’s soundtrack.  

Additional amenities include complimentary bikes, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a heated rooftop pool. Visitors and locals can also utilize the 2,600-square-foot historic Cabrillo Club venue, the private screen suite (fashioned from the aforementioned vintage basketball court), and the 2,500-square-foot pool suite which features Medansky’s stunning ivory ceramic mural.

Drinking and Dining

Destination restaurants are a big part of the Proper deal. For downtown Los Angeles, the hotel group tasked James Beard Foundation Award winners and partners Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne with a dual restaurant and lounge concept.

Downtown Los Angeles Proper’s signature spot is Caldo Verde, a loungey, lobby-level space serving Portuguese- and Spanish-influenced breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Expect dishes like chorizo and eggs with sofrito, hearty salads, prime rib eye with Alentejo butter, and the restaurant’s namesake dish: a Portuguese soup made with local rock crab, kale, and grilled linguiça.

*Cara Cara photography by Dylan + Jeni

Caldo Verde’s sister spot is Cara Cara, a poolside haunt with Piri Piri fried chicken, tacos, and refreshing cocktails to sip while you take in the panoramic downtown views from the Proper rooftop.

The Neighborhood

What’s outside your door is always crucial when deciding on a hotel, but perhaps never more so when you’re in L.A., where a few miles can turn into a few hours in traffic. Fortunately, South Park has plenty to offer. Downtown L.A. Proper is situated at the corner of 11th and Broadway, making DTLA architectural tours and destinations like The Broad Museum, MOCA, or the Crypto.com Arena (née the Staples Center) within walkable reach.

The post Kelly Wearstler Turned the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel Into a Serene, Color-Soaked Retreat—Step Inside! appeared first on Camille Styles.

Keep reading to learn more from Titone on the design/build process, interior inspiration, and challenges in an exclusive excerpt from his book, Surf Shacks, Volume 2.

All images by Mark Seelen unless otherwise noted.

Surf Shacks Volume 2

Surfing is a way of life, one that defines not only where we live, but how we live. Surf Shacks Volume 2 picks up where the first volume left off, exploring homes of surfers, which range from improvised cabins by the beach to penthouse apartments in big coastal cities.

Surf Shacks Volume 2, by Matt Titone

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Matt Titone

A goofy-footed graphic designer who hails from the first state, Delaware. After attending Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL then graduating from SCAD in Savannah, GA with a BFA in Graphic Design and Illustration, Matt moved to NYC and found work as a freelance designer and art director. In 2006 he moved west to Venice, CA where he co-founded ITAL/C Studio and now resides a bit further north in Oxnard.

Matt Titone, on the garage renovation project

I bought my first home in the Venice-adjacent Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles in 2008. The house was a bank-owned dilapidated wreck that was home to a slew of squatters and junkies before I moved in. It was a tear-down property any way you sliced it, but I poured all of my savings into the down payment and could not afford to make any drastic changes. So, with a lot of help from friends over the years, I took on one household renovation project at a time.

In 2015, my brother, Sam, wife, Courtney, and I decided to transform our old garage (built in 1947) into a separate backhouse. Sam had just graduated with his master’s in architecture from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), my own alma mater. Courtney wanted an opportunity to flex her interior design skills—and to have a place we could host our families while in town since we had our first son on the way. And I was feeling pretty “architecturally inspired” after being a few years deep into the first Surf Shacks book. So we took out a loan and the three of us embarked on a challenging but creatively satisfying project that ultimately strengthened our relationship. Courtney and I have since moved north to Oxnard and Sam lives in Nantucket, but the “Zanja House” (as we like to call it) holds a very special place in all of our hearts. The following pages document the story of our old home in Mar Vista, California. 

Matt interviews Sam Titone, on the design/build process

How did you first discover your passion for architecture?

I’m not sure when things clicked for me that the built environment around us—no matter what scale or setting—was “architecture,” and the people who conceptualized and created these environments were architects. Growing up, I was always building forts, models, skate ramps, and anything I could build with my dad’s tools. We also had a lot of artists on both sides of my family and we always had the freedom and setting to express ourselves with art and design. When it was time for me to decide what profession I wanted to pursue in college, I really just tried to reflect on my interests and all the subjects I excelled at in school. I was either an A or D student, and it was clear my passions and strong suits lay in art, math, and physics. I had no idea that these were the ingredients for architecture. I really took a shot in the dark when I decided to go to SCAD and study architecture when I was 19. I’m still happy with that teenage decision and love how it will be a part of my life until the day I die.

What is it about the design/build process that you love so much?

I love all phases of architecture. Conceptualizing, putting the idea on paper, and ultimately executing the concept in a holistic build. The design/build process is a type of architecture that really puts all phases in one person’s hands and eliminates a lot of potential design sacrifices you might have to make with more cooks in the kitchen, so to speak. These projects are usually smaller in scale and allow for more freedom in a design.

When it came to the backhouse, where did you draw inspiration from? What were your goals for the space?

During my time at SCAD, there were always long breaks in between terms, and during that time, I spent a lot of time staying with you at your house in LA. When I wasn’t trying to squeeze a building project or internship in during those times, there was a good amount of free time when you were working. I had time to surf and ride my bike around your eclectic neighborhood in Venice. I loved seeing the playground of architecture and how most people had backhouses that really stood out as architectural gems. I wanted one—and I really just wanted one for myself while I was out there! The design and inspiration for the project selfishly revolved around designing for myself. You and Courtney were my “clients,” but I was lucky enough that you guys just let me play. We were on the same page with the aesthetic from the get-go, so that allowed me to really go nuts incorporating into the design, and I essentially created a dream space for myself. I wanted an independent, self-sufficient back studio space for me to work, sleep, cook, relax, and enjoy nature. It’s a puzzle that organizes these spaces to allow for openness, privacy, and connection with nature at every step.

Describe the design/build process with the backhouse. What memories in particular stand out in your mind?

Man, it was a wild ride. As with any design/build project, it started with a solid concept and space layout in order for us to get proper permits and functionally accomplish the goals of the project. Then the design really took shape when we had to make all the decisions and design every nook and cranny, mostly on the fly. This was the first project I took through the building department by myself, and that was a learning process in itself. Then essentially being the GC [general contractor] for a bulk of the project was a whole other beast to tackle. I have so many stories that stick out in my mind, but if I were to pick one, it would be just sitting on the roof with a beer pretty much every night when all the work was done for the day. Every day was a crash course in whatever we were doing that week and every day was rewarding.

What were the biggest challenges you were faced with?

Tackling the permitting process for the first time and getting the hot tub in the ground and hooked up. It was by far the diciest part of the process and so exciting when it turned on for the first time. We were so proud of ourselves that we used the hot tub through the rest of the construction, even when there were mounds of dirt and building supplies surrounding the tub.

On the flip side, what about the project are you most proud of?

I would say working on the interior finishes, specifically the white-washed cedar that is everywhere in the interior, and the steelwork with the floating stairs. You and I, along with our jack-of-all-trades friend, Tyler, who did a lot of work on this project, installed all the paneling and made all the built-in millwork with the cedar. It was so rewarding seeing the panels slowly take over the space. I decided to take on all the steelwork on the project as well. I had taken a metal-working class at SCAD and had helped on some builds, but this was a big undertaking for me. I got a welder out of the deal and you got cheap custom steel features. It was amazing proving to myself my designs worked and functioned really well.

What was it like working with your brother—me—and your sister-in-law?

This was a roller coaster, but just like roller coasters, it was fast, exciting, scary, and left you wanting to do it again. I felt a lot of guilt every time you had to write another check and deal with work that had to be redone because of a mistake. You were so gracious to let me take on this project after years of convincing. You wanted to do it, but if it wasn’t for my enthusiasm, you might have been a lot more apprehensive about the undertaking. It wasn’t a straightforward permitting process and a lot of people don’t fully understand the relationship a designer has with their client. It’s an intimate process where you really dive into couples’ relationships and see how they live their lives, what they care about, and what they don’t care about. Ultimately, we had the same goals, had the same aesthetic vision, and it really worked out.

What are your favorite parts of the completed space?

I love the loft. It’s a small library, bedroom, garden space, studio space, and above all just a space to relax with no distractions. It’s where I spend 90 percent of my time while I’m there and is a space I will cherish forever.

What were your biggest learnings from the experience?

Every day was a learning experience and excelled my experience in my field professionally tenfold. I hadn’t worked through a project from start to finish in my career yet. I started this project one year out of school and had just worked on builds for portions of previous projects. I have been working professionally now for seven years and am about a year away from seeing a project built after working on it from day one. Some people in my field don’t get this chance in their whole careers. I am now comfortable working on any project because of this experience.

As I have learned from this book project, passion projects have a way of steering what you do professionally. What has this project led to for you since completion? What do you hope it leads to down the road?

I always knew my passions lie with design/build and this was a chance to really give it a go on my own. This led to a couple of other backhouse projects, and I hope to work on more. I work on high-end residential projects for my day job, and as much as I like working on those, these types of projects are refreshing and allow me the freedom to flex my creative muscles and get my hands dirty with a build. It definitely scratches the itch and I hope to keep working on passion projects like this throughout my career.

Photo by Read McKendree.

Courtney Husk on the interior design process

What do you remember about when we first moved into this house?

You had put an offer on this house before I had a chance to see it in person. The first time I saw the house, I started crying. Not in a good way. The house was in really bad shape. Pretty much everything needed to be replaced or updated. It was a ton of work and we had no idea what we were doing. Not to mention, we had no money. So we flew friends in from the East Coast to demo the house, help install the wood floors and the bathroom tiles, and paint the walls. We were living in the house, along with our friends, as it was being renovated. That first month living in the house was basically like camping with a roof over our heads. I remember the first few nights sleeping on a mattress in the living room while the flooring was being installed in the bedrooms. We cooked meals in a microwave in our dining room while the kitchen was being renovated, and we peed in the backyard and showered at friends’ houses while the bathroom was being remodeled.

When did you first take an interest in interior design?

When I was a kid. Luckily I have amazing parents who embraced my love of interior design and let me choose furniture for our house, new upholstery for the living-room couches, new wallpaper for the kitchen and bathroom, and paint color, bedding, and furniture for my bedroom. My parents built a new house when I was in high school and that was my first experience reviewing architectural plans and watching the plans come to life as the house was being built. It was an incredible experience.

How would you describe your style?

Beachy modern is probably the most succinct description. My style is sophisticated yet playful. I like using fun combinations of pattern, texture, and color.

When it comes to our home, is it hard for you to balance your taste and what you typically gravitate toward with my personal aesthetic?

It took me a while to figure out how to mesh our styles, as your style is more “rustic” than mine. But now I wouldn’t be able to pull our styles apart; they work so well together.

What was your goal with the garage renovation?

My primary goal was to have an inspiring space filled with light and beautiful design that friends and family would enjoy. My secondary goal was to finish the house before our first child, Milo, arrived!

What are your favorite parts of the completed space?

The black-and-white cement floor tiles in the bathroom, the Heath Ceramics backsplash in the kitchen, the floating stairs and raw cedar desk, the white-washed cedar plank walls, the Kohler Purist faucets, the skylight, the folding-door systems, and the hot tub.

Photo by Read McKendree.

What were your biggest learnings from the backhouse experience? And renovating our home in general over the last 12 years?

Go with your instincts, measure everything twice, don’t be afraid to ask the construction crew to correct something that doesn’t match your design vision or meet your quality standards, and always, always test paint colors first!

As I have learned from this book project, passion projects have a way of steering what you do professionally. What has this project led to for you since completion? What do you hope it leads to down the road?

Since this garage renovation project, I’ve since remodeled our bathroom in the front house and designed several bathrooms, as well as created lighting packages and textile packages for friends and family. One day in the future I hope I’m able to work as an interior designer full time, as it brings me so much joy.

Photo by Read McKendree.

Surf Shacks: An Eclectic Compilation of Surfers’ Homes from Coast to Coast

Surf Shacks: An Eclectic Compilation of Surfers’ Homes from Coast to Coast, $49.87

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The post How a Young Family Turned Their “Dingy Garage” Into the Surf Shack of Their Dreams appeared first on Camille Styles.