Emily’s Perfect Harmony in a Stylish 170 Square Foot Studio

Name: Emily Adams
Location: La Mesa, California

I live in a pocket of San Diego, California called Mount Helix. It’s a very quiet, peaceful and lush area with lots of trees and wildlife (including flocks of bright green wild parrots!). I live in a studio guesthouse attached to a very modern style, white stucco home, owned by a retired couple from the Netherlands. My unit is a mere 170 square feet (smaller than most hotel rooms in fact).

Fortunately, I have a patio space for eating and relaxing, as well as 2 (almost) wall to wall windows that add a considerable amount of light to the space (light always makes your space feel bigger). Studios are quite difficult to find in San Diego; most rental units are part of a sprawling complex with multiple swimming pools, gyms, and parking garages. I wanted something more removed, unique, and with beautiful green views. Did I compromise on square footage? Absolutely! But it’s totally worth it. I love my little nest. It’s the perfect size for one person. I have a full kitchen and bath, and plenty of (safe) street parking.

As far as my design style goes, nothing sums up my approach better than one of my favorite quotes (by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince), “Perfection is attained not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” In my apartment I have exactly what I need for both form and function, and nothing more. I strive to keep my home in perfect harmony. I don’t want to have so much around me that I can’t fully take in and appreciate the beautiful things I do have. On the flip side, I still want my space to have warmth and comfort (sometimes minimalist design is too cold for my taste), which is why I have plenty of earth tones, wood, and plants in my home.

Many of my furnishings are from West Elm (love those design dollars!), and my art work is from all over the world (either purchased while traveling or on Etsy). My favorite pieces would probably have to be my cozy gray glider (heaven, for reals!) and my desk for it’s simplistic beauty.

Thanks, Emily Adams!

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