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Name: Tyler William Parker + his dog Toby
Location: Silver Lake – Los Angeles, CA
Size: 750 square feet – 1 bedroom bungalow
Years lived in: 2 months – Rent

A few weeks ago when my friend sent me a snapshot of Tyler Parker's house, it immediately piqued my interest, given my fascination with classic Los Angeles architecture. In person, this delightful cottage did not disappoint. With a refurbished kitchen and bathroom, this one bedroom home in Silver Lake is the perfect retreat.

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Tyler, admittedly, is not a huge fan of color or bright tones, but he believes that the warmth in LA has convinced him otherwise. Not only is he a growing fan of versatile colors, he loves collecting and repurposing used and vintage pieces. "I believe being in a city like Los Angeles lends itself to reusing and recycling items people in other cities would not. I remember working with a group of people on a shoot over at my house and some people got it and others just thought I liked 'used' things."

When he moved into his home two months ago, he brought a handful of belongings with him, but lucked out big time when his neighbor gifted him a ton of furniture and goods. His neighbor was unloading 30 years of collections upon his move out, and Tyler reaped the benefits: Eames originals, artwork and awesome fixtures. Tyler feels that designing a home relies heavily on its restoration and care. "I think that finding a place that had been reconditioned by a dedicated property owner is quite significant in LA — that along with the fact that I could find a freestanding one bedroom that's all mine makes a big difference while living alone. When I first moved in I was surprised by what looked good where. I wasn't a huge fan of items around the house that have no purpose, but I can see why people have them now."

When you have access to a backyard, the design elements will change quite a bit. Taking full advantage of the outdoor living space, Tyler enjoys grilling, gardening and gatherings with friends. There is ample space for a lot of furniture in this house, but he chose to simplify and refine his accessories. However, it is his camera collection that mean the most, "My collection of cameras mean a lot to me. I own a few bodies owned by my grandfather and my father made by exakta, and one of the first slr's to be made by leica, so I've been told. Both were great cameras without meters, and the men in my family took amazing photos everywhere they went with them. I now own them and hope to carry on the tradition."

Thank you to Kristy Ahumada for introducing us for this house tour!

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: Mid-century modern with warmth. Always light and bright, but never austere. Kind of vintage and modern mixed together, but that description is pretty played out. I just throw together the things I like, whether it's stuff I've found at a flea market or hand outs.

Inspiration: My brother Ryan and his fiancé Pam. They always have a way of putting things together and making it work without it feeling cluttered or over stylized, while at the same time keeping in touch with what's relevant; i.e., giant letters, art, and music.

Favorite Element: The amount of light and the vintage windows, which allow me to have the amount of indoor plants I have. The backyard (even though it's small, it's still a yard) is another thing I couldn't do without. I have friends over all the time and we sit back, BBQ, and listen to music.

Biggest Challenge: Dark hardwood floors: beautiful to look at, horrible to clean.

What Friends Say: "I would move back from New York for this."

Biggest Embarrassment: You shouldn't be embarrassed about what you have or don't have. You should just do your best to create a space that you are happy in.

Proudest DIY: Finding a place for everything given to me by a neighbor who was moving out. He had been a hoarder for over 30 years, mostly junk and great midcentury pieces. He just moved out and started handing over random items — from a chrome series Eames Chair to art to rusted out chains. Although I haven't built much around my place, I've had the opportunity to find a home for hundreds of hand outs.

Biggest Indulgence: Having a well-stocked bar along with craft beers on hand. Nothing's better than coming home from a long day and enjoying a drink with friends out back while you unwind from LA traffic.

Best Advice: Haggle. Also, never think that you need to rush into putting your house together. The people I know who do end up spending a lot of money on new, "cheap" furniture thinking that it's a big savings. I'm drawn to the classics — they seem to be manufactured in a way other companies can't afford to do any longer.

Dream Sources: Lawson-Fenning, Modernica, Moon River Chattel, Paxtin's Gate, Mohawk General Store

Resources of Note:

PAINT & COLORS

    • The owners have no idea what the painters used and I've been trying to get touch up paint and have more than one sample that never matched — it's just flat, white and bright.

LIVING ROOM

    • Eames replica chrome series
    • Eames replica plywood chair
    • Blueprint couch, faded, custom legs wood
    • Alex Prager Print (Annie)
    • Pullies vintage
    • Vanessa Prager (painting of family)
    • Rolling Stones shot (Gene Prizer)
    • Marantz stereophonic receiver
    • Dual record player
    • Vintage lamps (create and barrel shades)
    • Desk west elm
    • Retro fan (Restoration Hardware)
    • Candle Baxter
    • Tall lamp (heater retrofit)
    • Coffee table 1950s replica of an Herman Miller slat table
    • Driftwood (Point Reyes)
    • Infinity speakers and stands
    • Bamboo blins -home depot
    • Cameras- Exakta, Yashica-mat, Kodak instamatic
    • Science, insects, two spot octopus=science class (from my grandmother the science teacher)
    • Rug-Restoration Hardware
    • Bill Callahan concert poster-San Francisco
    • White and gold painting - my own work

KITCHEN AND BREAKFAST NOOK

    • Table- CB2
    • Vintage original chairs
    • Paper light- Crate and Barrel
    • Tivoli speakers

BEDROOM

    • West Elm bed
    • Restoration Hardware sheets
    • West Elm side table
    • Vintage lamp, with shade from Home Goods
    • Bulbs Edison 30 watt
    • Restoration Hardware clock
    • Vintage mirror from closet door
    • Ork poster LA
    • Alex Prager print
    • TV stand custom
    • IKEA blinds

BATHROOM

    • Shower curtain- Thomas Paul
    • Bath mat- IKEA

BACKYARD

    • Vintage table and chairs
    • IKEA wicker chairs
    • Bauer 1950's pots
    • Hammock from Lowes

Thanks, Tyler!

(Images: Bethany Nauert)

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