4 min readThree-and-a-half months—that’s how much time Velinda Hellen was told she had to give her clients’ new 4,250-square-foot home a complete upgrade. Every detail is important in any redesign, but Hellen knew that each decision had to be both design-forward and logistically sound. Her canvas? A 1930s Colonial cottage in Los Angeles with four bedrooms and five baths, previously renovated in the ’90s. The goal was simple: Avoid demolition and embrace the home’s bones while infusing the space with a sense of whimsy and personality.
She and her team, including senior designers Julie Rose and Grace De Asis, didn’t waste any time getting to work. “One of the first things we did was ask to see the clients’ art collection, because we knew we wanted the house to feel curated around what they already loved,” Hellen says. Mixed into the works were oddball figurines that perfectly captured the funny, playful spirit of the homeowners, both of whom work in the film industry and share a love of “nerd culture.” Hellen challenged her team to design each room concept around one of these figurines, using it as a way to ensure her clients’ personalities didn’t get lost in the chaos of the shortened timeline.
Since they couldn’t do much architecturally, new furnishings, wallpapers, millwork, and window treatments had to tell the bulk of the story. Hellen turned a keen eye to every corner, seeking out moments of reinvention, where extra love could be paid. Reupholstery was also key, allowing Hellen to transform both well-loved and new pieces into something truly special. “We’re big on making bold choices feel intentional by repeating motifs in a disciplined way—matching and echoing fabrics and patterns across a room or even across the house so maximalism reads as composed, not chaotic,” she explains.
By building on what was already there, Hellen created a calmer, more sustainable home that’s better aligned with a long-term, approachable kind of well-being. It supports the way her clients live, rest, and recharge through a comforting color palette and thoughtfully layered look. “This house is proof that you can make a traditional home feel wildly personal without tearing it apart.”
Designer: Velinda Hellen of Velinda Hellen Design
Stylist: Emily Edith Bowser
Contractor: Patrick Ahounber of MODAA Construction
Location: Los Angeles, California
The Space: A 4,250-square-foot cottage Colonial built in the 1930s with 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.
LIVING ROOM
Vintage and contemporary furniture combine for a fresh look that honors the home’s bones.
Challenged by her clients to “fit in as much seating as possible,” Hellen balanced an oversized sofa with an earthy palette and repeating patterns, pulling it all together with custom millwork.
KITCHEN
An extended island allows for more seating and personality.
With a short turnaround time, the team focused on high-impact changes that moved the design needle. Cabinets were fitted with custom doors and painted, countertops switched out, and the walls covered in floral Country Floors tile.
Hellen chose a new countertop slab with veining that picks up blue and purple tones carried throughout the palette.
DINING ROOM
Matching wallpaper and drapery read as one layered, textural moment.
Everything about this space was inspired by the clients’ existing artwork, which is featured on the wall. The dining chairs were pre-loved, and the rug is vintage, ensuring this formal dining area feels collected rather than new. “More than anything, this space proves you don’t have to replace everything or do ‘too much’ to transform a room into something bold and memorable,” Hellen says.
BREAKFAST LOUNGE
The art piece hanging in front of the bookshelf is actually a TV.
Nickey Kehoe wallpaper, custom cabinetry, and a modern Etsy chandelier keep this English-inspired dining nook from feeling stuffy, while high-back spindle chairs from Four Hands deliver charm. Windows look out to an enclosed patio for the clients’ cats.
MEDIA ROOM
What used to be the primary suite became a prime movie-watching spot.
A duo of low Togo-style chairs from Wayfair, reupholstered to match the room’s rich new color scheme, provides the optimal movie-watching angle.
Deep green trim and a matching ceiling envelope the room in a moody, tonal cocoon.
SITTING ROOM
Meant to double as an office, this space became a well-loved retreat.
Existing wood paneling on the walls exudes a sophisticated warmth. Hellen added a playful Morris & Co. wallpaper to the ceiling to make the room feel more layered. The table is at the perfect height for working on a laptop.
GUEST BEDROOM
Matching patterns throughout the room echo traditional sensibilities.
To create the illusion of a more expansive space—and help petite nightstands live large—Hellen opted for a valance and drapery set to style the bed against. Because it spans the entire wall, it balances the varying pieces and makes the scale feel deliberate.
BATHROOM
Forest-inspired wallpaper ties this space to the adjoining home theater.
The clients didn’t love the tile in this bathroom, but they didn’t want to spend the money (or time) on a full re-tile. “We let the existing tile drive the palette, then built the rest of the design around it so it stopped feeling like the odd man out,” Hellen explains. “By the end, what started as a compromise became part of the fun: the tile disappears into the overall funky movie vibe, and the bathroom feels like an extension of the theater, rather than an afterthought.”
POOL
Repeated fabrics and patterns found inside show up here, as well.
Outside, classic shapes and timeless materials capture the designer’s inspiration: the hospitality and functionality of hotel pool decks. “The result is an outdoor setup that’s built for real hosting—comfortable, cohesive, and visually memorable,” Hellen says.
About the Designers
Velinda Hellen Design is led by interior designer Velinda Hellen, along with longtime collaborators Grace De Asis and Julie Rose. Together, they bring over a decade of exceptional creative experience to their residential projects, where they approach design as a narrative and a reflection of their clients’ individual stories.
