photography: Jeremy Samuelson
Tia painted the bold piece over the living room sofa. She says, "For me, painting is a soothing way to be artistic." |
To switch things out on a whim, Tia says it's important to have an intriguing mix of furniture and accessories, rather than one style of decor. "I like to mix everything," she says. "I have some modern pieces and some traditional. My art and fabrics are definitely bohemian. There's a lot of texture to the fabric I like to use, whether it's woven or embroidered. And many of my furniture pieces are flea market finds that I'll sand down and paint myself."
photography: Jeremy Samuelson
"Mint green and cranberry is one of my favorite color combos," Tia says of the palette in the bedroom Zoe (pictured) and Abby share. Tia sewed all of the curtains and pillows, and the bed is an antique she painted white and sanded down so the original 1950s green shows through. |
Much in this house epitomizes Tia's creativity and hard work. "My everyday job is an interior designer, but I'm also an artist," she says. Her own paintings, including a huge piece over the living room sofa, hang throughout the house. She also loves to sew and made many of the curtains and pillows here, including those in her daughters' bedroom.Six-year-old Zoe and 3-year-old Abby have gotten used to Mom's decorating antics and seem to be following in her footsteps. "I love to see my daughters' facial expressions when they walk into a room that's been changed. Zoe has such an appreciation for fabrics now, and I can tell she's already got a great eye for color and texture," Tia says proudly. And Ben? Tia says, "He lets me do my thing." He offered input on only one room: the kitchen. After two years in the house the Zoldans decided to completely gut and remodel the space. "We tore down a wall, pushed the ceiling up about 4 feet, and added beams," Tia says. By eliminating a tiny breakfast room, they were able to enlarge the kitchen's working area and make room for professional stainless steel appliances—Ben's favorites. 
photography: Jeremy Samuelson
Clean and simple white subway tiles make up the backsplash. Tia added a small horizontal beaded edge to the top, she says, "to dress it up a bit." |
photography: Jeremy Samuelson
In the dining room, wooden side chairs slipcovered in white linen mix with garage sale armchairs upholstered in a graphic stripe. |
The couple further maximized space by incorporating an outdoor courtyard as a living and dining area. "We're outside most of the year. All of the French doors in the living room open to the courtyard," Tia says. "It's so nice and romantic. It feels very European."
photography: Jeremy Samuelson
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But then again, this is still Los Angeles, and Tia and Ben are happy about that. She says, "I can't imagine living anywhere else." | 
The most fascinating part of design is that there’s always potential for change. 
