This Designer Turned a Run-Down Compound into an Eco-Friendly Oasis
By reusing materials, adding in mementos from shows she’s worked on, and planting Palo Verde trees, TV production designer Kelly Van Patter transformed a past-its-prime building into five sustainably chic lofts.
By Nicole Sforza
Photographs by Ryan Kim
At Tierra, a rustic modern studio in East Los Angeles, whenever you need a pick-me-up, there’s always a healthy snack within arm’s reach. “Anyone can just go right ahead and help themselves to the oranges on the tree outside,” says superhost Kelly Van Patter, who likes to leave a bowl of just-picked fruit for guests when they check in.
When Van Patter first saw the building, however, things weren’t so sweet. There were holes in the roof and vines trailing in through the walls. “It was a dreary, cavernous place that had been cobbled together,” she says. “But I liked that it was a blank space with minimal architectural details. I didn’t want a typical house. I wanted something I could put my stamp on.” And the time was right for Van Patter to take on a new project. “I wanted to change everything in my life,” she says. She had owned two green-lifestyle boutiques in L.A. but found it too difficult to make a living in retail. She had also worked as a TV production designer for shows like The Apprentice, Survivor, Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls, Love in the Wild, and Lucha Underground — so she had collected an assortment of fun props — but “I wanted something to fall back on as I got older,” the 57-year-old recalls.
So in 2014, Van Patter downsized dramatically and bought what she calls “the compound,” transforming the large run-down building into five eco-friendly lofts (she lives in one), including this 437-square-foot Airbnb Plus beauty. “My goal was to be as low impact as possible, so I reused as many materials as I could,” she says. Blending in mementos from the TV shows she worked on was just the right punch this cold hard space needed. Coupled with her affinity for found objects and her keen eye for design potential, Van Patter upgraded the loft from past-its-prime to prime real estate.
Authentic details
In homage to the loft’s past lives — including a metal workshop and a grocery — Van Patter wanted to preserve some original features, notably the wood-beam ceiling: “I was like Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, lying on my back on scaffolding to stain the wood,” she says. She kept the sliding metal doors near the bed for industrial cred. “Throughout the years, it had been scrawled with notes, names, and graffiti.”
Cozied-up kitchen
With hard surfaces galore, the kitchen may have seemed cold. But once Van Patter added semi-handmade pieces and natural elements, it warmed up big time. The island is from Ikea, but you’d never know it. The host had a metalworker build in a shelf and clad the piece in stainless steel. The naturally shed antlers had a cameo in The Apprentice: “I made the base and mounted them,” she says. Meanwhile, the chipped-paint stools, which transform a utilitarian nook into a spot to sit and linger, are lovingly used. “I’ve mixed something new, something old, different textures…it’s an eclectic mishmash,” she says.
Fantastic focal point
For the loft’s color scheme, Van Patter turned to the Native American–inspired painting she found at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl flea market. She loves how the artwork makes a statement but also how it picks up other pops of color — the bed pillows, the patterned rugs and throws, the quirky kitchen stool (a prop from a past Survivor tribal council) — so the entire space feels cohesive.
Sleeping sanctuary
Carving out a bedroom is tricky in an open layout. Van Patter used rugs to define zones for “rooms” while layering the bed with a patterned Pendleton throw and tribal pillows to make it feel like a destination. Pairs of sconces and metal bedside tables, DIY specials topped with marble, provide symmetry — a small-space trick that lends order and calm.
Outdoor oasis
With the help of lush greenery, bright textiles, and a rippling fountain, the resourceful host turned a mass of concrete into a sensory delight. “I put plants all around, from a giant cactus to Palo Verde trees and succulents,” she says. She designed the built-in fire pit, along with the surrounding cushioned benches, to create a welcoming spot for guests to mingle over a glass of wine. Van Patter lights the fire and brings out blankets at guests’ request. “It’s like a turndown service for the fire pit,” she laughs.
Open bar
Outside, guests can sidle up to her refreshment stand for wine, beer, and snacks. (It runs on an honor system: Guests slip money into a box.) Touches of hospitality abound, from pitchers of filtered water Van Patter keeps filled to the laundry shed stocked with toiletries.
Watch this video to learn more about how Kelly designs her space.
Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Space
Top interior designers reveal tips for taking a place from generic to gorgeously individual.
Pick an inviting white paint.
“Simply White by Benjamin Moore is a really good option for almost any aesthetic. And Pure White by Sherwin Williams feels bright and clean without being overly stark.” — Kirsten Grove, an interior stylist in Boise, Idaho, and founder of the blog Simply Grove
Energize the kitchen.
“I love having fun with open shelves, statement hardware, a backsplash, and painted cabinets. If you’re not renovating, lean a cool piece of art on the counter, and always have a colorful bowl of fruit out.” — Amber Lewis, a Los Angeles designer and founder of the blog Amber Interiors
Create a cohesive style.
“Start with a neutral palette and build on it with two or three specific colors. Also, use similar wood tones within the whole home.” — Kirsten Grove
Update the outdated.
“Paint everything — the walls, the trim, the doors, the ceiling — all the exact same color. This will help disguise any dated details and make the room feel more modern.” — Brad Ford, a New York City–based designer
Boost the charm factor.
“Vintage accent chairs and unique lighting bring personality and warmth into neutral or modern spaces.” — Stefani Stein, a Los Angeles–based designer
Bring in a little life.
“Surround yourself with things you love, either from your childhood, your travels, or collected mementos. This is what truly starts to make a house feel like a home.” — Brad Ford
About the author: Nicole Sforza is an experienced NYC writer and editor specializing in decorating, entertaining, and travel. She is the ghostwriter of two New York Times best-sellers.
