IreneEvanLovett-HouseTour-2.jpg

Name: Irene and Evan Lovett, plus their dogs Bams and Nora
Location: Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California
Size: 2,076 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years; own

Irene and Evan enjoy a brightly decorated, spacious home in the valley, complete with orange and lemon trees out back. Irene is an interior designer and decorator who has fully enjoyed owning a home where she can have fun exploring her ever-evolving style. You can tell that this is the home of two people who love color and texture, and aren't afraid to decorate with a little bit of whimsy.

IreneEvanLovett-housetour-thumbs.jpg

This home has a somewhat unexpected floor plan, with a sunroom that's been added to the back of the house, accessible from the master bedroom or dining room. Besides that, there are other quirky elements, like all the fun patterns and painted walls, that make the space especially inviting. Irene says the most significant thing in their home is artwork. "While we were house hunting, I discovered some art in my mother-in-law's attic painted by my husband's great aunt. We have four of her pieces hanging in our house — they are as cool as they are meaningful. I wish I could've met her."

It's fun to meet homeowners who really care about the decorating process. I often find that these people and their homes have a similar personality. Irene agrees: to her the most essential part of designing a home lies in "Incorporating one's personality. Your home should reflect you."

Living in Southern California has given Irene and Evan the ability to enjoy both their front and and back yards, as well as the sunroom. The sunroom has become a family/tv room, and also a little sitting area for guests and cocktails. "LA and Southern California are casual by nature; my design aesthetic definitely fits that mold. It's sunny and laidback here, and although I'm obsessive compulsive about where and how I place my furniture and accessories, they still read, okay, this girl isn't afraid to have fun."

Enjoy!!!

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: Fun and colorful with splashes of vintage quirk.

Inspiration: Color.

Favorite Element: We get quite a bit of natural light, and it forces me to wake up on time.

Biggest Challenge: Patience. When you don't have a large budget, decorating takes time. I wish I could buy amazing pieces all at once, but buying amazing items at an affordable price takes time and research. It's slowly started to feel more collected.

What Friends Say: What did you move around this time? Is this new?

Biggest Embarrassment: These pink drapes I bought for our sunroom. I wanted so much to like them and kept trying to convince myself I did. Any time anyone came over I felt I needed to explain them. The shade of pink was just too bubblegum. I even washed them to fade the color. Not only did they not really fade, they shrunk. Then I had overly wrinkled and flooding drapes. Now they're in my trunk waiting to be donated.

Proudest DIY: Decorating on a budget.

Biggest Indulgence: Our coffee table. It's one of the only pricey items in our house. I paid $700 for it, which I thought was a lot, but it was actually marked down from $1400.

Best Advice: Decorate for yourself, not for what you think people are expecting to see when they visit. Be surprising. Be different.

Dream Sources: Um, 1st dibs. Holy hot tamales, every time I check that site I feel life isn't fair.

Resources of Note:

PAINT & COLORS

    • Dunn Edwards - Bison Beige in living Room and Dining Room
    • Dunn Edwards - Nocturnal Sea in Sunroom
    • Dunn Edwards - Walrus in Bedroom
    • Dunn Edwards - Frosty Mint in Office
    • Dunn Edwards - Prime Pink in Laundry Room
    • (I guess you can say I have a crush on this Dunn Edwards guy.)

ENTRY

    • Wallpaper - Stroheim and Romann Mica and Ivory
    • Flamingo Print - Aaron Brothers, custom frame

LIVING ROOM

    • Flea market chairs reupholsterd in green ikat fabric from Calico Corners
    • IKEA black and white rug
    • Home Goods Ralph Lauren ginger jar lamps.
    • Daybed was bartered with a friend. I then had it painted and reupholstered the matress.
    • Elephant stool is from the Mexican market, Vallarta.
    • Faux ostrich coffee table is from a local store that is no longer in business.
    • Thrifted dresser repurposed as sideboard.

DINING ROOM

    • Dining Table is from a local shop, again, no longer in business.
    • American Rag white cane dining chairs.
    • Amazon area rug
    • Amazon tripod dining chair
    • Craigslist bench with IKEA sheepskin
    • Light fixture from the Sherman Oaks Antque Mall
    • roman shade in zebra ikat from Calico Corners
    • Ebay sunburst mirrors
    • Ivy and Wine cowhide pillow I won on a blog.

BEDROOM

    • Thrifted white vanity/nightstand
    • Vanity stool from the Sherman Oaks Antique Mall
    • World Market vanity mirror
    • DVF bedding from One Kings Lane
    • Home Goods Lamps
    • Arianna Belle leopard print pillow
    • Home Goods lamps
    • West Elm pillow shams
    • Artwork from neighborhood yard sale
    • World Market wood nightstand
    • Rugs USA rug I also won on a blog.

SMALL BATHROOM

    • Shand Kydd wallpaper
    • Artwork is from an estate sale
    • West Elm "L" towel
    • Rose Bowl flea market mirror
    • Urban Outfitters turquoise bookcase

SUNROOM

    • IKEA drapes
    • World Market wicker chairs
    • TJ MAXX poufs
    • Home Goods pink rug
    • Thrifted coffee table painted white and gold

Thanks, Irene and Evan!

(Images: Bethany Nauert)

• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE Check out past house tours here
• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form.
• Are you a designer/architect/decorator interested in sharing a residential project with Apartment Therapy readers? Contact the editors through our Professional Submission Form.

You might also like