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Name: Gina Pieri & Brian Amanatullah
Location: Hermosa Beach, CA
Size: 800 square feet
Years lived in: 1.5 years — rent

When Lauren Pieri, told me she was photographing her cousin's apartment, I offered to assist her on the shoot. Because who can resist a day near the beach? Her cousin Gina and fiancé Brian are renting a 2 bedroom, second floor apartment with an awesome view of Manhattan Beach shores. Blending a beach lover's world with fun pops of modern whimsy, this cute apartment is a tranquil home that any couple could grow into.

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There is much to look at when visiting Gina and Brian's home, where they've overlapped mid-century elements with modern angular touches here and there. The most significant object in their apartment?

"Probably the beautiful pine coffee table our friend, Matt Jackson, built for us. We picked out the wood from a scrap pile in Glendora, and he cut, sanded, and finished it beautifully. We absolutely love owning such a meaningful piece of furniture."

Not adhering to typical design rules, Gina says that when designing a home the most important element is "feeling comfortable in your own home and designing a home that reflects your authentic self." Comfort is exactly what I found when visiting this cozy place, even down to the crockpot full of delicious stew that was steaming the entire time we were shooting. These home cooked meals mixed with the fresh salt water air would lend to an incredibly relaxed environment, "The beach has a huge influence on our laid-back style. Stuffy, formal style does not have a place by the ocean. Also, Los Angeles is a treasure trove of vintage and gently used furniture. I wish I had discovered this sooner!"

Enjoy!

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: Eclectic Relaxed Beach House.

Inspiration: The internet! Seriously, Pinterest, blogs, and sites like Apartment Therapy have provided tons of inspiration. People's homes such as: Heather Taylor (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/heather-alexs-nostalgic-cottag-161936), and Eileen Peters and Mark Wiesmayr (http://theselby.com/galleries/eileen-peters-mark-wiesmayr/) and others have given us great ideas to incorporate into our own place.

Favorite Element: Brian would tell you the TV, but I think our favorite element is the hardwood floors. They give the apartment its charm.

Biggest Challenge: Neither of us are designers, so figuring out what our style consists of has been a somewhat arduous process.

What Friends Say: Surprisingly spacious for an apartment by the beach!

Biggest Embarrassment: Our bed is lacking a headboard... and a bedskirt.

Proudest DIY: Open shelving in the kitchen to store extra cups, dry goods, dishes, and more! Measuring the shelves was a bigger effort than either of us anticipated, and we ended up re-doing the holes after installing the lower shelf!

Biggest Indulgence: Most of our furniture was acquired from Craigslist or secondhand shops, but we did purchase the sofa brand new from Room & Board.

Best Advice: Furnish slowly and deliberately, and buy only what you love

Dream Sources: Room & Board, Dwell Studio, Rose Bowl Flea Market, French markets

Resources of Note:

PAINT & COLORS

    • Dunn-Edwards: Swiss Coffee

ENTRY

    • Rug: Dash & Albert
    • Succulent: Deep Roots Nursery
    • Doormat: DIY

LIVING ROOM

    • Sofa: Room & Board
    • Coffee Table: Boscus Designs (www.boscusdesigns.com)
    • Pillows: West Elm, Dash & Albert
    • Rug: Crate & Barrel
    • TV Console: Crate & Barrel
    • Lamp: West Elm
    • Side Table: TINI (This Is Not Ikea)
    • Chairs: Craigslist

DINING ROOM

    • Table: Crate & Barrel
    • Chairs: Overstock
    • Light fixture: West Elm
    • Wall art: vintage from TINI

KITCHEN

    • Island: IKEA
    • Side table: Stars Antique Market
    • Dish rack: IKEA

BEDROOM

    • Bedding: West Elm, Dwell
    • Curtains: IKEA
    • Credenza: Craigslist
    • Dresser: Target
    • Fan: Restoration Hardware
    • Side tables: Craigslist
    • Lamps: IKEA
    • Mirror: Salvation Army

BATHROOM

    • Shower curtain: West Elm
    • Accessories dish: Heath ceramics
    • Rug: CB2

Thanks, Gina and Brian!

(Images: Lauren Pieri)

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