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Name:Jamison Hébert, Alec Mapa, and Zion Joseph Hebert-Mapa
Location: Highland Park — Los Angeles, California
Size: 1,100 square feet
Years lived in: 6.5 years — own

Alec, Jamison and their son Zion have created a cozy home of rich colors and luscious textures. The idea that your home can be beautifully elegant and resourcefully functional is what drives the design motto of this family. With a formal dining space, eat in kitchen and two full sized bedrooms this house holds life to the fullest in every corner.

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Both well versed in the entertainment industry as actors, producers and writers, Alec and Jamie chose to create their home off the beaten path of Hollywood. Just east of Atwater Village over the hill in Highland Park is a blooming neighborhood with undiscovered real estate gems and plenty of quiet streets to raise a family. Choosing to live outside the hustle and bustle of Hollywood didn't keep them from bringing the charisma and glam along with them. The couple merged the Southern California lifestyle with collectables of their heritage and travels. "We picked this home because of its 1926 Spanish design. It's a very good base to incorporate Moroccan, Filipino, and Mexican elements because well, the Spanish pretty much colonized all those places. Our home is in a very sunny spot which we also appreciate. I think a summer climate lends itself to a sunnier palate. It certainly did in our case."

Many features of this home are very high end and boast a richness that you wouldn't necessarily associate with raising children. Alec and Jamie believe you can have everything you need under one roof. "Comfort and elegance. You can go someplace that is extremely elegant but not very comfortable, or vice-versa. We wanted to live in a place that was both." Of all the lovely wallpaper choices, artwork and foreign collectibles, the couple still believes that these are all just objects. "We own our things but they don't own us. We absolutely love our house but our family is the most significant thing in it. Fabulousness resides inside."

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: "Elegant Circus"

Inspiration: Jonathan Adler; Kelly Wearstler; Moroccan, Indian, and Mexican folk art; Filipino Catholica; The Goodwill home decor section.

Favorite Element: Rounded edges in the living room. Architecturally, rounded edges are inviting, inclusive and comforting. Psychologically, a circle puts people at ease.

Biggest Challenge: Keeping things neat and tidy with the 6 year old child.

What Friends Say: They feel welcome. You can't get too cozy in a place where you're afraid to touch anything. What's fun about that? Our best friends are our weekly dinner guests. Our dining room color was inspired by a restaurant we dined at in Rome. It had eclectic art hanging on warm peach walls that flattered everyone's skin tone and made them look five years younger. We tried to recreate that in our tiny dining room and now we always think people look terrific at meal time.

Biggest Embarrassment: It's never fun when a dog has an accident when company is over.

Proudest DIY: Jamison made our pink, glitter-skulled Dia de las Muertas cafe curtains in our kitchen out of fabric he purchased in the garment district. He is in love, love, love with Mexican culture and especially all things haunted. Alec curated his late mother's collection of santos and Virgin Mary statues from the Philippines on display in the living room. Alec says "I'm not a practicing Catholic, but I believe the statues — symbols of my mother's faith and devotion — help create a loving presence."

Biggest Indulgence: I won't get into specifics, let's just say no one ever saves money by buying cheap wallpaper. Our first big purchase was the mirror which hangs over the couch in the living room. It's a carousel mirror . Allegedly, its the last remaining piece of a victorian carousel that burned down years ago. We both suspect it's haunted by childish delight and good times . We designed the whole room around it.

Best Advice: Don't be afraid to mix it up. Bring all of yourself and the things you love into your home. Neither one of us is a big fan of matchy matchy. Boring. If you're glad and brightened the minute you open a door, we think you're in the zone. Don't be afraid of your imagination . If you can't stop thinking about a giant pink couch, then that's what's calling.

Dream Sources: "Meet Me in St. Louis", Mary Blair, historical Los Angeles, Morocco, Gaudi's Barcelona, bordellos, Rome, and Disneyland.

Resources of Note:

PAINT & COLORS

    • Living Room ceiling- Benjamin Moore -Lavender
    • Dining Room walls- Benjamin Moore- Sausilito Sunset
    • Dining Room ceiling- Modern Masters' - Antique Gold
    • A butter shade, painted by the previos owners
    • Zion's room is an unknown aqua and brown color

LIVING ROOM


    • Interior design by Michael Crispen
    • Window treatments by John Donaldson
    • Wallpaper: Cole & Son, The Waldorf Collection, Style: Brighton Lace, Color: Stone/Gold
    • Sofa restyled vintage from Twentieth Centry Object
    • Coffee Table refinished vintage by Twentieth Century Object
    • Wingback, Reupholstered and refinished Ikea
    • Secretary, new lacquered from Twentieth Century Object
    • sofa pillows and slipper chair pillows from Habite Los Angeles
    • Slipper chairs from Sharon's Garage

MASTER BEDROOM

    • Wallpaper- Lee Jofa, Style: Strand, Color: Gold/Natural
    • Interior design by Michael Crispen
    • Window coverings- John Donaldson Design Studio
    • Custom Wingback by Twentieth Century Object
    • Duvet- folded at end of bed, from IKEA

Thanks, Alec, Jamison and Zion!

*Many thanks to my friends John Donaldson and Michael Crispen for introducing me to this wonderful happy home.

Images: Bethany Nauert

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