Name: Carrie Livingston, Interior Designer and Founder of Generous, a non-profit organization to improve the lives of autistic individuals and their families
Location: Los Angeles, California
Size: 1,250 square feet
Years lived in: 10 Years, complete redesign in 2010
Carrie's home makes you feel like you are in the lobby in one of the trendiest boutique hotels. Her style reflects modern art and culture from around the world — she collects furnishings when she travels to cities such as London, Paris, and Moscow. The pure white walls and floors allow her incredible art and statement furniture to take center stage.
Carrie doesn't just feature art she has collected over the years; gifts from friends from different areas and different stages of her life mean a lot to her. Being surrounded by these personal treasures inspires her and makes her feel at home.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: I don't like to define my style because it is constantly evolving and ever-changing. I love to travel and collect things from around the world, with a particular love of art. I like to think that the pieces that I collect and design will tell a story about the things I love, the places I have been and the people I choose to surround myself with: lovely, beautiful things that inspire me every day. I love white walls and keeping things simple, clean and comfortable, which allows me to focus on the pieces and art that I have found in the process.
Inspiration: NYC loft meets LA sleek. I have used lots of polished, lacquered surfaces, rich textiles and beautiful accent colors combined with accessories that I have collected from travels in the hope of creating something special in every room that you enter.
Favorite Element: Too hard to choose one thing in particular. Each element comes hand picked from travels, or one of my favorite shops, or more importantly has been given to me as a gift.
Biggest Challenge: I have always enjoyed collecting unique and beautiful things, but I often have to remind myself that with a limited amount of space I can't have every piece I fall in love with. Living with only the things that I truly need is my biggest challenge, as well as being able to take things out so that I can make room for new things that I find.
What Friends Say: They can't believe how clean and organized I keep it. Then they laugh as they read the sign at the door that says "No shoes please." Of course, I always keep a basket of slippers at the door to make them feel at home and to keep their toes warm.
Proudest DIY: Taking a piece of furniture and transforming it into something new, allowing a room to take on a new form. One of my favorite DIYs was a table that I had got at Teak Warehouse. I sprayed it with white lacquer and added a glass top.
Biggest Indulgence: Having white gloss floors, which equals high maintenance.
Best Advice: Design your home for yourself, not for someone else. You're the one who comes home to it every day and it should be a reflection of you.
Dream Sources: The stores on Melrose Avenue and Robertson Blvd. in Los Angeles, 20 First Vintage and Modern in Palm Springs, Ralph Lauren Home, Paris Flea Market and Alfie's Antique Market in London.
Resources of Note:
KITCHEN
- Tap - Kohler
- Sink - Recycled from Hollywood Hills house
- Countertops - Caesarstone in pure white
- Extractor fan - Wolf
- Dual Fuel Range - Wolf
- Lamp - Pierre Cardin
- Black tray - Armani home
- China on tray - A gift from Carrie's friend Chelsea
- Clear tray - Carrie's own Lucite design
- Coffee machine - Nespresso
- Wall art/wall paper - Keith Haring for Blik Surface Graphics
- Bar stools - From 20 first Vintage & Modern, Palm Springs
- Fridge/Freezer - Sub-zero, free standing
DINING ROOM
- Stop Me Clock - Sarah Baley
- Shelf - Bronze sculpture by John Harris, 2001
- Balloon dog - Jeff Koons
- Dining chairs - 20 first Vintage & Modern, Palm Springs
- Dining table - Teak Warehouse, sprayed with white lacquer and a glass top added by Carrie Livingston
- Tree basket - Coco company
- Artwork - Poolside Gossip by Slim Aarons
- Lamp - Nathan Turner, 1stdibs
- Barstools - 20 first Vintage & Modern, Palm Springs
- Doll in box - Haruki Murakami. Plexi box designed by Carrie Livingston
- Gold bar - Maison 24, Bridge Hampton Long Island
- Lucite Tray on table - Designed by Carrie Livingston
- Tray filled with own custom gems designed by Carrie Livingston, Lucite jewelry design
- Matches from Arty Dandy in Paris
- Keep Calm and carry on paperweight found in London
- Signed book on table - Signed by Peter Beard when I met him painting at his NYC studio (my maiden name is Carrie Perkins)
LIVING ROOM
- Sofa - 20 first Vintage & Modern, Palm Springs
- Coffee table (glass & wood) - 20 first Vintage & Modern, Palm Springs
- Pillows - Nathan Turner
- Throw - Holiday gift from my college roommate
- Silver Lamp - Ralph Lauren Home
- White lamp - 20 first Vintage & Modern, Palm Springs
- Armchair - Lucite and White leather designed by Carrie Livingston
- 2 wood trays - Hermes Backgammon Game, Leather & Wood, given as a gift for 30th birthday
- Black tray - Armani home
- China set - Royal Copenhagen - Blue flowers 1985
- 2 net chairs - 20 first Vintage & Modern, Palm Springs
- Bead necklace light - Mint shop
- Black coffee table - Made by Carrie Livingston. Block is wood with black lacquer finish. Tray is black lacquer with a silver mirror inlay.
- Giant sunglasses - Jason Alper
- Fire accessories - JF Chen
- Fireplace - Original Building Design
- Paneled mirrors - Lindsays Glass & Mirror in LA
GUEST BEDROOM
- Bed - Vintage Bed Frame from Baker Furniture. Used to belong to father-in-law and I gave it a fresh new look by painting it in high gloss black
- Bed linens - Ralph Lauren Home
- Roll cushion - Fabric by John Robshaw textiles
- End tables - Vintage End Tables from Baker Furniture. Used to belong to father-in-law and I gave it a fresh new look by painting it in high gloss black
- Lamps - From Wisteria
- Lamp shades - Custom Made
- Artwork - Rey Gost 2011
MASTER BEDROOM
- Bed - Ralph Lauren Home
- Bedding - Ralph Lauren Home
- End tables - West Elm
- Lamps - Tizio Table Light by Artemide
- Lucite Trays - Custom design by Carrie Livingston
- Painting (left of bed) - Arty Dandy, Paris. Russian artist, pencil on paper
- Painting of Carrie - friend took this image and changed it into pop art at poparted.com
- Pillows - Nathan Turner
- Bench - 20 first Vintage & Modern, Palm Springs
- Rug - Ikea
- Sideboard (below TV) - 20 first Vintage & Modern, Palm Springs, painted white
- Shelves - West Elm
- 3 plants on shelves - Roman Sacke, My favorite florist in LA
- David Lachapelle book - signed and given to me after a photo shoot
- Mini Lucite chair on shelves - Mini version of my first chair designed for my furniture line collection
- Chair - 20 first Vintage & Modern, Palm Springs
- Table - West Elm
- 3 works of art on wall - Rey Gost 2011
MASTER BATHROOM
- Sink - Duravit
- Taps - Kohler
- Backsplash - Caesarstone Top
- Bathroom Cabinets - Ikea
- Tray - Lucite Tray created by Carrie Livingston
- Mirror - Ikea
- LOVE - Robert Indiana
- Light - YLighting
- Diamonds - Downtown at Two's Company in LA, I bought 50 of them and they are in various places around my home
- Gold shells - St.Barths, I spray painted them gold
- Naked artwork - Rey Gost 2009
- Towels - Missoni
- Tiles - Waterworks
- Shower head - Kohler
- Shower screen - Lindsays Glass, Los Angeles
- Orchids - Roman Sacke florals
CHILL OUT SPACE
- Artwork - I never saw the sign by David Bray
- Sofa - Amsterdam Modern, Martin Visser
- Pillows - Nathan Turner
- Coffee Table - Ralph Lauren Home
- Vase - Rolling Greens Los Angeles
- Tray - Lucite tray by Carrie Livingston design
Thanks, Carrie!
(Images: Dale Berman)
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I'm sure some will say it's too spare, but I really like it. It's like an art gallery! What are those floors, btw?
I love, love, love this tour. I could happily live in that home, great tour. Thanks for sharing.
I really like picture 5.
Loved all the spaces and their decor except the one with the glasses. Looks great as a gallery space type thing but not loving it as part of the home.
This is not a house tour. It's a series of beautifully styled photos of what is surely a beautifully styled house. But try as I might, I cannot get any sense of how these spaces relate to each other and are lived in.
The first photo shows a traditional paneled door with an arched opening behind. How does this entry relate to the interior?
Is the dining table used for dining? As a workspace? How is the lamp on the dining table plugged in and isn't it awkward if the table is used for dining?
How about the outside space seen through the living room windows? Is there a balcony, deck or other outdoor space?
Lovely photos. They leave me curious but with no real sense of the space as a home.
I agree with Blue Dolphin. Further to this I think warmth would be added if the floors were wooden - but then it's not my place!. Love the art work.
Love the splashes of pink. Don't know why,but for some reason the boob picture cracked me up.
Stunningly beautiful....
You have got amazing taste!
OMG!!! Love, love, love. This is perfection.
FAB ... and so LA. Well done, Carrie!
lol those massive glasses are so cool.. and is that a screen saver on the TV? Or a massive clock?
Her smile is the warmest part of this tour.
Thank you for all of your comments: keep them coming and if you have any other questions you can write my company at info@carrielivingston.com
I really love the house and would like you to know as much as you wish.
Sharing information in design is what makes all homes a home.
Sincerely,
Carrie
love it love it love it
any source info. on the NYC coffee cup plant holder/vase on the sideboard?? too cool!
I agree that if I lived here I would never feel "at home" because of the starkness. Although, I especially enjoy her choice of pillows and lamps.
I have to say that hipster art depicting scantily clad girls in traditional native-american headdresses makes me cringe (referring to artwork in the "chill out space"). I've seen this type of art (and fashion) more and more lately and I felt inclined to see if anyone else had a similar unsettling feeling. Upon searching the good ol' inter-web, I discovered there is actually a lot of discussion on the topic. Here are just a few:
http://iheartthreadbared.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/linkage-the-feather-in-your-native-cap/
http://apihtawikosisan.tumblr.com/post/17269241821/an-open-letter-to-non-natives-in-headdresses
Anyway, in the end, I feel this trend is a bit gauche. Personally, I prefer buying authentic works by indigenous artists, or at least artwork that respectfully honors the cultural symbols of others. (I was unable to discern any personal information about the artist from his website)
I'm wondering if anyone else has given this any thought?
Looks like an hotel. well executed but rather soul-less
Amazing art work! Personally the only thing I would change about this place would be the floors and then move right in :)
@lisa_stockholm calling someone's home "soul-less" is a bit harsh don't you think? Especially when they have chosen to share their personl space in an open forum such as this. A simple "not my taste" would suffice.
While this is not what I would do for my own home, I think it's a beautiful and expertly executed space! And since Carrie mentions several meaningful pieces that were gifts, DIY and purchased on her travels, I would say that's a lot of soul!
Very slick. I love the art work, nice to see people put up real stuff instead of flea market bad art finds as often found on AT.
Super cool pad, super gorgeous woman, super cool occupation, .......I don't know, maybe I am too tainted from living amongst the stains of Philly, but it's almost as if this is a staged ruse that does not exist.
your enormous ray-bans are possibly the best thing I have ever laid my eyes onto. ever.
Not sure what happened to my comment from yesterday. Looks like Annie3566 saw it. Maybe I said something wrong?
Oh please...big black lamp on white dining table ( note no chord )..nothing worse than a LIVING space looking CONTRIVED
I don't know how I feel about this to be honest. While there are some cool pieces, it feels somewhat... cold? Personally, I wouldn't want to live in home that feels like a museum. I also have 3 small children though. haha so my opinion is very biased.
Thanks for sharing.
@Jaqui: You can blame the cord on my. I styled it that way. It's just my pet peeve to see errant cords in photos! :)
Wow...that's a lot of white...and no rugs?!! Sorry, but this tour leaves me cold. Where is the warmth and personality? Not getting it with this tour. Looks more staged than lived in.
It's definitely beautiful-tho not my style-all the white makes me feel dirty! It looks like a magazine, and I like to see the houses of people "like me" not designers and art collectors on a site like this.
I agree DIFFERENTGIRL. I enjoy looking at homes of people that I can relate to. This, not so much.
This woman obviously has lots of style and moxie when it comes to decorating her place. But I agree with some of the other posters - I could never see that as a "home" as it's too stark and impractical.
I actually created an account to comment on this. Although there is far too much white space for me and it did look a little impractical. But I love that this space is uncluttered and playfull!!!!!! I have to say that I am getting so tired of the same old same old - mid century modern all time. I mean you can call this impractical, but so are many of the houses and apartments on here that seem to be cluttered with trinket. Now it's one thing for things to be decorative, sentimental, purposeful etc. but sometimes, the apartments on here are full of objects that go beyond all of that, to the point where said objects seem to be nothing more than just props!!
I know this was a bit of a rant, but I just find Carrie's modern condo to be refreshing !!
This space was designed brilliantly and the owner is obviously a talented designer plus a beautiful lady to boot. But, I too have to agree with most postings as far as questioning how livable it would be, I'm not so sure. For shooting a magazine photo editorial it's amazing and would be a perfect backdrop to shoot a fashion editorial against as well. I love, love, love the huge oversize glasses! Great taste in art! Curious if the large black ceramic lamp sitting on the dining table is sitting there as a prop or if it actually gets used sitting there? Since there are no visible wires going to an outlet visible it makes me wonder. Thanks for sharing.
The kitchen is so white it's delineated ( and I kinda like it!). Also MORE THRILLED than you could ever know that I didn't see a single faux moosehead. They've become heinously cliche.
Not everyone lives/likes the same old-house+mid-century modern aesthetic formula. That's what this should be about: Viva'ing la difference.
:)
<3 <3 <3
Though it's quite the opposite of mine, that's why I like it! Making me think out side the box :) Bravo.
This home reminds me of the movie "Sleeper," which I've been watching on Netflix lately. I like the giant necklace light.
AT: Please use "individuals with autism" rather than "autistic individuals." People-first language matters. ;)
way more pop-art than i would go, but it's very consistent and still very interesting.
As an aside, when people criticize a space as cold or stark or unlivable, i get the feeling that they wouldn't be comfortable *anywhere*. That's my impression at least. They never say specifically why they think it's cold. As if clean and orderly couldn't possibly be a reflection of someone's personality. A space is said to have personality only if it has lots of colors and random stuff in it. I just find it odd.
I really like this one. I don't find the glossy white soulless or anything like that, but I do think it is hard on the eyes.
Throw some black in there and dim the lights, girl!
really cool place i love it all! Its not stark it's clean and minimal in a way that doesn't take itself too seriously. only thing is that coffee table looks legit too big for both the space and sofa. and i also want the hipster headdress girl in my closet. cultural appropriation be darned
Thank you all for your comments and reactions! Makes me so happy that people really care about design. No one should ever stop expression or passion for what makes you feel anything. The simple fact that someone is not happy makes me know, I am creating emotion and that is what it is all about!!! Your suggestions and comments are why this is here and we all keep coming back for MORE APARTMENT THERAPY!
OK --- as the designer of this space.... if you want to know why the television is in a location that would be behind the persons head in bed, it is because: the visual image of the TV is in the mirror as they are in bed the other side of the room has a sitting area and can be enjoyed from the sleeping side and the sitting room side. I mirrored the wall on the other side of the room and the tv is a reflection only when in bed.. hope this make one think.... WOW that is a GOOD IDEA...
The lamp on my dining room table - desk: This was not plugged in for the photo taken so YOU could enjoy the space as you should in a photo... I wanted the viewer to see the art my house and my home & not a cord. REMEMBER: I am a designer & YES I do plug it in. Looking my best ... we all know a cord exist.
Last: Turn the lights down ( HOW CAN I ???? it is California and I have sky lights as it the the Penthouse of the building..... and guess what? If you see it in the dark - the LOFT is a dream come true looking over LA. I promise you would love it in the evening as much as you question in the day light. FYI: I need no lights at night with the city!!! Please KINDLY ask... Apartment Therapy to issue a night look story - I would love to see what the readers think in the evening.
Lastly:
Thank you all for going to Apartment Therapy... this web site truly is the WINDOW to all that is best available!!!
xx
I love, love, love this! I don't think it's too white or cold. To me it feels crisp and clean and cheery. I happen to gravitate towards mainly white rooms and this whole place is done brilliantly! That living room couch is perfect!
As for the artwork comments, everyone has different tastes in art and it's one of the things I like looking at in other peoples homes when I go there or on this site. It's fun to see what attracts others to their choices.
Alas, my husband is a slob and hunter and this would never stay so beautiful in my world! Thanks for the tour!
I love a mostly white house, but have mixed feelings about this one.
Also, is that a TV above the bed? And is the only mirror above the bathroom sink the small LOVE mirror?
I love this. I love modern decorations. I love the minimalism. If Apple made apartments, this is how they would design them and it looks really good.
Amazing Job! love the glasses!!!
I love this. I love modern decorations. I love the minimalism. If Apple made apartments, this is how they would design them and it looks really good.
Carrie's High Style Modern Condo House Tour
Flag this comment 9/5/12 4:45 PM
This is the best thing anyone could ever say about my design! Thank you!! xx
Simply amazing. So clean and modern.
Carrie, I absolutely love your apartment! I was eying those hot pink lucite trays, and very impressed to see that you had them created! I'd love more info on how you made that happen!
I don't think I'd feel comfortable or at-home living in a mostly white house, but the look is incredible!
i love this but it seems AT is being a little hypocritical here. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/apartment-therapy-people-stylewatch-177429
AT fails to mention that Carrie is an interior designer and this is a pop-up art gallery! That explains why it can't be lived in--all the items are for sale. I couldn't find any information on "Generous" as a recognized charity either.
http://digital.modernluxury.com/publication/?i=82773&p=66
Love the glasses. Well done.