This Interior Designer’s Los Angeles Rental Apartment Is a Master Class in Maximalism
This Interior Designer’s Los Angeles Rental Apartment Is a Master Class in Maximalism
Name: Peti Lau
Location: Los Angeles, California
Size: 950 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, renting
When interior design maven Peti Lau moved from New York City to Los Angeles in 2019, she took her aesthetic with her but altered her signature style to fit her more sunny and spacious new digs. Lau, a world traveler who finds inspiration as much in her global jaunts as in her day-to-day life, coined the term “Aristofreak” to better describe her unique creative vision. While her new home is vastly different from her previous space, Lau shares the design details of her West Coast dwelling, the inspiration behind it, and how the apartment’s (and the designer’s) East Coast soul is still very much alive.
Can't-Miss House Tours Straight to Your Inbox
Keep up with our latest house tours each weekday with our House Tour of the Day newsletter
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Why LA? I felt a calling that Los Angeles was the next place to be for my career to thrive. I wanted to have more of a variety of interesting and unique spaces that I could design for clients. I think the overall aesthetic of Los Angeles for me “fit” slightly better than the New York spaces I was designing for.
Did anything move to LA with you? After 10 years in New York I got rid of most of my “stuff” with the exception of my art and book collections. I brought my ’80s custom dining table and ’70s Italian metal dining chairs as I love those pieces. My accessories and lamps of course I brought with me as well as I felt those were items that give my space character and tell a story.
What are your favorite design details in your LA home? I love the 1920s original moldings and trim that remained. The new hardwood flooring gives the space a lift. Often, when people step inside they say to me, it feels like I’m in a New York apartment, which I think is such a compliment as I definitely feel like I’m a New Yorker! Most importantly, I love my art, book, and accessory collections from around the world.
How is LA different than NY in terms of design style? The architecture is the most essential shift from New York to Los Angeles. The light is also a major difference in LA versus New York. The spaces in LA have more variety than the confined buildings and floor plans in New York.
How have you changed as a designer since moving to LA? I wanted to move to LA with a fresh start, to be in a new space with the opportunity to create a whole new look for my home. To be able to have the space to define what my Aristofreak style truly is. AND I describe that style as “A New Modern Bohemian Eclecticism.” What that means is a new way to look at modernity. Bohemian represents the free-spirited nature of freedom and relaxed vibes. Eclecticism is the collected global finds that ALL TELL A STORY. I truly believe that when I design for myself or for a client, every moment in the spaces I design has an opportunity to tell a story.
What or where is inspiring your interior style these days? At the moment I’m interested in very relaxed minimalism and very earthy interiors inspired by Moorish and desert vibes with an element of luxe and glamour. That’s the Aristofreak in me! The spaces that I’m inspired by are the Philip Dixon House in Venice California, Georgia O Keefe’s home and studio in New Mexico (which I’ve visited and fallen in love with). Yves Saint Laurent’s Villa Oasis in Marrakech is a major inspiration, as are the colorful villas in Careyes, Mexico. Lastly, I’ve been obsessed with Earthship houses in Tao, New Mexico. I love the idea of biotecture and being able to live “off the grid.”
Lastly, what would your next dream project be? My dream is to design an eco-friendly boutique resort in some fabulous tropical destination. I would also love to design a beautiful Malibu beach house. I’m putting it out there in the universe!
Resources
MASTER BEDROOM
- Bed — William Sonoma
- Chinese Art Deco Rug — Leon Banilivi Rugs
- Lamps — Andrew Martin
- Leopard Print Lampshades — House of Hackney
- Art Panels — De Gournay in Custom in Bamboo
- Photograph above Bed Artist — Magdalena Wosinska
- Cement Modern Side Table — Patrick Cain Designs
- Pillows — Zak and Fox, Aero, Rejuvenation
- Fur Throw — Peti Lau
- Custom Window Treatments — West Elm
- Paint Color — Back Drop “Surf Camp” (This is great resource for Apartment Therapy Readers—awesome company that are young and friends of mine.)
OFFICE
- Lace House Gowns — By Sera of London
- Desk — CB2
- Rug — Madeline Weinrib
LIVING ROOM
- Blue Credenza — CB2
- Hermes Vintage Lamp — Pop Up Home
- Morrocan Vintage Rug — Madeline Weinrib
- Art — Peter Blake “Sex Drugs and RocknRoll”
- Zebra — Lisa Torne
- Cardi B — Hassan Hajjaj
- Sofa Pillows — Leopard Print Pillows are euro shams from Zara Home in Milan, House of Hackney Tiger pillows, Rejuvenation pillows in white/black, Fortuny Kidney Pillow and
- Fortuny Yellow Lampshade sconce — From Venice Italy
- Large living room abstract painting — Serge Miquel
- AristoFreak neon sign — Neon Mfg.
HALLWAY
- Hallway paint color — Backdrop “Self-Portrait”
- Floating shelves in the hallway — CB2
Thanks Peti!
Share Your Style:
See More:
⇒ Recent House Tours
⇒ House Tours on Pinterest