When This L.A. Homeowner Couldn’t Raise Her Ceilings, She Lowered the Floor

Meleana Estes, a jewelry designer and author of 'Lei Aloha,' along with her family of three, downsized from a large, renovation-needing home to a 1,000-square-foot turnkey beach bungalow on Honolulu’s south shore. The move necessitated a strategic approach to organization to accommodate Estes' extensive vintage collection. Key elements of her collection, such as an antique Indonesian dresser and original artworks by Allen Akina, were successfully integrated into the smaller space. A significant aspect of the transition was converting a small back cottage into a "muumuu sanctuary," ensuring her fashion collection was preserved. Heirloom furniture, large casegoods, and a collection of surfboards also made the move. Estes' design philosophy is heavily influenced by her Hawaiian heritage, which she describes as an inclination towards adornment, layering, and embracing the "extra." This is evident in the vibrant color palette throughout her home, particularly her fondness for pink, which she integrates in various areas, allowing different elements to complement each other. Her approach suggests that if something brings joy and feels right, it is meant to work together. The 1926 bungalow, already tastefully updated with a light touch, provided an ideal backdrop without requiring additional renovations. The white walls and black double-hung windows establish an elegant foundation, with matching shades offering both light control and architectural definition. Incorporating sufficient storage was a priority for Estes. She implemented open shelving in the kitchen and freestanding cabinetry, including a large glass-front piece in the living room acquired from a friend's shop. Her son's bedroom features a green hutch, offering an organized solution for his monster trucks, books, and trinkets. Estes also collaborated with local design studio Woven to create a blue bar cart for the kitchen, which serves a dual purpose for drinks and storage of books and seashells. Woven also fabricated the coffee table in the living room's sitting area. The home seamlessly blends vintage finds with modern furniture. Inherited pieces form the core of the design, reflecting Hawaii's historical practice of crafting furniture from local materials and passing them through generations. The rattan sofa and chair set in the living room, belonging to Estes’ grandmother, were updated with new upholstery. A pedestal dining table made from Koa wood, indigenous to Hawaii, is another cherished family heirloom. Estes encourages mixing styles and eras, emphasizing trust in one's personal taste, stating that if you love something, there's a reason it belongs. Although the bungalow is not intended as a permanent residence, it currently perfectly suits their lifestyle. The home has become a central hub for social activity, often resembling a "surf club." Estes' husband keeps his boat in the garage, and friends frequently visit to rinse off after surfing. Her son's friends also pass through between beach volleyball games. Their expanding collection of colorful surfboards doubles as decorative elements when not in use. This communal atmosphere, combined with the beautiful water and frequent gatherings with food and drinks, encapsulates what Estes describes as the "best of Honolulu life." #HomeTours #DesignInspiration #HawaiianDesign #SmallSpaceLiving #VintageDecor #MaximalistStyle #InteriorDesign #HonoluluHome

Angela Trimbur, a dancer, actress, choreographer, and writer, transformed her Brooklyn loft apartment into an 80s-inspired dance studio and living space after moving from Los Angeles. This decision was largely influenced by her desire for a fresh start following a battle with breast cancer and a period of healing during the pandemic. She aimed for an interior aesthetic reminiscent of the 80s, specifically citing the loft space from the movie 'Flashdance' as inspiration. Her key requirements for the new apartment included a true loft with a wall of windows, hardwood floors, a top-floor location to avoid noise from above, and a tin tile ceiling to enhance the vintage mood. Trimbur found her ideal spot in the historically industrial neighborhood of Bushwick, New York City. Before her cross-country move, she significantly downsized her belongings through an estate sale, embracing a clean slate for her New York life. Her primary goal for the Brooklyn space was to have it function as a half dance studio. To achieve this in a city known for its compact apartments, Trimbur deliberately minimized decor and furniture, dedicating a substantial area next to the windows as her dance zone. This setup prioritizes her professional needs over accommodating large social gatherings, reflecting her philosophy that her home is a personal 'playground' rather than a space designed for frequent hosting. Trimbur offers practical tips for creating a personal creative space within a home. First, she emphasizes the importance of intentionally making space, suggesting clearing an appropriately sized area for the intended activity. In her apartment, this involved mounting mirrors on one wall, placing a piano, and installing a ballet barre for stretching. She also advises making furniture easily movable; her lightweight couch can be effortlessly shifted to expand the dance area. Maintaining tidiness is another crucial aspect, treating the creative studio as a separate work area. Trimbur utilizes specific cleaning tools like a cordless mop and vacuum, and even enlisted a cleaning company, to keep her dance floor pristine and organized. She also highlights effective stain removers for unexpected messes, particularly relevant with pets. Regarding decor, Trimbur suggests allowing large furniture pieces to dictate the overall aesthetic. Her vintage cream-colored piano from Facebook Marketplace became the starting point for her black, white, and cream color palette. This was further developed with a vintage mirrored black lacquered bed and a custom black and white tiled kitchen counter. Identifying a recurring motif is another key strategy; for Trimbur, mirrors became a central theme, appearing in her headboard, TV stand, and wardrobes, effectively opening up the space and reinforcing the dance studio ambiance. She also incorporated unique vintage finds, such as glass bricks from a Coney Island ride, to enhance the 80s aesthetic. Trimbur advocates for a minimal approach to collecting furniture and decor, particularly in transient rental situations, to ensure ease of movement. Finally, she encourages embracing a visual theme authentically and allowing for decor mistakes, viewing them as opportunities for adjustment rather than failures. Her personal preference for her vintage desk, despite others' opinions, underscores the importance of trusting one's own aesthetic judgment. #RentalRevamp #LoftApartment #DanceStudio #EightySAesthetic #HomeDecor #CreativeSpace #NYCInteriors #SmallSpaceLiving #VintageFinds

Model and chef Sanne Vloet, founder of Nekohama Matcha, embarked on a significant renovation of her Los Angeles loft in Marina del Rey, seeking to create a space that balances her content creation needs with personal rest. Moving from New York in 2019, Vloet aimed to infuse her new home with an effortless and calming aesthetic, drawing inspiration from European fashion weeks. She enlisted Lauren Piscione of LP Creative to transform the industrial loft, characterized by 20-foot ceilings and exposed pipes, into a soft and airy retreat. The design strategy focused on toning down the industrial elements with white limewash and employing a neutral color palette of vegetable tones, including beige and slate gray. This approach created a versatile foundation that allows Vloet to easily update her decor without extensive changes. A key challenge was making the tall ceilings feel cozy, which Piscione addressed by integrating various textures and a cohesive color scheme. The overall goal was to achieve an ethereal feeling while embracing the existing structural features. A major part of the renovation involved a gut remodel of the kitchen. Vloet, who frequently films cooking and tea-making videos, desired a space that was both highly functional and visually uncluttered. To address her pet peeve of excessive cabinetry appearing in videos, Piscione devised a unique solution: raising the upper cabinets by a foot. Given Vloet's height, this adjustment made the top shelves easily accessible and minimized visual clutter. For more petite guests, a sliding library ladder, a long-desired item for Vloet, provides access to the higher storage. The cabinetry itself is finished in plaster, matching the walls to maintain a cohesive and integrated look. The kitchen also features an extra-tall metroquartz backsplash, chosen for its simple veining and striking color, along with open shelves displaying Vloet’s daily essentials like lemons, matte black spice jars, and tasting plates. The guest room, located down the hall, was designed for intimacy and functionality, serving as a tea-tasting room, workout area, and guest space. Custom oak built-ins were installed to provide much-needed storage, addressing the loft's limited closet space. These built-ins frame a daybed, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Across from the daybed, a low, Japanese-inspired floor table was incorporated for tea ceremonies and client meetings, offering a personal and engaging experience for Vloet’s business. This flexible setup allows the table to be moved aside when not in use, maximizing the room's versatility. Throughout the loft, a consistent design language is maintained. The custom oak cabinets continue into the primary bedroom upstairs, ensuring a unified aesthetic across the open-plan apartment. In the expansive living area, a custom bouclé sofa, large enough to seat eight, curves around a floating media console. This piece was strategically chosen as the primary large furniture item, designed by Nathan Anthony, to be dynamic and comfortable for both relaxation and casual tea sessions. The angled arms, low back, and thick foam cushions contribute to a sense of zen, a crucial element for Vloet to find calm amidst her busy life. The renovation successfully transformed the industrial loft into a harmonious and multi-functional home that reflects Vloet's personal style and professional needs. #loftDesign #kitchenRenovation #homeTour #interiorDesign #modernLiving #spaceSavingSolutions #neutralPalette #customCabinetry #multiFunctionalSpaces

Ceilings are an often-overlooked architectural element in homes, but their height significantly impacts a space's feel and design potential. While modern new-construction homes often feature ceilings ranging from 8 to 10 feet, with some vaulted areas reaching up to 25 feet, many older homes have considerably lower ceilings. This article explores the historical and economic reasons behind low ceiling heights and offers practical design advice for homeowners dealing with such spaces. Historically, the primary drivers for building homes with lower ceilings were economic. Design historian Sarah Bilotta explains that in the past, it was more cost-effective to construct smaller homes, primarily to conserve building materials and maximize heating efficiency. This was particularly true for private spaces on upper floors, even in grander manor homes. For instance, a Georgian England country manor might have boasted ceilings of 10 feet or more on the ground floor to showcase wealth and status, but the upper, more private rooms often had ceilings as low as 6 to 8 feet. The trend towards higher ceilings, typically 8 feet and above, became more prevalent around the 1990s. This shift was largely facilitated by advancements in heating systems, which made it less economically burdensome to heat larger volumes of air. Consequently, standard heights for doors and built-in furnishings also adapted to create more expansive-feeling interiors. Despite the rising cost of building supplies, the preference for higher ceilings has persisted, indicating a move away from the more compact designs of the past. Living with low ceilings can present unique design challenges. Homeowners often find themselves with limited wall space for art or television placement, requiring careful consideration to avoid making the room feel cramped. Lighting also becomes a critical factor; traditional tall lamps might reflect light abrasively, and pendant lamps risk being a head hazard. However, these challenges can be mitigated with thoughtful design choices. For instance, narrow, cascading light fixtures can create the illusion of height and add a dramatic touch without overwhelming the space. To make a low-ceilinged room feel larger and more open, several design strategies can be employed. Hanging artwork and mirrors slightly above eye level draws the gaze upwards, elongating the walls visually. Similarly, installing curtains at ceiling level rather than just above the window frame can create an impression of greater vertical space. Conversely, certain design elements should be avoided. Adding texture or pattern, such as limewash or stucco, to the ceiling can make the room feel heavier and more enclosed. Selecting proportional furniture is also crucial; opting for narrow shelves and low-profile seating prevents the space from feeling overcrowded. For homeowners considering raising their ceilings, especially in historical properties, it's a significant undertaking. While possible, it is often a labor-intensive and costly renovation. Bilotta advises careful consideration of individual circumstances, suggesting that if insulation needs to be added, it might be an opportune moment. She also notes that raising an upper-floor ceiling by expanding into the attic is generally less complex than altering lower-floor ceilings, which involves more substantial structural modifications. #LowCeilings #HomeDesign #ArchitecturalHistory #InteriorDesign #DesignHacks #RenovationTips #EconomicFactors #CeilingHeight

The process of renovating, building, or redecorating a room can be overwhelming, not only due to financial considerations but also because aesthetically pleasing choices may prove difficult to maintain. One woman shared her regrettable home renovation decision on TikTok, highlighting the practical challenges associated with a particular design feature. Her video illustrates the continuous struggle with dust accumulation on stair runners, a common yet often underestimated issue. The woman’s video, captioned “Why didn't someone stop me,” features a white staircase adorned with a grey runner, a black border, and a black banister. The core issue she presents is that stair runners act as significant dust collectors. Despite regular cleaning efforts, dust quickly reappears, making the maintenance seem endless. This experience resonated with many viewers, who shared similar frustrations. Several commenters on TikTok corroborated her negative experience, with one individual mentioning that after five years, they removed their stair runner due to the constant upkeep. Another user highlighted the difficulty of repainting stairs that have a runner, describing it as a “nightmare.” Pet owners also chimed in, noting that runners accumulate pet hair, adding to the cleaning burden, even if pets are restricted from certain areas of the house. One professional carpet fitter confirmed that they routinely advise customers about the drawbacks of stair runners, acknowledging that while runners can enhance a home’s aesthetic, they demand extra maintenance. The video also prompted suggestions for alternative solutions. Many viewers pointed out that the white color of the stairs exacerbated the visibility of dust and debris. One person shared their own regret about painting floorboards white, advising against it due to similar maintenance issues. Suggestions for improvement included opting for runners made from materials that do not shed fluff or lint, such as jute, or choosing a runner that spans the entire width of the stairs to mimic full carpeting. It was noted that natural wood floors tend to conceal dust better than painted white surfaces, offering a more practical alternative for those seeking lower maintenance. Beyond stair runners, the discussion expanded to other design elements that are surprisingly difficult to keep clean. Small tiles, like penny tiles, require extensive cleaning of intricate grout lines. Similarly, mirror and glass splashbacks in kitchens are prone to showing grease and smudges, necessitating frequent cleaning to maintain a pristine appearance. This shared experience underscores the importance of considering the long-term maintenance implications of design choices before committing to them during home renovations. #HomeRenovation #StairRunners #HomeMaintenance #InteriorDesign #CleaningHacks #TikTokTrends #DesignChoices #DustControl