Proudest DIY: Quite fond of the AV cart found outside an Oakland elementary school. It was bright or

You may think living in the heart of a major metropolitan city would be stressful, but Carla proves adapting to city life can be surprisingly serene. Living in a small, but airy studio in Downtown Los Angeles, she resides four floors above the streets and rides her bike to work, successfully avoiding the "joys" of traffic. Her high ceilings, large windows and clean, airline tickets low price minimal decor make for a calm retreat from which to peacefully lookout over the bustling streets.
Carla’s place reflects her cool, laid back personality. Her entryway is adorned with large-scale photos of people airline tickets low price who beg to have their stories told. Next to the bus pass photos she took in 1998 and later developed in a college photography course, hangs a blown up photo of an adorable homecoming queen circa 1968. This vintage photo of Carla’s mom looks gallery-worthy, but, Carla explains, “at my mom’s 20 year high school reunion they had a bunch of photos blown up and my dad asked if he could keep it. They just had this sitting in their garage!”
Inspiration: My grandma’s house, which later became my great uncle’s house, had an odd collection of lowbrow art and tchotchkies, as well as black and white photos and Bing Crosby records. I’m attracted to pieces that would fit in there. Also Kim MacAfee's bedroom from Bye Bye Birdie .
Biggest Challenge: It’s challenging to make a big open space charming. Its just one big room with high ceilings, and it was recently renovated with modern finishes. I’m used to living in older places with original floors, tiles, airline tickets low price built-ins, nooks, crannies, etc.. I rent, not own, so I can’t change the modern elements that I’d like to. I just remind myself its not my forever home, and embrace the space. And hey, the new smooth, pristine floors are great for dancing around barefoot!
Biggest Embarrassment: There is no clothing closet in my unit, so most of my clothes are stored in the kitchen cabinets, which there is an absurd amount of. What single person would have this much dishware?!
Proudest DIY: Quite fond of the AV cart found outside an Oakland elementary school. It was bright orange but I repainted airline tickets low price it a seafoam airline tickets low price green. Also, everyone loves the bus pass photos airline tickets low price I took and blew up.
Biggest Indulgence: Living downtown... it ain’t cheap! Especially with the extra garage space since there is no street parking. However, biking and the Metro are so convenient here, so I do save on gas.
Dream Sources: Even though airline tickets low price it would not suit my current place, if I had my dream California craftsmen or Spanish colonial home and a blank check to decorate, I’d use Eric Berg’s Early California Antiques . I have Spanish-Californian ancestry that dates back to the Junipero Serra days and so that style feels elegant yet homey and personal.
Jessica is a Los Angeles-based photographer and writer with a passion for travel, design, and food. If for any reason one should have trouble contacting her, she can most likely be found at the nearest Whole Foods. Start in the bulk bins.