This Renter Beautifully Refreshed Their 1920s Apartment’s Patio
This Renter Beautifully Refreshed Their 1920s Apartment’s Patio
“After living in my beloved Los Feliz neighborhood for the past 11 years, I found myself being pushed out of my apartment by an increasing list of problems with the unit,” begins Devan Cook, an associate creative director in the film industry and a DJ. “That’s when I discovered my dream spot: a 1920s Spanish duplex with a private patio, an avocado and lime tree, and an original fireplace mantle. The only catch? It meant leaving the cozy familiarity of my old neighborhood and, gasp, moving west of Western (those who know, know). But I took a leap of faith, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision.”
“As an Arizona native, I’ve always been drawn to Southwest architecture and interior design, but I wanted to rescue it from the, dare I say, tacky influence of the ’80s and early 2000s. I love the 1920s Spanish-style homes and buildings in Los Angeles, from their tiles to their staircases, and I draw inspiration from them,” Devan continues.
“Another major influence on my aesthetic is music. Growing up in a rock and roll household, my father introduced me to Bowie, The Beatles, and Black Sabbath, while my mother loved folk, old country, and blues. Both of my parents have an incredible eye for art and design, often finding unique pieces at antique stores, yard sales, and estate sales, which they’ve gifted me for birthdays and Christmas. They deserve much credit for why my home is so unique and stylish, as they’ve never subscribed to cookie-cutter decor and have mastered the art of living beautifully on a budget. My mother also refurbishes recycled furniture, some of which I have in my home.”
“I’m an extremely sentimental person (you can probably gauge that from my answers to the previous questions) so it’s hard for me to get rid of things, or even to just keep things in storage — I want everything I own to be out on display. But the challenge I set for myself at the new apartment was to scale back, let the space breathe, and let the items in my home shine by not having to compete for the spotlight with too many other things. So I think the best advice for decorating a house is the same rule for fashion from Coco Chanel: Take one thing off.”
Thanks, Devan!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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