WRITTEN BY BLAKE MILLER
DESIGNED BY QUINTESSENTIAL LIVING / @quintessential___living
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIS NICOLAY PHOTOGRAPHY / www.janisnicolay.com
The Lees enlisted designer Linda Lam of Quintessential Living to bring their vision of a clean, modern aesthetic to fruition. “I have always liked the boho-chic look,” says Emily. The existing canvas was far from fitting for that aesthetic, so Lam began by lightening things with a fresh coat of paint before addressing some of the dark, dated finishes. Lam painted the original red brick fireplace white, renovated the kitchen, and added architectural details such as the archways and custom millwork throughout.
The interiors, though, were guided primarily by Emily’s desire for vegan furnishings. “I have been vegan and cruelty free for ten years,” she explains. “I found being vegan helps our world the most in terms of sustainability and avoiding cruelty. I hoped my home reflected the same values.” Lam went to work curating pieces that were not only vegan but also achieved the laid-back California vibe the Lees desired. “I’ve never applied veganism to design before,” says Lam. “It really pushed me to be a little bit more creative as I was conscious of the content and sourcing of the materials.”
Greenery was one note that complemented the vegan and boho-chic design. Like the furnishings, “all of the plants were custom curated and designed,” says Lam. “We designed everything with the planters, the moss, the pots. Everything was very detailed.” The result is a home that checks all of the Lees’ boxes for an updated home that feels fresh, natural, and invigorating for the couple. Says Wayne: “After the renovations, the home looked like something that my wife and I have dreamed about.”
Neutral Ground
Designer Linda Lam works with neutral palettes frequently and is talented in steering whites and beiges from looking flat and boring. Here are her tips to create interest with a neutral palette.
Employ Texture. “It was so important to really include a lot of different textures and finishes,” says Lam of the Lee project. “Concrete stone, natural stone, rattan, [and] layers of different fabrics were all incorporated. I had to be really creative in picking the right textures and subtle patterns.”
Add Greenery. The Lee project called for what Lam refers to as “interior landscaping. And it played a huge role in bringing the home to life.” She curated an array of live and faux plants and containers throughout the home to not only breathe energy into the space but also add another layer of interest.
Use Light. Natural light was the ideal accent for this project, highlighting the varying textures Lam integrated into the design. So instead of blocking the light, she kept it open wherever possible.
