Welcome to Jessie, a blogger trying out for place on the editorial team as a House Tour Contributor. She's sharing a tour of her own home - enjoy her work!

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Name: Jessie
Location: Los Angeles, California
Size: 1000 square feet
Years lived in: 5

Upon opening the gate to my 1923 bungalow, you're immediately surrounded by lush greenery, trees, and a marvelous red front door. It's hard to imagine that it was not always a “sweet thing" — when I found the place it was dilapidated, but I saw potential. It had beautiful bones, it just needed some love.

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It's a warm space with color on the walls, lots of light, dark wood floors and a wonderful mixture of old and new furnishings. I wanted to honor the authentic vintage aspects of the home and still bring in some newer more modern elements. I immediately added dark floors and the look-through from the dining room to the kitchen to give it a more open feel. When I am entertaining I don’t want to feel like I’m hiding from my guests.

My father’s rock and roll photographs of Nico, The Mamas and the Papas and The Rolling Stones adorn the walls. Music and photography are very important to me. I think that is reflected in my home. I am a big believer in taking your time to find the pieces you really love. I still feel like my house is a work in progress, but every year it gets closer to being a truer reflection of me.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: Vintage-Modern and a little bohemian

Inspiration: My dad’s rock and roll photographs, my mom’s hippie modeling photos from the 70’s, old Issues of Domino Magazine, The Ace Hotel Palm Springs, Apartment Therapy Small Cool.

Favorite Element: My favorite element has got to be the side porch. I try to be out there every second I can be, even in the rain. My friends have even named my house “the porch.” We have spent many a night out there with a bottle of wine (or two).

Biggest Challenge: When I first moved in it was kind of a nightmare. It had been rented for the past ten years by the same couple. They had not done a good job of keeping it up. Every plant outside was dead, the walls were cracked, the floors white washed, the kitchen had not been touched since the early 80’s. I knew I had a job on my hands, but I saw the potential. The challenge was money and time. I renovated the place in three weeks on a very limited budget. Thanks to my mom who is diy queen and a bargain shopper, we made it happen.

What Friends Say: They say it's cozy, creative, stylish.

Biggest Embarrassment: Ha, well right now I am in the process of looking for a new TV cabinet, so I guess I would say my stand in. I covered the stand with a lovely Pendleton blanket to hide what’s underneath. You don’t want to see what’s under there.

Proudest DIY: Installing dimmers on all of my light switches and painting a chalkboard wall in my kitchen. I felt so crafty.

Biggest Indulgence: My two-drawer dishwasher. It’s brilliant and saves loads of water.

Best Advice: Collect things over time. Search craigslist daily. Don’t be afraid to mix and match eras.

Dream Sources: Morocco, Flea Markets, Etsy, Room and Board, ABC Carpet and Home, Dwell, John Robshaw, Anthropologie

Resources of Note:

Appliances: Kitchen-Aid (dishwasher), Frigidaire (fridge and washing machine), O’Keefe and Merritt (stove)

Kitchen Cabinets: Cabinet Factory Outlet

Hardware: Anthropologie, Home Depot

Furniture: Craigslist (Couch, Bed), Sofa U Love (Two Living room Chairs), Yard Sale (Dining Table), Ebay (Faux Bamboo Chairs, Eames Molded Plastic Chairs), Antique Stores (Vanity Table and Dresser), West Elm (Desk, Outdoor Tables, Desk Chair), CB2 (Peekaboo Console), Ikea (Kitchen Cart), Pottery Barn (Entry Table), Target (Outdoor Furniture), Found the Suitcases on the Street.

Lighting: Ebay (chandeliers), Schoolhouse Electric (kitchen), Urban Outfitters (lamps)

Rugs: Urban Outfitters (bedroom), West Elm (zig zag kitchen, jute living room)

Knickknacks: Etsy, Urban Outfitters, Ikea

Art: My Father’s Photographs (guywebster.com), My Photographs, Family Photographs, Etsy, Ebay, Postcards, Ork Posters, David Settino Scott (apple painting)

Images: Jessie

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