Paula's Home Tour

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Paula welcomed us into her cozy apartment with an amazing brunch set-up: freshly-baked popovers, granola and berries, chilled champagne for mimosas and good, strong coffee. Needless to say, it was an amazing treat and served as the perfect set-up to get to know Paula in her minimalist but stylish home.

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Can you describe your style for us? 
I do not subscribe to a particular design style, but in the past I tended to really integrate Mid-Century Modern aesthetics.  With this place, however, I went with updated takes on traditional pieces, such as the clean lines on my brown leather sofa or my vintage-y looking rug freshened up with a bright overdyed color.



Your last place in West Hollywood was also very nice but completely different.  Why did you want to switch it up this time around?   
I was furnishing that place from scratch and somehow it ended up being a lot of velvet and lacquer.  It worked for that space, but I sold off all the furnishings when I moved back to New York.  Actually, no two apartments of mine have looked the same.  I once kept a Philippe Starck Victoria Ghost Chair which I had bought at Kartell in New York for three (out of my now six) apartments, which is a long time for me.

You recently moved back to Los Angeles.  Why did you decide on the Hollywood area?  How important was location in terms of your apartment search?  
I was hoping to be further east within LA.  From there, it was about finding a good space.  I had been a bit more focused on Los Feliz or Silverlake, but when I saw this place, I thought I would give Hollywood a shot.  This is my third time living in LA, and I am happy to be back!

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Where do you get your inspiration from?  
I poke around on design blogs and will pick up an Architectural Digest when I can.  I also get inspired by visiting people's homes and seeing what they've done with their places.

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Where do you like shopping for home goods?  
A lot of the details at my current place were filled in by Craigslist, Target, Daiso Japan and HomeGoods.  It went with my pre-existing items from Craigslist, West Elm and Ikea.

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You have some really fun items.  Can you please tell us where you got your bed spread and your couch?  
I got that duvet cover a couple years ago from Anthropologie.  My couch is from a line that Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams did for Pottery Barn, but I bought it off of SF Craigslist about 1.5 years ago.  I bought it as I was about to move from my own apartment in the Bay Area to my sister's place there.  She didn't like the idea of having a used couch in her living room so I had to keep it in my bedroom while living at her place.  I was determined to hang onto it, though, until it could be used in my future living room.  So here it is, finally.

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Favorite home item/find?  
Maybe the most sentimental is that typewriter I have on my bookshelf.  I used it growing up as a kid before we got an electronic typewriter and then a computer.  I dragged it from my parents' house in Illinois a couple years ago.  I bought new ink ribbons for it but it does not seem to be working properly.  I might fiddle with it some more.

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Favorite thing about your home?
I like that it is relatively pared down, without too many superfluous items, but there is enough going on to be interesting and inviting.  That is generally what I aim to achieve with each place.

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Whats next on your to do list or shopping list? 
I may get a coffee table for the living room or maybe an area rug for the bedroom.  I got shopping fatigue in putting this place together, so these may have to wait until I've recovered.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a lawyer by training, but I am also trying to explore my creative interests.  In that regard, I am taking a class on art museums and another one on interior decorating.

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We heard you had an interesting last few months.  Can you share what you were up to?
Starting last July, after having just quit my job in Silicon Valley, I went to work on organic farms in Montana and Washington and finished up in December.  I intended to return to LA at the start of 2014 to find an apartment and transition into a legal job search.

Thanks for entertaining us with a beautiful brunch! Are you more of a baker or cook?  Do you have any favorite dishes you like to make?
It was pretty huge for me to actually prepare food and serve it to people!  I have my time on the farms to thank for making me a more confident cook. I would say that I am equally a beginner baker and cook.  No favorite dishes yet, but if I can make it in a cast iron pan, I will try it!

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1 comments:

  1. Hi Christie! Paula directed me here- nice work!!

    Paula, please invite me to an organic farm meal with a personalized Edward Hopper place card too. I will cherish and instagram it for all to admire! ;)

    ReplyDelete

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