Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Bohemian Elegance in a Small Space
Flea market finds and custom pieces bring character to a cozy 800-square-foot Los Angeles home
Vintage lighting, custom upholstery and artful vignettes turned this 800-square-foot home into a colorful and eclectic Los Angeles retreat. "I'm a sucker for that Palm Springs vibe," says owner Angel Quintana. "I think having color in every room keeps it exciting and shows a sense of humor. A self-described "flea market junkie," Quintana has a penchant for quirky vintage finds and playful textiles that has imbued her space with an energy and a style all her own.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Angel Quintana, her husband and their dog, Bobo
Location: Los Angeles
Size: 800 square feet; 2 bedrooms (1 used as an office), 1 bathroom
That’s interesting: Quintana once worked for interior designer Ruthie Sommers.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Angel Quintana, her husband and their dog, Bobo
Location: Los Angeles
Size: 800 square feet; 2 bedrooms (1 used as an office), 1 bathroom
That’s interesting: Quintana once worked for interior designer Ruthie Sommers.
Quintana and Bobo perch on a custom sofa from Monarch. "Start buying some key pieces before you purchase a home," Quintana advises. "I think people buy a home and then don't have enough furniture to fill it up. I find that classic pieces can always be worked into a new space, and other pieces can be sold on Craigslist if you simply cannot find a spot for them."
A Lucite cocktail table nearly disappears, leaving behind just its elegant reflective edges. Favorite coffee table books elevate a thrift store skull and vintage binoculars. Above the sofa, a flea market–sourced jackalope trophy adds a note of cheekiness.
Rather than follow the philosophy "There is a place for everything," Quintana prefers to think, "Where should I move this piece to next?"
Rather than follow the philosophy "There is a place for everything," Quintana prefers to think, "Where should I move this piece to next?"
In the living room, Quintana remade a midcentury modern chair with a stylish Greek key fabric. She also re-covered the vintage ottoman in dark green velvet.
Quintana was able to carve out a glamorous dining room from a diminutive space by using high-backed retro chairs and an Ikea table. A classic chandelier radiates soft light from above. Quintanta recommends replacing all of the light fixtures in a house. "This makes a place feel so special, and everyone will notice!" she says.
The dining chairs will eventually be reupholstered in gold velvet with a pink and white pattern on the back. She's also hoping to replace the Ikea table with a vintage marble table.
The dining chairs will eventually be reupholstered in gold velvet with a pink and white pattern on the back. She's also hoping to replace the Ikea table with a vintage marble table.
This set of eight six-piece vintage gold flatware place settings and two serving spoons from the Rose Bowl Flea Market is Quintana's latest $25 steal.
A DIY chalkboard provides a space for everything from daily inspiration for Quintana's holistic lifestyle business to shopping lists.
Custom shades and an old sign from her husband's college days accessorize the kitchen. Vintage kitchenware brings color to a butcher block countertop.
When asked what she would change about her home, Quintana says, "Don't get me started on the kitchen! I fantasize about cooking in a lush kitchen for friends and a killer bar for my husband to make me delicious cocktails with his homemade bitters."
When asked what she would change about her home, Quintana says, "Don't get me started on the kitchen! I fantasize about cooking in a lush kitchen for friends and a killer bar for my husband to make me delicious cocktails with his homemade bitters."
The tufted headboard's elegant lines offset a casual striped coverlet from Anthropologie. Overhead, a vintage lighting find adds warmth.
DIY song-lyric art rests on a Crate & Barrel console beside the bed, surrounded by curated curiosities.
A '60s pendant inspired a yellow color palette in this home office. Mirrored closet doors reflect a vintage dresser that Quintana updated with white paint.
Bohemian art and a funky lamp found at Home Goods sit on the dresser. A reupholstered chair invites an afternoon read.
"I am a true lover of change, and that includes even the big pieces of furniture in our home," says Quintana. "I even decided to move the whole bedroom into the second bedroom just because I needed to experiment. I wanted to know how it felt to sleep there."
"I am a true lover of change, and that includes even the big pieces of furniture in our home," says Quintana. "I even decided to move the whole bedroom into the second bedroom just because I needed to experiment. I wanted to know how it felt to sleep there."
Quintana's jewelry and accessories reside next to books organized by color, creating visual impact in a white bookcase. “I’m obsessed with the color white," she says. "I think this room represents me and my talents. It's also the room that houses my clothing and shoes, which are very dear to me," says Quintana.
White is repeated in the ornate DIY pin board, the faux bamboo Chippendale chair, the lacquer World Market desk and the cream-colored flokati rug. Favorite images, photos and client ideas are front and center. A gooseneck desk lamp and typewriter add a vintage touch to the glossy white desk surface. Quintana loves sitting at her desk in the office. "I spent the most time designing it because I wanted to work in a space that inspired me," she says.
A scalloped 1950s shelf displays a framed photo booth picture and bathroom essentials.
Houzz call: Do you have an eclectic, creative home? Show us your home and it could be featured on Houzz.
Houzz call: Do you have an eclectic, creative home? Show us your home and it could be featured on Houzz.