An Artist-Designer Turned a 1927 Los Angeles Rental into a Livable Work of Art
“I treated the apartment like a blank canvas and focused on changes that felt impactful but still renter-friendly,” begins artist and designer Jude Morgan, who’s been renting this 100-year-old, 750-square-foot apartment in Los Angeles for three years.
Jude shares the apartment with her dog, and over the past three years she’s transformed it into a space that reflects how she both lives and works.
ART STUDIO CORNER SOURCES: The artwork on the wall and the piece on the easel are both Jude’s original work. The orange chair and the table lamp were sourced from Facebook Marketplace, which is one of Jude’s favorite places to find unique pieces locally. The rug is from West Elm, and Jude designed and built the credenza herself, with each panel hand-painted. She also added the ceiling molding, which she sourced from Wayfair, to bring in more architectural detail.
“As both a designer and artist, I’ve filled it with my own artwork and created custom pieces throughout, including a hand-made credenza and added details like ceiling molding and painted surfaces. It’s a very personal space — everything in it feels considered, but still comfortable and lived-in.”
LIVING ROOM SHOPPING SOURCES: The sofa is from Modshop, where Jude worked for several years. The pillows on the sofa and the orange vintage chair were both sourced from Facebook Marketplace. The marble stool is originally from CB2, but Jude found it secondhand on Facebook Marketplace, and the coffee table is from Wayfair. The ottoman is from HueGah Home. The records on the wall are from Jude’s father’s collection. The pillow on the vintage chair was custom made using leftover fabric from a previous design project.
Before she moved into the one-bedroom rental, she described the space as a 1927 “French chateau-style apartment in Hollywood with beautiful bones but minimal detailing and a fairly neutral, understated interior.”
DINING AREA SHOPPING SOURCES: The tulip table and chairs were found on Facebook Marketplace. The magazine wall is made from vintage issues Jude found at a garage sale (six bins for $10!), which she arranged and displayed like art. The bowl on the table is from Modshop, and the rug is from Amazon.
She shaped her rental apartment through a mix of DIY projects, small renovations, and, perhaps most impactfully, paint. “I used bold colors and color blocking to define different areas and completely shift the feel of the space,” she describes.
BEDROOM SHOPPING SOURCES: Many of the larger pieces like the headboard, rug, floor lamp, and dresser were sourced from Facebook Marketplace. The stool, canopy draping above the bed, sheer overlay curtains, and basket were all Jude's late mother’s, which makes the space feel extra meaningful to her. Jude made the large canvas painting and the smaller pieces between the windows. The bedside tables are from West Elm, and the long bolster pillow is from Lulu and Georgia. The artwork above the bed is from Drool, and the curtains are from Urban Outfitters. The bedside lamps are from Etsy.
“I added ceiling molding to bring in some architectural detail, and filled the apartment with my own artwork and custom pieces, like the credenza I built. It was really about layering personality in a way that could still be adaptable.”
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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