These interior design approaches reflect her blissful, unhurried life.
| By Antonia Day | Journal
These interior design approaches reflect her blissful, unhurried life.
There was much to be adored from content creator Karen Emile’s 1950s ranch-style home in Woodland Hills, California. From the bespoke furniture lovingly made by her husband to her enviable collection of vintage homewares, no stone was left unturned when it came to the design and decoration of her charming cottage-like home.
Embracing the slow living mindset, Karen has curated a more meaningful and conscious lifestyle that is in line with every facet of her life. This is especially evident in how she has chosen to style her idyllic home, which serves as a safe haven for Karen, her husband and their son.
To find out how Karen curated a space which pays homage to unhurried moments and farmhouse charm, find six interior design lessons we learnt from her cosy home.
1. Emphasis on handmade items
Karen’s idyllic home is an extension of her and her family. With sentimental items thoughtfully dispersed throughout the space. “I feel like you can sense the love in my home because of the things my husband has built and all the art that is by my son. There’s an artistic creativity in our home, and I love the fact that a lot of it is handmade and collected from within our little family,” Karen said. Her husband built most of the home’s furniture by hand, using salvaged wood for the bed frames and large pine kitchen island, which acts as a pedestal for Karen’s stunning collection of vintage European dishware.
2. Celebrates dated features
What drew Karen to her home initially was the “solid bones” that made up its structure. From the original diamond wood windows to the stone fireplace, the house was alive with character before she had even moved in. These ‘dated’ features may have deterred other would-be buyers, but Karen saw the potential and used this historic charm to her advantage. Applying her natural flair for collecting reclaimed objects and furniture, Karen has created a soulful space that complements the original structure without compromising on the needs of a modern family.
3. Focus on functional spaces
Form and function were just as important to Karen as the overall aesthetic when designing her home. “I’m a big baker. I was out of my house very early on and learnt to cook very quickly. My mum was a terrific cook, and although we didn’t have much, she definitely taught me the staples,” shared Karen. This innate need to nurture and provide for her family was instilled in her from a young age, so it’s no surprise that the kitchen is one of Karen’s most prized rooms in her home, where she and her family spend the most time. Adorned with copper cookware and a show-stopping curved stone rangehood, it’s the perfect backdrop for both impromptu gatherings and her collection of earthenware and ceramics.
4. Finding beauty in the mis-matched
“I don’t like everything to match, and I like everything to be something special and tell a story. I love so many styles, so I said, ‘You know what, I don’t need to match my chairs, I’ll put whatever chair I want!’ And that’s exactly what I did. Why do I have to have rules?” This approach toward decorating is present in every room of Karen’s home. This open-mindedness toward her home’s design has resulted in a space that feels completely unique and also extremely comforting – which is exactly how she wants everyone to feel when they walk through the door of her home.
5. Finding inspiration everywhere
With an emphasis on mis-matched furniture and decor, along with a propensity to forage for natural elements which can be repurposed in her space, Karen uses just about everything as inspiration in her home. Sourcing vintage homewares and furniture from just about everywhere, “I will go anywhere. It can be off the street, from a thrift store, from a high-end boutique, or from the flea market. I have a very specific eye and I’ll just zoom into it,” she said.
6. Sustainability is at the forefront
Extolling the beauty in well-worn furniture and homewares, sustainability is at the core of both Karen’s chosen aesthetic and slow-living lifestyle. “When we moved here, most of the pieces that I had in my last home came into this home. Some of the pieces are 20 years old, they’ve literally travelled with me everywhere,” she said. This sustainable approach to design has resulted in a uniquely personal space, which beautifully reflects Karen and her family's interests, values, and personal style.
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