Sue Chan’s Minimalist L.A. Home Is the Antidote to Her Hectic Day Job

This article details the transformation of a mid-century Los Angeles home through the strategic incorporation of a custom interior stained-glass window. The residence, previously characterized by a drab and uninspired aesthetic, underwent a significant redesign focused on enhancing natural light, introducing vibrant color, and creating a more inviting atmosphere. The centerpiece of this renovation is a unique stained-glass installation that serves as both an artistic statement and a functional element, dramatically altering the home's ambiance. The design philosophy behind this project centered on revitalizing the existing structure while respecting its mid-century origins. The primary goal was to imbue the interiors with warmth and character, moving away from a dated and muted color palette. The stained-glass window was conceived as a focal point to achieve this, meticulously designed to complement the home's architectural style while introducing a contemporary flair. Its placement was carefully considered to maximize light interaction, allowing sunlight to filter through and cast dynamic patterns and colors across the living spaces. Throughout the home, the redesign extended beyond the stained-glass window to include thoughtful updates to furniture, fixtures, and overall decor. The choice of materials and color schemes was influenced by the window's palette, creating a cohesive and harmonious environment. The objective was to craft spaces that feel both luxurious and livable, suitable for modern family life. Each room was approached with an intention to optimize its potential for comfort and aesthetic appeal, ensuring that the new design elements integrated seamlessly with the home's original features. The article highlights how the amber glow emitted by the stained-glass window transforms the interior at different times of the day, creating varying moods and visual experiences. This dynamic interplay of light and color is central to the home's renewed vibrancy. The project successfully demonstrates how a single, well-executed design intervention can have a profound impact on an entire living space, elevating its aesthetic quality and enhancing the overall sense of well-being for its occupants. Ultimately, this renovation serves as an example of how creative design solutions can breathe new life into older homes, turning previously unappealing areas into captivating and inspiring spaces. The stained-glass window not only adds significant visual interest but also contributes to a unique atmosphere that reflects a blend of historical charm and contemporary design sensibilities. #HomeTours #DesignInspiration #StainedGlass #MidCenturyModern #LAHomes #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #ColorAndLight #ArtisticInteriors

Suzy Cho, a landscape architect, interior stylist, and owner of Maevine, a botanical design studio, shares her Ivy City apartment, which she inhabits with her husband Peter Lee and their Persian cat, Sir Bailey Fluffington. Despite being "serial renters," they have meticulously transformed their 750-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment into a personalized living space. The couple, originally from suburban Maryland, moved to DC seeking a change of scenery, which also provided Cho the opportunity to launch her business. The apartment features numerous houseplants and unique design elements, reflecting Cho's expertise. A significant DIY project in their home is a black half-moon accent wall, initially designed to conceal a television and its stand. Although the television has since been relocated to the bedroom, Cho maintains that the accent wall continues to function as an aesthetically pleasing negative-space element, demonstrating how a creative solution can address a design challenge without requiring a full wall repaint. Key pieces of furniture include a mid-century modern dining table from West Elm paired with four deliberately mismatched chairs sourced from Peg Leg Vintage. Cho's initial desire for matching chairs was constrained by budget, leading them to select three affordable chairs and one designer splurge by Paul McCobb. This approach not only fit their budget but also resulted in a distinctive, eclectic dining set. When it comes to sourcing home interior items, Cho has a varied approach. She recommends Peg Leg Vintage for high-quality vintage finds and Rove Concepts for significant, statement furniture purchases. For more eclectic and thrifted items, she suggests Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Community Forklift. Urban Outfitters is her choice for trendy pieces, while HomeGoods provides affordable decorative elements. Cho’s design philosophy emphasizes strategic splurging and thoughtful budgeting. She advises investing in classic, essential furniture pieces and seeking deals for trendy accessories. A central tenet of her advice, particularly for renters, is that home ownership is not a prerequisite for creating a perfectly designed living space. For individuals who, like herself and her husband, frequently move, Cho recommends selecting versatile furniture with good proportions. This ensures that pieces can adapt to different layouts and spaces in future residences, avoiding issues such as sectionals that might be too large or awkwardly configured in a new home. The couple's approach demonstrates that even within the constraints of a rental property, personal style and comfort can be achieved through thoughtful design choices, DIY projects, and a mix of vintage, affordable, and splurge items. Their Ivy City apartment stands as a testament to creating a personalized and functional home, proving that a rented space can be just as thoughtfully designed and comfortable as an owned property, irrespective of its size or temporary nature. #IvyCityApartment #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #DIYAccentWall #Houseplants #RentalLiving #VintageFurniture #BotanicalDesign #EclecticStyle

Marita White's "Rainbow House," a vibrant and historic cottage outside Seattle, became a central part of her healing process following a challenging divorce. Purchased impulsively during the pandemic, the early 1900s home allowed White, a single mother to a five-year-old daughter, to reclaim her voice and decision-making capabilities, which she felt were diminished in her previous marriage. Her former home featured a minimalist, Scandinavian design, a style largely dictated by her ex-husband. In contrast, the Rainbow House became a canvas for White to express personal joy through an abundance of color. White's approach to interior design in her new home was largely instinctual. For example, her daughter's request for a pink living room was readily embraced, marking a departure from shared decision-making. This process of choosing colors and patterns that genuinely brought her happiness became a form of self-healing and re-education. The two-bedroom house, which also accommodates seven animals, showcases a maximalist chic aesthetic. The kitchen features a two-tone green palette, complemented by ivy wallpaper, fuchsia floating shelves, a matching pink fridge, and black and white checkerboard flooring, resulting in a cohesive yet vibrant space. Her bedroom, designed last and with significant personal reflection, is a sunny yellow adorned with floral wallpaper, plaid candy-colored bedding, and eclectic wall art. White emphasizes the importance of designing a bedroom space that serves its inhabitant's primary needs, for her, it is a sanctuary for reading and snuggling with her pets. This philosophy highlights the sacred nature of personalizing one's most intimate space. White's lifelong connection to home decor, influenced by her parents' frequent home renovations, provided a foundation for her current passion. Her birth announcement even playfully alluded to her future involvement with painting. However, the emotional impact of using color to heal was unexpected. She channeled Marie Kondo's philosophy, asking herself if each design choice brought her joy, ensuring her decisions were solely for her own happiness. This led to moments like repainting her hallway seven times until she found the perfect white to showcase a rainbow art gallery, demonstrating her commitment to authentic personal expression over external validation or preconceived notions of a "rainbow house." The Instagram popularity of The Rainbow House led to requests for design consultations. White initially attempted remote consultations but found that the lack of in-person interaction made it less fulfilling. Currently, she has put a professional interior design career on hold to focus on mural painting, a more hands-on, paint-related passion. Regardless of her future endeavors, color and heartfelt expression remain central to her life and creative pursuits, embodying a liberating philosophy of living authentically and embracing personal joy in her home and beyond. #rainbowHouse #interiorDesign #colorTherapy #divorceHealing #maximalistDecor #homeDecor #personalExpression #colorfulLiving #diyDesign

The article highlights the transformation of a one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath pied-à-terre in Norton Commons, a charming Louisville suburb, into a cozy and functional 'home away from home'. This renovation, completed in July 2023, was undertaken by J Kathryn Interiors for a couple who frequently visit their four young grandchildren in the area. The design brief focused on creating a thoughtfully designed, classically traditional space with a twist, aiming for an oasis where the clients could relax and recharge after their travels or looking after their grandchildren. Jessica Kain Barton, the principal designer and founder of J Kathryn Interiors, explains that the original space had unremarkable 'bones' but offered the necessary square footage for short stays. The renovation focused on layering the interiors with wallcoverings and textiles to create an intimate and floral-festooned sanctuary. A key challenge was to make the small space incredibly functional and beautiful, ensuring all design elements were cohesive and that areas could be used for relaxing, working, or visiting. In the main sitting area, a comfortable, classic, tight-back tufted sofa was chosen as the central piece, complemented by custom cushions. The sofa was flanked by swivel chairs upholstered in a Jasper Indian Garden textile, and a Bunny Williams Home coffee table with soft edges was selected for safety with young grandchildren. Oomph Home's Tini II tables in a blue lacquer finish served as drink tables, and the lampshades on the floor lamps were hand-painted with pale blue scallops. The living room incorporated greenery and coffee table books, along with framed art against patterned wallcovering and floral throw pillows on a sage green couch, emphasizing depth and warmth. To maximize the small, open-concept floorplan, Jessica created distinct area vignettes. A breakfast nook was designed within a small alcove to be multifunctional, serving as a dining space and an additional workspace. This area was envisioned as a 'power-packed' design element despite its size, featuring wallcoverings, drapery, and art. The custom banquette in the breakfast nook, upholstered in a textile from Alice Sergeant, was a focal point, paired with natural material chairs and a white tulip table for a modern touch. The primary bedroom was large enough to accommodate a dedicated desk area. To prevent the room from feeling 'long and cold', it was draped in Colefax and Fowler Bowood fabric, covering walls, windows, and the bed, to evoke the feel of a boutique British hotel. Chinoiserie rattan nightstands and ceramic lamps from Vaughan flanked the bed, adding a classic contemporary chic. The workspace included a classic mahogany desk and an antique chair scaled perfectly for the desk, with interior design books and an equestrian paperweight adding sophisticated touches. Renovating the bathrooms presented the toughest hurdle, as the goal was to update them without altering the original layout. The design team focused on selecting classic and timeless finishes to open up the small footprints. This included honed Carrara floor tiles and warm brass plumbing fixtures. Both bathrooms were enveloped in colorful wallcoverings, making them feel like private sanctuaries. The half-bath features a classic console sink with a marble top and brass fixtures, a sink skirt, a wallcovering by Twigs, and a simple brass mirror and sconce. The full bathroom, being the only one, received white ceramic subway tile in the shower and continued the warm brass elements in its fixtures, mirror, and lighting, complemented by a sweet wallcovering from Cowtan and Tout. Decorative details, such as towels from Weezie and D Porthault, were added to complete the cozy and stylish feel of each space. All photography was provided by Lang Thomas. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #LouisvilleHomes #PiedATerre #FloralDecor #JKathrynInteriors #HomeRenovation #CozyInteriors #NortonCommons

This article features an interview with Betsy Moyer, an interior designer and co-founder of Retreat, where she shares her career journey and five actionable tips to enhance joy in living spaces. Moyer, a serial entrepreneur with a background in creative design and digital content strategy, co-founded The Estate of Things and The Blissfield Acres before launching Retreat in 2020. Retreat specializes in elevated, experiential design for short-term rental properties in the Joshua Tree area, offering services from real estate consultation to interior design. Her professional journey also includes roles as director of digital content strategy for NPR affiliate KCRW and The Design People, and she holds a Bachelor's of Art in History and is pursuing a master's in interior architecture and design. Moyer's passion for home, renovation, and real estate began early in life, leading her to co-launch her interior design and real estate blog, The Estate of Things, in 2008 with Sarah Farrell. This partnership chronicled their efforts in buying, renting, building, renovating, designing, and staging properties, and even included a brick-and-mortar shop. Her collaboration with Kate Shaw, founder of Riley Properties, an Airbnb Investment and Property Management company, naturally evolved into Retreat. Moyer recounts the rapid success of Retreat, noting that they quickly received more inquiries than they could handle after a weekend website launch, indicating a strong market demand for their specialized design services in Joshua Tree. A key lesson Moyer learned early in her career was the importance of balancing client satisfaction with personal well-being, moving from overcommitment to strategic project selection. She emphasizes focusing on enjoyable projects and creating a positive work environment for her team. Currently, Retreat is engaged in an interesting consulting project for new Airbnb construction and an exciting landmark project involving Kate Shaw's latest property, which will serve as a showcase for Retreat's capabilities. Moyer shares a deeply personal life lesson derived from a Rupi Kaur poem, reflecting on the transformative period of experiencing her daughter's birth, her mother's death from cancer, and her own cancer diagnosis and treatment. This period reshaped her perspective and intensified her drive. She credits Sarah Farrell for significantly influencing her design style and her husband for supporting her pursuit of a master's degree in interior design. The five recommendations Betsy Moyer provides for sparking more joy in a living space are: organizing the kitchen with beautiful storage, investing in high-quality bedding and mattresses, thoughtfully considering lighting, ensuring every item has an assigned place, and developing a cohesive space plan, 'vibes guide,' and color scheme. She believes these elements contribute significantly to creating a healthy and joyful home environment. Moyer concludes by proposing a movement centered on wellness in home design, advocating for spaces that support mental and physical health. She also expresses a desire to meet or work with Elon Musk, admiring his innovative spirit and skills, and jokingly suggests he hire her for his vacation home in Joshua Tree, CA. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #Entrepreneurship #Lifestyle #WellnessInDesign #AirbnbDesign #RetreatHome #SmallBusiness #JoyfulLiving