Name: Rodellee Bas
Location: Hancock Park — Los Angeles, California
Size: 450 square feet
Years lived in: 3 weeks — Rent
Rodellee's previous home caught my eye in her recent House Call, and I knew immediately that her style and choices in decor were both charming and personal. Three weeks later, she's moved into a studio three times smaller and has created another amazing space.
I was in awe of what I saw on Rodellee's House Call — vintage styling, warm eclectic accessories, a stunning apartment with magical light. However, by the time I was able to reach her about a tour, she was in the midst of packing for her new move. While making a few transitions in her life, she's downsized to a 450 square foot studio. It's in one of those classic brick buildings, complete with french doors, a traditional vanity and lovely hardwood floors.
Rodellee's new home wins you over the moment you walk in the door. Slightly shy about the "small" size, she shows me around to what is the most impressive studio I've seen put together in a mere three weeks. Not only did she need to find a home that would suit her style, but a comfortable place that doubles as the office where she runs her online shop Adore Vintage. When she isn't running her incredible vintage retail site, she freelances as a wardrobe and prop stylist on sets for photographers and film.
With a similar (and common) floor plan as my own home, I was so impressed how spacious it actually seemed. Though she had decorations, large furniture pieces, and tons of artwork it didn't feel cluttered at all. That is, with the exception of her closet/storage spaces. Two of three closets are dedicated to props, jewelry, clothing and accessories which she sells online or uses on shoots. She even warned me that if I opened her cupboards above the kitchen that most of it is filled with purses and more clothing.
Rodellee has brought her love of nostalgia, antiques, history and storytelling all into this 450 square foot space. One of my favorite elements was her stack of Vogue Magazines on the floor with the vintage lamp on top. Void of an actual bed side table, I thought this was a subtle shout out to her admiration of all things fashion. Also, the vintage dress form in the corner caught my eye, and it's so great that she actually uses it daily for her web shop. Truly a delightful little abode.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Vintage meets modern, French eclectic.
Inspiration: All things vintage from fashion, movies, vintage magazines, old photographs, and music. I'm also currently obsessing over Pinterest.com for gathering inspirations from all over the web.
Favorite Element: Fresh flowers and plants. I love that the view from my kitchen overlooks into my neighbor's garden. My building doesn't allow pets but next door they have all these dogs that run around in the garden so sometimes I just watch them play while I'm having coffee in the morning.
Biggest Challenge: I operate an online vintage shop from my apartment, so going from a 1900 sq foot apartment with two walk in closets to a 450 sq ft studio with one closet... storage has definitely been the biggest challenge. There's literally vintage in all my cupboards. My pantry doesn't have food, it houses handbags and jewelry!
What Friends Say: That my apartment is very me. That sounds silly, but it's very true, my living quarters is filled with things I've fallen in love with and absolutely had to take home.
Biggest Embarrassment: The IKEA pendant lamp in my kitchen. I'm a very DIY kind of girl and I figured I had been successful at my other apartment endevours I could totally replace a light fixture. Total fail. I had to hire an electrician after shorting out my lights twice.
Proudest DIY: Getting everything moved in and set up in a little under 3 weeks!
Biggest Indulgence: Vintage WOLF dress form and the CB2 peek-a-boo coffee table.
Best Advice: When you see something you love buy it right then and there. I'm a true believer that if you love it that much it'll work out with what you already have. Surround yourself with beauty and what makes you happy.
Dream Sources: 1stDibs.com for antiques. Oh, if only.
Resources of Note:
PAINT & COLORS
- • Chalkboard paint - I wanted to do the entire wall, but I really don't like painting walls all that much, so just a strip had to do. - Anawalt
• Since my apartment is small I wanted to keep the base colors very clean. Lots of black and white and neutrals. Red, coral, and some pink as highlight colors, I didn't really plan for it, I just gravitate towards certain shades of red.
ENTRY AREA
- • Dresser - Thrifted
• Vintage coat rack - Etsy (LACKLUSTER Co.)
• Art from antique shop, the one on the left is ripped out of DAPPER DAN Spring/Summer 2011 issue
• Black vases - Home Goods
• Bird - Pier 1
• Three legged pig (Chanchito) - gift from a friend when she visited Chile. I love this little piggie so much, he's so happy!
LIVING ROOM AREA
- • French Bergere sofa - Vintage - Craigslist - I loved that it was hand painted, I originally wanted to reupholster but it's grown on me
• Coffee table: CB2
• Porcelain Garden Seat (used as end tables): Williams-Sonoma
• Vintage Chair (covered with VILMIE RUND throw blanket from Ikea) - Flo's Antiques - Orlando
• Vintage WOLF dress form - Wertz Brothers Antiques in Santa Monica
• All art and vintage photographs are from many visits to the flea markets
• White screen divider - Rose Bowl Flea Market
• Zebra rug - Urban Outfitters
• Large throw pillows - Etsy (DIYPILLOWS)
• Antique dresses - Adore http://www.adorevintage.com intage, but of course :)
• Manifest Destiny candle - General Quarters - Los Angeles
• Vintage fan - Orange Tree Antiques - Orlando
BREAKFAST NOOK
- • Table - DOCKSTA - Ikea
• Leather and wood folding chairs - Long Beach Flea Market
• Ceiling Light - MASKROS - Ikea
• Stripes Painting - DIY project
• Barrister bookcase - Craigslist
• Samsonite train case, plaid picnic basket, striped coffee set - Wertz Brothers Antiques
KITCHEN
- • Vintage school desk - This is not ikea
• Botanical pull chart - Empirical Style
• Slovakia flag - souvenir from when my husband and I took an impromptu trip to Bratislava
• Air plant - Gorgeous and Green Florist - Berkeley
• Most of my dishes + kitchenware are from Anthropologie or vintage from antique malls/flea markets
BEDROOM AREA
- • Bed - MALM - Ikea
• Polka dot pillows - Ralph Lauren - Macy's
• Lace Overlay - It's actually a table cloth, but works well as bed cover - Ginger Antiques - Orlando
• Spoon Pillows - Etsy (Sugar and Fig)
• Vintage arrows - Etsy (Jolly Time One)
• Lamp-Home Goods
OFFICE AREA
- • Guillaume Azoulay promotional poster - Wertz Brothers Antiques - Santa Monica
• Desk - VIKA series - Ikea
• Ghost Chair - Room Service - Los Angeles
• "M" mug - Anthropologie
BATHROOM
- • Shower curtain - World Market
• Wooden ladder - INHERITANCE - Los Angeles
• Art - Rose Bowl + Melrose Trading Post
• Coral - Wertz Brothers Antiques - Santa Monica
• Antique Bottles - Thrifted - Out of the Closet
Thanks, Rodellee!
Images + Floor Plan: Bethany Nauert
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I just love this. I'm amazed that it was put together in three weeks, but it seems to perfectly reflect Ms. Bas' personality and spirit. I particularly like the blend of vintage and modern. The fact that this is also where she houses her business is mind blowing. I want that ladder.
Great place, indeed. And, may I be the first to say that the space's most attractive feature appears to be Rodellee herself!
Husband? So another person lives there as well?
3 weeks.!!!.are you sure it's not 3 years!
Love your apt...so cute and girlie...!
where did you get the hand in the kitchen, to put your rings on?
omg what did you do with all the gorgeous furniture from the previous house call?
i will shed a single tear if you got rid of it.
swoon!
Love love love it! This is exactly the style I'm tryng to achieve in my bedroom. I was going to inquire about the bedspread but then read on and couldn't believe it was a tablecloth... what a great idea!
I'm not a lover of vintage per se but this is a wonderful place. It's so clean! Geez, a studio in Hancock Park - nice to find. I shop on 3rd between Fairfax and LaBrea and walk the side streets for exercise stretching my neck to peek in windows. I love the neighborhood, even on the fringe. This apartment is so sweet, and so inviting. Fabulous job....
lovely place to live :) Greetings from Slovakia!
"My pantry doesn’t have food, it houses handbags and jewelry!"
Ah, the essentials!
Jewel of a place. Just lovely.
The crossed arrows over the bed, points down=feng shui nightmare.
Your place is so gorgeous!! Your previous house call is similar to the style my boyfriend and I gravitate towards in our home...but if I were single again I would definitely veer off to the more feminine just the way you did.
Absolutely lovely.
I may have missed it in the sources, but where is your turntable and speakers from? They're just what I'm looking for!
Light and airy, you made the place look much larger! Love the backsplash, "do not stand at my grave and weep"...one of my favorites! Love the little French-y touches.
@emmanema - The hand with rings on it is from UrbanOutfitters. You can also get a lot of really cool vintage options at Wertz Brother's antiques (I especially love the wooden ones)
@aprilheartsaaron - No worries, I didn't get rid of any of it, it's at another apartment
@dirce79 -Yup! ^_^
@hippyvieja - LOL. One of my friends is really into feng shui and pointed that out. I told her with the arrows pointing down it makes me feel more grounded. Like I'm not just shooting aimlessly into the sky only to fall back down to the ground. Kind of corny ^_^
Sweet, authentic, and gutsy!
j'adore this lady palace!
THREE WEEKS?!
amazing.
Wow!!!!!! Impressive :) I have a studio the same size... You have inspired me!
Oh this home is so much love. My studio is slightly smaller and is also inspired by a love of "nostalgia, antiques, history and storytelling." Each handcrafted/vintage piece is carefully selected for its personality and uniqueness. Keep up the great work Rodellee!
This is so adorable!! I love your desk area (I'm working with a smallish workspace too and this is inspiring).
I would live in a studio forever if it could look like this. This is one of my top favorites ever on AT.
@thorndale - Thank you for noticing my shoes. ♥ I completely agree with the height of the art. I am constantly perusing flea markets for more art, so in another three weeks I'll probably run out of wall space.
@jessicamc - the speakers and turntable were a Christmas gift. I'm not sure where they're from, but the brand is Crosley if that helps ^_^
Perfectly curated, but with loads of personality. Love it! Amazing editing for the downsizing. Thanks for sharing.
I salute Bethany for getting her pretty flouncy frou-frou on and running with it. It's every little girl's idea of heaven.
I'm in love with you Bergere! I hope to find something even half as fabulous for my space.
I adore this place- it reminds me so much of my own. I have at least half the things on your source list. Right down to the sheepskin over the ghost chair.
:)
what a lovely space! Still can't believe it was done in 3 days though. Amazing!
@veslabeachgirl - Thanks for noticing the poem, it's one of absolute favorites
@bedouindilemma - Thank you ever so much, I'm so flattered! ♥
@ZsaZsaB - Ahh thank you, but 3 weeks. Not 3 days. I would be totally bonkers if it were 3 days.
Awesome apartment. But above all, THANK YOU. Amazing what you’ve done with 430 sq ft—I’ve just bought a 530 sq ft apartment in Mumbai and had sort of lost nerve. Inherited vintage teak that I don’t want to put into storage…now you’ve shown me what’s possible.
be still my heart! rodellee, you and your pretty little place remind me so much of a very dear old friend! and that is my mother's favourite poem above the sink. this place is a little dream, you make it seem effortless, though i'm sure it's an ongoing labour of editing!
2 special details:
if i lived here, i would not afford thomas hardy the real estate of even two inches of bookshelf space;
and i love that your tanqueray is as important as your salt and pepper! :)
well done!
another 450 and beautiful... nice nice nice
This girl is seriously good!!!
School-desk as microwave-table: GENIUS.
Rodellee: Adorable.
Perfecto!
You got style girl....wonderful home!
This is the opposite of my personal style, but I couldn't help but admire how well done and adorable this apartment is! Great job!
Beautiful apartment, beautiful Rodellee!
Je t'aime !
Wow, is that what you call a studio in the states? For London that would be positively palatial!
Gorgeous! I love it. I do feel now however that I've "wasted" space on too much kitchen in my 800 square feet, I long for a cute breakfast nook too....
My favorite is that you have a place to put on makeup. Quite a bit of closet for a space that size.
I love the striped painting in the kitchen!
flipjango: palatial? really? this place is about 40 square metres! i know london's got some tight squeezes, but i don't think this little place could be considered palatial by any stretch of the imagination (or international standards in the developed world).
how is this only 450sqft?? amazing!! I love it!
hi rodellee! i am incredibly jealous of your decorating skills - drooled over slideshows of both your places featured on here, just gorgeous. flawless, really. i do have a question - who did the painting that was on the mantle at your previous apt? thanks!!!
Thank you so much everyone! ♥
@mauishopgirl - I loved the built in vanity and the large walk in. For a studio this small, there are tons of storage options, big deciding factor for me
@andromeda313 - the painting above the mantle in my previous apartment was another DIY project ^_^
Wow!!
I spy a killer hat.
Fun tour!
the home and the girl are purrrdy.
what a great house tour! i love that so many photos were taken; nothing left unexposed. this is how all house tours should be displayed. well done on a beautiful tiny home.
Wow!
Terrific, stylish and fun. Clever use of a small space.
Really beautiful and calm.
Like you I'm a fan of old school records, electronic isn't the same. Just a tip re: vinyl, store it on it's edge like row of books and not flat, apparently, it can be prone to warping... they say.
Love it! but maybe I'm biased. My daughters apartment is nearly a clone, as I viewed each picture the similarities were remarkable, from the record player, folding screen w/vintage dresses, zebra rug, stacks of books, entire bedroom area with white linens and fabric closet door, omg down to the glasses on the coffee table!
@Maurs - Thank you so much! I am still on a hunt for a container to contain my records, but that is such great advice!
@runswithscissors - Ooo how odd! (and cool at the same time) My tastes definitely aren't unique though as I'm inspired by so many things out there that already exist and have been done before. ^_^
Love that record player! Who made it and where did you get it?
Amazing space! Where is the dresser next to the desk from?
@doldrumdesign - The record player is Crosley, got it for Christmas, so not sure where it's from
@lisa m - Thank you! The dresser was a thrift store find ^_^
adorable. ps i have that same promotional poster that i got at a flea market...how strange!
adorable. ps i have that same promotional poster that i got at a flea market...how strange!
adorable. ps i have that same promotional poster that i got at a flea market...how strange!
@CKBH The Guillaume Azoulay poster? I don't think it's exceptionally rare, but I quite love it and I was also taken by the fact that he has a daughter named Ondine.
I'm actually impressed!
Well thank you very much ♥
Sexy and everything. Awesome.
I'm amazed. It is lovely.
After seeing this, I'm convinced that what you do with the space you have is more important than the amount of space you have. This looks great!
I absolutely loved it. Warm, Cozy, loved the fact that the kitchen had its own little nook. Loved the curtains on the closet. Just loved everything
So lovely. Really beautiful. Love all of your flowers.
I'm moving into a studio with almost this exact floor plan. The kitchen and eating area are a little smaller, and the main room is larger, two large closets, but same layout. There are lots of similar qualities in our personal things as well. So far this is my favorite small studio I have seen here.
This apartment is precious! One of my favorite apartments by far listed on here.
Love the kitchen.