Working as a designer today, I have found that a lot of clients want the perfect show home. Gone are the days of curating a home through years of memories and found treasures to wanting to move in to a show home drom day one and that is the end of the process. My personal joy is finding the imperfect items, the ones that feel loved and used. You can see the tales from its past life. At the moment i am writing this from my kitchen table, its a old farmhouse table with centuries of scrateches and knocks, strange markings from when it was most likely used as a work table and now it sits in our kitchen pride of place wilt all its battle wonda telling a story and I could not love it any more.

My personal design style is relaxed and eclectic. I aim to create spaces that feel unique, comfortable, and lived-in. I love mixing old and new elements and often explore Italian antique markets to find one-of-a-kind treasures. I’m not one to follow design trends; I focus on crafting spaces that grow with my clients. To me, sometimes trends can feel a bit stale and impersonal.

My biggest inspiration is my mom, who turned our family home into a delightful, ever-evolving space. It’s filled with original artwork from family friends, young artists, her own creations, along with cherished heirlooms and vintage finds. It’s a place where everyone instantly feels at home, and I want to bring that same sense of comfort to others’ spaces.

When not working on designs, one of my favorite pastimes is searching online for unique homes. I can’t quite describe the feeling I experience when I discover a home that is so distinctive, brimming with character and personality. It’s like a capsule containing dozens of lives that have unfolded within that single space, exuding a look and charm that is truly captivating.

One such space is this beautiful treehouse home, or as it is more commonly known, the John Lennon house. It is situated in the hills of Los Angeles and was built in 1961 by actor-turned-real estate developer John Compton. He designed this home to feel like a treehouse in the middle of a city. It is spread out over three levels and is only accessible by a hillside tram to the house. It has a rich history of musicians and artists staying here, but for me, it is the small details in the design that stand out.

Stairs -Photo by Sterling Reed Photography for Sotheby’s International Realty

Take for instance the stained glass window in the image below; I love the fact that they installed a beautiful stained glass window into what looks to be a regular closet. It is these whimsical touches to a design that make it so special and unique.

Landing-Photo by Sterling Reed Photography for Sotheby’s International Realty

One of my absolute favorite spaces in this stunning home is the office. While I may not be the most organized person, the built-in storage in this office brings me a joy that’s hard to put into words. The floor-to-ceiling shelving, the small drawers for little items, and the integrated file drawers — all of it has a designated spot, meticulously designed and crafted to perfection.

Office-Photo by Sterling Reed Photography for Sotheby’s International Realty

The warm tones of the wood, the incredible use of space, every inch has been thought about. The cozy and almost cocoon feel of the room is contrasted by the large open doors out to the veranda. This balance of strong wood tones and natural light plays into this inside-outside feel of the home. Truthfully, it almost feels as if you are nestled within a tree itself.

Time Honored Design Issue 1: Los Angeles Tree House

Issue 11: Sustainable interior design Materials