In Conversation With... @quinterior

What is your name and where do you live?

My name in Quinton Johnson and I live in Mar Vista, California

How would you describe your interior style?

This is a tough one. I don’t think I could describe it in one word, I just know I like colors that pop, friendly shapes, and a mix of vintage + modern pieces.

Talk us through your favourite 8 items in your space

Alright here we go:

1. “GUIDE” (or Enetri) Shelving Unit by Niels Gammelgard for Ikea, 1985
   The design of this shelf is so appealing to me personally that it doesn’t even need any objects on it, although I do decorate it with objects! It’s also very versatile, making it convenient for smaller spaces. When it is in a smaller space, it stands out even more. Right now I’m using it as a room divider to separate my “home office” from the living room.
   
   
2. “TED” Folding Chair by Niels Gammelgard for Ikea, 1976
   Again, living in a smaller space sometimes requires compact furniture that can be folded up and tucked away while not in use. I was lucky enough to find four of these vintage folding chairs, designed by the same person as the Enetri shelf, for a bargain on marketplace. Similar to the Enetri, I enjoy looking at these chairs whether they’re folded up or not, so when not in use I just lean them up against the wall nearby the Enetri.
   
   
3. “The Serif” TV by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Samsung
   My favorite part about this TV is that you can place it on legs, almost like a horizontal easel for painting or something. The person who designed this TV did a pretty good job at making it look like another piece of decor. It’s the one thing that visitors consistently notice and complement in the space, especially since it’s one of the first things they see when they enter the space.
   
   
4. Mini Togo Incense Holders
   I found this guy through IG that creates handmade objects with concrete, and when I discovered his page he was just about to drop these mini Togo chairs that were basically intended to be incense holders, catch-all trays, or simply decor objects. This is another one of those objects that receive consistent attention, and they’re just so nice to look at so it makes sense! I’ve been heavily influenced by other’s homes and love the Togo sofa, and since I can’t afford a real Togo it’s nice to have mini ones (LOL). Shout out @dossantoscollective :)
   
   
5. Hay Color Crates
   These crates do something to my brain. I don’t know what it is but I’m obsessed with these. Design Within Reach was having a sale last year, so I ended up buying like 12 of them at once. It seems like a common thing for people to want to store random household items in a way that’s visually appealing, whether it be out in the open or creatively throughout the space. These crates can be placed anywhere and easily conceal all those household items that would otherwise be scattered around.
   
   
6. Eames Side Chairs
   My favorite pieces of all. So far I have four in my collection and my favorite part about them is that they’re all quite different from one another. There are a few pages I follow on IG that inspired me to have a sort of mismatched collection. This sort of approach really resonates with me, and it makes it a bit easier to collect too, since you’re not looking around for matches. I feel like I own a piece of history with the more vintage ones I have.
   
   
7. Eames Hang-It-All
   This one is a staple! I love looking at this piece with nothing on it as well. The shapes and colors are perfect for the type of decor I like, and it’s so perfectly functional as it is beautiful. It was gifted to me by a special friend which increases the sentimental value.
   
   
8. Antonio Citterio OXO Trolley for Kartell, 1992
   Ah, the Kartell trolley. I found this at my local thrift store for a bargain price. Before I picked this up, it had been a long while that I waited for the right coffee bar alternative to come up. I knew I had to have this when I found it, and what makes this piece so special are it’s large wheels, perforated surfaces, modular functionality, and the fact that it’s an older piece from the early 90s.

If you could have any additional 5 pieces from GoodMood what would they be?

This is a tough one! It will probably evolve over time, but these are my current top 5:

1. ABSOLUTE ZERO by Harry Richards
2. Cité Radieuse by Florent Bodart
3. Estudios Geométricos 04 by Leticia Gagetti
4. quantum leap by Ewa Żak
5. Love Mass by Andrea Devia-Nuño

What inspired the design style of your LA apartment?

The inspiration has consistently come from other IG accounts. I take no real credit for anything, and I do my best to add my own “flavor” to my personal design style at home.

 

How do you balance aesthetics and practicality in a smaller space?

The right pieces help with this, and some things take awhile to get together. For example, the couch I had from my old place was too big for this new space I’m in. In an effort to bias toward practicality, I sold the couch and bought a new one from FB marketplace. The only problem here was that it was missing the “comfort” factor in this aesthetic/practicality equation. This obviously doesn’t apply to other decor that doesn’t require comfort, but it’s an example of a real struggle when one has when trying to balance out all these different requirements. I finally ended up selling the second couch to get a third couch that was practical, aesthetic, and comfortable! It just took patience and trial + error.

Where do you find most of your home decor pieces? Any favorite local shops or online stores?

There’s a local thrift store in my neighborhood called Pepe’s Thrifty shop. Here, I got my Kartell OXO trolly for $225 USD and my red Eames molded plastic armchair for $175 USD. This place has something for everyone, and it’s a really special place.

The other place I get everything from is Facebook Marketplace. I sort of just browse on there and sometimes, unreal deals come up and I end up seizing the opportunity. It’s kind of like a game. I love it way too much! The third place is called the Mart Collective. This place is a lot bigger than Pepe’s, with a more curated collection of items. They have some crazy stuff there that I could never afford but would love to have one day. Last but not least, Ikea!

Can you share some tips on mixing and matching different design styles?

There are no rules! If you like looking at it, that’s all that matters. You have to try something to find out if it works or not.

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced in decorating your apartment, and how did you overcome them?

My girlfriend and I sometimes disagree on stuff. We try to find compromise, and this has been a good tool to overcome this obstacle. I think she trusts my vision now (lol) so this has become less of an obstacle. Another issue is budget. Decor and furniture can be so expensive. This is where secondhand shopping comes in handy

How do you keep your apartment looking fresh and updated with the changing seasons or trends?

Cleaning often, introducing new colors, moving things around, and staying inspired are all things I do to keep the space looking fresh.

 

What advice would you give to someone looking to revamp their apartment on a budget?

Buy secondhand furniture and pieces! This has been the most helpful thing for me… And be patient as you can as well. I don’t want to be a hypocrite because sometimes I don’t have the patience myself, but I do find that saving up for the piece you want is better and more rewarding than buying things on credit, or buying something brand new because you can’t wait for one to pop up on marketplace or something. Another thing I sometimes do is sell things that I don’t necessarily love, or just sell something to buy something that I’ll love even more.

What role does sustainability play in your interior design choices?

Similar to the last question, I try to avoid buying brand new pieces not only because of the price but also for sustainability reasons. To be honest, I wasn’t always like that, but as I grew more of an appreciation for timeless pieces and designs I began to gravitate toward buying vintage pieces. I have two vintage Eames side chairs that are my favorite pieces I’ve collected so far. The other thing about collecting these kinds of pieces is that if I ever do decide to part ways with them, I know there’s another person out there that would be happy to adopt them and give them a good, new home.