Name: Zeinab Ghais, Designer & Artist
Location: Beachwood Canyon — Los Angeles, California
Size: 650 square feet
Years lived in: 4.5 years — rent
Zeinab is an artistic spirit with roots in interior design. Her cozy one bedroom Hollywood apartment is a reflection of this spirit, with its peaceful palette and seamless mix of modern pieces and bohemian charm.
To Zeinab the most important part of making a home is "how it is as a whole, not just one element of it. How it makes you feel." She has accomplished this very well — every corner of her place has a sense of warmth and calm. It's full of color, edited textures and wonderful collections of artwork.
"The most essential part to designing a home is how it's going to function and a reflection of its owner", Zeinab explains. Which is why she has made great use of each angle of every room. For example, needing a designated office space, she has gracefully merged her dining area and home office. The lighting and warmth of LA lends a whimsical quality to the space, "Los Angeles has opened me up to even more diverse cultures, showing me how to integrate different elements from each one to create an even more unique style."
Thank you so much to Leslie Landis, who introduced us for this tour!
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Gypsy Refined.
Inspiration: Mother Nature.
Favorite Element: My Sun mirror. I got it about a decade ago at an antique mall in Bay City, Texas. I was drawn to it due to the flame-like rays and the aqua petals. It is very reminiscent of India. Believe it or not, it's made of plastic.
Biggest Challenge: Getting my couch to fit. My couch started off at 13 feet when it had the built in base with tables. I knew there was no way I could get that to fit in any apartment. So I ditched the base 10 years ago and added the legs. Now it is only 9 feet long. It's a piece you want to show off and give it some room to breathe.
What Friends Say: Sophisticated and casual. It's very warm and culturally diverse. Wow, you love color and no clutter.
Biggest Embarrassment: The bathroom tile and tub surround. Since I rent I decided to just leave it and make it work in my design by creating a French Boudoir inspired bathroom.
Proudest DIY: I am most proud to show off my hand carved bowl, since I don't have one of my own pieces of furniture to display at this time. I have altered my entryway piece and have some of my own artwork in the space too.
Biggest Indulgence: My two living room chairs. They were a limited edition by West Elm. Having a degree in Furniture Design, I truly appreciate the ergonomics of this chair. It has a large seat which can accommodate anyone, and it is extremely comfortable too.
Best Advice: Don't limit yourself to where you shop. I have been collecting for over a decade and it takes time to get complete those final touches. Try to display the things that you want to inspire and move you on a daily basis. Don't be afraid to change it up either. You are constantly evolving, and your place should reflect those changes. Change is good.
Dream Sources: Atomic Ranch, Dwell, Organic Modernism, Apartment Therapy, Flea Markets, Antique Malls, Hotels
Resources of Note:
ENTRY WAY
- • Mirror- vintage
• Lighting- Lamps Plus
• Cabinet- Antique store
• Art- Resale Shop
• Flooring- Flor
LIVING ROOM
- • Paint-Cargo Pants- Sherwin Williams
• Sofa- vintage
• Coffee Tables- CB2
• Side Tables- Lane- flea market & antique store
• Chairs- West Elm
• TV Console- West Elm
• Lamps: Estate Sale & Antique Store
• Art: Original by Friends & Flea Markets
• Flooring- Flor
DINING ROOM / OFFICE
- • Table: CB2
• Chairs: West Elm
• Desk: Nick's Metropolis
• Bookcase: Crate & Barrel
• File cabinet: CB2
• Artwork: Original & Estate Sale
• Shelving: West Elm
• Lighting: Lamps Plus
KITCHEN
- • Paint: Dandelion for Roo- Behr
• Buffet: Antique Store
• Artwork: Estate Sale, my own original and friends.
BEDROOM
- • Paint: Tinsmith-Sherwin Williams
• Headboard: West Elm
• Side tables: Ikea
• Bench: Crate & Barrel (reupholstered)
• Cabinet: Ikea
• Dressers: West Elm
• Artwork: Original from friend & Flea Market
• Lighting: Silverlake Salvage Yard
• Flooring: Flor
BATHROOM
- • Paint: China White- Sherwin Williams
• Cabinet: Resale shop
• Side table: Antique Store
• Artwork: Original from friends
Thanks, Zeinab!
(Images: Bethany Nauert)
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I love your home - especially the living room. So streamlined and understated with great color.
very nice. thanks for sharing.
Very nice furniture and so open and clean. I like how you have the convection oven on top of the microwave. Very smart.
I love that little credenza with the wavy glass and the art above it on the wall. My other favorite spot is your impromptu bar on that fab buffet!!
Great taste...the Geishas in the bedroom...*swoon*
It reads as much bigger than 650 sq.ft. You've proven that putting big items in a small space helps it to look bigger. You manage to have a lot of art, collectibles, and display of personal items without it looking cluttered. Also, you've incorporated the less attractive features of a rental in a way that minimizes their impact. Good job.
Love the pink tile in that bathroom. I also like the tile counter tops in the kitchen. And the couch - yum!
Love it! Beautiful!
Zesty Z, what a beautiful design scheme! Such a special talent, that is both surprising and serene. We are so lucky to have your magic touch on our Beachwood bungalows. No wonder this busy girl has created so much buzz in the neighborhood!
This really is a very well designed and pleasant space. You have excellent taste.
Like the wavy glass bookcase as well. Really like the long sofa.
Thank you for your comment. This is exactly what I was trying to achieve. I grew up with clutter and I truly believe you can have a lot, however it is just how you display it! Thanks again.
I love the calm but interesting cover on your bed. Would you mind sharing the source?
dig the long, long sofa and your dovetail tables. i have a dovetail coffee table waiting to be refinished now. the living room is feminine but not fluffy and i love the colors. does that "cargo pants" color read more tan or green on your walls? that may be what i need for my house. and the wavy glass cabinet gives me an easy-to-implement solution for a vintage bookcase problem.
I like the big mirror above the red chairs but I feel like the smaller one beside the TV would be a real distraction when watching anything.
(What geishas? They look Chinese to me.)
Fun decor, and I really like the mottled glass covering the bookshelf - what a novel (tee hee) approach! Would also LOVE to know where you got the dining room lighting fixture!!!
The cargo pants reads more green. It truly goes with any color though. This is why I chose it because I love green but I didn't want it to over power the room or the other colors.
The wavy glass is a great way to change any sliding door look. The light fixture in the dining room came from Lamps plus. Great price too.
It only reflects who is on the couch. Never has bothered me:)
West Elm- try their sale section now
The chairs,the sofa,the art,I love it all!
What a beautiful home. Thank you for sharing. Those dining chairs are fab!
Honestly when I saw the first picture of the lady standing there, I thought I really don't want to see this tour, don't know why. BUT I'm glad that I did because I LOVE your place. It's full of persoality, life, color and it looks really homely. I think you did a great job and it looks like you had a lot of fun putting it together.
I just have to say that you, your red hair, your gorgeous blue dress would have looked better if photographed around your table that has a lot of color. IMO (which I'm entitled to). EIther way, take my opinion as you wish but don't turn it negative because it's not meant to be. I LOVED your space! Thanks for sharing it.
I actually loved your comments. The photo of me doesn't show my personality. I am glad you entered and took the time!
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing