This LA Apartment Proves That Deep, Moody Blues Are the Trend That’s Here to Stay

Starting a design project from scratch is never an easy task, but creating a living space with vintage vibes in a new-construction home? That's a tall order. However, Homepolish designer Kerry Vasquez was up to the challenge, imbuing a blank-slate LA apartment with tons of history and an eclectic, laid-back air that feels unmistakably authentic. Using multiple shades of moody blues to unite the entire home, and breathing a little bit of humor into every corner, Vasquez transformed the space into something befitting a modern take on Mad Men — retro bar area included, of course. And we're officially obsessed with the outcome.

"The client is a comedy writer in Hollywood, and he was looking to create an elevated home for himself and make a fresh start while capturing his personality," Vasquez tells us. "I wanted the home to feel masculine but not overly so, so we chose a generally neutral palette with blue and charcoal accents and natural materials like linens and leathers." The space started out as a blank slate with great bones, but Vasquez transformed it into a character-filled pad with plenty of personality.

"We ended up choosing mostly either mid-century icons (like the Eames chair) or mid-century inspired silhouettes like the carved wooden dining table to further this laid-back California vibe," Vasquez tells us. A modern, sculptural chandelier lends an on-trend look to the space while keeping it unpretentious.

Of course, no mid-century home is complete without a lounge space suited for cocktail hour. "I immediately pictured Don Draper circa now — with a better sense of humor — and tried to channel that aesthetic," Vasquez says of her inspiration.

If you recognize the buzzy shade of blue from last year's color trends, you're not alone. "We painted the walls an intense brooding dark blue and chose a leather chaise in a contemporary silhouette and a mirrored stacking coffee table. Then, to up the tactile element of the room, we chose curtains and a side chair in a rich navy velvet and [incorporated] some brass accents to add a little glam," Vasquez explains. The result is a masculine-meets-feminine mix we can't get enough of.

Other living spaces skew lighter and brighter but still maintain a vintage-y, lived-in vibe. "I wanted to make sure we maintained a sense of lightness and wit throughout the home as well, which I think we achieved, especially with this artwork," says Vasquez. Art prints throughout the space lean toward the planetary-inspired, from the Paper Moon movie poster to the vintage solar system charts by the bar area.

The Eames lounge chair in the corner lends a bit of gravitas (and design history) to the bright, airy living room.

"It was important [to the client] that we prioritize well-made and timeless pieces," Vasquez tells us. It's easy to see this influence throughout the home. The tchotchkes feel personal, and new pieces are intermingled with retro finds, creating an intuitive balance.

"For the master bedroom, we wanted this to feel modern, laid-back, and Californian," Vasquez says. "We chose a platform bed with built-in side tables and an oversized print of a desert landscape. Plants were also an important element throughout the house; bringing the outdoors in is a great way to lean into the surrounding environment and give a sense of place."

Even the guest bedroom feels fun, thanks to a tongue-in-cheek art print. Ironically, this is the only part of the home that had existing furniture when Vasquez began: "With the exception of the guest room bed and side tables, we had a blank slate to choose everything in the home."