Get the Look Decor: Antique Eclectic

Etsy.com handmade and vintage goods
Iheartmoustaches

Story by Christine Domanic

Published on Jan 15, 2012 in Shop

Iheartmoustaches

This weekend’s Get the Look Decor is inspired by the incredible Los Angeles apartment designed by Jared Frank and Sam Jacober, the stylists, interior designers and art directors behind Topsy Design and the Etsy vintage shop of the same name.

The Mediterranean-style apartment complex was built in 1929 and was once called home by James Dean and Rock Hudson. Since this Silver Lake apartment is fully furnished, Jared uses the guest room as bait to lure East Coast friends to the Left Coast.

 

[Left to right, top row: Vintage illuminated globe lamp by Boardgamerecycler; Vintage pine step ladder by Lamanastronaut ; Escape route fine art print by Lizbrizzi; Left to right, bottom row: Vintage ornate scrolled wall shelf by Stgabrielsgarden; Antique oscillating fan by KnickofTime; Vintage wooden hippo by Silverbeevintage]

Describe your home decorating style.
Antique eclectic. Buying vintage is both a moral and aesthetic choice. We waste enough in this society; home is the one place you can control, so living in a more sustainable way is very important to me. However, this isn’t health food, it’s real food: vintage and antique objects made before the industrialization of home furnishings were constructed so much better than the contemporary alternatives. The organic materials of wood and metal last and can take damage without looking worse for wear. Old objects tell a story, and I love surrounding myself with things that have depth. I often think about my furniture’s past lives.

That said, the last thing I’m interested in is living in a home that’s like a museum dedicated to a particular period. I like to mix styles from different eras. When you do this, you find that pieces have underlying philosophies that make them go well together. In the kitchen nook, I have an Arts and Crafts chair for my military field table. Even though their makers’ backgrounds differ enormously, they were both intended to function with utilitarian simplicity and constructed from materials designed to last.


[Left to right, top row: "Fly TWA Jets" poster by ThreeStepsAhead; Vintage wire hanging basket by FunkyJunkyVintage; Red & white metal utility kitchen cart by WildrosePrimitives; Left to right, bottom row: Metro table by Artavironi; Wooden folding camp stool by Thisvintagething; Kilim pillow cover by Organicshinesociety]

Did you decide to decorate in this style or was there an evolution to your decorating process?
There has definitely been an evolution to my decorating process. I used to be primarily attracted to simple, masculine objects, but over time I grew bored. I became inspired by nature, and my female partner Sam encouraged me to open up my personal style and bring in feminine, delicate, curvaceous, ornate objects. In the study there is a metal table with a Victorian wicker chair in front of it. I love how the curvy lines of the chair play against the hard ninety-degree angles of the table.

[Left to right, top row: Vintage 1940's westinghouse television by ZassysTreasures; Three vintage parasols by HippopoVintage; Vintage marquee lights by VintageMarqueeLights; Left to right, bottom row: Antique gazzarrini trunk by Oldnewhouse; Barn wood mirror by AdventureIndoors; Elephant planter by SpikeandDaisy]

Where are your favorite places to shop for home items?
My favorite places to shop are the flea markets of Los Angeles; the big ones are Long Beach, Rosebowl, and PCC. However, these experiences can be overwhelming for the uninitiated, and it takes a trained eye to make off with the good stuff at the right price. I work as an interior decorator and personal shopper for those seeking vintage and antique pieces for their home. (For more information, contact me.)

[Left to right, top row: Glass top iron table by HugoandBeatrice; Napa valley train & bus scroll by TransitDesign; Industrial spot floor lamp by Ernie50; Left to right, bottom row: Bauman childs dress form by Plainandelegant; Danish modern folding camp chair by AustinModern; Pendleton churro saddle blanket by Isawyoukissingmyhook]

What inspires you when it comes to decorating?
I am most inspired by the needs of the rooms and my lifestyle. It should be possible to both work and chill in every room of the house. I never want friends to come over and not know where to sit. I want my life to flow seamlessly from contemplation, to production, to play.

[Left to right, top row: Glamorous hollywood regency twin metal headboard by Reinvintagechic; Antique tied quilt by HippopoVintage; Vintage desk lamp by Havenvintage; Left to right, bottom row: Reclaimed bullseye window frame mirror by Encorereclamation; Vintage clock radio by Moxiethrift; Reclaimed wood nightstand by Natureinspiredcrafts]

What is your favorite part about your home?
The southern-style deck that overlooks Sunset Drive. If Sunset was a river and not a street, I’d stay in this apartment forever.

Does your home hold any strong memories?
The strongest memories this home holds are those I share with my business partner, Sam. We moved here and decorated the home together. We’ve recently parted ways, but we still work together. This home still holds our love and our history. If it wasn’t for her, it wouldn’t look the way it does, and it’s a constant reminder of our enduring relationship.

[Left to right, top row: Mosaic wall vase/planter by Memoriesinmosaics; Pillow set by TimbercreekDesigns; Vintage wire birdcage by ThatsVintageBaby; Left to right, bottom row: Wooden helix spiral wind spinner by Manland; Pair of folding chairs by AMBIANIC; Handpainted mason jar lantern by LITdecor]


Looking for more styles and interiors? Check out our video series, There’s No Place Like Here, where creative types show us their unique spaces — infused with their aesthetic and filled with the treasures they collect. Get involved and show us your amazing space in this Flickr pool.

More Get the Look: Home Decor Editions.

Housewares Category | Vintage Housewares

236 comments

Sign in to add your own