A Designer’s Very Own Treehouse Perched Atop a Leafy Canopy
Words by Gabrielle Savoie
Photo by Michael Clifford
Step one: find the perfect location—a quaint little bungalow hidden up a slope away from the street and sitting beneath a leafy canopy will do.
Step two: Make small changes (like painting a feature wall in a deep muddy green Roman clay finish) to bring the outdoors in. Step three: vow to purchase something from every artisan you meet, no matter how small. That was the blueprint for interior designer Lauren Piscione’s Silver Lake home. The founder of LP Creative moved into her one-bedroom bungalow in Los Angeles in 2018 and, four years later, it’s filled with unique finds, creative collaborations, and cherished items made by friends. Now that’s the true meaning of a “collected” space. Here’s how this dreamy little treehouse came together over the years.
The project: A charming, 1,200-square-foot bungalow from the 1940s
The location: Silver Lake, Los Angeles CA
The room: Living Room
The client: Myself!
Photo by Michael Clifford
Why do you think this space works so well? I don’t know for sure that it “works so well” but it certainly works for me. All of the pieces included in the design of this space truly mean something to me. There was no goal to make things “match” or look one particular way—the space is just an amalgamation of pieces I treasure from makers that I love and am lucky enough to call friends.
What was the goal for this room? How did it need to function? I just knew I wanted to design a space that felt comfortable and livable—a space that would allow my own design taste to continue to evolve without limitations. I never create spaces that are overly “designed” or “matchy-matchy” because with my clients, there is a point where I will leave them, and I want them to always feel capable of building on the design on their own.
The same is absolutely true for me. As my design style inevitably changes and as I continue to connect with new and interesting makers and artists, my space needs to reflect not only where I am at in a current moment, but also where I have been—a space that tells the story and demonstrates my evolution.
Photo by Michael Clifford
What was your inspiration jumping-off point? I am deeply inspired by what can be seen through the windows of the homes that I design. In this case, lush green canopies and the rolling Silver Lake hills. I knew the color palette and materials would be drawn heavily from the outside: organic textures like woods, reeds, and plaster and earthy tones of rusts, mustards, olives, indigos… and of course 50 shades of brown.
What piece do you think anchors this space? My vintage Tuareg mat.
Biggest splurge: My biggest splurge was my custom coffee table from Minjae Kim. I had been lusting after Minjae’s work for some time. I finally mustered up the courage to reach out to him. So completely in awe of his craft, I gave him some dimensions and carte blanche on this piece. The result is something far better than I could have ever imagined. I am so obsessed with this piece and because I believe so deeply in Minjae and his success, I know it will be worth far more than what I spent in years and years to come... not that I would ever sell it!
Photo by Michael Clifford
Biggest steal: My biggest save would probably be the antique Japanese textiles I collected and used as both window treatments and upholstery for my Bell chair from Otherside Objects and the banquette seating in my kitchen nook. I found this incredible dealer on Etsy years ago and started working with him directly. I wasn’t always sure of what I would use the fabric for—given their small size, I thought pillows—but when Sam and I started to collaborate on the Bell chair, I asked if she could Boro-style quilt the fabrics together (alas, she could!) and the result was a very special one-of-a-kind piece that I know was made just for me.
Biggest challenge you had when designing this space: My biggest challenge was also my biggest blessing on this one: I was the client. That meant I didn’t feel as much hesitation to try things out that might not necessarily work and with that, there were a handful of design mistakes that got made. I also never quite felt done designing… There was always something else that could get added or changed—this ultimately made the project take a lot longer. I lived in this house for almost 3 years, and I think I finally felt ready to share it at the 2.5-year mark.
How would you describe the vibe of this space? Collected, layered, comfortable, and carefree.
Photo by Michael Clifford