Midcentury-inspired furniture, vibrant accents and a contemporary color palette helped this couple turn their 1920s apartment into a place that felt just like home. A designer bunch using a contemporary aesthetic, Shawn Smith and Leah Russell were contested by their 1926 apartment’s vintage bones and art deco charm. Bold fabrics, neutral walls and traditional furniture helped them pay tribute to the building’s history while still producing a more modern appearance of their own.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Shawn Smith, Leah Russell and their puppy, Winston
Location: Los Angeles
Size: 750 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
That’s intriguing: Their building was once home to former president Ronald Reagan
Madison Modern Home
“Our decorating philosophy is’in using the old and brand new,'” says Smith. “We’ve attempted to show modern bits in conversation with the 1920s design, and how it can make a home an eclectic mix of styles.”
Madison Modern Home
The spacious, naturally decorated bedroom comes with a custom-built bed complete with built-in nightstands and underbed storage. Folded clothes are tucked off, eliminating the need for a dresser.
Wall paint: Mushroom, Martha Stewart
More underbed storage thoughts
Madison Modern Home
Original art by Smith and Russell with easy mats and frames hangs above the glossy white desk in the bedroom. “If money was no object, I’d splurge on an original Andy Warhol,” Russell says.
Desk: Ikea; orange seat: Globus, Design Within Reach
Madison Modern Home
An Ikea storage method fits snugly between the moldings of 2 closets to home incidentals and gives a perch for framed photographs.
Madison Modern Home
Three-dimensional wall tiles in the entry add an element of surprise for people. Smith chose a deep plum shade to match the beautiful view outside the living room windows. A cowhide rug helps define the foyer.
Wall tiles: Mio Culture
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Smith and Russell scored big at a garage sale for this original mustard-color Eames molded plastic seat. “The seller had no idea what they were getting rid of. We got a fantastic deal!” says Smith.
Madison Modern Home
A gallery transforms an embarrassing part of wall with electrical wiring down the center. Instead of camouflaging the wiring, then the few worked it into the design, layering the frames for a 3-D effect.
Painted concrete floors lend an industrial component to the hot neutrals on the walls and furniture. An area rug placed perpendicularly adds visual attention.
Madison Modern Home
A vintage cocktail table from Russell’s native Alabama displays a handmade box, a small sculpture and some favourite artwork books.
The press unit is a small bedside block table paired with a leftover cupboard base turned on its side. The clever combination resembles a contemporary piece of furniture and can be just right for saving books and DVDs.
Madison Modern Home
From the dining area a classic black and white checkerboard floor and chalkboard wall give a daring punch to the sunny room. The couple switches up the picture or message .
Madison Modern Home
Finding a dining table acceptable for their tight dining room was the couple’s biggest design dilemma. They ended up choosing a round table paired with bright white Bellini-style seats.
Table: Room & Board; seats: Design Within Reach
Madison Modern Home
A stylish dish drainer by the couple’s favourite designer, Marc Newson, adds a citrus-colored punch to the black and and white tile countertop. “We adore his forward-thinking ideas and extreme versatility,” Smith states.
Madison Modern Home
From the bathroom Russell made the unisex shower artwork to match the CB2 wall vase. The color palette is contemporary gray and yellowish.