Quick fix: designer transforms 1930s los angeles home in 3.5 months

Los Angeles homeowner Velinda Hellen faced a tight deadline—a mere three and a half months—to completely overhaul her 4,250-square-foot 1930s Colonial. The challenge? Reimagine the space without demolition, preserving the home's inherent character while injecting a dose of personality.

Interior designer Velinda Hellen of Velinda Hellen Design didn't shy away from a bold vision for the Los Angeles home, a project demanding both meticulous planning and swift execution.

The team, led by Hellen alongside senior designers Julie Rose and Grace De Asis, prioritized the client’s existing art collection as a foundation for the redesign. “We wanted the house to feel curated around what they already loved,” Hellen explains. This translated into incorporating quirky figurines reflecting the homeowners' playful spirit and affinity for “nerd culture,” which became the inspiration for each room concept.

With a shortened timeline, the focus shifted to impactful changes. Custom cabinet doors, fresh paint, and new countertops transformed the kitchen. Floral tile in the kitchen and bathroom, initially a point of contention, became integrated into the overall design aesthetic, ultimately contributing to a cohesive, unexpected feel.

The sitting room, initially envisioned as an office, evolved into a cozy retreat, enhanced by playful wallpaper on the ceiling. In the media room, a strategic use of color and reupholstered furniture created a dedicated movie-watching space. Outside, the pool area mirrored the interior's design, drawing inspiration from hotel pool decks to create a sophisticated entertaining zone.

Hellen’s approach emphasized intentionality, repeating patterns and fabrics throughout the house to create a sense of calm and cohesion.