A Modern Mash-Up in a Bright Echo Park Bungalow

Name: Alyssa Valentine
Location: Echo Park — Los Angeles, California
Size: 1,414 square feet
Years lived in: Owned 7 years

Alyssa works in real estate and it’s no surprise she’s staged her share of interiors. Her natural knack for tastefully blending a variety of styles to give rooms a unique personality is hard to match. Her bright and cheery home, which she shares with her husband and two children, feels both comfortable and refined, with a touch of whimsy.

The architecture of the home is perfectly suited for the this family’s subtle, eclectic taste. It has the simple charm found in most 1940s bungalows, but with a few small interesting details. The curved wall behind the living room sofa coupled with the shiplap in the dining room evokes an almost nautical aesthetic, which works great with Alyssa’s blue accents—anyone else think the Persian cat on the wall is vying for the title of “Dining Room Captain?”

My Style: An eclectic, modern mash-up.

Inspiration: Working in real estate, I get to see so many amazing homes and styles. I’m particularly drawn to unique pairings and homes with a bit of whimsy and humor. I draw bits and pieces from them.

Favorite Element: A white backdrop—I like to mix things up from time to time so white walls and neutral furnishings give me space to play. Now, if the house were on fire—I’d grab the white Persian Cat portrait, which was a total flea market coup. Someone really loved that cat.

Biggest Challenge: Feeding my need to change it up without breaking the bank. To the disdain of my husband, I’m constantly on the hunt and have a tendency to accumulate more than I have the space for.

Biggest Embarrassment: I sourced my kitchen counters from a shop in South El Monte and didn’t make it a point to inspect each slab before I left. We ended up with a few flaws that we had to work around. Learned that lesson!

Proudest DIY: We gave our kitchen a mini-makeover.

Biggest Indulgence: I’m typically finding furniture at consignment shops or flea markets so when it came time to buy a new couch, we went off script and seriously indulged. After a ton of research and shopping around, I discovered the Joneses LA. Because they custom build here in Los Angeles, we were able to take the frame of one couch and make adjustments to the cushions and legs. It’s truly the most comfortable couch and is gorgeous to boot.

Best Advice: Personality in a home is far more appealing than perfection so follow your gut and don’t be afraid to mash up different styles. Vary your sources—flea markets, consignment shops, discount stores, online shops and high-end furniture stores all make for an interesting home. When you’re paying the big bucks, take advantage of yearly and seasonal sales.

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