I want you all to know that I’m sitting down to write down this submit with the identical manic-meets-panicked vitality of Michael Scott throughout a hearth drill. Like, OH MY GOD, IT’S HAPPENING. (In case you’re simply tuning in – my identify is Caitlin and I head up partnerships and income round these elements. You might know me from biggest hits like “Caitlin designs an insane rest room” and “Caitlin tries and fails to purchase a condemned home that’s falling off the aspect of a hill.”) At present, although, I’m FINALLY welcoming you into my precise residing house (and it solely took 3.5 years to construct up the braveness, in order that’s one thing).
Some context into the method, earlier than we deep dive into the very private photographs up forward: I’d say that this room was “collected” greater than “designed.” Positive, there are a couple of new funding items in right here – my dream swivel chairs, a basic rug, a contemporary document cupboard – however the remainder of the room is crammed with classic furnishings, household heirlooms, flea market finds, presents from buddies, and hand-me-downs from the large boss’ storage. (I’m very fortunate!!!) Right here’s a fast reminder of the place we began…
The Earlier than
The great: a huuuuuge house (14’x20′!), authentic hardwood flooring, plaster partitions, stunning moulding, an ornamental hearth, Thirties sconces, attractive home windows, practically 100-year-old {hardware}…SHEESH. The unhealthy: nicely, it will get type of scorching? (I’m underselling – it usually hits 90 levels in right here in the summertime. It’s VERY HOT. However then I take into consideration all the individuals who purchase sauna blankets and who love sweating, and about how my house – seemingly constructed of top-of-the-line insulating supplies like “a bit of paper” and “a prayer” – is type of like my very own rent-controlled sauna blanket, and that helps.) All in all, it’s a gorgeous place with unbelievable bones and I’m nonetheless so grateful that I get to stay right here, surrounded by so many particular authentic particulars.
The Progress (Alternatively, “Belief The Course of”)
That is the place I final left you – many of the main items had been in place, however I knew the format, paint coloration, and styling nonetheless wanted some SERIOUS tweaking. Earnest confession time: truthfully, sharing this in-progress content material left me feeling anxious and insecure. Like, my full-time job is to assist the EHD workforce flip round stunning, scroll-stopping makeovers in a matter of weeks…however this was so far as I’d gotten in my own residence after years of amassing?
And whereas I might see the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel – I imagined new curtains, heat paint on the partitions, two chairs flanking the hearth, all types of stuff that made me really feel excited and hopeful! – I additionally felt frightened that my house wasn’t going to be “designed” sufficient to be internet-worthy, particularly once I checked out all the gorgeous, cohesive, seemingly uninhabited areas on my Instagram feed. Absolutely the madness of me – a journalism grad with 1. a enterprise growth background and a couple of. a decent funds – evaluating my front room to the work of AD100 designers isn’t misplaced on me. However I couldn’t cease!!! I felt actually upset in myself, truthfully. The unfavourable self-talk and self-flagellation had been at an ALL-TIME HIGH, buddies!!!
The After
…buuuuuut then I noticed this picture pop up on Sara’s laptop computer display. (HI, WELCOME TO THE REVEAL PORTION!) It was the primary picture we took, and, nicely, it took me WAY again in time. I assumed concerning the 13-year-old model of myself who had designed a striped pink, orange, and inexperienced bed room and who had stuffed that house with wicker furnishings and chrome accents and geometric lamps. (I’ll hyperlink a photograph on my IG as to not fry your retinas; proceed with warning.)
So once I stood behind Sara and actually checked out this image, I simply noticed me. Like, that colourful (borderline abrasive?) model I had developed as a loud, unusual child? Seems that I nonetheless have that very same style now, practically 20 years later, as a loud, unusual grownup. It was an actual “wherever you go, there you’re” second, ?
Because the shoot, I’ve been considering quite a bit about going again in time and assembly up with that bizarre child in her nearly-neon bed room – sitting her down, exhibiting her these photographs, and letting her know that all of it does work out ultimately (largely, a minimum of). As a result of buddies, let me inform you: that lil’ freak who simply wished to get out of Delaware and who beloved coloration and chrome and quirk would have FLIPPED OUT. She’d be overjoyed to stay right here, in Los Angeles (a lifelong dream!), in an house decked in her signature pink, orange, and inexperienced coloration scheme.
So after spending a lot time worrying about how I’m stacking as much as my “friends” (learn: full-time well-known designers who’re by NO MEANS my precise friends in any approach, form, or type), realizing that little me can be SO proud to stay on this house feels actually fulfilling in a brand new approach. It’s a welcome, WAY overdue change in my perspective. It might by no means be Elle Decor cover-worthy or Pinterest good, nevertheless it’s crammed with issues I really like and it appears like a Lizzie McGuire set from the early aughts that’s sufficient for me. (FINALLY. Solely took a photograph shoot to get there, NBD.)
The Paint + Espresso Desk
Paint | TV | Rug | Chairs
OKAY, ENOUGH BLUBBERING. Let’s discuss paint (as a result of that’s an excellent transition, proper?)! After a bit little bit of trial and error with my coloration choice (primarily “error,” TBH, as detailed beforehand right here), I coated the partitions with two coats of Pueblo from Sherwin-Williams and I couldn’t be extra thrilled about how heat it makes this room appear and feel. It’s technically a lightweight orange (!!!), nevertheless it’s the peerlessly barely-there, almost-pink shade – a bit impartial, a bit peachy, and SO GLOW-Y. We shot these photographs within the late afternoon, and also you’ll be capable to see how the sunshine and coloration change all through the day because the solar goes down – it’s considered one of my favourite elements of residing on this place.
I wished to take a second to name out the classic espresso desk, too. It was a 2019 steal from AES of LA and it’s lived via each iteration of this room – I really like that it’s statement-y, however not loud. The copper tray and stainless Georg Jensen vase had been hand-me-downs from Em’s storage (zero qualms about mixing metals over right here, are you able to inform?) and you can too spot my much-loved Horchow card field (copped for $25 on Chairish!) on prime of some latest e-book purchases from Hennessey + Ingalls. We saved the styling actually true to life and solely added some recent flowers – I do know I write quite a bit about maximalism, nevertheless it seems that I prefer to maintain surfaces fairly open in my own residence. 🙂
The Closed Storage
Chairs | Ceramic Lamp | Rug
Let me set the scene actual fast: I’m at present writing from this precise spot (it’s my favourite place within the house!). My go-to playlist is on shuffle, the sky is blue, it’s 76 and sunny (after three months of practically continuous gloom – what provides, LA?), there’s such a pleasant breeze coming in from the open window, and I’m getting occasional whiffs of unpolluted laundry from the laundromat subsequent door. IT’S SO DREAMY.
Talking of dreamy…can we discuss that classic marketing campaign dresser? It’s a workhorse that shops every little thing from board video games and puzzles to wallpaper swatches and tile samples. The ceramic lamp is new from Crate & Barrel, and I really like the way it’s a contemporary cousin to the unique sconces flanking the hearth. The inexperienced glass vase and pink glass bowl are each household heirlooms that Brenda shipped to me earlier than we shot (thanks, mother!!!), and it’s enjoyable to assume that my love of coloration is a minimum of a little genetic. 🙂
The Dream Swivel Chairs
Chairs | Ceramic Lamp | Rug | Cat (Related)
You might acknowledge that Salterini finish desk from the final replace – it was a Rose Bowl flea discover that I’m nonetheless pinching myself over. I can also’t converse extra extremely of the swivel chairs. I knew I wished upholstery right here to stability out the leather-based couch, however I didn’t need to spend money on one thing that couldn’t stand as much as fairly intense every day wear-and-tear (I spill every little thing – no joke, I actually spilled Hawaiian Punch everywhere in the couch whereas we had been taking pictures – and Buffalo spends a minimum of half the day scaling chairs like a feline Alex Honnold, so efficiency cloth was important.)
To that finish, Sunbrella was the one upholstery possibility that made sense for my life, and I used to be THRILLED to search out the choices at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. I used to be instantly taken by the Costello Swivel Chair – customizable! Clear traces! No cumbersome cushions! The right arm form for these of us who love to tug our legs up into our chairs! – and after ordering a couple of cloth swatches, I custom-made my pair with Sunbrella’s Efficiency Basket Weave in Almond cloth and Pure Wooden bases. I’ve been residing with these for 7 months and I genuinely couldn’t be extra happy – I really like how they appear (clear, trendy), however I additionally love how they really feel (snug, supportive) and the way straightforward they’re to take care of (significantly – if you happen to’re solely utilizing Sunbrella cloth open air, you’re lacking out).
A Lazy Gal’s Body TV Hack
Chairs | ‘Yee Haw’ Pillows | Rug | Planters | TV
Um, hello, TEXTBOOK LIBRA REPORTING FOR DUTY. It’s not groundbreaking, however I really like symmetry. Just a few different issues I really like: the classic wood sugar bowl on the left of the mantel (bought from this Ukranian Etsy store in 2020 – they’re nonetheless transport and it’s a terrific enterprise to help!); the previous blue Anthropologie vase; and the little geometric candle, which was a present from Em on our most up-to-date workforce journey to Portland. And y’all, don’t even get me began on these Yee Haw needlepoint pillows – they’re so enjoyable AND they’re from a small enterprise in Texas, which rocks. (Who else grabbed one?!) I’ve had the embroidered Mexican Otomi pillow on the best for years – it was a Rose Bowl discover and I by no means get bored with wanting on the embroidery.
BUT WAIT, LOOK UP. You see that stack of books on the best aspect of the mantel? That’s truly the receiver for my Body TV – I simply wrapped it in a black e-book jacket proper earlier than we shot. There’s a well-known Invoice Gates quote that goes, “I select a lazy individual to do a tough job. As a result of a lazy individual will discover a simple method to do it,” and child, IT’S TRUE. No have to make a flowery electronics cowl or run wiring via the wall – simply strip down a e-book, wrap it round your technical eyesore, and name it a day. www.lazygirldesignhacks.com
A Enjoyable Planter
Planters | Cat (Related) | Rug
I discovered these face-shaped planters at a Goal in Glendale the evening earlier than we shot. I despatched Bowser a couple of trillion texts about them (“Do you want these?” “Do you assume they’ll look okay within the photographs?” “Is that this too bizarre?” “Am I overthinking?”)…after which I purchased them anyway earlier than she responded as a result of the center desires what it desires. (Nothing like repotting crops at midnight, amiright?) I believe they’re type of quietly kitschy – particularly when paired with ponytail palms!!! Guys, it’s like they’ve little ponytails!!! – however most of my guests haven’t actually clocked the faces, so it’s like a enjoyable inside joke with myself (and now with you, too).
An Up to date Impartial Rug
Rug | Chairs | Media Cupboard
After years of writing “my house has one of the best bones and one of the best gentle,” it’s SO EXCITING to point out you stated “finest bones” and “finest gentle.” It’s so heat and brilliant, even at sundown – my favourite. 🙂 I wished to honor the sunshine and ethereal feeling in right here, so I selected the Harwich Rug from Annie Selke to anchor the room. I really like the timeless harlequin sample – I believe it speaks to among the extra basic architectural parts of my house (the moulding, the {hardware}, all that jazz). Past that, it may take a BEATING (learn: every day maulings and clawings from a sure feline companion). It’s surprisingly snug underfoot and it’s held up fantastically over the previous 7 months. For those who’re on the hunt for a impartial rug with a bit additional ~spice~, I’d wholeheartedly advocate this one.
Oh, and that classic wicker duck basket is an all-time favourite of mine. I grabbed it 7 or 8 years in the past from Pepe’s Thrifty Store (there are two in LA – the one on Centinela is the great one!!!). Pepe’s genuinely has one of the best stock, the best costs, and it’s owned by the sweetest household workforce. For those who’re within the space, you’ve gotta comply with them on IG and cease in someday!
The Greatest Low-cost Curtains, Shades, and Rods
Curtain Rods | Material Rings | Roman Shades | Curtain Panels
Effectively. Since I’m clearly not good at gatekeeping my favourite assets: LET’S TALK ABOUT MY CHEAP, FAST, AND GOOD WINDOW TREATMENTS. Y’all, these fooled Bowser and Sara – each gals thought they had been gifted and customized, which is THE BIGGEST COMPLIMENT I COULD EVER RECEIVE.
From the highest (make it drop?): I purchased the French Rods and Material Rings, each in Bronze, throughout considered one of Ballard Designs’ 30% off gross sales (they occur often they usually’re definitely worth the wait). The cordless woven shades had been from Amazon (about $40 every, they usually are available a ton of sizes and colours – this one is “Squirrel”) and the curtain panels (in “Tuscany Inexperienced”) are at present on sale for $34 every. I used 7 rings per panel and I LOVE how they turned out (, in case you’re additionally the kind of one that Googles questions like “the place do I place my material rings” and “what number of rings do I want” and “what’s the proper material ring spacing”). I’m actually proud that I used to be in a position to outfit all of the home windows in right here for the worth I’d been quoted for ONE customized window remedy. Be at liberty to steal the system in your own residence!
A Classic Tulip Desk
Curtain Rods | Material Rings | Roman Shades | Curtain Panels
For those who’ve been following alongside for some time, you might keep in mind that this nook was my drawback space…NOT ANYMORE! I thought of loads of various things for this house – sport desk? Extra storage? Sculpture? Massive gentle fixture? – however then I noticed this $120 classic oak tulip desk on FB Market and was like, “oh, that’s what’s alleged to go there.” I really like how this piece feels prefer it’s “buddies” with the remainder of the room – the white base speaks to the bookshelves and trim, and the wooden speaks to, uh, the opposite ~15ish wooden tones I’ve happening in right here.
I’ve beloved having a desk on this nook, although – it’s enjoyable for puzzles, sensible as a bonus workstation, and it seems to be fairly freakin’ good with a giant bunch of branches, too. 🙂 Bowser grabbed this bundle of blossoms on the flower market in DTLA for under $20 (!!!) and a ton of blooms continued to open up within the weeks after we shot, which was such a real delight. (PS. Guess who gave me the large ceramic vessel – her identify begins with “E” and ends with “mily Henderson.”)
A Little Decor Break
Media Cupboard | Circle Pillow | Rug
Welcome to the entry! The open house to the aspect of the door is often reserved for my ice skating duffle bag (big and ugly, so it didn’t make the lower for this shoot, however simply know…it’s often there). And man, I lastly discovered the spot for my classic horse mirrors!!! I purchased them from Previous Inexperienced Storage on a Rose Bowl journey with Jess in 2021 – our first tour post-lockdown! – and I actually, actually, actually love them. Talking of classic, you’ll be able to spot the 1800s pear “field” that I grabbed in a Hungarian vintage store final November on the shelf proper above the couch! Thanks to a couple good commenters, I discovered that what I assumed was a ~enjoyable memento~ is definitely an $$$vintage tea caddy$$$.
And whereas it’s not thrifted (lastly, one thing from this decade to speak about!), I additionally wished to name out the ceramic vessel on the highest of the bookshelf, which was made by an artist I really like named Scott Cooper. He’s based mostly in Philadelphia (only a hop from my hometown in Wilmington, DE!) and I’ve bought a couple of of his items over time. All of his work is surprising and irreverent and recent – seize it when you nonetheless can!
The Greatest Vinyl File Storage
Media Console | File Participant | Audio system
Pivoting round for a minute to point out off my last new acquisition: the Keaton Media Cupboard from Room & Board. Y’all, I spent YEARS on the lookout for this piece. My wishlist was extremely particular: I wanted one thing lengthy (a minimum of 60″ to suit an excellent chunk of my data), low (underneath 19″, to maintain the home windows purposeful), with closed storage (for blocking solar AND for blocking nosy cats), and with a easy form (one thing that may work with any future kinds or traits I resolve to strive). CHECK, CHECK, CHECK, CHECK. I grabbed the Keaton in white oak, pulled out the detachable cabinets, loaded it up with LPs, and it’s been the PERFECT base station for my little document zone.
All of the decor on prime is from the flea market except the blue glass decanter, which is one other household piece that Brenda shipped to me earlier than we shot. I’m so glad I acquired to doc it like this! 🙂 And if you happen to’re available in the market for a high-quality audio setup that won’t (majorly) bankrupt you, you can not go unsuitable with a U-Flip Audio File Participant and these powered AudioEngine audio system. It’s straightforward to arrange, aesthetically interesting, comparatively reasonably priced, and it sounds WAY higher than the all-in-one turntables on the market. (PS. All of the wifi/router/twine/mess scenario on this room is simply shoved backstage on the left. www.evenmorelazygirldesignhacks.com)
A Eighties Couch Second
Shelving | Rug | Circle Pillow
It’s THE DREAM SOFA. I beloved it, I loathed it, after which I discovered to adore it once more. I purchased this Eighties caramel leather-based child sight unseen from Modtiques, an unbelievable classic retailer in New Jersey…however when it arrived, I spotted that I hadn’t thought of that the form (curved), materials (leather-based), and development (armless) makes it extra of a “speaking” couch and fewer of a “lay down right here and don’t transfer for the entire day” couch.
Enter: the formed, textured pillow. As a substitute of throwing the child out with the bathwater, I spotted I simply wanted to alter the varieties of pillows I used to be making an attempt to make use of right here – this one from Crate & Barrel doesn’t slide off the leather-based, which makes the entire setup infinitely extra snug and usable. PROBLEM SOLVED. And because it seems, having a settee that doesn’t make me need to waste the day mendacity inclined and staring on the ceiling is type of a win too, ? All of it works out! I really like this couch and I’m glad I discovered to work along with her. 🙂
A Little Historical past
Shelving | Rug
Effectively, nicely, nicely…if it isn’t extra classic 🙂 The gold chrome lamp was a pandemic buy from Lackluster.co that I topped with an affordable lampshade from the Rose Bowl; the wicker elephant was a 2017 Lengthy Seaside Flea discover that I purchased for a single $2 invoice! (Are you able to consider it?!) Bowser and Sara pivoted him out so you could possibly get a pleasant look – the desk’s in superior situation and I really like him SO a lot.
One in every of my favourite items, although, is the little tiled tray on prime of the elephant. It was made by my great-grandpa Frank! He handed away once I was fairly younger (6 or 7, I believe), however he labored with tile as a interest. I’ve a couple of items he made (smaller ashtrays, bigger trivets) they usually’re all so cheerful and geometric and colourful. It’s so thrilling that the items he made many years in the past mix in so seamlessly right here, ?
My different favourite piece on this shot is the leather-based field on the bookshelf farthest to the best – it was my dad’s backgammon set. He handed once I was very younger (18 months – I do know that one for positive!) and whereas I don’t have any reminiscences of him, I really like that his issues additionally slot in completely right here. It feels good to have a connection to my household, though they’re not round. 🙂
Bookshelves (with Books!)
Shelving | Candles
And right here’s some actual up-close intel on SO MANY of my little treasures! The framed canine matchbooks on the left had been a 2019 Christmas present from Sara; the Carl Durkow candles up prime had been a 2022 Christmas present from my boyfriend’s mother and father (actually was blown away once I opened the bundle – the Keenans knocked this one outta the park!!! I’m very fortunate :)); I purchased the pink vessel after writing about it right here in a submit about reasonably priced equipment (bought it minutes earlier than the submit went stay, naturally); the chess board, lamp, and authentic chrome tangle are all flea finds; the “Doomed” artwork was a restricted run piece in 2020 by my all-time favourite band, Los Campesinos.
I’ve all the time admired bookshelves which are styled a bit extra sparsely – , all curated vessels and objects in a cohesive palette – however I prefer to learn, so I wanted house for precise books, and I love to see all my little favourite sentimental items of decor displayed (even once they don’t technically “go collectively” – like, sure, of COURSE, I wanted to show my tiny wood mushroom forest subsequent to a Nineteen Seventies house age lamp). General, I really like that the shelving models again listed below are a clean canvas with a ton of room to develop – I can’t wait to point out you the following iteration sometime sooner or later 🙂
That’s Simply the Starting…
Eating Room Wallpaper | Kitchen Wallpaper
On that notice, HERE’S A SNEAK PEEK INTO WHAT’S NEXT. Plenty of coloration, a lot of wallpaper, and plenty of enjoyable. Someday I’d prefer to get a giant piece of artwork for the wall on the left to stability out the marketing campaign dresser, however I’m nonetheless saving up for one thing particular. (Dreaming of a Monica Ajenjo piece, TBH.) The eating room to the again remains to be a piece in progress, however I CAN’T WAIT to point out you the superior $75 classic china cupboard I simply had delivered – it seems to be SO GOOD in there. (Did anybody catch it on my tales final week?!) I additionally lastly hung my lucite ribbon chandelier! Simply want some cozy eating chairs and a few artwork and we’ll be cruising in the direction of a shoot date. 🙂
The galley kitchen within the rear is sort of able to share, although…simply ending up a couple of {hardware} and lighting swaps. Are you prepared for it?
However That’s All for At present 🙂
Nails
Right here’s the place I go away you – sitting in my favourite get together costume with a champagne coupe crammed with Hawaiian Punch. You realize, JUST A TYPICAL TUESDAY. (Not pictured: me spilling throughout myself and the couch. You’ll should think about that one for your self.) ANYWAY. For those who’re additionally combating self-doubt and insecurity with regards to the design of your house, I hope this helped a bit – we’re all our personal hardest critics. I imply…did you discover that my TV is significantly off-center?! Nobody else ever does – and I didn’t have it mounted within the photographs, as a result of I wished to maintain it actual! – however the concept of sharing all these small imperfections initially left me feeling scared. Now, although, it makes me really feel type of highly effective – like, HERE’S MY HOME, MISTAKES AND ALL! It’s not good, nevertheless it’s good for me. 🙂
Signing off from my unusual lil’ “1999 Restricted Too Exec Time Travels to 2023″-style house. Thanks for being right here. Any ideas, questions, issues? I’m prepared to listen to all of it. WHAT SAY YOU? Let’s chat. See you within the feedback. xx
*Design by Caitlin Higgins (me!)
**Styled by Emily Bowser
***Photographs by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
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