Julia Leach, a inventive director and co-founder of Chic, a branding consultancy, has lived in Venice, California, for six years. “This residence has a little bit of a speakeasy vibe,” says Julia. “You enter by way of an residence advanced and it doesn’t appear to be something too particular — you don’t count on the skylight and the sunshine.” Right here’s a look inside (and essentially the most unimaginable gallery wall!)…
LIVING ROOM
Espresso desk: Lucca Antiques, comparable. Chairs: Paula Rubenstein, comparable. Couch: Steven Sclaroff, comparable.
On creating an epic gallery wall: I didn’t make a plan forward of time. I simply collected issues and put it up, image by image. Over time, I’ve collected pencil and charcoal figurative drawings from flea markets. Plus, there are drawings I really like by Hugo Guinness and images from 20×200, particularly the horse prints. I used to be a massive advocate of 20×200 from early on.
On seeing what’s there: Each as soon as in a whereas, I’ll be having dinner with a good friend, search for, and understand, wow, I actually love these pictures a lot.
Bookshelves: Room & Board, comparable. Sculptural flooring lamp: lighting store in New York, comparable.
On entertaining: The kitchen appears to be like over the eating room, so I might be chopping onions and nonetheless chat with individuals on the sofa. Half the enjoyable of entertaining is placing all of it collectively visually. I all the time do a unfold of olives, marcona almonds and olive oil drizzled over Parmesan cheese.
On respiratory room: I’m a tall particular person — simply brushing six toes — and the very first thing that drew me to this residence is that the ceilings are 18’ tall. I really like the generosity of the area. It’s extremely open and intimate on the similar time.
Candles: Hammer Museum present store, comparable
On a favourite creator: My pile of books has grown a lot that now I would like to slip books in sideways — they’re not becoming anymore! My favourite creator is James Salter. His novels, together with Mild Years and A Sport and a Pastime, are etched in my reminiscence. The e book he wrote together with his spouse, Life Is Meals, is the right host present.
DINING AREA
Eating desk: Borge Mogensen, comparable. Chairs: Paul McCobb, comparable. Horse portrait: Steven Klein, comparable.
On a ardour for horses: After I was rising up, my dad lived on a farm, and he invited school college students to come back research pottery each summer time. One summer time, one pupil requested to carry her horse. I used to be 5, and I fell in LOVE. I rode horses all through my childhood, and once I moved to L.A., I used to be thrilled to have the ability to trip once more. That’s my time when the world disappears. Horses are so elegant and peaceable, and I get power from them. Feeling that sense of freedom whereas driving — it’s so good for my psychological wellbeing. I’m happiest once I’m on the barn.
On placing artwork on the ground: I’ve a assortment of black and white images, they usually really feel like they wish to dwell collectively on the bottom. I additionally like a little respiratory room on the partitions. It creates extra dimension — your eye is wanting up and down as you stroll by way of the area.
Bookshelves: Room & Board, comparable.
On breaking it in: To me, a home isn’t a dwelling till you will have pals come over. Folks you’re keen on helps give a home its soul. Six months after I moved right here, I had a housewarming social gathering, and it actually helped heat up the area.
KITCHEN
Fruit artwork: Irving Penn, comparable.
On crowd-pleasing meals: When pals come for dinner, I do a salmon with cumin brown sugar glaze, sautéed spinach with golden raisins, and pine nuts, which is all the time a hit. It’s not too sophisticated. I discovered the essential recipe years in the past and have tweaked it to be my very own.
And desserts: My good friend turned me onto a Suzanne Goin recipe for a lemon tart. You make it with a actually skinny layer of darkish chocolate between the crust and the lemon. It’s sort of like gilding the lily, you already know? But it surely’s so scrumptious and a crowd pleaser.
Firework {photograph}: Lisa Kereszi. Bar cart: comparable. Decanter set: Iittala.
On artwork that tells a story: This framed {photograph} reveals a hill in Connecticut with fireworks going off. It captures a cinematic second — there’s positively a narrative happening, however you’re not fairly certain what it’s. Is it stunning or is it harmful? And what’s occurring with the truck? However then you definitely take a look at the highest of the print and see fireworks. It’s mysterious but in addition celebratory.
DESK AREA
On an inspiring area: I modify my inspiration board yearly. It takes time and displays the temper I’m in. After I first moved right here, it was all blues and greens and nature and ocean and horses. However now the colour palette has shifted. Final 12 months, I grew to become obsessive about pairing Yves Klein blues with pinks, after which the gathering started. I take issues from previous magazines, e book covers, quotes I really like… it’s a magpie method.
BEDROOM
Bedside desk: Steven Sclaroff, comparable.
On non-public area: I’m not a frilly romantic particular person, however the bed room feels serene and quiet and simply female sufficient. As a result of I dwell right here alone, I don’t thoughts that the bed room friends out over the dwelling area. It’s nonetheless non-public.
Concrete lamp: OK Gallery, comparable. Fragrance tray: Rose Bowl Flea Market, comparable.
On unwinding: I grew up with out a TV, so I’m a kind of oddballs who has been gradual to embrace reveals. I simply watched The Sopranos, twenty years late. It stood the check of time! I’ve a projector and now and again I’ll mission a film onto the wall, particularly previous films.
BATHROOM
Portrait on wall: flea market, comparable.
On a décor mantra: My recommendation for individuals is: Accumulate, don’t beautify. I’ve issues that I really like from 20 years in the past and from at this time. Discover issues that transfer you, and don’t really feel that it’s good to rush.
OUTSIDE
White chair: Lawson Fenning, comparable.
On a day by day ritual: I’ve an out of doors space that will get gentle all day lengthy. After I’m beginning the day, I open up the double doorways into the patio. One factor I didn’t admire earlier than dwelling right here is the theater of the sky. In New York, you see slivers of blue, or outlines of the sky behind the buildings. In Venice, you get a completely different cloudscape daily — large clouds, sunsets. I really like watching it.
Thanks a lot, Julia!
P.S. Extra home excursions, together with a household’s downsized dream dwelling and a cozy Minnesota home.
(Pictures by The Ingalls for Cup of Jo.)