Rental Revamp: She Gave Her West Hollywood Chateau the Princess Treatment
"It looks like a Disneyland castle," designer Irina Lazar says of the one-bedroom apartment she furnished with practical pieces and flights of fancy.
"It looks like a Disneyland castle," designer Irina Lazar says of the one-bedroom apartment she furnished with practical pieces and flights of fancy.
Irina "Riri" Lazar wanted her new home to be practical—to a point, anyway.
After living for years in New York City and Mexico City, she felt it was time to return to California to be closer to her parents. Riri was originally drawn to the casual atmosphere and oceanside location of L.A.’s Venice Beach, but as an interior designer, she was deterred by the rental extremes of "dilapidated bungalows or ultramodern houses," she says. That’s when she set her sights on West Hollywood, which is actually further east.
"I am a quirky, dynamic, happy, wise, and complex person, so this home really reflects my aesthetic choices," Riri says. She moved into the apartment in a Chateau-style building in January 2023.
Photo by Olivia Pierce
The area is a hub of creativity, where newcomers and established artists have galleries within walking distance to their homes. Riri knew that living in this part of town would be good for her career, so she took a level-headed approach to what she calls "winning the lottery" of finding a worthwhile rental in a highly competitive market.
"The sofa had to have a differentiating design feature so that it would not look like something generic," Riri says.
Photo by Olivia Pierce
"I was committed to checking listings every day, three times per day," she says. "I did this for three whole months and probably sifted through hundreds, if not thousands, of duds. It was tedious! But one day this place came up and it had only been listed for 30 minutes. I was the first to respond and wrote a compelling and charming enough letter to land me the coveted first-look spot."
The living room features original hardwood floors and moldings—plus an 18-foot-tall ceiling.
Photo by Olivia Pierce
See the full story on Dwell.com: Rental Revamp: She Gave Her West Hollywood Chateau the Princess Treatment
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