When Anna and her husband moved into this house, she was determined to create a homey, warm place to live. The previous tenants of this rental had a vastly different design style than Anna, but she painted, bought furniture from flea markets, did some gardening and even updated the floors. The result is charming, and the perfect place to raise cute kiddos and work from home.

Anna is a writer who’s contributed to publications like The Washington Post and Cafe Mom. She’s also — you guessed it — a mom, and she chronicles life with her husband and two kids, Noah and Rose, on her blog, Misadventures in Motherhood. Anna reports that there’s nothing new in this house — everything is either 100% DIY or purchased used and refurbished.

Our Style: Flea market style!

Inspiration: I just think of things and try to figure out how to do them.

Favorite Element: My bedroom…six months ago it was not good at all! A friend of mine who is a designer, Liz Wilson at Zetlands Design, helped me with the transformation and now I’m delighted!

Biggest Challenge: Space…with the addition of children the house seems to shrink and as they grow up things start to multiply!

What Friends Say: They compliment my house all the time…Even though I think it is a little bit old it has a kind of charm! They seem to feel comfortable.

Biggest Embarrassment: I think my house is a little bit old…Here in L.A. there are a lots of people with new and big houses, and sometimes I try to imagine what it would be like to live in one of those amazing houses.

Proudest DIY: This house is 100% DIY! Nothing is new and I’m always buying things and refurbishing them. Six months into my pregnancy I got rid of the carpet on the upstairs corridor and painted the floor myself!

Best Advice: You always have to do things to feel comfortable in your home even if you are renting. You have to feel happy and you deserve to have a nice and cozy home.

Dream Sources: bungalow5.com and flea markets

LIVING ROOM
Book shelves — Ikea
Glass Lamps —Vintage flea markets
Black Baskets — Ikea
Coffee Table — Wayfair
White Baskets — HomeGoods
Horse lamps — Santa Monica flea market
Blue chair — Santa Monica flea market
Side tables — Target
Sofas — Craiglist
Silver Lamp — HomeGoods
Pictures Marilyn Monroe — Bert Stern
Pictures from his father-in-law — Ken Heyman
Pillows — Mood Fabrics
Chandeliers — Target
Decorative Star — Santa Monica flea market
Arm Chair — Inherited from mother-in-law
Rug — Ballard Designs

WORK SPACE
Wallpaper — Wallpaper.com
Shelves — Container Store
Chair — Garage sale
Storage boxes — Target

DINING ROOM
Mirrors — Santa Monica flea market
Table — Pottery Barn
Chairs — Bic Furniture
Carpet — Ballard Designs

SON’S BEDROOM
Book cabinets — Walmart
Hooks — Land of Nod
Red chair — Inherited from grandmother
Bed — Jet
Tent — Anna’s grandmother made it for her when she was little
Rug — Rugs USA
Lamp — Target

BABY’S BEDROOM
Crib — Craiglist
Pink drawer — Flea market
White book cabinet — Walmart
Lamp — Target
Bedding — Pottery Barn
Makeup table — Amazon
Little chair — HomeGoods
Book shelves — Ikea

MASTER BEDROOM
Curtains — Target
Armchair — Craigslist
Dresser — Vintage
TV Dresser — Ikea with new knobs
Dressing table — Ikea
Chair — Bic Furniture
Bedside table — Target
Lamps — Target
Mirror — Santa Monica flea market
White little table — Target
Bedding — Bed Bath and Beyond

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