Vanessa’s Vintage Bohemian Hilltop Home

Written by

Bridget Pizzo
Bridget Pizzo
Bridget is a photographer and writer with an insatiable need to travel and eat questionable foods on her adventures. She loves comedy, beaches, sunshine, and her charmer of a dog, Boss Hogg. http://instagram.com/bridgetpizzo
published Jul 11, 2013
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(Image credit: Bridget Pizzo)

Name: Vanessa Dingwell
Location: Eagle Rock, California
Size: 2000 square feet
Years Lived In: 2; Rented

High on a hill, surrounded by dreamy California vistas, is Vanessa’s laid back bohemian home. With its sunny, sexy, romantic, and eclectic vibe, Stevie Nicks and Janis Joplin would feel right at home here. In fact, Vanessa owns Honeywood Vintage, a vintage clothing shop specializing in ethnic and cultural textiles that is slated to open in Highland Park next month. Vanessa shares her split-level home with her three cuddly dogs, Piglet, Ruby Mae, and Sweetie Belle. Her musician boyfriend, Charlie Overbey, and his seven year old daughter Katie are frequent visitors and fill the house with music, laughter, and creativity. Charlie even lent his design talents to the space by decorating the bedroom himself.

(Image credit: Bridget Pizzo)

Sweet Vanessa has a discerning eye for bespoke vintage, and she religiously scours the Long Beach and Rose Bowl flea markets for hand-embroidered treasures.

Walking into her stockroom, my pulse races from being surrounding by so many lovely and unique textiles. It feels as if I’m walking through a Mexican street fiesta or a market in Marrakesh. Elements from various cultures mingle effortlessly with feminine rock chic, a playfully eclectic aesthetic that extends to the spacious multi-level outside patio. Surrounded by lemon trees, the patio boasts a truly stunning view, and Vanessa obligingly offers lounge chairs to soak in all the beauty. One can almost smell the incense, savor the taste of delicious dinner parties, and hear the sounds of jam sessions that the patio hosts. I hope my invite to the next party is in the mail!

Be sure to follow Vanessa on pinterest and instagram, and be the first in line to get your hands on the stunning collection at Honeywood Vintage when it opens next month!

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: As overused as I think the term is, I have to say Bohemian. Both of my parents have had a huge influence over my style — my mother is a true artist and collector who has been collecting all things vintage since before vintage was cool. As children, my sister and I were dragged (generally kicking and screaming) into every estate sale, Goodwill and Salvation Army that my mother could find, and that is how we learned about antiques, vintage clothing, textiles, etc. Now I am so thankful. My father was a design fanatic with impeccable taste who (lucky for me) taught me a lot about art and interior design.

Inspiration: I’m inspired by my work every day. My businesses revolve around ethnic vintage clothing and old textiles from different cultures, so I’m surrounded by lovely fabrics, colors, prints, and textures all day. Honeywood Vintage was born from my love of vintage Mexican, Eastern European and Latin American hand embroidered clothing. The hours of work and detail that go into these pieces is amazing! My other clothing line, GoldDust Dresses, was created with my partner using vintage hand-blocked Indian fabrics. I love items that are tactile and have a rich visual history. I think this has translated to an eclectic romantic bohemian vibe in the house. Thank goodness my boyfriend isn’t a minimalist!

Favorite Element: There are so many in this house! The views in this house are amazing. The petrified rock wall out back is lovely, and the outdoor rock fireplace is great on a cool fall night. This house has wonderful energy…it’s got a fantastic spirit.

Biggest Challenge: The house is large, and the layout is on multiple levels with 57 stairs just leading to the front door. Those took some getting used to! Running a growing business from my home has been challenging, but I’m excited to say it has made possible the opening of an actual Honeywood storefront in Highland Park. Expanding to a brick and mortar business has been a labor of love on all levels, but we’re very excited to open next month and have the house back.

What Friends Say: We know why you never leave and when is your next dinner party?!

Biggest Embarrassment: The laundry room — it’s the first aid storage station for all of the pieces that need help and seem to never get addressed.

Proudest DIY: Hmmmmmmm. I think I would have to say our paper mache tombstones we made last year for our Halloween party. They took us weeks to finish but were so much fun. We covered the front of the house with them and we can’t wait for this year!

Biggest Indulgence: My father had an amazing collection that my sister and I are very lucky to have inherited. I feel very fortunate. However, when I saw the set of peacock chairs I could not resist!! I LOVE them so!

Best Advice: Surround yourself with things you love! Even if it’s a flower you pick on the side of the road or a beautiful feather, Mother Nature is an amazing artist!

Dream Sources: Marburger Farm Flea Market in Round Top, Texas, European flea markets.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Resources of Note:

LIVING ROOM

• Brno Chairs ~ Mies van der Rohe from Jules Seltzer

• Either side of Fireplace Eames Wire Base Tables ~ Jules Seltzer

• Coffee Table ~ Barcelona Table/Mies van der Rohe/Design Within Reach

• Peacock Chair ~ K York Studio, Highland Park

DINING ROOM

• Brno Chairs ~ Mies van der Rohe from Jules Seltzer

• Metal Display Case ~ Rehab Vintage

• Japanese Tansu ~ Japanache Robertson Blvd

• Vintage Bridget Bardot Movie Poster ~ L’imagerie Gallery

• Thonet Chairs ~ Ebay

• Vintage Chandelier ~ Long Beach Flea market

• Switch Plates ~ Original to the house

KITCHEN

Vintage rug ~ Etsy

• Pottery ~ Rose Bowl Flea Market

• Vintage Le Creuset cookware ~ Ebay

BREAKFAST NOOK

• Jamaica Barstools ~ Design Within Reach

• Industrial Stainless Table ~ Kitchen Supply

•Limoges Serving Dishes ~ Ebay

• Crystal ~ Waterford

BEDROOM

• Textiles ~ Honeywood Vintage

• Deerskin Overnighter bag ~ Honeywood Vintage

• Armoire and Dresser ~ Wertz Brothers

• Antique Steamer Trunk ~ Garage Sale

• Vintage Louis Vuitton Luggage ~ City Wide Garage Sale, Austin, TX

BATHROOM

• 1940s Ship Mirror ~ Etsy

• Towels ~ Anthropologie

• Vintage Robes ~ Honeywood Vintage

OFFICE

• Vintage Clothing ~ Honeywood Vintage

• Antique Mail Cart ~ Orange Ave Estate and Salvage, Long Beach

• Painted Black Cat Fireworks Sign ~ Rose Bowl Flea Market

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Thanks, Vanessa!

(Images: Bridget Pizzo)

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