Name: Robbie Laughlin
Location: Hollywood near Runyon Canyon — Los Angeles, California
Size: 1,000 square feet, 1 Bedroom + 1 Bath
Years lived in: 6 years — Rent
Robbie Laughlin, the E! News host, lives in an ideal mid-sized one bedroom home at the foot of Runyon Canyon. His building boasts classic floor plans and gorgeous city views. Tucked minutes away from the hustle of the city in the heart of Hollywood, this apartment's location truly is the best of both worlds.
When Craig Olsen told me about his friend Robbie's home he said, "You will love this apartment, it's gorgeous and classic LA." He was right! The building itself is a lovely complex of units that sit facing south. Robbie's apartment has hardwood flooring with vintage features like crown molding and wainscoting. Craig helped to bring out the traditional elegant style with touches like reupholstered vintage Phyllis Morris chairs and a tufted headboard. I love that Robbie's home carries a richness with such a charming aesthetic, built on a mix of both investment and budget pieces. In my opinion he has created the perfect home that shows one way to do modern luxury right, on a lovely, livable scale.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Eclectic
Inspiration: Beautiful things
Favorite Element: I love the location and the views
Biggest Challenge: I need bigger closets!
What Friends Say: They don't want to leave. Friends from out of town love to stay here.
Biggest Indulgence: Dining room chairs. Vintage Phyllis Morris from Craig Olsen.
Best Advice: Surround yourself with things you love.
Dream Sources: Ralph Lauren Home
Bethany's Additional Questions
What is the single most significant thing in your home? The painting in my dining room. My grandmother painted it — it's of my family's property.
When you think of designing a home what is the most essential part? Beauty and comfort. I think you have to love your environment and feel comfortable in it.
How has the lifestyle and culture in Los Angeles effected your personal design aesthetic? I don't think LA has effected my personal design aesthetic at all. I know what I like and no matter where I live that would always be there. I would make my style work anywhere I lived.
Resources of Note:
LIVING ROOM
- • Sofa - Craig Olsen design
• Coffee table - Edward Limatto state
• Desk - Craig Olsen
• Rug - Craig Olsen
• Purple dish on the coffee table - Tart on Melrose
• White garden stool - Target
• Brass lamps and sculptures - Plantation
• Drapes - Restoration Hardware
DINING ROOM
- • Base of the dining table - Ikea
• Glass top - cut from a local shop
• Chairs - Vintage Phyllis Morris, reupholstered by Craig Olsen
• Vintage bar stand and silver urns from Craig Olsen
• Red box - Edward Limatto estate
• Hanging light fixture - Plantation
• Rug - Crate and Barrel
• Drapes - Restoration Hardware
BEDROOM
- • Bed - custom Craig Olsen design
• Bed side tables - Not So Far East
• Drapes - custom
• Rug - Home Depot
• Brass and leather chair - Williams Sonoma Home
• Wood and leather chair - vintage
• Lamps - Plantation
• Stone Buddha head - Not So Far East
• Gold box - vintage
• Standing brass lamp - Craig Olsen
• Bedding - Restoration Hardware
• Camel wool blanket - Pendleton
Thanks, Robbie!
Images: Bethany Nauert
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Wow! What an awesome place! Excellent work. I won't even hold those shoes against him. :)
It's pretty but something seems missing. I can't imagine coming home, opening a beer and hanging out with my friends here. It seems perfect for a single workaholic guy who doesn't spend much time at his beautiful home.
Am I reading too much into this?
Love the loafers
I lived about 2 blocks away from Runyon for about 2 months this summer with a friend. Awesome spot for an apartment!
What is the paint color on the walls in the living room? It is gorgeous!
LOVE the gold loafers too!
Gorgeous. Your desk makes me want to ditch my 27-inch iMac. Alas, I cannot. I'm intrigued by the location of the TV: a bit too far away from the viewing couch, and pushed to the back of the living room. I'm not sure about this, but it is? giving me ideas...
far too much symmetry for my taste, but still pretty.
Love it! So sophisticated yet still comfortable. LOVE the desk. Beautiful!
Please (!) divulge the color of the wall paint! It is gorgeous.
Absolutely gorgeous! Very museum-like, but stunning none the less.
GAAHH!! I want to move in. And those dining room chairs are so.so.so SO hot.
Were there no pictures of the bathroom, kitchen and entry? Did I miss something?
That gold-toned floor lamp is off the charts.
Hi everyone- we didn't get photos of the kitchen or the bathroom, as Robbie didn't feel they were essential to the house tour. The heart of this home was in the dining, living and bed room.
Thorndale: That was my first thought too "wow, this is a small/modest home for someone who is working on TV." It was really refreshing to see.
Stunning, and I have to think anyone who wears gold shoes is fun.
Did you do this without a designer?? Wow. Your second career is calling.
THIS is how you do dark, sexy and masculine. So much better than this:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/before-after/before-after-marks-masculine-opulance-at-home-155295
Love it! This is how I planned to set my interior...
OMG! pic #16... is that you and Sting?! I am SO jealous. The apt is super cute but Sting... STING!!!
Love that red crocodile printed desk/cab!!! Stunning.
I disagree with many of the people commenting~I don't think this looks like a museum at all. I think it most likely reflects his lifestyle. I'd imagine he has long days at work, comes home and probably falls into bed. Basically, he probably wants something nice to look at when he is home, or if he ever decides to entertain. I think it's beautifully done, and with many beautiful pieces of furniture, and art. And those windows!!
Did you do this without a designer?? Wow. Your second career is calling.
Judging from the blurb and the source list, Craig Olsen is his designer.
The dining chairs are a nicely unexpected touch, as is the worn leather chair in the bedroom. Overall it's a bit artificial and chi chi for my tastes, but then again it is LA.
about photo 16, not sure if it is Sting in that center photo. but it is Robbie w/ Betty White, in the frame next to it :)
Not to be a stickler, but it is "affected" not "effected."
Love it! I love the two benches under the window!
There are some nice features, but I don't understand how anybody can stand so cluttered nightstands.
I'm looking for stools like those 2 under the window that fold up that I can break out when I have guests! Any ideas?!
@jng2b , nope it's "effect" (as in cause and effect)... :) not "affect", or maybe either?
Love the dining room chairs; childhood flashback to my favorite pair of grade school faux croc mary janes, 1970. I hope you have ac though, or you'll be peeling your bum skin off them after every meal.
It's "affected".
I'm flipping out
typical. It's trying to be refined, but it missed the mark for me.
First thing that struck me was the wall color, so warm. I was surprised you posted all the great details about the pieces in the rooms...yet not the paint colors? Would be great to have those!
Nice pictures Bethany! From one photographer to another.
in the living room there are two white vases or urns. It was the main focus in the picture but no word where they were bought. Please I beg of you the store name.
ps maybe a mistake on the description because they talk of white stool from target but it's not in the picture. It's a beautiful place all in in! Love it!!!
So elegant and peaceful. What better way to fall into bed for a good night's sleep - looking at pics of good times with people you care about. Traditionally gorgeous!!!
It's "affected" because in this context, Robbie is talking about L.A's. influence on his style sense. It would be "effected" if L.A. actually caused his style sense, which is quite sophisticated, if a tad affected.
Very elegant. I really like those moody dark gray walls.
(And I'm with the rest of you - love the shoes!)
I think it is very tasteful. I love the paint colors in living and dining room. What are they?
very masculine. I just wish I were so neat.
@jng2b: You are not a stickler, you are literate. Of course it should be "affected". As a teacher, I feel so sad to see literacy skills going down the drain in this country. The apartment is great.
REFINED!
@kjansson, if this is typical for you, you must have some pretty refined friends.
@ paula scarpino: the white urns are ginger jars.
These days, they are easy to find in all kinds of stores. I am in Canada, and I often see them at Home Sense. You will be able to find them on eBay, too.
love the gold Gucci's
Very beautiful! Well done! I may be able to help with the paint color. I have just done something very similar in my dining room- I used Valspar Rugged Suede 4003-2B, flat finish. White woodwork, dark hardwood floors...I get oohs and ahs from everyone, and also, "oh, you are so brave! I love it!" Embrace gray- it's dramatic, soothing and cozy all at the same time!
See post above...BTW- Valspar is sold at Lowe's.
Beautiful home. Just beautifully done. Love the luxe details ala the fake croc dining chairs and secretary and other rich elements. But alas the color palette is too dark and serious for me and the look overall is too precious. I like a bit more color, girliness and playfulness in my environment. But those are personal/personality preferences, and even though this place doesn't say "me" it is beautiful ... and it certainly seems to say "Robbie." (I mean, check out the metallic loafers -- NICE.)
What crap! You delete posts you feel are negative! This isn't blogging, this is simply self-promotion! You can delete all you want, the rooms still look like a colorblind GI from WWI turned decorator did them with his war souvenirs.
Since affected has been all used up, I will call it "sparkle-vapid".
Robbie Laughlin is an incredible talent. The place looks great.
I LOVE your silver (platinum?) shoes! I just adore when people have creativity and totally go for it!
I just bought an apartment in Chelsea, NYC. This is what I am going for. I've got ebony floors, I've added crown molding (I wish I had seen his first - amazing). I'm doing the walls white for a more NY/loft/gallery feel but he nailed it!