This Chic Rental Was Furnished for What Most People Spend on a Nice Sofa
Name: Alann Salvador
Location: Downtown, Los Angeles
Size: 690 square feet
Years lived in: 4 years, renting
Everything in this apartment was either found by renter Alann Salvador, stolen from his parents’ house, or picked up at a flea market or yard sale. The Westnofa Siesta chair in the living room, for instance, was purchased from the Pasadena Flea. The Erik Worts Safari chairs were snagged from a vintage store in London. The lamp is Crate&Barrel… but via Craigslist. The regal-looking JFK oil on velvet art pieces above the sofa are from the Melrose Trading Post and the other art piece was a reproduction gift painting done by a friend because Alann is a huge fan. And quite a few things came from hunting at estate sales. It’s because of all these gorgeous finds that he cites his proudest DIY as the fact that the entire 690-square-foot apartment was furnished for what he says most people spend on a nice sofa. Impressive in and of itself, but even more so when you see how sophisticated the entire space looks.
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Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: I’d like to think my style reveals that I’m a storyteller at heart.
Inspiration: The Beaux-Arts building, loft style, and sunset hues dictate the space. Of course, my travels and the casual and gritty vibe of DTLA.
Favorite Element: The windows change the identity of the loft every hour. They also broadcast the city — everything from the never-ending sirens to the candid habits of my neighbors.
Biggest Challenge: Editing is a brutal task for the sentimental. My childhood bedroom and my parents’ garage are overflowing with things I’ve purchased just-because-maybe-one-day. My mom recently told me: “If you bring home one more thing, I’m going to leave it outside to rot.”
What Friends Say: One friend recently told me, “This is the kind of place you hope your one-night stand lives in but they never actually do.” I didn’t realize that was a design aesthetic until then.
Biggest Embarrassment: I don’t have a proper table to host dinner parties, but [pre-pandemic] I loved to have people over. I have to bring out a folding picnic table or eat on the rooftop.
Proudest DIY: That I furnished the whole place for what most people spend on a nice sofa. Also, the “Cursive is Endangered” piece I made with my brother.
Biggest Indulgence: Lately, graduating from decor to meaningful art. And, consistently, I walk to the Flower Mart every Sunday to purchase fun, dying plants.
Best Advice: Create a space for the best version of yourself. I design for my natural baseline but 20% more organized, joyful, rested, social, and introspective.
Dream Sources: Gallerie Half, Hammer and Spear, Gibson
Resources
- Westnofa Siesta chair — Pasadena Flea
- Erik Worts Safari Chairs — Vintage store in London
- Lamp — Crate&Barrel via Craigslist
- Photos on the table — From Cuba
- Saint statues — From the Philippines
- JFK oil on velvets — Melrose Trading Post
- Quite a few things from the weekly Hughes Estate Sales, etc.
Thanks Alann!
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