The Beginning of a New Chapter
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that the word “home” has carried a lot of weight for me over the last year and a half. When I lost my home in the Palisades fire, I lost much more than just a physical space.
So when I got the keys to this house, it was a moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget. Not because buying a house magically fixes everything. But because it represented something I had been craving for a long time: a place to put down roots again. And now comes the part I’ve been dreaming about… making it a home (!!!)
Finding My 100 Year Old House
I started looking last October and even then, I knew I didn’t want something that felt brand new. I’ve always loved spaces that have character— homes that feel like they’ve lived a life before you ever even walked through the door.
One of the strangest parts of losing everything is that suddenly everything in your life is new. New dishes. New furniture. New clothes. Even when you’re INCREDIBLY grateful to replace what was lost, it can feel sterile to over from scratch. I think that’s a big reason I’ve gravitated toward vintage pieces, both for my home and my closet. There’s something comforting about surrounding yourself with objects that have already lived a life. Someone else loved that ornament. Someone gathered around that table. They carry a sense of history that you simply can’t buy new.
The second I walked into this house, I was drawn to the details and the insane (!!) light. It’s a 1920s Spanish in Los Angeles— the arches, the coved ceilings, the plaster walls, the warmth, and all of the little imperfections that make an older house feel so special. My goal from the beginning was to create a space that felt collected, not decorated. I don’t want it to feel like I went to one store and furnished an entire room in one weekend. I want it to feel like pieces were found over time— vintage pieces mixed with modern ones, things I’ve collected from my travels, and items that will (hopefully!) stay with me for years.
Where I’m Shopping
One of the most asked questions I’ve gotten since sharing the house is: “Where are you finding everything?” And truthfully, it’s really a blend of old and new. Here are some of my favorite places I’ve been looking:
Vintage + Antique Finds
This probably been my favorite part of furnishing. My best friend and I have been spending our weekends going to flea markets for years and it’s so fun to finally shop with a home in mind. My mom and I also have discovered tons of places in LA that are goldmines for vintage (a favorite for Spanish style has been Eric’s Architectural Salvage— endless tile, antique doors, hardware, etc.) I’ve also been perusing Facebook marketplace (where I scored the 1950’s bench at the bottom of my bed!). FB marketplace is a treasure chest if you have patience and a willingness to search.
My biggest tip: don’t underestimate the power of a small piece. A vintage lamp, an old frame, or a beautiful bowl can completely change the feeling of a room.
Furniture
One thing I’ve learned very quickly is that not everything needs to be purchased at once. I’m trying to be really intentional with the larger furniture pieces because they’re the things I’ll hopefully have for years. I’d rather save for the right sofa or dining table than rush into buying something just because I want the room to feel finished.
My approach has been a mix of three categories:
investment pieces— Right now, I’m eyeing this bed for my guest room because I love how classic it feels. I can picture it working with vintage finds today and looking just as beautiful if my style changes years from now.
vintage finds— where the personality comes from. I personally shop mostly through flea markets, estate sales, Ebay, 1st dibs and FB marketplace.
more accessible pieces— I’ve found some of my favorite furniture through Wayfair and the Ashley Luxe collection. I recently picked up this sofa and this gorgeous teak outdoor dining table, and I love how they mix with my older pieces without feeling fussy.
Creating a beautiful home doesn’t happen overnight. The best spaces are built slowly and intentionally!
The Little Things That Make a House Feel Like Home
The funny thing about moving is that it’s never the big things that make a space feel finished. It’s the little things. And if you’re reading this with the knowledge that you’re not moving or redecorating anytime soon, here’s little ways to make your space feel refreshed in a weekend:
Five things I’d do this weekend to make my home feel brand new (without buying furniture):
Buy yourself fresh flowers (Trader Joe’s is my favorite— I have a few tutorials up on how I do this)
Wash your sheets and make your bed or switch it up with a different color linen!
Style your coffee table differently— stack different books, add a new candle or new trinket
Replace your hand soap— it’s one of the few products you use dozens of times a day so why not make it a lovely experience?! This is what I’m using in my home
Shop your own home
This might be my favorite trick. I’ll gather all of my little decorative objects: candlesticks, bowls, books, frames, ceramics, etc—and spread everything out on my kitchen island. Then I “shop” my own collection and move pieces into different rooms. It costs absolutely nothing but somehow everything feels fresh again.
This house is verrrry much still a work in progress and honestly, I hope it stays that way for a while. I’m SO excited to keep sharing the little finds, the evolving spaces, and all the moments in between. And thank you, as always, for being here for this new chapter 🤍
xx Ash
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