When did our homes begin to lose their unique charm?
I’m Emily, an interior designer who is terrified of writing but who has set a challenge to write about design that excites me. I would like to prefix now that I may make the occasional spelling error, even with spell check, but I will try my best.
I live a bi-country lifestyle with my partner, I am Irish and he is Italian. We split our time between these two amazing places, which gives me endless inspiration as a designer. From the rugged beauty of Ireland’s west coast to Italy’s stunning architecture and art, my experiences shape my creative vision. I have to say, spotting frescoes or crumbling plaster with centuries of history always makes me happy.
My personal design style is relaxed and eclectic. I aim to create spaces that feel unique, comfortable, and lived-in. I love mixing old and new elements and often explore Italian antique markets to find one-of-a-kind treasures. I’m not one to follow design trends; I focus on crafting spaces that grow with my clients. To me, sometimes trends can feel a bit stale and impersonal.
My biggest inspiration is my mom, who turned our family home into a delightful, ever-evolving space. It’s filled with original artwork from family friends, young artists, her own creations, along with cherished heirlooms and vintage finds. It’s a place where everyone instantly feels at home, and I want to bring that same sense of comfort to others’ spaces.
When not working on designs, one of my favorite pastimes is searching online for unique homes. I can’t quite describe the feeling I experience when I discover a home that is so distinctive, brimming with character and personality. It’s like a capsule containing dozens of lives that have unfolded within that single space, exuding a look and charm that is truly captivating.
One such space is this beautiful treehouse home, or as it is more commonly known, the John Lennon house. It is situated in the hills of Los Angeles and was built in 1961 by actor-turned-real estate developer John Compton. He designed this home to feel like a treehouse in the middle of a city. It is spread out over three levels and is only accessible by a hillside tram to the house. It has a rich history of musicians and artists staying here, but for me, it is the small details in the design that stand out.
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A perfect example of this is the built-in shelving going up the stairs in the photo below. It is simple shelving and some drawers, all hand-crafted to fit exactly into the space. I love the fact that it is not perfect; it looks like it has been used well over the 70+ years it has been around, but it is also a solemn reminder that features like this no longer exist today. It sometimes feels like with the new builds or renovations of today’s homes, we remove any semblance of uniqueness in order to create a square white box so that it is “easy to furnish.” The reason I love design elements like this is that the shelving below does not serve a major purpose in the functioning of the home, but it does enhance the charm and character immensely.
Take for instance the stained glass window in the image below; I love the fact that they installed a beautiful stained glass window into what looks to be a regular closet. It is these whimsical touches to a design that make it so special and unique.
One of my absolute favorite spaces in this stunning home is the office. While I may not be the most organized person, the built-in storage in this office brings me a joy that’s hard to put into words. The floor-to-ceiling shelving, the small drawers for little items, and the integrated file drawers — all of it has a designated spot, meticulously designed and crafted to perfection.
The warm tones of the wood, the incredible use of space, every inch has been thought about. The cozy and almost cocoon feel of the room is contrasted by the large open doors out to the veranda. This balance of strong wood tones and natural light plays into this inside-outside feel of the home. Truthfully, it almost feels as if you are nestled within a tree itself.
