Name: Alexis Hadjopulos - owner of TINI and lead interior designer on HGTV's Pop Shop
Location: Hollywood Hills - Los Angeles, California
Size: 3000 square feet
Years lived in: 2 1/2 years

It is fun to see how shop owner and interior designer Alexis Hadjopulos, decorates his own home. Even though his home is very modern, it is also very personal and it definitely reflects Alexis and Rocky (the dog)'s fun energy. Even the dog fits in with the decor!

Name: Regina O'Brien: Set Decorator and Production Designer and
Hardy Wronske: Principal Heyday Partnership
Location: Happy Valley, Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, California
Size: 1700 square feet
Years lived in: 6 years

Regina and Hardy live in this fun place called Happy Valley. It is just past downtown Los Angeles and is perched up on a small hill. Since Hardy's firm, Heyday Partnership, specializes in affordable architecture, his own home is an example of his work. Both lots were purchased for an incredibly low price and he was very frugal with the cost of building the two homes. Regina and Hardy live in the "Jill" of the Jack + Jill and another design enthusiast lives in the "Jack."

Name: Shayne, Andrew, Alro and little Goldie
Location: Palms - Los Angeles, California
Size: 1,600 square feet
Years lived in: 2 1/2 years

I had so much fun photographing Faith Blakeney's Treehouse, that I was super stoked when she told me that one of her good friends/clients would love to open up her home for me. Shayne and Andrew's style is eclectic and their home creates a playful environment for their two young kids — combining great design with kid-friendliness.

Every year I attend the AIA Los Angeles home tours to see what LA's most talented architects are creating for their latest design projects. It is always an interesting study on unique uses for new materials, new solutions for space planning, and in Los Angeles it is always about finding ways to maximize the view. And... if you are wondering who the dapper men featured are — they are Carlo Caccavale (left) and Matt Krinsky (right) of AIA Los Angeles. They organize this fantastic tour year after year!

Name: Steve Jones, owner of BetterShelter
Location: West Hollywood - Los Angeles, California
Size: 1,200 square feet
Years lived in: 8 years

I met Steve last summer at Dwell on Design and have been following his design work since then. His personal style is defined by vintage pieces, taxidermy, and a love of the ocean, with an eye on what will best complement the surrounding architecture. You have probably seen one of his BetterShelter homes, but few have been inside his own personal home.

Name: Molly R. Stern-Schlussel (Make-up Artist/Artist) & David Schlussel (Writer/Director)
Location: Los Angeles, California
Size: 1743 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years

Is there ever a dull moment in a home with a family of five? Molly and David embrace every aspect of having young children in the home and encourage their creativity. Their home is an example of what everyone dreams about; a place filled with love, laughing children, and endless inspiration and expression.

Name: Marjorie Skouras
Location: Hollywood, California
Size: 3200 square feet
Years lived in: 24 years

A few weeks ago I was driving up the canyon to go for an afternoon hike. I literally had to pull over when I saw Marjorie's place. It was a very interesting looking house with a life-sized taxidermy figure staring back at me through the window!

Name: Dabito / Graphic Designer + Photographer / Old Brand New
Location: Carthay Circle – Los Angeles, California
Size: 1000 square feet
Years lived in: Five months

Dabito's apartment is in a beautiful historical building with original detailing. I love how he contrasted that classic architecture with his mid-century modern furniture and decor. What also makes his place so amazing is that almost everything was thrifted or purchased second hand. Talk about creating the ultimate look on a major budget!

Name: Maria Korovilas, Fashion Designer
Location: Silver Lake – Los Angeles, California
Size: 1100 square feet
Years lived in: Almost 1 year

Maria had to move out of her dream apartment in Silver Lake in a short time frame. Luckily, she found a new place a few blocks away (her current home). She was blown away by the architecture, staircase, and the apartment's overall potential. However, the place needed a lot of TLC and a lot of paint! She painted the ceiling beams and the treads on the stairs a chocolate brown to give the feeling of real wood. Maria wanted the home to feel like a real Spanish retreat.

This series of AIA Los Angeles home tours solidified my conviction that great design is great design from small to large homes. It didn't take a grand home with lots of square footage to convince me that the most simple but beautiful design can take center stage. Frank Esher & Ravi GuneWardena designed a post war bungalow around the most stunning feature — the view. Their design was hands down my favorite home on the tour!