Our TeamLeela Cyd

Leela Cyd

Santa Barbara, CA

About Me

As a photographer, Leela is looking for the in-between moments, the details and the emotion of places, people or things. She spent over a decade as a stylist so her work is carefully constructed, layered with personality, but always has a feeling of freedom and joy. Growing up around a table of creatives — her father a photographer, mother a writer — Leela is a synthesis of her family. Her abilities are broad — from interiors/architecture, to product, food and lifestyle. When she’s not making pictures or in the studio she’s playing with her two young children dreaming up their next adventure. Leela has also authored and photographed 4 of her own books, "Food with Friends," "Tasting Hygge," "Cooking Up Trouble," and "Styling for Instagram."

Latest Stories

This 1960s Fixer Upper’s Transformation Is Anything But Typical
Max and Becca ripped out old carpet, added cork flooring, poured concrete counters, and tackled plenty of other DIY projects in this 900-square-foot house in Casitas Springs to take it from “dated rental” to “artful oasis.”
Adrienne Breaux
yesterday
See Why This 100-Year-Old LA Rental Feels like a Cool Aunt’s House
It wasn’t love at first sight when these sisters found this rental home. But after filling it with seriously cool secondhand-sourced vintage finds, they love the place as if they own it!
Adrienne Breaux
Feb 9, 2026
Renters Gave This “Stark” 1920s Spanish-Style House a Lived-In, Old-World Glow
Hadley Campagna likes to use warm earthy tones in her Los Angeles house to give the space a “homey feel.” She pairs those warm earthy tones with well-loved pieces to make one seriously cozy rental.
Adrienne Breaux
Dec 4, 2025
A Furniture Designer’s Joyful Mexico City Apartment Is Nothing Short of Stunning
This furniture designer’s Mexico City live-and-work studio has good bones and tons of sunlight, thanks to huge windows, terrazzo floors, bold colors, playful shapes, and handmade textures.
Adrienne Breaux
Dec 3, 2025
A Designer Revived a 1950s Mexico City Apartment — And Kept the Wood Paneling
Rather than rip out all the retro charm of this apartment that’s been owned by his family for three generations, Octavio honored the home’s 1950s roots and added his own touches of contemporary style.
Adrienne Breaux
Nov 10, 2025
Once Rumored to Be a Brothel, This 100-Year-Old Studio’s Now a Maximalist Dream
When Heather Pardieu first saw this small Hollywood studio apartment 14 years ago, it was under construction and covered in debris. But she was able to see the small space's potential.
Adrienne Breaux
Oct 13, 2025
An $80 Hack Totally Transformed the “Flat and Uninspired” Walls in This Rental
“Renter-friendly” doesn’t have to mean boring! This family of six’s apartment went from “cookie-cutter” to absolutely unforgettable — and on a budget, too!
Adrienne Breaux
Sep 17, 2025
Meow Wolf Curator’s 1920s Bungalow Doubles as a Surreal Art Playground
Han Santana-Sayles is the Senior Director of Artist Collaboration for Meow Wolf, so, yes, her 600-square-foot rental bungalow in Pasadena is full of shapely art and furniture. (There’s even a tapir-shaped desk!)
Adrienne Breaux
Sep 10, 2025
Unexpected Details Are Everywhere in the Wildly Fun LA Home of Two Besties
A matcha bar, hidden projector, and the coolest closet/dining room: These two best friends have crafted a one-of-a-kind rental home in Los Angeles.
Adrienne Breaux
Aug 25, 2025
A Shag Rug and Beanstalk Are Just a Few of the Details in an LA “Boy Apartment”
Elijah Banks’ 800-square-foot studio apartment in Los Angeles might be a rental, but it's packed with personality, plants, and a giant green shag rug.
Adrienne Breaux
Aug 18, 2025
A Quirky $60K DIY Reno Transformed an Incredibly Neglected 126-Year-Old New Orleans House
Rachel and John initially worried this purchase was a “colossal mistake.” The kitchen counters were literally just plywood, furniture was painted around, and the house was a bit of a “disaster.” But it was also “weird in lots of good ways.”
Adrienne Breaux
Aug 6, 2025
A 1920s SF Rental Hides a Secret Office (and Color!) in Just 600 Square Feet
"I wanted to give my own modern spin on a classic Victorian SF style," writes renter Juliana. "Each room is meant to have a rich color that stands out on its own, but speaks to the other rooms in the house."
Leela Cyd
Jun 4, 2025
This 200-Square-Foot SF Micro Studio Is More Livable Than Homes 3x the Size
Gina’s been renting this micro studio for 7 years, and has made tons of improvements to make it functional, including a very cool custom multi-purpose table she made with her dad.
Adrienne Breaux
Jun 2, 2025
Art Flows from Every Nook of This Creative Couple's 50-Year-Old Ojai Home
Once a “dark, dusty heap,” every room in this house now bursts with thrifted and family-made furniture and hidden art tucked into the crevices of the pecky cedar walls.
Adrienne Breaux
Feb 12, 2025
This Extremely Cool California Home Is Packed with Color, Pattern, and Clown Art
"I am NOT a relaxed person and need to be stimulated or doing something with my hands at all times, so this house perfectly fits how my brain feels," admits fashion designer Haley Boyko.
Adrienne Breaux
Feb 5, 2025
An LA Studio Went from “Sparse, Possibly Haunted” to "Playful, Colorful Oasis"
The studio’s in an almost 100-year-old building in the heart of Hollywood and while only 485-square-feet big, is a "total dream: exposed brick, stunning windows that swing open, the original built-in 1920s vanity.”
Adrienne Breaux
Nov 25, 2024
I Can’t Believe How Chic This Small LA Apartment’s Cozy Dining Nook Is
This cinematographer’s 700-square-foot apartment stuns with brick details, warm paint colors, and a double drenched pink bedroom.
Adrienne Breaux
Nov 4, 2024
A 450-Square-Foot LA Studio’s Vibe Is “Main Character of a Rom-Com’s Apartment"
Los Angeles-based writer, comedian, and actor Christina Anthony turned a “small and simple” studio apartment into a “cozy, colorful, vintage, and dreamy home.”
Adrienne Breaux
Oct 21, 2024
This “Narrow, Empty Shell” Turned Into the Loveliest Tiny Home of All Time
Marijn Kruikemeier and Liya Yang had a big task ahead of them when they bought this 517-square-foot flat in Amsterdam’s Jordaan area in 2020: The original floor plan of the space was lacking in rooms and walls! It was one big open space, long and narrow. They had the “complete freedom to come up with a new layout,” but that was the challenge, too. The idea was to add in specific rooms but not block any precious daylight.
Adrienne Breaux
Jun 14, 2024
See Why a Charming Cottage Made Its Sagittarius Renter Want to Stay Put
Tours
After living around the globe, Rose Adele is ready to stay put for a while in this delightful home.
Leela Cyd
Mar 13, 2024
This Awesome Grandma Has Cooked in Her “Forever Kitchen” for 55 Years
Tours
It's got an oval island, cabinets wallpapered with old calendars, and a jar full of glass!
Leela Cyd
Mar 20, 2024
This Cute 450-Square-Foot Studio Apartment Feels Like a Cozy Boho Cottage
See inside Katy Mae Turner's small Los Angeles studio apartment that she's made feel warm through colors like pink, orange, yellow, and cream, along with natural wood tones and warm lighting.
Adrienne Breaux
Feb 19, 2024
The Only Thing Cooler Than This LA Loft’s Glass Blocks Is the Decor
Tour this rental on LA’s Westside that’s filled with DIY projects, cool vintage decor, and stunning retro architecture.
Adrienne Breaux
Dec 4, 2023
The Couple Behind "A Pretty Cool Hotel Tour" Have a Pretty Cool LA Home
Tours
Margaret and Corey Bienert are the married couple behind the wildly popular social accounts “A Pretty Cool Hotel Tour” and authors of the brand-new book “Hotel Kitsch.”
Adrienne Breaux
Oct 27, 2023
A DIY Gut Reno of a "Severe" Fixer Upper Saved It from Tear-Down
Tours
The only thing that’s more stunning than the gorgeous mid-century modern details are the “killer” 180-degree hilltop views.
Adrienne Breaux
Oct 23, 2023
Steph & Phil’s Reimagined Victorian
Name: Phil and Steph Dickinson Location: NorthWest — Portland, Oregon Size: 3,500 square feet Years lived in: 3 — owned Phil, Steph and their children Stan and Mary lived in this daring modern Victorian home that they designed themselves with imagination and style to spare. Their quirky British sensibilities and strong DIY ethic are visible in each and every room.
Leela Cyd
Mar 11, 2020
Krystal’s San Francisco Studio
Name: Krystal Bick Location: Hayes Valley — San Francisco, California Size: 400 square feet Years lived in: 3 — rented Krystal Bick’s style blog showcases all of her designer duds and playful outfits. Her studio with attached kitchen and rather large closet reflects her fashion sense perfectly — eclectic, feminine, clean and glamorous. Krystal’s space is small but efficient.
Leela Cyd
Dec 19, 2019
Jonya & Brad’s Modern A–Frame
Name: Jonya and Bradley Streeper (and son Julian Grey)Location: Beaverton — Portland, ORSize: 2,400 square feetYears lived in: 3 — owned Jonya, Brad and their two–year–old son Julian live in one of the most thoughtfully decorated, wonderfully airy homes I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. An open floor plan and tall ceilings allow for a steady stream of unbelievable natural light to flood the entire space.
Leela Cyd
Dec 19, 2019
Holly and Ryan’s Vintage Minimal
Name: Holly, Ryan and their son AugustLocation: Portland, OregonSize: 1200 sq ftYears lived in: 5 Holly is one of Portland’s most celebrated fashion designers. After photographing the sweet shop she co-owns, I had a hunch that the qualities I found in her clothing line—romance, inspiration from past eras and subtle palette—would be echoed in her home. I hunched right! Join me for a tour of a mellow, beautiful home. Holly and Ryan have a great touch in their home.
Leela Cyd
Dec 19, 2019
Penelope and Nathan’s Full–Hearted Eclectic
Name: Penelope, Nathan and Bell MillerLocation: Portland, OregonYears lived in: 2 Penelope and Nathan turned a broken down house in North East Portland into a handmade palace full of personality and joy — the perfect spot to raise their 20 month old daughter, Bell, and even have leftover room for guests and grandparents. When Penelope needed a bit of peace and contemplation, they built an outdoor lounge room completely from reclaimed, tossed–aside materials.
Leela Cyd
Dec 19, 2019
Laura’s Mid–Century Melrose Place
Name: Laura LeonLocation: Kerns neighborhood — Portland, OregonSize: 1,010 square feetYears lived in: 2 1/2 years — rented Laura’s a color and materials consultant, trend forecaster and photographer. Another notch to her freelancing belt she should think of including? Interior designer! With her eye for quality vintage, simple colors and personal details, this woman is an artist with her home.
Leela Cyd
Dec 19, 2019
Nina’s Styled Studio
Name: Nina Bakos Location: South East — Portland, Oregon Size: Approximately 500 square feet Years lived in: 2 — rented Nina’s job is to make objects fit into a space just right as a product merchandiser for Nike, so it’s no surprise her studio is arranged with love, care and impeccable taste. Her biggest design inspiration? The aesthetic of her Finnish mother and Slovac father. Great style runs in the family.
Leela Cyd
Dec 19, 2019
Nancy & David’s Restored Ranch
Name: David Florimbi and Nancy SimonLocation: Santa BarbaraYears lived in: 6 Nancy and David moved into a single story ranch style home in the hills of Santa Barbara, California six years ago. They preserved the bones, but opened up many of the rooms and gave the whole thing a coat of fresh white paint. The open floor plan, combined with large windows and a vibrant color palette, give this home an air of exotic getaway.
Leela Cyd
Dec 19, 2019
Kirsten & Kyle’s Restored Bungalow
Name: Kirsten and Kyle NiemanLocation: NE Portland, Oregon Years lived in: almost 4Kristen is a home decor maven with an eye for upcycling and reclaiming cast away items from Craigslist, garage sales and friends. Her home is relaxed and beautiful with a predominate palette of grayish tones, whites, neutrals and pops of yellow. Join us for tea and a tour of this 1925 Portland, Oregon bungalow.Kristen’s interest in decor and styling is apparent in every room of her home.
Leela Cyd
Dec 19, 2019
Julie’s Unbelievable Airstream Trailer, Shed and Art Studio
Name: Julie Montgomery and son, Henry Location: Carpinteria, California Size: 400 square feet Years lived in: 3 Julie and her young son, Henry, were offered the chance to live at the base of a tropical fruit farm in Southern California, about a mile from the Pacific ocean. Included in the deal was a small studio within the packing facility to create her large–scale abstract paintings. Too good to be true, right? The only catch?
Leela Cyd
Dec 19, 2019
Joan & Jim’s Lovely, Artful Home
Name: Joan and Jim TannerLocation: Santa Barbara, CaliforniaSize: ampleYears lived in: 45 Joan and Jim live in one of the most artful, layered homes I’ve ever come across. It is at once cozy, enchanting, exuberant, chic and family-centered. Their space is truly a reflection of what full, vibrant lives Joan and Jim have led as an artist and a doctor. Join me in the hills of Santa Barbara for a unique glimpse into a remarkable home.
Leela Cyd
Dec 19, 2019