Welcome to project Geek Chic! Originally part of the Bush Egyptian Theatre, this apartment remodel includes a tapestry of design influences that range from industrial, to Japandi, to steampunk with a wide range in between. We aimed to embrace our client’s inner nerd while creating an elevated home dripping with personality and authenticity. We thoughtfully blended these elements together to create a playful representation of our client’s affinity for color, pattern, art and all things sci-fi/fantasy. The extensive renovation of this two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom, 1,572-square-foot apartment spanned over a year and a half, and the end result is an eclectic, highly curated space that exudes a futuristic vibe and surprise elements at every turn.

In this blog, you’ll get a fun peek inside the design process, before and after photos, design tips and links to create this same look in your own home.

THE UNEXPECTED ENTRY

At our initial consultation, as we were going down our client’s wish list, we learned that he needed us to design a special area for his pet tortoise, Jet! We LOVE a unique project so we were thrilled to design a space that was perfect for Jet and would complement the rest of the home.

The entryway had an empty, unused corner that we scoped out as the ideal environment for Jet. What was once just a blank wall is now literally thriving with life! The tropical plant living wall makes for a real wow factor as soon as you enter the home and mimics an authentic habitat. We also utilized a Bedrosians pebble accent wall and UV light strips to ensure the well-being of both Jet and the plants. For the vivarium, we partnered with San Diego Urban Timber to design this plexiglass, resin & live edge wood encasement. An electric blue & green exterior mimics an aquatic environment while also complementing the adjacent electric blue appliances in the kitchen.

This has been one of the most exciting animal-related designs we’ve been a part of, and we’re thrilled with the outcome and especially love how this lively entryway sets the tone for all the wondrous elements that are awaiting in the rest of the home.

Across from the vivarium, we added sleek white lower cabinets for extra storage as well as floating shelves to display our client’s cherished Star Wars figurines, vintage Ghost Busters art and other fun memorabilia. The entryway also leads to the powder room for guests. The bathroom showcases a masculine, mid-century modern feel and is infused with natural materials and quirky elements like these unique walnut cabinet pulls by Manzoni.

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The Kitchen & Dining

Now to the heart of the home! For the kitchen, we pulled a lot of inspiration from our client’s desire for a New York city industrial loft type feel with a large, open layout. We aimed to create a kitchen perfect for an avid cook with plenty of storage and room for hosting. We also wanted to keep the hi-tech feel, so we selected these STUNNING cobalt blue, high-performance appliances from Bluestar which add a punch of color and personality. To keep the appliances as the focal point and keep with the modern, natural feel of the home, we chose beautiful flat panel cabinetry in a deep espresso tone that also pairs beautifully with the new bamboo flooring.

Fun fact - After we selected the appliances, at the next meeting our client showed up with matching cobalt blue hair! We love when our clients are as committed to the overall look as we are!

Initially, we selected a blue backsplash tile to match the appliances but when it arrived, we noticed that the appliance color had changed and it no longer matched. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise because the same tile in white really makes the appliances pop and brings creates a lovely contrast against the cabinets. During installation, we loved the bold impact of the 3D tile and decided to run it into the dining room and create one, powerful feature wall. Sometimes when things don’t go as planned, you end up with something that was even better than before!

The Living Room

The living room is bursting with character and is a treat for the senses! One of the things we made sure to do in this home was to integrate high-tech features - this elevates not only our client’s everyday living, but also the feel of the whole home while playing into the techy, futuristic vibe we were aiming to channel. For example, the sofa isn’t just any sofa, it’s a Stealth Tech Love Sac sofa fully equipped with embedded speakers, subwoofers and wireless charging hand rests. This sofa paired with electric blackout roller shades are sure to make for some pretty epic movie nights!

And speaking of movie nights, one of the most notable features of this room is this oak slat wall that has a dual purpose…to tie in the other natural wood elements of the home AND create a dynamic movie experience with its high-quality acoustic properties. Who’s ready for some popcorn?!

Other standout elements in this space include technicolor art, playful printed throw pillows, a “fishbone” floor lamp, funky concrete table, a vintage inspired gentleman’s chair and this Mandalorian-themed rug that blend together beautifully to create a quirky yet sophisticated feel.

The Primary Suite

The primary suite is the epitome of cool and boasts an incredible blend of multiple colors, textures, patterns and design styles. We really wanted to add an exciting focal point so, we went for this eye-catching headboard wall. Instead of going for wallpaper or paint, we picked out this glazed porcelain tile that gives off a chill vibe and has an almost moon-like essence which pairs perfectly with this fun astronaut print from Wendover Group.

To balance things out, we chose this black and white duvet cover that helps ground the space and complements the other neutrals in the room. Then, we brought in this colorful rug that ties everything together, picking up on the pops of color from the accent pillow to the decor and accessories!

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For the bathroom, we wanted to create privacy while maximizing floor space which lead us to select a custom built sliding barn door. In terms of style, our client wanted the bathroom to feature a more neutral palette with a zen-like feel.

As you enter the primary bathroom, you’re greated by a beautiful wood-look tile statement wall that beautifully ties into the wood elements in the bedroom. There’s also an instant serene vibe coupled with a modern Japanese twist. A waterfall counter, artistic vessel sinks and rich charcoal floors create a calming aesthetic while the luxurious, Aquatica USA heated soaking tub placed against a sleek and minimalist wall tile adds a playful infusion of Japandi style.

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THE Secondary Bathroom

The final space we transformed in this home is a bathroom designated for our client’s teenage son. This space is another nod to New York City loft style with a splash of steampunk elements. The vanity, accented by a copper vanity mirror, rustic orb pendants, pops of rust and an edgy skull planter brings a quirky, industrial flair. To create an unexpected twist, we created a custom layout where this rich green subway tile playfully melts into a classic white subway tile to adorn the back shower wall.

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Thanks so much for reading! We hope you enjoyed learning about this captivating home and found lots of helpful information and inspiration. Make sure to sign up for emails and follow along on Instagram to be the first to know about project reveals, new blogs and other exciting updates!

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