Jessica Isaac's Recent Articles
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“Faded Elegance” in an Echo Park Craftsman
Name: Matt Casper and Ted Dorsey Location: Echo Park — Los Angeles, California Size: 2,132 square feet Years lived in: 6 years, owned Going to a dinner party at Matt and Ted’s is probably the grown-up equivalent of going to Disneyland. While their dining room alone makes the Haunted Mansion look like child’s play, every room in the house possesses its own unique design that feels both sophisticated and fun.
Aug 19, 2017
Decorating Advice From 1948 That Still Totally Applies Today
If you suffer from decision fatigue, these time-tested tips could serve as a jumping-off point for designing your home with confidence.
Aug 11, 2017
Look We Love: How To Create Cozy English Cottage Style
If you find yourself constantly yearning for a Nancy Meyers-esque house swap to whisk you away to the picturesque hills of the English countryside, maybe it’s time to bring the English countryside to you. Whether it’s a cramped big city apartment or a modern cookie-cutter tract home that has you feeling trapped, these simple design tips will give your home that cozy, quaint, pastoral feeling that English cottage daydreams are made of.
Aug 9, 2017
A “Genius” Rental Kitchen Solution That’s Actually Incredibly Simple
For most renters, all decorating efforts come to a screeching halt in the kitchen. Whether it’s dated countertops, offensive wood finishes, or lighting that you’re pretty sure was initially installed for a crime scene investigation, most kitchen eyesores require major permanent solutions — or so we thought.
Aug 5, 2017
A Totally Unexpected 3-in-1 Design Solution for Blank Walls
Some rugs are so beautiful, banishing them to the floor seems like a tragedy. Filling your vertical space with texture, color and warmth, rugs are the perfect three-in-one design solution for any blank wall in need of a boost. Go big and bold or small and understated, just make sure you hang them properly so gravity doesn’t take its toll on your woven works of art (tips ahead). Jungalow maven Justina Blakeney is no stranger to using rugs in unconventional ways.
Jul 29, 2017
One of a Kind Style: A DIY Tree Branch Floor Lamp
Numerous studies support the fact that being surrounded by nature is good for your health, but who knew that getting out into the wild and foraging about could also up your home decor game? In a Chicago home brought to life by two artists, we saw homeowner Caroline Robe design this genius foraged-turned-functional floor lamp out of an untouched tree branch, causing us to wonder, “why didn’t I think of that?”.
Jul 16, 2017
Recharge Your Work Week: 5 Twists to Your Familiar Wardrobe Staples
Routines can be great. They keep you from oversleeping, keep you clean, and help you look totally badass when you and your friends bust out Thriller at Halloween parties. But if your work routine is leaving you feeling less than motivated at the office, upgrading some of your go-to wardrobe pieces may be just what you need to recharge those 9-to-5 vibes (that and an office-wide flashmob of Single Ladies at lunch). This comfy work shoe is a must-have.
Jul 6, 2017
Unexpected Displays that Will Make You Rethink Your Art Arrangements
Does the thought of arranging art make you want to poke your eyeballs out? Or maybe you’ve already committed to a gallery wall, but something just doesn’t feel right? Perhaps you need a dose of inspiration to shake up your thinking on good art displays. Here are some creative ways to prop your Picassos, layer your Lichtensteins, and mount your Monets (or whatever less valuable pieces you may be working with).
Jul 2, 2017
Take 10: Beautiful Bathroom Sink Consoles Made from Vintage Dressers
Vintage dressers are a bathroom renovator’s best friend, as they can lend a healthy dose of character to the old W.C. for a fraction of the price of most (boring) made-to-order vanities. What’s more is, if you know how to drill a hole into wood, you’re half way to repurposing your own vintage dresser into a vanity/ sink console.
Jun 26, 2017
The 7 Types of People Who Should Consider Using Outdoor Rugs Indoors
Rugs can be a royal pain. While they most definitely can pull a room together, deciding on the right one for your space can sometimes tear things apart (i.e. your cleaning routine, your finances, your chill about pets and kids). If you’re on the hunt for a rug that meets all of your indoor needs but doesn’t break the bank, listen up. Using outdoor rugs inside is a great option for a select group of people, and there’s a good chance you might be one of them. You like patterns.
May 15, 2017
Colorful Cubism & Eastern Antiquities in California
Name: David Kean Location: Glendale, California Size: 2,600 Years Lived In: 4.5 years, owned We first got a peek at David’s mid-century ranch-style home after witnessing his ridiculously satisfying kitchen and bathroom makeovers. While David has made sure to keep the architecture in his home true to mid-century standards, his abundant collections of modern art and fine antiquities are somewhat counter to the minimalist movement of the mid-century era.
Apr 15, 2017
Let Your Freak Flag Fly: Totally Out-There (Yet Awesome!) Design From Real Homes
We think your home should be a reflection of you and the things you love (especially if those things totally weird others out). Today, we commend some of our boldest house tour participants for having the moxie to see their wildest home visions to fruition, thus hopefully encouraging you to paint that wall chartreuse, display that “creepy” collection, or finally buy that double decker bus you’ve been eyeing.
Apr 15, 2017
An Art-Filled “Magical Tree House” in Los Angeles
Name: Mackenzie Kirk, Hannah Kirk, and Rachel Wyatt Location: Mount Washington — Los Angeles, California Years lived in: Rented, 1 year Sisters Hannah and Mackenzie seem to possess a quintessential sisterly bond that allows for creative exploration and unrestrained authenticity when decorating their hilltop home.
Apr 9, 2017
A Gothic-Turned-Grown-Up Style Apartment of Curiosities
Name: Kendall Leigh Location: Echo Park — Los Angeles, California Years lived in: Renting 4 years Kendall’s collection of antique oddities and memorabilia from her childhood is the perfect mix of charming and alarming, giving her home-sweet-home a bitter twist.
Apr 9, 2017
Countdown to Christmas: DIY Advent Calendars for the Modern Home
In December, every day leading up to Christmas is like a lil’ mini Christmas with the help of an advent calendar. Whether you fancy the minimalist look, or you’re waiting for inspiration to strike from the Target seasonal section, these 10 simple, no-frills DIY advent calendars are likely to fit in to any holiday decorating scheme. → Magical Mini Gifts That Are Perfect For Christmas Advent Calendars 1.
Nov 7, 2016
A Food Stylist’s Charming Petite Studio
Name: Kim Mahair Location: West Hollywood, California Size: 500 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, renting Kim Mahair is a food photographer and stylist who was given “first dibs” on her West Hollywood studio apartment after her friend, the home’s previous tenant, moved out. Years of actively coveting the petite studio’s dreamy french windows and charming details paid off.
Nov 7, 2016
Unexpected Fall Pastel Color Palettes Inspired by Nature
Who says colors for fall decorating can’t be dreamy and soft? We’re not suggesting you trade in your pumpkin lattes for milky matchas or spiced gingerbread for lavender macaroons, but these landscape-inspired color palettes may influence your Thanksgiving tabletop to embrace the hazy hues that are often overlooked in the transition from summer to autumn.
Nov 6, 2016
7 New Workwear Staples that Will Make You Excited to Go to Work (Maybe?)
Whether you’re back to work after a much needed vacation or your “much needed vacation” is simply shopping on your lunch break, these modern takes on classic workwear staples will motivate you to conquer your work week with confidence. Relaxed-fit is queen of 2016 and we’re not mad about it. These loose cropped trousers look polished and professional while allowing movement for the on-the-go gal. (Image via What Vero Wears) Left to right: Cropped Trousers at Zara, $99.
Nov 2, 2016
The Most Memorable Trading Spaces Makeovers
Remember when “Trading Spaces” shone a light on your budding love for interior design? If you’re like me, you found your teenage self confused by your strong desire to stay home on the weekends and peep TLC’s most riveting home design programming. From Doug’s jungle room to the Jessica Biel episode, we’ve unearthed some of Trading Spaces’ most memorable makeovers, that you probably (some for the best) forgot about.
Oct 31, 2016
A Small “Atomic Safari” California Apartment
Name: Marni Epstein-Mervis and Laine Mervis (and Fitz the corgi) Location: Highland Park — Los Angeles, California Size: 570 square feet Years lived in: Rented, 1 year Marni and Laine’s mini one-bedroom apartment is the physical manifestation of their perfectly complementary marriage. Marni is eclectic and Laine is minimal. Marni runs a creative agency (STRUKTR), while Laine practices law in the city. Marni tends to collect, while Laine is really good at, well, not collecting.
Oct 29, 2016
What Will the Next Mid-Century Modern Be? 3 Contenders to Watch
First off, let me preface this post by saying I think mid-century modern is a classic and versatile style that will be relevant in home design for many decades to come. Unfortunately for me, when a style becomes increasingly popular, I immediately start panicking about how soon it will lose its luster.
Oct 24, 2016
Decade-by-Decade: A Look at the Typical American Household by Decade
Popular design trends are hard to pinpoint when you’re in the midst of them, but painfully easy to spot once you’re a decade or two removed (the groovy pad of Mad Men’s Megan Draper screams of the swinging ’70s). Post WWII, decor trends seem to have had about a 10-year lifespan, and we’ve chronicled the nostalgic bullet points for each period.
Oct 23, 2016
So, You Want to Live Like a Gilmore Girl: A Get-the-Look Guide by Home
Before KonMari was a household word, the town of Stars Hollow was busy hoarding coffee mugs, antique china, and novelty egg timers. Today we peel back the layers of framed photos, cozy quilts, and valances-on-drapes-on-sheers to dissect the iconic interiors of your favorite Gilmore Girls interior sets: Lorelei and Rory’s house, Richard and Emily’s mansion, The Dragonfly Inn, Luke’s Diner, and Luke’s apartment. First, we have the home of our favorite Lorelais.
Oct 21, 2016
Before & After: A Dilapidated Kitchen Restored to Rental Heaven
While Joanna Harrison has done a stellar job decorating her family’s small Silver Lake cottage, she’s lucky the preservation-savvy developers at bettershelter got their hands on the decaying structure before their demolition-hungry competitors. The company restored the historic home before renting it to the Harrison trio, making Joanna’s renovation process more about adding functional style and less about, um, not dying.
Oct 14, 2016
Clothes Call: What Were People Wearing the Decade You Were Born?
Strong fashion trends are hard to recognize when you’re in the midst of them. However, give them a decade or two, and what once was funky fresh is now just…funky. Fortunately for mom jeans, what’s old is new, and everything comes back around. We’ve chronicled the typical outfit decade by decade from the 1950s to the early 2000s, so you can spot the least attractive style to model your 2017 wardrobe after. A simpler time, indeed.
Oct 13, 2016
Take a Haunted Holiday: Halloween Movie Vacation Rentals
Sometimes you need an excuse to plan a vacation and what better way to ring in the new fall season than visiting the iconic towns from your favorite Halloween movies? If getting hacked and haunted isn’t your idea of a good time, fear not. From Hocus Pocus to Harry Potter, these films are more magical than gruesome, which is a great goal for your next vacation (or your next bout of wanderlust). If the Deetz’s can make a home here, there’s no reason you can’t.
Oct 11, 2016
A Hairstylist’s Home & Salon in West Hollywood
Name: Chrissy Phelan Location: West Hollywood, California Size: 1,300 square feet Years lived in: Renting 7 years Hair stylist Chrissy Phelan’s knack for styling goes beyond the buzzes and fades she crafts in her small in-home salon. While she’s lived in her West Hollywood house for seven years, a recent self-motivated design overhaul has given the home a fresh feel, complete with a new light-filled salon room and tons of vintage-eclectic character.
Oct 10, 2016
Nail the Mixed Metal Look at Home With These 5 Easy-to-Follow Tips
One is silver and the other’s gold…or is it rose gold now? Incorporating metallics into your decor is a great way to elevate your space, but the temptation to replace all of your fixtures every time a new finish “reigns supreme” is hard to avoid. Here are some shining (shimmering, splendid) examples of spaces that masterfully mix metals to help yours stand the test of time.
Oct 9, 2016
An Artist’s Bold Black & White Hollywood Studio Loft
Name: Kristy Degina Location: Hollywood, California Size: 550 square feet Years lived in: Renting 4 years Kristy is a merchandising manager at Crate & Barrel Beverly Hills who shares her Hollywood studio apartment with two cuddly canine roommates. She’s made the most of her small space by incorporating big, bold statement pieces into a minimal black-and-white color palette.
Oct 4, 2016
Self Care Style at Mascot’s Bohemian Boutique
When we toured Liz and Josh’s Bohemian Santa Clarita house, it seemed they knew a thing or two about maintaining a balanced life. The energetic couple has built a flourishing family home and successful well-being business while remaining totally chill in the process (seriously, you just want to be friends with them). Their local shop Mascot Aesthetic shares that spiritual-Bohemian ambiance that their house wears so well.
Sep 30, 2016
A “Modern Meets Grandma” California Craftsman
Name: Alison, Bob, and Angus Masey Location: Highland Park — Los Angeles, California Size: 600 square feet Years lived in: 5 years; rented Alison and Bob’s mini Craftsman may be petite, but it’s loaded with warm and fuzzy anecdotes. Whether given or found on the side of the road, every single item inside seems to have fatefully found its way there without being sought out, and each one with a great story to boot.
Sep 24, 2016
So You Want to Dress Like a Gilmore Girl: A Get-the-Look Guide by Character
Unless you’ve been living under the floorboards with Lane Kim’s CD collection, you’re probably aware that the Gilmore Girls is coming back in November (!!!). In an attempt to prepare you for your dress-code-enforced viewing party, we’ve dissected each character’s iconic wardrobe so you can be the best fast-talking, tack-sharp Stars Hollowian you can be.
Sep 20, 2016
The Mascot Owners’ Free-Spirited Full House
Name: Liz and Josh Carey (+ 3 human children and 2 canine children) Location: Santa Clarita, California Size: 2,400 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, rented Liz and Josh, owners of the well-being shop Mascot, are the youthful heads of a full household. With three children ranging from 14 to 22 years-old and two lively pups, there’s a lot of activity and a lot of opinions to consider.
Sep 18, 2016
This Paint Finish Is Your Secret To a Stylish, Sexy Home
Since the dawn of time, humans have been attracted to shiny things. Adding a coat of high gloss to everyday items and surfaces will bump up the sophistication factor of your home while hypnotizing your guests into a lacquer-induced love spell. Vintage Furniture (above): The unrecognizable before/after of this vintage dining table by designer Emily Henderson is a great reminder of the transformative powers of lacquer, and a reminder that lacquer doesn’t have to be high sheen.
Sep 12, 2016
A Vaulted & Vibrant Home in Los Angeles
Name: Alison Gilbert, Jon Polikowski (+ kids Ruby and Noah and dog Baxter St. James) Location: Mount Washington — Los Angeles, California Size: 1,456 square feet Years lived in: Owned 4 years With two 5-year-old twins and a peppy pupster (Mr. Baxter St. James, if you please), it’s a wonder how Alison and Jon flawlessly renovated their Los Angeles post & beam home in just two years.
Sep 12, 2016
When Getting Older Is the Best Thing That Will Ever Happen To You
It may only be matter of time until wall-to-wall Tuscan faux plaster makes a comeback (Olive Gardens everywhere rejoice). Until then, we prefer these easy, natural-looking antiquing methods to give new furniture an aged look that doesn’t feel dated. Speed up the “Aging” Process: Sturdy materials like wood and brass look great with age (we think humans do too). Get creative by envisioning your furniture’s past lives and layering a variety of finishing techniques.
Sep 8, 2016
A Small Silver Lake Bungalow That’s a Little Bit Rock & Roll
Name: Joanna, Audie and son Arlo Location: Silver Lake —Los Angeles, California Size: 900 square feet Years lived in: Renting less than a year Joanna and Audie’s charming 1920s bungalow trades indoor space for a large, private yard (something of a unicorn in the bustling hillside neighborhood of Silver Lake).
Sep 2, 2016
Home Office Hacks: Sneaky Strategies For Hiding A Clunky Printer
Does anyone else feel like printer design is stuck in the 90s (and not in a cool crop-top-with-mom-jeans way)? While we’re still holding out for a designer edition hoverboard/printer all-in-one to use at our standing desk, here are a few tips and tricks to keep your overbearing hunk of plastic from being the focal point of your workspace.
Aug 29, 2016
Be Bold: Tips for Successfully Incorporating a Kaleidoscope of Colors Into Your Home
Sticking to a limited color palette isn’t the only way to design a home that looks inviting and pulled together. Caroline and Jayden are the colorful couple who live in the cozy Atwater Village home shown here an they saw absolutely no hue limitations when they designed their place.
Aug 9, 2016
Before & After: Vintage Tile Is Spared in a Modern Bathroom Makeover
When Alyssa and her husband moved in to their Echo Park home seven years ago, they were happy to see a lot of the original details from the 1940s bungalow intact, like this blue tile in the bathroom. Though the tile was charming, the rest of the bathroom was dark and gloomy. Alyssa was able to give the space a whole new modern look with a just few small changes—and keep the charming vintage tile!
Aug 8, 2016
A Modern Mash-Up in a Bright Echo Park Bungalow
Name: Alyssa Valentine Location: Echo Park — Los Angeles, California Size: 1,414 square feet Years lived in: Owned 7 years Alyssa works in real estate and it’s no surprise she’s staged her share of interiors. Her natural knack for tastefully blending a variety of styles to give rooms a unique personality is hard to match. Her bright and cheery home, which she shares with her husband and two children, feels both comfortable and refined, with a touch of whimsy.
Aug 5, 2016
Fashionable People: Artist Megan Jorgenson’s Timeless Aesthetic
We recently featured artist Megan Jorgenson‘s peaceful Bohemian home, which she shares with her roommate Leah, and fell in love with her style. Just like her home, her outfits are artfully composed and timeless in their aesthetic. Classic shapes from a variety of decades combine with killer color combinations to create a look that follows no rules yet is distinctly Megan.
Jul 19, 2016
Real Life Style Profile: Caroline Lee Playfully Mixes Color & ’70s Vibes
Caroline Lee is the founder of perhaps the most fun rug retailer in the world, Coco Carpets. She lives with her husband Jayden in the charming Los Angeles suburb of Atwater Village and boasts a wardrobe that is as colorful as her rugs and as vibrant as her personality. We coaxed the carefree Caroline into sharing some of her favorite wardrobe staples, which are helpful reminders that work and play do not have to be mutually exclusive. Your very favorite outfit:: Most often found in?
Jul 18, 2016
Classic Bohemian Meets ’70s Minimalist
Name: Megan Jorgensen Location: Highland Park — Los Angeles, California Size: 2 bedroom Years lived in: Rented 6 months Megan Jorgensen is an artist whose carefully edited collection of unconventional knick knacks has followed her from Minneapolis to California and everywhere in between. From antique tools to mini figurines—and her own paintings and textiles—her artistic assortment is displayed throughout her home in thoughtful vignettes.
Jul 16, 2016
A Pink-centric, Playfully Sophisticated California Home
Name: Caroline and Jayden Lee Location: Atwater Village — Los Angeles, California Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: Rented 2.5 years Caroline and Jayden are the hard-working dynamic duo behind Woodnote Photography and Coco Carpets, two companies that combine a love for travel with an eye for all things beautiful.
Jul 11, 2016
A Globally Inspired Spanish Colonial California Bungalow
Name: Sheeva Sairafi Location: Los Angeles, California Size: 3 bedroom/2 bathroom Years lived in: Owned 1 year Sheeva Sairafi’s bright and colorful Spanish Colonial style home reflects her inspiring vision for making a global impact. In 2014 Sheeva left a coveted corporate retail position to start her own socially conscious global home decor company, Local + Lejos.
Jul 3, 2016
Design-Friendly Litter Boxes for Every Style
Do you want your beloved cat to be able to retreat to her sacred place of solitude without being shunned to the dark corners of your least-tread rooms? Are you also looking to break the stank, not the bank? These budget-friendly feline facilities are less of an eyesore and more of a chic cat pad (catchelor pad?) that will give your little buddy prime real estate in your home. I must preface this by saying I am not a cat owner myself.
Jun 10, 2016
How a Musical Couple Fits a Minimal Wardrobe in a Cozy Rental
It’s no secret Katy Goodman and Todd Wisenbaker of the band La Sera have style. Just like their guitar-filled Silver Lake home, their fashion choices are fueled by carefree living and an insatiable love of music. They share one small bedroom closet and a modest-sized dresser, and while neither storage device is bursting at the seams, the couple’s daily fashion choices are anything but lackluster.
May 28, 2016