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Firmly Planted Southern California Home

Outdoor accessories covered in gardening and brightly painted walls changed this 1930s home into a vibrant and energetic residence for Alicia Blas along with her loved ones. Blas, a backyard and product designer that has styled shoots for magazines, has a fantastic eye for detail and a flair for an eclectic design that embraces the outdoors. Each room in her home is subjected to natural light, and massive windows open up to views of her beautiful garden. Playful turf-covered accents made by Blas’ firm, Firmly Planted, give a unique touch to indoor and outdoor spaces.

Blas started designing products covered in faux turf if a feng shui teacher gave her some advice. “My instructor told me that if my home numbers are not loud and joyful and seen, the world won’t know where to find me,” she says.

at a Glance
Who lives here: Alicia Blas along with her two sons
Location: Valley Village, California
Size: 2,500 square feet

Alicia Blas Macdonald

Blas’ expansive backyard is her favourite part of the house. She often enjoys the lush backyard in her outdoor area — outfitted with her own designs, of course. The turf-covered frame helps define the line between the terrace and the yard but still lets in the complete beauty of the garden. “It resembles the excellent outdoors has only been framed,” says Blas.

Alicia Blas Macdonald

Blas is consistently inspired by nature, because her gardening accents and vibrant decor suggest, and is always drawn to color and texture. She utilizes turf because it’s durable, has tons of texture and is her favorite color — green.

Alicia Blas Macdonald

Almost all of Blas’ outdoor furniture has been found at garage sales, except for the Pottery Barn sofa. The mixture of styles provides the room warmth and character.

Alicia Blas Macdonald

“I’m about this inside and outside lifestyle,” says Blas. Each room in her home is full of natural light and open to the outside whenever possible. The deficiency of window coverings also maintains an airy feeling. The home is on a private lot and surrounded by landscaping, therefore there’s no need to fret about privacy.

Wall paint: Catalina paints; java table: HD Buttercup; carpeting: bought in Morocco; clock: Ballard Designs

Alicia Blas Macdonald

Much of Blas’ furniture is out of her childhood house and has been owned by her mother. All of it’s sort of a fantastic style, which she enjoys, but lots of the big pieces are extremely formal. “I’m so not formal,” she says. “I wanted my house to be really diverse. That’s why I used another wall color in every room.”

Alicia Blas Macdonald

The rest of the furniture is a small mishmash. Blas isn’t into furniture buying, but she knows what she likes and doesn’t want her furniture to totally match. “When something looks like me, chances are it will only work with my entire vibe,” she says.

Coffee table: Z Gallerie; rug: TJ Maxx; couches: Bloomingdale’s; armoire: classic

Alicia Blas Macdonald

The updated kitchen is simple but stylish, with granite counters that operate all of the way up the counter tops. Upper cabinets provide lots of storage, along with the glass cabinet doors showcase knickknacks. Blas painted and made the reddish “Delicious” sign herself as a vibrant accent.

Alicia Blas Macdonald

The home was built in the 1930s, so it’s all of the quirks and accidents of an older home. “However, the amazing old vibe is well worth the old pipes, roof and laminate flooring,” adds Blas. The black and white checkered tile in the guest bath is just one of these fun touches that Blas enjoys.

Alicia Blas Macdonald

The master bathroom has a very different vibe but nevertheless reflects Blas’ admiration for nature. Soapstone tile grounds the space, while walls in her favourite color contrast beautifully with teak accents.

Alicia Blas Macdonald

For your joint dining area and room, Blas covered the dining room chairs from her childhood home in outdoor fabric to generate cleanup quick and simple. “Messy boys will need to sit down on chairs with outside material when eating,” she says. “And I have two of these.”

Wall paint: Catalina paints; desk seat: Ikea

Alicia Blas Macdonald

A green turf doormat invites guests to wash their feet off before going back inside from the backyard. Blas’ love for turf-covered products started with the address numbers of the home. Following all those, cushions and other accessories immediately followed suit.

Photography: Shawn Cordon

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