Lindsey’s Colorful West Hollywood Residence

published Jan 6, 2016

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About this tour

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Home Type

Apartment

Location

West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California

Style

Glam

Bedrooms

Square feet

1550

Sq ft

1550

Name: Lindsey O’Donnell
Location: West Hollywood — Los Angeles, California
Size: 1,550 square feet
Years lived in: 2.5 years; Owned

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If one thing’s for sure, it’s that interior designer Lindsey O’Donnell is not afraid of color. From Blackberry Wine to Midnight Navy to Black, O’Donnell’s paint choices are pretty fearless. Inspired by the bold interiors of designer Mary McDonald, O’Donnell’s lavish lair is anything but modest. Deep purples and stark blacks provide a very intentional backdrop for high-contrast accents in whites and golds and an array of bold patterns.

(Image credit: Jessica Isaac)

Reminiscent of its glamorous Hollywood roots, Lindsey’s West Hollywood home is accessorized in head-to-toe (i.e., wall-to-wall) decor. Stacks of books get cozy with dozens of diverse knickknacks in the den’s built-in shelving unit, and there is no shortage of candles throughout the house. Ambient lighting bouncing off saturated walls and plush sofas from Lindsey’s college days provide an intimately cozy environment. The lush treatment continues into the guest bedroom, which features stark black walls, crisp bedding, and reflective gold lamps.

(Image credit: Jessica Isaac)

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: Hollywood glam

Inspiration: I’ve been in love with Mary McDonald’s design style since I first saw her featured in the Jan/Feb 2006 issue of Domino magazine. I loved the way she interspersed color throughout a mostly black-and-white palette for an elegant, glam effect. Her style has greatly influenced my personal design style.

Favorite Element: The open floor plan was the biggest thing that sold me on this place. I entertain friends and family as much as possible, so I loved how the kitchen has visibility to the den, living room, and dining room. The bar is the perfect spot for guests to post up with a glass of wine while I’m putting the finishing touches on a meal. I also love the large crown and base mouldings and arched entryways. There’s so much character here for newer construction!

Biggest Challenge: I moved here from a small 1940s one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, so honestly the biggest challenge was in having enough furniture (and money!) to furnish my home. I have barely even touched the living room—it looks like I literally picked up my old living room and plopped it into my new space—so redesigning that room is high on my priority list now that the other rooms are complete.

What Friends Say: My friends say that my home feels really elegant but still inviting and cozy.

Biggest Embarrassment: The living room sofa and love seat. Those are the first pieces of furniture I ever owned. They were a gift from my mom for my college graduation, and we’ll just say that I finished undergrad more than a couple of years ago! They are long overdue for an update… and by update I mean replacement.

Proudest DIY: The den bookcases. This was a multi-step stenciling project which required me to first paint the backs black, then hand-stencil each section, and then go back and create faux edges on the borders.

Biggest Indulgence: Having the entire condo professionally painted, including all of the cabinetry. The cabinets (kitchen, den, bathrooms) were all a honey maple finish, and painting them white instantly made the space feel so much more modern. My other big indulgence was the custom black-and-white cement tile floor in my kitchen, which I decided to go for after a leak in the kitchen destroyed my wood floors. Thanks to my insurance, it was way less of a splurge than it would have been!

Best Advice: Take your time, have a master plan, and invest in pieces that you love.

Dream Sources: Lighting fixtures from Arteriors, an amazing vintage burlwood dresser or bar, most of Jonathan Adler’s current collection, and a pair of Warren Platner gold-plated armchairs.