Rodellee’s Tiny Vintage Studio

Name: Rodellee Bas
Location: Hancock Park, Los Angeles, California
Size: 450 square feet
Years lived in: Rent 3 weeks

Rodellee’s previous home caught my eye in her House Call, and I knew immediately that her style and choices in decor were both charming and personal. Three weeks later, she’s moved into a studio three times smaller and has created another amazing space.

I was in awe of what I saw on Rodellee’s House Call — vintage styling, warm eclectic accessories, a stunning apartment with magical light. However, by the time I was able to reach her about a tour, she was in the midst of packing for her new move. While making a few transitions in her life, she’s downsized to a 450 square foot studio. It’s in one of those classic brick buildings, complete with french doors, a traditional vanity and lovely hardwood floors.

Rodellee’s new home wins you over the moment you walk in the door. Slightly shy about the “small” size, she shows me around to what is the most impressive studio I’ve seen put together in a mere three weeks. Not only did she need to find a home that would suit her style, but a comfortable place that doubles as the office where she runs her online shop Adored Vintage. When she isn’t running her incredible vintage retail site, she freelances as a wardrobe and prop stylist on sets for photographers and film.

With a similar (and common) floor plan as my own home, I was so impressed how spacious it actually seemed. Though she had decorations, large furniture pieces, and tons of artwork it didn’t feel cluttered at all. That is, with the exception of her closet/storage spaces. Two of three closets are dedicated to props, jewelry, clothing and accessories which she sells online or uses on shoots. She even warned me that if I opened her cupboards above the kitchen that most of it is filled with purses and more clothing.

Rodellee has brought her love of nostalgia, antiques, history and storytelling all into this 450 square foot space. One of my favorite elements was her stack of Vogue Magazines on the floor with the vintage lamp on top. Void of an actual bed side table, I thought this was a subtle shout out to her admiration of all things fashion. Also, the vintage dress form in the corner caught my eye, and it’s so great that she actually uses it daily for her web shop. Truly a delightful little abode.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: Vintage meets modern, French eclectic.

Inspiration: All things vintage from fashion, movies, vintage magazines, old photographs, and music. I’m also currently obsessing over Pinterest.com for gathering inspirations from all over the web.

Favorite Element: Fresh flowers and plants. I love that the view from my kitchen overlooks into my neighbor’s garden. My building doesn’t allow pets but next door they have all these dogs that run around in the garden so sometimes I just watch them play while I’m having coffee in the morning.

Biggest Challenge: I operate an online vintage shop from my apartment, so going from a 1900 sq foot apartment with two walk in closets to a 450 sq ft studio with one closet… storage has definitely been the biggest challenge. There’s literally vintage in all my cupboards. My pantry doesn’t have food, it houses handbags and jewelry!

What Friends Say: That my apartment is very me. That sounds silly, but it’s very true, my living quarters is filled with things I’ve fallen in love with and absolutely had to take home.

Biggest Embarrassment: The IKEA pendant lamp in my kitchen. I’m a very DIY kind of girl and I figured I had been successful at my other apartment endevours I could totally replace a light fixture. Total fail. I had to hire an electrician after shorting out my lights twice.

Proudest DIY: Getting everything moved in and set up in a little under 3 weeks!

Biggest Indulgence: Vintage WOLF dress form and the CB2 peek-a-boo coffee table.

Best Advice: When you see something you love buy it right then and there. I’m a true believer that if you love it that much it’ll work out with what you already have. Surround yourself with beauty and what makes you happy.

Dream Sources: 1stDibs.com for antiques. Oh, if only.

Resources of Note:

PAINT & COLORS

• Chalkboard paint – I wanted to do the entire wall, but I really don’t like painting walls all that much, so just a strip had to do. – Anawalt
• Since my apartment is small I wanted to keep the base colors very clean. Lots of black and white and neutrals. Red, coral, and some pink as highlight colors, I didn’t really plan for it, I just gravitate towards certain shades of red.

ENTRY AREA

• Dresser – Thrifted
• Vintage coat rack – Etsy (LACKLUSTER Co.)
• Art from antique shop, the one on the left is ripped out of DAPPER DAN Spring/Summer 2011 issue
• Black vases – Home Goods
• Bird – Pier 1
• Three legged pig (Chanchito) – gift from a friend when she visited Chile. I love this little piggie so much, he’s so happy!

LIVING ROOM AREA

• French Bergere sofa – Vintage – Craigslist – I loved that it was hand painted, I originally wanted to reupholster but it’s grown on me
• Coffee table: CB2
• Porcelain Garden Seat (used as end tables): Williams-Sonoma
• Vintage Chair (covered with VILMIE RUND throw blanket from Ikea) – Flo’s Antiques – Orlando
• Vintage WOLF dress form – Wertz Brothers Antiques in Santa Monica
• All art and vintage photographs are from many visits to the flea markets
• White screen divider – Rose Bowl Flea Market
• Zebra rug – Urban Outfitters
• Large throw pillows – Etsy (DIYPILLOWS)
• Manifest Destiny candle – General Quarters – Los Angeles
• Vintage fan – Orange Tree Antiques – Orlando

BREAKFAST NOOK

• Table – DOCKSTA – Ikea
• Leather and wood folding chairs – Long Beach Flea Market
• Ceiling Light – MASKROS – Ikea
• Stripes Painting – DIY project
• Barrister bookcase – Craigslist
• Samsonite train case, plaid picnic basket, striped coffee set – Wertz Brothers Antiques

KITCHEN

• Vintage school desk – This is not ikea
• Botanical pull chart – Empirical Style
• Slovakia flag – souvenir from when my husband and I took an impromptu trip to Bratislava
• Air plant – Gorgeous and Green Florist – Berkeley
• Most of my dishes + kitchenware are from Anthropologie or vintage from antique malls/flea markets

BEDROOM AREA

• Bed – MALM – Ikea
• Polka dot pillows – Ralph Lauren – Macy’s
• Lace Overlay – It’s actually a table cloth, but works well as bed cover – Ginger Antiques – Orlando
• Spoon Pillows – Etsy (Sugar and Fig)
• Vintage arrows – Etsy (Jolly Time One)
• Lamp-Home Goods

OFFICE AREA

• Guillaume Azoulay promotional poster – Wertz Brothers Antiques – Santa Monica
• Desk – VIKA series – Ikea
• Ghost Chair – Room Service – Los Angeles
• “M” mug – Anthropologie

BATHROOM

• Shower curtain – World Market
• Wooden ladder – INHERITANCE – Los Angeles
• Art – Rose Bowl + Melrose Trading Post
• Coral – Wertz Brothers Antiques – Santa Monica
• Antique Bottles – Thrifted – Out of the Closet

Thanks, Rodellee!

Images + Floor Plan: Bethany Nauert

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Re-edited from a tour previously published on 7.11.11 – AB