When Anthony “Antz” and Elizabeth were first looking to buy a home back in 2006, they never dreamed their journey would take them into LA’s Highland Park. But after 11 years in this dreamy 1923 California bungalow, the creative couple both agree that they lucked out in finding such a family-friendly and community-oriented neighborhood.

Antz, an artist, has a knack for thrifting much of the vintage furniture that decorates their home. Elizabeth, a mom and blogger behind Sunkissis, often calls her husband MacGyver because he can “take anything and make it awesome.” The combination of the couple’s creativity, love of color and relaxed personalities has created a unique and inviting space that is the envy of all their friends. Putting together such a fun home definitely takes work (and a lot of elbow grease) but the stylish results are well worth the effort.

But the family will soon be turning their efforts to another home. They have plans to rent this house and move to Paris! It sounds like there are many moving parts to trying to move abroad (you can read about it on Elizabeth’s blog) and we wish this Francophile family bonne chance!

Our Style: We are colorful folks that don’t take ourselves too seriously.

Inspiration: I would live in an Anthropologie store if I could. I am lucky to be married to an insanely talented artist so I have a lot of his lovely artwork throughout our home.

Favorite Element: While our contractor was removing the popcorn ceiling in our living room we discovered beautiful wood beams from our attic. We asked him to leave the beams exposed and it gave our living space more depth and warmth. It really elevated our living space.

Biggest Challenge: Our house is under 1,000 square feet so storage is always a struggle. When something new comes in, we have to get rid of something old. I tend to buy furniture that has storage built-in (our bed frame holds our linens). I hired my friend who is an organizer to clear out my closet. It was like an intense therapy session.

What Friends Say: “Can you design my house?” I have a weird thing about obsessing over my own house but I’m not sure it would be the same energy in someone else’s home. I think styling your home needs to be personal journey.

Biggest Embarrassment: When we first bought our house we chose lime green and orange for our bathroom. We painted it grey five years later but what were we thinking? It has now evolved to classic black and white.

Proudest DIY: Anthony has been unbelievably lucky finding vintage pieces from garage sales, thrift shops and Craigslist and repurposing them. My favorite DIY is Olivia’s schoolhouse desk. I found one at a vintage store for $200 and we knew that was not in our budget, so Antz found one for sale on Craigslist for $60. We cleaned it up and spray painted the bottom blue and it looks so rad. I call him MacGyver because he can take anything and make it awesome. Perfect example, I got a quote for $800 to frame my Bjork poster. He spray mounted it and built a frame with leftover wood and only spent $51. Most of our vintage frames have been painted and repaired for less than $25.

Biggest Indulgence: We have visited several W hotels and always had the best night sleep on their mattresses. Last year I splurged on a dream mattress from the W and it’s been a game changer. I adore our king-size bed although it takes up most of the space in our small bedroom.

Best Advice: Know when to hire a professional. Antz attempted to remove the years of paint from our kitchen cabinets and it turned out to be a disaster. We have painted almost every room in this house but after eleven years, we are happy to pay someone else to sweat.

Dream Sources: I never miss an Anthro sale, the furniture shops on York Blvd and I am lusting after a La Chanche range.

PAINT & COLORS
Behr — Ultra white is our main staple.

ENTRY
Le Crib doormat — Etsy Josie B
Rocking chairs – Lowes
Cushions – (a gift with the purchase of our couch!)
Bonjour plaque – Anthropologie
Vintage French flag – Etsy
Holiday wreath – Target

LIVING ROOM
Custom sofa with chaise — Sofa U Love
Oh Joy for Target cushions — TargetLlama Pillow – Urban Outfitters
Justina Blakeney for Target cushion – Target Llama art piece – Dotter shop (favorite shop on York Blvd)
Aiden Series coffee table/bar — World Market
Collaged Majida throw blanket –Anthropologie
Armchair – Ikea (As-Is)
Sheepskin throw – Ikea
Eyes cushion – Urban Outfitters (sold out)
Doll – Lucky Boy Sunday (We bought this from a shop in Iceland)
Plants – Folia Collective

DINING ROOM
Ingatorp extendable dining table — Ikea (As- Is)
Plastic chairs set of four – Overstock
Floral tablecloth – Anthropologie (sold out)
Custom floral bouquet – created by my friend @IrisBarryBlooms
Vintage upright piano – Lucky to snag this beauty for free from my Facebook Moms Group
Congas – Gift from Liz’s percussionist mom
Tassel basket – Indego AfricaModular Bookshelf – Target
Crosley record player – birthday gift from my best friend (it’s available on Amazon)
Vinyl – Mostly from thrift shops and Amazon
Himalayan salt lamp – Urban Outfitters
It’s Beautiful Here art – Heath Nash (bought from a shop in South Africa)
Desk/Hutch – West Elm (similar)

KITCHEN
Lower cabinets/ Integrated dishwasher/Butcher block countertops — Ikea (it’s worth getting the measurement consultation)
Island (we added wheels) – Ikea
It’s OK banner – Etsy Secret Holiday Co
Curtains – Fabric purchased from a garage sale
KitchenAid mixer – Target
Plant/Macrame holder – Folia Collective

KID’S BEDROOM
Bunk bed – Ikea Kura
Bedding – Pillowfort Mariposa Magic Target Dresser/Hutch – Oeuf NYC
Rug – Ikea
Curtains – Pottery Barn Kids Hayden Blackout curtains (best investment we ever made, our daughter sleeps so well with these)
Moroccan pouf – Tazi Designs
Rolling bookshelf cart- Target
Schoolhouse desk – Craigslist (spray painted blue)
Bookshelves – Ikea Kallax
Artwork – Michael Sowa prints
Wall mounted monster – Yeti & Friends Easy
Miffy lamp – Mr Maria
Handmade hanging mobile – Made by Liv’s Dad before she was born
Totoro plush – We bought it from a store in Little Tokyo
We found the driftwood on the beach and turned it into a rack
Vintage cat puppet – Gift from godparents purchased from Venice, Italy
Vintage Pinocchio puppet – Purchased by her dad in Hong Kong
Ceiling fan – Restoration Hardware

BEDROOM
Storage king frame — Ikea
Open Market pillow – Anthropologie (scored on sale!)
Threshold linen sheet set – Target Crochet trim comforter set – Target Owl lamp – West Elm (sold out)
Side table – West Elm (similar)
Mid Century vintage dresser – Yard Sale ($25!)
For Like Ever print – Domino
Lolita poster – AllPosters.com
Things Will Be Okay print – People I’ve Loved
Threshold picture ledges – Target Gold Lady planter – Oh Joy for Target
Plateau basket – Indego Africa
Boob bag – Gravel & Gold

BATHROOM
Floral shower curtain — Target Sink/Cabinet – Ikea
Faucet – Lowes
Bath rug – Otherwild
Rabbit knobs – Anthropologie (similar)
Glass door cabinet – Bed, Bath & Beyond (sold out)
Stone knobs – Anthropologie
Lady face vases – Anthropologie
Gold planter – Anthropologie
Pom basket – Anthropologie
Plants – Folia Collective

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