When someone works in a classic shop whose enthusiast following contains set artists such as Mad Men, you would expect the individual’s house to be some thing of a knockout. Self-professed thrift queen and societal media freelancer for Casa Victoria Nicole Paulus along with her boyfriend, Timothy Johnson, provide on that premise using a Los Angeles apartment full of camera-ready midcentury style.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Nicole Paulus and Timothy Johnson, dog Rudolph, cat Kurt and (female) snake Mitch
Location: Angeleno Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles (between downtown, Echo Park and Chinatown)
Size: 800 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Madison Modern Home
Madison Modern Home
The exposed brick has been among the greatest draws for Paulus and Johnson. From there they began curating their dwelling. “Every time we add a brand new item of furniture or knickknack, items fall much more in to position,” says Paulus, shown here. “I believe your house should be constantly evolving. Decorating shouldn’t ever be over.”
“My house is my refuge,” she adds. “I know it sounds cliché, but my house is the place that I visit decompress. It’s really easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the city, but there’s not anything that brings you down to earth compared to with a good foundation — and a ridiculous boyfriend.”
Madison Modern Home
The open floor plan combines the workplace, diningroom, kitchen and living spaces, a setup which fosters interaction. “My boyfriend and I have quite frantic independent lives,” Paulus says. “But we can spend quality time together even if we are doing different things.”
Madison Modern Home
Sofa, classic orange chair: Casa Victoria
Madison Modern Home
Paulus and Johnson love cooking together — spring rolls and lettuce wraps, recently — within their efficient kitchen which crosses one wall.
Vintage flooring lamp: Casa Victoria
Madison Modern Home
With all these furnishings surrounding Paulus on the job she tries to embrace a clutter-free design philosophy in your home.
Here low-maintenance indoor plants and a few accessories sit atop a ledge that wraps around the main room.
Madison Modern Home
Paulus describes her style as a “hodgepodge of items that strike my fancy at the present time,” though her boyfriend comes with a much different style. “He’s a lover of a more contemporary and minimalist feel,” Paulus says. “After almost 3 years of living together, we’ve finally found a sweet compromise between the two extremes — minimalist matches manic.”
Madison Modern Home
The grand tufted velvet bed in the bedroom is out of Haute House Home, in which Paulus formerly worked as an independent writer.
“I love the time before we all go to sleep and everyone is piled at the bed,” says Paulus. “Except for your snake — she moans.” The reptile’s terrarium is perched on the window ledge.
Madison Modern Home
While Paulus actively declutters, one thing she can not part with is personal correspondence. “I’ve kept each and every card or letter someone has written me. I also have all of my old journals through time,” she states, many of which can be tucked within this corner on the ledge. “It’s fun to look back and see exactly what the younger me was distraught over. It’s generally something very, very ridiculous.”
Madison Modern Home
“I love that our house is a place where we can bounce ideas off each other, plan our amazing escape or simply relax with our fur babies before the TV,” says Paulus.
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