Lorena & Ryan’s Retro Inspired Condo

Bethany Nauert
Bethany Nauert
A Los Angeles photographer with a weakness for adorable house pets and quesadillas.
published Apr 18, 2011
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Living room with green sofa, polka dot pillows, spiral staircase, and view into kitchen with white cabinets and fridge.
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Name: Ryan, Lorena and Rex (the puppy)
Location: Costa Mesa, California
Size: 1,034 square feet
Years lived in: 1— rent

Lorena and Ryan O’Malley live in an awesome retro complex that is a spitting image of Palm Springs in the 1950’s. The courtyard is designed around a pool and just outside their doorway they’ve built a succulent garden. The decor is minimally Mid Century and accented with rich earth tones.

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Lorena and Ryan have a great sense of style and appreciation revolving around retro and vintage pieces. Their home is a two level condo, with an office that is open to and overlooks the living room below. This creates a really large sense of space, allowing a ton of natural light to flood the bright walls. Some of the original lighting fixtures and tiles add to the old-school charm. Considering they have a great back yard and are positioned on the ground level, it gives their puppy Rex plenty of options.

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Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: Mid-Century, retro and simple.

Inspiration: Atomic Ranch, Danish design, using recycled furniture

Favorite Element: The floor to ceiling windows provide a bright and positive atmosphere.

Biggest Challenge: Creating separate spaces in a small, but open layout and eliminating clutter without being impractical.

What Friends Say: Exterior structure: “It looks like a 1950’s Palm Springs motel.” About our style: We assume they are into it…

Biggest Embarrassment: Vertical blinds and Rex’s excavations in our backyard.

Proudest DIY: We’re not big DIY people, so the only DIY is the planter at the entrance of our home.

Biggest Indulgence: Brand new couch and chair for the living room and our comfy bed.

Best Advice: Be picky and be patient.

Dream Sources: Atomic Ranch, Eichler design, West Elm.

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Resources of Note:

PAINT & COLORS


EXTERIOR OF FRONT ENTRY

    • Plants: Home Depot
    • Green Patio Chairs: Garage Sale

LIVING ROOM

    • Couch: Macy’s
    • Accent Pillows: consignment store
    • Recliner: Macy’s
    • Ottoman: bought from a friend who bought it at Macy’s
    • Coffee Table: Long Beach Flea Market
    • Vintage original Florence Knoll Side Table (tulip style): acquired from a business that was getting rid of all old office furniture (*for free*)
    • Magazine Rack: Salvation Army in San Clemente
    • Flying ducks wall décor: Craigslist

COMMON AREA

    • Bookcase: custom made by our great friend and furniture designer, Joshua Baldwin
    • Record Player: gift from Ryan’s dad
    • Rug: Target
    • Bar cart: Craigslist
    • Wall décor by bar cart: estate sale

DINING ROOM

    • Dining table and chairs: 1958 Drexel bought on Craigslist
    • Canvas art: TJ Maxx

KITCHEN

    • China cabinet: Declaration by Drexel bought at consignment store
    • The rest are thrift finds or were purchased at Target

BEDROOM

    • Dressers: consignment store
    • Floor lamp: Target
    • Bed: Macy’s
    • Bedding: West Elm
    • Wall Décor: West Elm

BATHROOM

    • Bamboo décor: Crate & Barrel
    & bull; Wall decor: Garage Sale

OFFICE

    • Desk: consignment store
    • Dresser: Pack Rat in San Clemente
    • Lounge chairs: Those belong to our friends, Trevor and Kassi, but are temporarily in our office until T&K find use for them in their new place. They were inherited from Kassi’s grandparents

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Thanks, Lorena & Ryan!

Images: Bethany Nauert

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