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photography by TESSA NEUSTADT interior design by CASEY DEBOIS of HOMEPOLISH
One look inside marketing manager, Alexis’ West Village hideaway and we were instantly captivated by the dreamy aesthetic of the Miami-inspired, Art Deco space. So when we got wind of Alexis’ big move to the Golden State, we couldn’t wait to get a glimpse inside her new Laguna Beach pad. Teaming up with Homepolish designer Casey DeBois, (for the second time!) the two set out to design a light and airy home, with only a faint divide between the decor of the interior and exterior. Here, DeBois touches on her inspirations for the decor and redesigning a space, from across the country. Take a look!
WHO Alexis and Joel
SIZE 1400-sq-ft / 2 bedrooms / 2 baths
LOCATION Laguna Beach,CA
STYLE INSPIRATION SoCal beach bungalow vibes
GIVE US A RUNDOWN OF THE SPACE. DID IT REQUIRE A LOT OF CHANGES?
Structurally, we didn’t need to change anything. It’s a charming little beach bungalow nestled on a hillside, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We had both only seen a video of the space when Alexis signed the lease. It was painted a beige yellow, which we knew would have to be painted white – similar to the West Village apartment – the entire space, including the kitchen cabinetry, was covered in Benjamin Moore’s Simply White.
The white background makes some of the accent pieces, such as the colorful vintage arrows above the spiral staircase, really pop. Most of the accents like the sofa, chairs, and rugs come in natural tones, which blend nicely into the surroundings, so that the focus can shift to the spectacular views of the ocean. We aimed to inject Alexis’ personal style into the space, without affecting its existing natural beauty.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THIS PROJECT?
The high-level vision was to keep everything open and breezy. The house is lined with windows, which lets in a ton of light and air. We wanted to keep the colors natural with subtle accents and the furnishings to a minimal.
These Etsy finds were placed above the stairwell, to resemble a larger scaled piece of art.
ARROWS Set of 5 Colorful Vintage Arrows, Gallivanting Girls etsy.com
The
piece is inspired by mid-century design and pays homage to the textural beauty of hand-woven rattan – for a very seaside look.
BAR CART South Seas Bar Cart, Serena & Lily
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE OVERALL AESTHETIC OF THE HOME?
It’s a bright, clean, eclectic, and happy space with memories of Miami and New York woven into the couple’s new California life.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU SCRIMPED OR SPLURGED ON WHEN IT CAME TO THE REDESIGN?
I think design is always a mix of high and low. We opted for an inexpensive and minimal approach when it came to the storage pieces, and splurged on items such as fine textiles, pillows, and throws.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE REDESIGN?
The covered outdoor deck on the upper level. Personal outdoor space is hard to come by in New York, and I really enjoyed designing an outdoor living space where you can relax and eat your meals year-round, while taking in breathtaking sunsets. In this case, she has two different outdoor spaces, one on the deck and one in the yard.
WERE THERE ANY CHALLENGES THROUGHOUT THE REMODEL?
One would think the distance would be a major issue, although luckily, it didn’t affect us much. I ordered several pieces before seeing the space, based off the floor plans and pictures provided. I then took a trip out there and we purchased the rest of the items, and returned soon after everything arrived to put in the finishing touches.
ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE MAKING THE MOVE FROM NYC TO LA?
It’s always a personal thing, the cultures on each coast are so different. I’ve lived and worked on both coasts, and I find that people tend to take on the qualities of their respective environments. Alexis chose not to replicate the art deco vibe of her NYC apartment. Instead, we started fresh, going with more natural and organic accents like the vintage arrows, sisal rugs, bamboo bar cart, and watercolor prints. She retained the cosmopolitan and artistic influences of New York and Miami, while embracing the bright and open feel of her new hom
Serape cushions made from Mexican blankets by Jenn from LivenUpDesign.
SERAPE CUSHIONS LivenUpDesign etsy.com