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Name: Danielle Clemenza
Location: Los Feliz — Los Angeles, California
Size: 500 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year — Own

Danielle has a keen sense of her surroundings, which is probably one of the reasons her home is so immaculately designed. The serenity of her bright white floors and windows goes well with her wooden accents and eclectic art collection. She recently completed a full renovation of her house where the bones of the space were completely remodeled and the ceiling height expanded.

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Danielle is a production designer on feature films, television, commercials and music videos. She also does design consulting, prop styling for photo shoots, and interior design. From the moment you enter her home, you feel Danielle's strong sense of design; a soft modernism. She has added color through artwork, photography, flowers and little accessories here and there — in an otherwise bright white palette.

Mixing signature furniture pieces like a gorgeous dining table beside a vintage rocker, is just one example of her eclectic style. I love her vintage chandelier in the bedroom and the tufted sofa in her living room, both of which lend a wonderful Hollywood glamour. She was also quite careful not to lean too far toward full modern or full contemporary, but to find a happy meeting place just in between the two.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: I would say that I'm fairly eclectic and also somewhat minimal.

Inspiration: I am always inspired by my surroundings...whether it be from music, art, nature, food or fashion. I think that design translates into so many different forms and applications, and that they all relate to each other in some way. I have also been greatly inspired by my travels... going to other countries and seeing a different way of life, both in terms of aesthetics and culture, can be really valuable.

Favorite Element: I guess one of my favorite things about this home is that it is clean and simple, yet still eclectic.

Biggest Challenge: Making the whole thing happen! When I bought this home a little over a year ago, it was a total trainwreck. Dark, dirty, low ceilings, bad layout. I decided to gut the house and start from scratch, trying to make a more efficient use of space out of only 500 square feet. I ran into a couple of road blocks along the way, but it was worth all the hassle in the end.

What Friends Say: When people walk into my house for the first time, they are usually a little surprised. It is very small and unassuming from the exterior, and I've used the interior as the space where i can express myself and try to implement certain design elements.

Biggest Embarrassment: Having to crash on friends and family members sofas throughout the lengthy renovation process. (Thanks guys!)

Proudest DIY: Fully designing all aspects of the home — it takes more problem solving and brainstorming than I had anticipated, especially with such a small space.

Biggest Indulgence: The high ceilings. They were difficult to achieve but without them, the home just wouldn't be the same. The sense of volume they have created does wonders for the space.

Best Advice: Think outside the box, and rules are overrated.

Resources of Note:

LIVING ROOM

    • Sofa: custom made
    • Coffee table: CB2
    • credenza: IKEA with custom hardware
    • arm chair: found at TINI
    • rug: Rose Bowl flea market find
    • pillows: Room Service

KITCHEN

    • cabinetry: IKEA
    • counter tops: Caesar Stone

DINING ROOM

    • credenza: HD Buttercup
    • dining table: Rose Bowl flea market find
    • dining chairs: IKEA
    • pendant fixture: CB2

BEDROOM

    • Chandelier: Vintage 1940's French Chandelier found on Ebay
    • Art: Justin Wheatley
    • Bedding: West Elm
    • Bedside Table: CB2

BATHROOM