Alyssa describes the before of their apartment as the "'landlord special': White, cheap paint peppered the floors, effectively erasing 100-plus years of history, complete with $10 boob lights and an oven that nearly caught fire — five different times." Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
When asked about what their home looks like after their own makeover, Alyssa wrote: "A friend who studied fashion in Paris popped by this week around sunset and said she felt transported back to the South of France — and was the impetus for me to submit our apartment to Apartment Therapy!" Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
"Today, I feel grateful that we’re honoring a historic, sun-drenched, textured, and inviting home." Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
"The morning-to-evening light that moves east to west through our corner unit — dappled and shifting, fills the space with grounding, warm energy," Alyssa writes of a favorite element in the home. "My dad, an engineer and creative carpenter, crafted our coffee table using 200-year-old barn wood from our backyard in Crystal, Michigan. It’s a treasured piece, full of history and heart." Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
The rental apartment is located in one of the oldest apartment buildings in Santa Monica, so some of the oldest things in their home are the "floors, the original pulley windows with their rope system, the sand glass doorknobs, warped windows, the primary bedroom’s closet door, and built-ins!" Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
Alyssa says they invested in blackout curtains, "which changed our sleep patterns and were worth the Pottery Barn price tag to get the right length, width, color, and material." Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
"One of our earliest and most ambitious DIY projects was lime-washing our office and our second room — an undertaking that turned an unexpected bout of downtime into a creative labor of love," Alyssa explains. Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
"After I was laid low by a weeklong battle with norovirus (ugh, truly the worst), we seized the opportunity to tackle the walls together." Credit: Alyssa KlugeCredit: Alyssa Kluge
"Armed with two gallons of Sydney Harbour Paint’s “Wet Sand” at 50% ($250), a pair of lime-wash brushes ($12), and some leftover painter’s tape, we transformed the space for two full days." Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
"The result? A beautifully textured finish that made the effort — and the illness-induced break — almost worth it." Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
"While almost everything in our home is reversible or rental-friendly, the most transformative effort was in the kitchen — proof that paint is a powerful tool," Alyssa writes. "This small, west-facing room needed a thoughtful touch, so we turned to Farrow & Ball’s 'Schoolhouse White,' using it as a near-color drench to create warmth and make the dim, darker space feel inviting." Credit: Alyssa KlugeCredit: Alyssa Kluge
"At first, the changes were subtle but effective: We swapped the hardware, replaced linoleum blinds with custom antique white linen café curtains sourced from our neighborhood fabric store, and hung them on unlacquered brass rods. With their ability to patina beautifully over time, the rods bring a sense of life to the heart of the home." Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
"Since we cook nearly every meal at home — and do it all without a dishwasher — we’ve learned to maximize our small space intentionally. Installing a matching unlacquered brass pot rack was a game-changer: It freed up counters, made the kitchen feel more open, and added a touch of elegance. After washing up, we immediately dry and put everything away, keeping the space tidy and ready for the next meal." Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
"We also added motion sensors with battery-operated lights under the sink and stove — such a small and inexpensive upgrade, but it transformed the functionality and the ambience. These subtle details have completely redefined how the kitchen feels, proving that even the most minor changes can make a big impact," Alyssa continues.
"Our sink was also an eyesore — an ugly industrial-type pewter. After seeing it cracked, I signed up to teach extra classes to save money and splurge on a cast-iron sink and Moroccan unlacquered brass taps. We called an expert for help installing it — that sink was heavy!" Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
Alyssa Kluge is the director of communications at Thrive Market and a home interiors hobbyist. And three years ago, she was “just looking” for a new apartment before her last lease expired. “Zillow’s alerts led me to a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment a few neighborhoods over in Ocean Park. With low expectations, Christopher and I booked a next-morning appointment, figuring the lackluster photos and suspiciously low price were red flags,” she begins of the apartment search she went on with her partner, actor Christopher Dietrick.
"Though not unusual, we’ve divided the small space into 'working' and 'living' areas, with a 'door-closed' policy at the end of the day to signal the home office’s 'closure,'" Alyssa explains. Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
“The building manager, wearing a KN95 mask, guided us through a dingy, carpeted entry and shared with us that the building, perched on a primary street, originally served as a lookout to signal sailors if it was safe to come ashore. More than a century old, sloped walls and warped wooden floors puzzle together the 750-square-foot space, the oldest apartment building in Santa Monica’s Ocean Park,” Alyssa writes.
"Outside of the kitchen, we swapped out the light fixtures, painted, replaced the bathroom vanity, sourced and scoured Marketplace daily, removed 100-plus years of paint from doorknobs and handles, installed no-drill Roman shades, patched drywall, and (so much) more in a very DIY approach. Introducing electrical work was a challenge, though we ended up calling my dad on Facetime to be 'sure' we weren’t going to electrocute ourselves," Alyssa writes. Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
“Midmorning light shone through the lead-based windows, complete with original pulley mechanics. The narrow-plank wooden floors were highlighted by small “pokes” left from the high heels of past residents. The Pacific peeked through the western windows of the corner unit. I wrote a check on the spot, taking the keys within the hour for the Beaux-Arts building beauty,” Alyssa admits.
"If I had to pick a favorite time at home, it would be late Sunday afternoons. The three of us settle into the couch with stacks of magazines and books — our print subscriptions always feel like a treat, and the Ocean Park library is just a short walk away," Alyssa writes. Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
Alyssa says that learning to decorate slow has been a challenge, but a rewarding one. “After nearly three years, the space feels right — a reminder that perfect is often the enemy of good. We avoided the temptation to overhaul everything at once or spend a fortune up front, opting instead to tackle it slowly and intentionally,” she writes.
When asked what her home's zodiac sign would be, Alyssa writes: "Unequivocally, a Virgo — tidy, intentional, functional, and grounded by natural elements — linen, wood, copper, stone, etc." Credit: Torrey WestCredit: Torrey West
“By picking up extra shifts and setting aside money bit by bit, we made thoughtful choices, considering not just what we purchased but how it would be used and why it brought us joy. That deliberate pace gave the process a more profound sense of purpose — and made every improvement feel earned.”
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