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Houzz Tour: Eclectic Los Angeles Bungalow
Vibrant colors and contrasting patterns jazz up thrift-store and market finds in a West Coast 'jungalow'
Echo Park in Los Angeles attracts many artists looking for refuge from the glittery veneer of Hollywood. So it's no surprise that design consultant Justina Blakeney found herself (with her fiancée and her baby-to-be, as she's 18 weeks pregnant) in a post-1940 stand-alone house that she calls in her blog her "jungalow," a playful mix of "jungle" and "bungalow."
Blakeney is inspired by the jungle's harmony of colors. "I love the way bright colors come together in the jungle in a striking cacophony," she says, "but somehow manage to be completely harmonious."
Blakeney is inspired by the jungle's harmony of colors. "I love the way bright colors come together in the jungle in a striking cacophony," she says, "but somehow manage to be completely harmonious."
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Blakeney painted the chopping board in rainbow hues to add a punch of brights to the kitchen. She also uses it as a serving tray, to the delight of her guests.
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Blakeney loves this bright green hue on the trims in the kitchen: "It's weird and deep. I just love it."
Trim paint: Mint Sprig, by Behr; chairs: Verner Panton
Trim paint: Mint Sprig, by Behr; chairs: Verner Panton
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The design aesthetic throughout the home is a commentary on today's urban environment. "We are animals, but we spend an unhealthy amount of time indoors," Blakeney says. "We should be in the sun. For this reason, I love to bring the outdoors indoors as much as possible and to surround myself with nature-inspired, crazy-looking, wild patterns."
She also surrounds herself with pieces from her travels. "I got the pillows while traveling and others right here in a few L.A. thrift shops and markets," she says. "The kilim pillows I brought back from a trip to Ephesus, Turkey, and the couch was a hand-me-down from my grandmother that I re-covered myself."
She also surrounds herself with pieces from her travels. "I got the pillows while traveling and others right here in a few L.A. thrift shops and markets," she says. "The kilim pillows I brought back from a trip to Ephesus, Turkey, and the couch was a hand-me-down from my grandmother that I re-covered myself."
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Blakeney doesn't worry so much about things going together as she does picking things she likes. "I love bright colors," she says, "but I especially love when they have faded a bit due to age. I like to contrast florals with geometrics, so I may put a floral pillow next to a zigzag one for effect."
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Blakeney describes her entryway as "a little weird." In lieu of a closet and bench, there's a white shelf for her brightly hued footwear. The shoes themselves — peep-toe pumps, suede boots, platforms — are part of the décor, like colorful book spines peeking out from an étagère.
Shoe shelves: Ikea; print: vintage, unsigned; plants: Succulent Love
Shoe shelves: Ikea; print: vintage, unsigned; plants: Succulent Love
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Every part of the home is touched by some sort of greenery. The living room shelving unit showcases houseplants along with books, some of which she's penned herself. (She coauthored the 99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim, and Tie series for Random House.) In addition to being an author, Blakeney works with those in need of creative consultations, new ideas, and influencers. She shares design ideas, finds, and general design-related musings on her blog, Justina Blakeney.
Shelving units: custom made by Pepe's Thrift Shop
Shelving units: custom made by Pepe's Thrift Shop
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This pine apothecary chest came from a thrift shop in Los Angeles. It's a creative solution to showcase her indoor plants from top to bottom.
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Blakeney painted this vanity twice before settling on a bright blue. "It was a natural color and pretty beat up when I bought it for $80 at a thrift shop," she recalls.
Vanity paint: Aqua Waters by Behr
Vanity paint: Aqua Waters by Behr
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Masks and hats bought while traveling or thrifting enliven the walls. "The angel and the two monkey dolls are from Mexico," Blakeney says. "The African masks are from thrift shops in Los Angeles, and the two hats are Peruvian."
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This bed canopy was easy to assemble. "I just used two Turkish towels and held it together with an ornate Turkish lantern," Blakeney says. The bedspread, a suzani from Turkey, has an interesting backstory:
"I had zero intention of coming home with a suzani from the grand bazaar in Instanbul," she recounts. "The vintage suzanis are usually very expensive, but I haggled with the shop owner for 40 minutes and eventually bought it. The experience of sharing tea with the owner, pointing out every hole and stain, was all part of the fun and ultimately makes me love the bedspread even more."
More:
Bungalows: Domestic Design at the Dawn of the Auto Age
Houzz Tour: Sunny Update for a California Bungalow
Get Outrageous with Wall Color
"I had zero intention of coming home with a suzani from the grand bazaar in Instanbul," she recounts. "The vintage suzanis are usually very expensive, but I haggled with the shop owner for 40 minutes and eventually bought it. The experience of sharing tea with the owner, pointing out every hole and stain, was all part of the fun and ultimately makes me love the bedspread even more."
More:
Bungalows: Domestic Design at the Dawn of the Auto Age
Houzz Tour: Sunny Update for a California Bungalow
Get Outrageous with Wall Color
Comments
Aubrey Emlyn Really love this. The passion and character that went into this space makes it warm and inviting.
15 months ago · Like
gb73 I'm a huge fan of Justina's work! Love her jungalow, every last little detail in there!
15 months ago · Like
Bright Bold and Beautiful How fun ~ love the bright mint / seafoam green color!
15 months ago · Like
CAROLE MEYER This is such a fun lively space with so much personality.....I love it.
15 months ago · Like
Martha Layton Smith love everything about it!
15 months ago · Like
NOrma Remick Sorry, I don't understand the idea that small spaces, filled with clutter, and gaudy colors are beautiful. These rooms feel claustrophobic and "high-strung"! While I embrace an ecclectic style of decor, these photographs just show a semi-orderly collection of excess that is slightly reminiscent of the hippie era in the late 60s. The only thing lacking is shag carpetring.
15 months ago · Like
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marmarmish Tho not my style, I can certainly appreciate this home for it's coziness and personality. A far cry from many homes that are featured - styled by a designer that reflects little of those that live there. I especially love the little story of the suzani bedspread!
15 months ago · Like
Vintage Renewal So in love with this cute place!
15 months ago · Like
Lauren Elyse awesome!!
15 months ago · Like
Cindy Strobel Love the different takes of eclectic styles shown here, each one unique and lovely every room shown except a bathroom! so I am going to be bold and picture my own eclectic style here in my bathroom. I color washed my walls Shades of turquoise which gives it a sea water appeal then with my barreled ceiling I added an antique chandelier,a driftwood mirror that I made myself that also reflects the stain glass window found at an estate sale. A cherub hangs high on the wall above the tub and stain glass window. If you are interested in a driftwood mirror, please go to this site to see other similar mirrors.http://www.etsy.com/your/listings?show_panel=true
15 months ago · Like
Cindy Strobel Love the different takes of eclectic styles shown here, each one unique and lovely every room shown except a bathroom! so I am going to be bold and picture my own eclectic style here in my bathroom. I color washed my walls Shades of turquoise which gives it a sea water appeal then with my barreled ceiling I added an antique chandelier,a driftwood mirror that I made myself that also reflects the stain glass window found at an estate sale. A cherub hangs high on the wall above the tub and stain glass window. If you are interested in a driftwood mirror, please go to this site to see other similar mirrors.http://www.etsy.com/your/listings?show_panel=true 
15 months ago · Like
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Cindy Strobel I love the bed canopy! How unique to use a Turkish towel to hold the Turkish lantern up! ingenuity at its best!
15 months ago · Like
ladyapples Love this! My kitchen is painted in the exact same color, so it's pretty cool to see someone else working with the same color in a similar space. I hated it at first (the house came like this), but then started to work with it to the point where it's my favorite in the house. I also like the bedroom setup. I have paneling as well, and if it isn't the worst. Nice to see that it can be muted with the right touches around the room.
15 months ago · Like
Delia Krimmel The style of bright colors, patterns, weaving and a sort of "organized" clutter reminds me of my Eastern European upbringing. In art it's a term called "Horror vacui" (fear of empty spaces) in which designer/artist feels need to cover all empty spaces; it's not a phobia, just an art term and while it can be suffocating for some, it isn't like a 70's shag; too many elements are different. Even if it's not my style, I see a part of myself in it and it makes me smile a little and think of my childhood. :)
15 months ago · Like
Cindy Strobel I love the chairs in the kitchen, the planter apothecary, the colorful pillows and the shade of blue she used on her dresser!
14 months ago · Like
lara_jane Super fun!
10 months ago · Like
