We first got a peek at David’s mid-century ranch-style home after witnessing his ridiculously satisfying kitchen and bathroom makeovers. While David has made sure to keep the architecture in his home true to mid-century standards, his abundant collections of modern art and fine antiquities are somewhat counter to the minimalist movement of the mid-century era.

David, who works in real estate, has spent a good portion of his life building his home collection from thrift store finds and roadside discards. He cites all Out of the Closet Thrift Stores and estate sales as major contributors to his home’s striking personality. While using second-hand sources are one of his biggest tips for decorating your home, the most important advice he has is to, “if possible, live in the house a little while before making any major changes. The house will tell you what it wants.” As such, David resisted the urge to jump on the “open-concept” band wagon when renovating his sectioned-off 1962 home. He soon came to realize the L-shape of the home, complete with a built-in wet bar, was perfect for entertaining, allowing guests to meander between rooms.

My Style: I’ve always been a proponent of mixing various furniture styles and periods in order to create a very personal, yet well-curated décor. I decided to go with neutral tones on the walls and the upholstered furniture so I can change out accent colors and patterns easily by switching out pillows and accessories.

Inspiration: My inspiration comes from interior designers of today and yesterday. Today I’m quite fond of Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Kelly Wearstler, and Tamara Honey. They’re all experts of mixing periods and styles, and infusing spaces with the homeowner’s personality, with a pop of humor. 1980s design icon Kalef Alaton has always been a major design inspiration. He was a master of monochromatic color schemes, and using amazing and unusual accessories from around the world

Favorite Element: My favorite aspect of the house is the L-shape floorplan.

Biggest Challenge: As for most people, budget is always a challenge. I try to shop multiple sources in order to get the best prices, so that I can splurge on items that I can’t get a great bargain on. I bought all of the tile for the kitchen and bath from one supplier so that I could get a quantity discount. The kitchen, bath, laundry room and bar counters were all fabricated by one company who then let me pick through their remnants to select the bathroom and laundry-room countertop material at a discount.

What Friends Say: Soon as guests walk up the stairs and see the house they say “Oh, cool.” People always remark on the open floor-plan and that most of the rooms open to the kidney-shaped pool.

Biggest Embarrassment: My biggest mistake was painting the interior of the entire house a beige that I’d used in our last two residences without taking the amount of light, or lack of it, into consideration. I ended up repainting the entire house other than the master bedroom.

Proudest DIY: Probably the proudest DIY was taking on the not-so-great room’s demo. The day we closed escrow I was pulling up the pumpkin orange, circa 1975 shag carpet, and taking down the dated plywood paneling. I listed the paneling on Craigslist’s free section. And within hours I had someone picking it up to use in his man-cave.

Biggest Indulgence: Custom walnut cabinets in the kitchen and guest bath

Best Advice: If possible, live in the house a little while before making any major changes. The house will tell you what it wants.

PAINT & COLORS
Benjamin Moore, Cloud White (Most of House)
Dunn Edwards, Chaparral (Bedroom)

ENTRY
Wallpaper — Candice Olsen
Console — Vintage McGuire (Ebay)
Mirror — J. Robert Scott (Thrift Shop)
Painting — Gaylord Soli (Artist)

LIVING ROOM
Custom Sofa – Emilio’s Upholstery
Drapery Cocktail Table — Nancy Corzine (Estate Sale Co)
Art Deco Fauteuil — J. Robert Scott (Wertz Brothers) Fabric: Clarence House (Ebay)
Antique Biedermeier Chest (Thrift Shop)
Parchment Console (Estate Sale)
Stools — Vintage Baker end tables converted to stools (Craigslist)
Asian Screen (Consignment Shop)

DINING
Dining Table — E.J. Victor (Ebay)
Tuscany Dining Chairs — J. Robert Scott (Wertz Brothers)
Chandelier — Custom
Painting — Gaylord Soli
Mixed Media — Gurda Becker With (Goodwill)

GREAT ROOM
Library Club Sofa — Cache’
Ottoman — J. Robert Scott Ottoman (Thrift Shop) Donghia Fabric: (Ebay)
Desk — Rose Tarlow Wertz Brothers
Lucite Chairs — Phillippe Stark (Ebay)
Mirrored Chest — Vintage UCLA Thrift Shop
Bar Stools — LEM (Estate Sale)
Cocktail Table — Vintage Rose Tarlow (Estate Sale)
Marble Top Side Table — (Santa Monica Fleamarket)
Credenza under TV (Vintage)
Drapery Fabric — Clarence House
Painting of Green Face by David Kemper — Clark Cierlak Auctions
Antique Leather and Gilt Chair (Auction)

KITCHEN
Kitchen cabinets — G & E Custom Furniture Los Angeles
Quartzite Counters — Royal Stone Los Angeles
Counter fabrication — Pyramid Construction

BREAKFAST AREA
Smoke acrylic chairs, Philippe Stark — Hive Modern
Noguchi Dining Table — Hive Modern

BEDROOM
Wallpaper — Candice Olsen
Velvet Headboard (custom) — Emilio’s Upholstery
Nightstands — Vintage Baker (Ebay)
Lamps — ZGallerie
Dresser and nightstands — Vintage Baker Furniture Co. (Ebay)
Arm Chairs — J.Robert Scott (Consignment Shop) Cowtan & Tout Fabric (Ebay)
Chair and Ottoman — Nancy Corzine (Ebay)

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