Michael & Paul’s Inherited Nostalgia

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Name: Michael Andrews & Paul Svendsen + Alice & Martha (dogs), and Monkey (cat)
Location: Silver Lake, California
Size: 2,000 square feet
Years lived in: 3

Michael is the owner of Inheritance, a shoebox-sized shop brimming to the rafters with design artifacts, miscellaneous curiosities, and modern furnishings — all curated with aplomb by its owner who “inherited” the store back in 2008. No surprise Michael’s Silver Lake home, which he shares with his partner Paul and a trio of furry friends, exhibits the very same charming qualities as his wondrous shop.

Walking up the stairs of the 1930’s era home located on a hillside cul-de-sac in Silver Lake, we could catch a glimpse of the menagerie within through the living room windows, alongside hear the welcoming barks of two rambunctiously friendly canines. Yet initially, the first few steps inside Michael and Paul’s home were surprisingly serene, lulling us with a subdued and sophisticated balance of neutral colours and inviting textures, a natural mix of modern, mid-century furnishings and nature-themed decorative elements all complementing the arc of the high curved ceiling and the restored interior period detailing.

It was only when we turned our head to the left toward the dining room did we realize we were indeed inside the home of someone who loves collecting, curating and displaying the eclectic elements of his home with the same attention to detail as his shop. The entry into the dining room is flanked by two built-in shelving areas occupied with a curious assortment of decorative collectibles, all remarkably intriguing, whether it be a preserved amphibian, a full-size roller-skate doorstop or a makeshift milk bottle terrarium.

Step across into the dining room and a substantial bench and dining table anchors the formal dining space, hinting of the entertaining times enjoyed in the room Michael described as his favourite (and it shows!). But the pièce de résistance is a pair of salvaged antique mailboxes, the duo practically stolen for a bargain price at a nearby architectural salvage dealer and complemented with a store-like display of new and old decorative elements that make you wonder if more design goodies are hiding behind the doors of each mail slot.

And from there on, from the cook’s kitchen, to the lush entertainer’s dream backyard, to the glamorous monochromatic bathroom and distinctly appointed bedrooms, you know you’re walking through spaces thoroughly and thoughtfully decorated with with a sly sense of humour. Upon saying goodbye, we wanted to get back home immediately, inspired by many of the ideas executed by Michael and Paul, hoping we inherited a little of their good taste and fine eyes in the short time we got to tour their Silver Lake home.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: We have an affection for most things of French, Italian and English origins. We pick accessories that either connect with us nostalgically or comically.

Inspiration: We both work in retail and approach decorating the house like we merchandise our stores. Also we adopt a lot of chipped and sale items. Our house is not unlike the island of misfit toys.

Favorite Element: Our most used items in our home: the couch, TV and bed. The most admired piece in our home is the scary Michael Jackson kids’ drawing in the bedroom. Paul especially loves the kitchen (he enjoys cooking).

Biggest Challenge: Having to move everything back to the right spot when Paul thinks he can make it look better.

What Friends Say: 1. Nice house, where’s the booze? 2. Nice stuff, can I take this? 3. Nice vase, oops…was that expensive?

Biggest Embarrassment: I wouldn’t say it’s an embarrassment, but we’ve been spending a lot of time and energy on the store and really haven’t spent much time on the house since Paul moved in. When we have time, we plan to replace the beds and the chandeliers in the guest bedroom. They are a little over the top for us.

Proudest DIY: Mailbox bar and the back fence we built ourselves.

Biggest Indulgence: The dining room table.

Best advice: Best advice given to Paul “surround yourself with beautiful things you love and use them often”. Best advice given to Mike, “Eww, you should have that looked at!”

Dream source: INHERITANCE! Twentieth, Obsolete, ABC Home, Blackman Cruz.

Resources:

LIVING ROOM

DINING ROOM

MASTER BEDROOM

GUEST ROOM

BATHROOM

PAINT

FLOORING

APPLIANCES

HARDWARE

Thanks, Michael & Paul!

Images: Gregory Han

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