Ax + Apple’s Magic Factory
Name: Ax + Apple / Founder Jamie Lyn
Location: Downtown; Los Angeles, California
Size: 800 square feet
Years worked in: 1.5 years; rented
Blue velvet tufted couch, Barcelona chair, tools and trinkets, a shrine to Rihanna and a fabulous disco ball… feast your eyes on the incredible downtown Los Angeles workspace of Ax + Apple, owned by jewelry designer Jamie Lyn. This workspace ended up in my inbox a couple weeks ago as a random submission, and immediately I knew it was special — truly a gem of a studio. Jamie has crafted the perfect creative hub for all things artistic and fun.
In my opinion, if you’re going to invest in renting a separate workspace outside of your personal home, you should love where you go every day. Jamie’s self proclaimed ‘Ax + Apple Magic Factory’ has so much to look at and admire that you’ll soon forget you’re in a jewelry design studio. The windows are huge and fill the entire space with bright sun. She recently acquired a new work table that literally takes up a third of the studio, which she she loves because it gives her space to really spread out. Her jewelry is a mix of vintage collectibles, some novelty coins and old currency, and of course some great gemstones. Walls lined with books, crystals, and a photo of Dolly Parton and her cat are situated between metal working tools and boxes of jewelry parts. I feel that the secret to pulling together such a unique workspace is that Jamie has developed a style that is true in her home and at work. Therefore, when she arrives at work she is in a place she truly wants to spend time in.
Drawing inspiration from her time spent living in Austin and her love of vintage and collecting, Jamie’s jewelry line evolved out of a hobby. Her background is in the arts (photography, styling, illustration), but it’s her love of jewelry making that has brought her into collaborations with other makers, and companies such as Pommes Frites Candle Company and Free People. Her jewelry has been worn and requested by celebrities and is sold in several boutiques in the US.
Many thanks to Ashley Jones of Dimepiece for the referral!
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Desert disco with a hint of mad scientist.
Inspiration: I have always been inspired by all things desert. When I was little I had a southwestern themed room with pastel patterned wallpaper and a pink wooden coyote at the door. I’d say I’m still the same in that regard. I love incorporating that dusty desert highway vibe with more modern, polished elements. The sharp juxtaposition creates my favorite kind of visual interest. Disco balls and cacti, skulls painted gold and set under glass. That push and pull… it’s a great little trick. It’s reflected in our name as well, Ax+Apple.
Favorite Element: The windows. It’s the first thing people notice when they walk in. Other than that I really love the work table. It’s so big and bright. So much room to spread out and really get lost in my work.
Biggest Challenge: Breaking it up. We needed 3 distinct rooms: office, living room, and workshop. We were concerned at first about it seeming cluttered or looking chaotic without dividers of some sort, but there ended up being the perfect amount of space between the “rooms” to give the breathing room it needed.
What Friends Say: People are always impressed by the space itself. It’s those windows! Besides that, people are always saying how much they love the decor, the disco balls, and how organized we are.
Room For Improvement: I’m always working on organization in the workspace. It is key, and it can always be improved.
Proudest DIY: I built the shelving unit in the “living room” from some old boards I found on the street about seven years ago. That thing has been five different colors and has worked its way into every space I’ve had since.
Biggest Indulgence: The ‘living room” furniture. We really wanted to make an impact on buyers and stylists when they walked in, so we splurged on the key pieces. It was well worth it.
Dream Sources: We are thrifters for life. Favorite Flea markets in the LA area are the Long Beach Flea Market and the Santa Monica Airport Antique Market.
Resources of Note:
- Couch- Custom
- Office Desk- IKEA
- Cowhide Rug- ebay
- Workbench- IKEA
- Barcelona chair- ebay
Thanks, Jamie!
• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE: Check out past house tours here.
• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form.
• Are you a designer/architect/decorator interested in sharing a residential project with Apartment Therapy readers? Contact the editors through our Professional Submission Form.
Updated daily with fresh tours full of photos for you to pin & enjoy!