Isa Beniston and Scotty Zaletel are not just romantics in their relationship but also in how they perceive and curate their shared living space in a 412-square-foot one-bedroom apartment in Eagle Rock, California.
The couple’s enthusiasm for their eclectic collection of home decor is contagious, as they fondly recount the seasons and stories behind each item they’ve carefully chosen together.
From whimsical, fruit-shaped throw pillows to an impressive assortment of over 30 artistic animal portraits, every piece is infused with memories of flea market adventures and countless hours spent exploring fabric stores.
Beniston, now 32, moved into this charming apartment back in 2014 after completing her studies at UCLA.
She was immediately captivated by the vintage charm of the large windows when she first visited, and despite initially not knowing it, she quickly found out that her rental was rent-controlled, allowing her to enjoy a modest increase of merely 3% annually.
This fortunate discovery has led her to establish deep roots in the cozy space for over a decade.
When her landlord proposed replacing the vintage windows with modern ones, she declined, valuing the abundance of natural light they provide, even if it means a little indoor rainfall during storms.
Beniston is a talented artist running her own brand, Gentle Thrills, specializing in quirky gifts and paper goods.
Her partner, Zaletel, 32, works as a prop fabricator, and together they have uncovered that their love language manifests through home renovations and creative projects.
One of their early romantic ventures included covering the kitchen’s tiled floor with vibrant blue and red checkerboard linoleum—an adventure taken just two years before Zaletel officially moved in.
“It was our first date project,” Zaletel recalls.
He remembers feeling a bit unsure about how to help while Beniston was busy cooking dinner, leading them to take on the fun flooring change together.
The linoleum was sourced from a local gem, Linoleum City in East Hollywood, which Beniston describes as “the most fun historic shop in L.A.”
Initially, Beniston’s distinct home style proved to be a challenge for previous dates, but Zaletel found it refreshing and inviting.
“We both just love stuff,” they say in unison, showcasing their mutual appreciation for unique decor.
Their shared love of art has resulted in a harmonious collection filled with “not too good, not too bad” animal paintings, primarily sourced secondhand alongside a few of Zaletel’s original pieces of their pets—mutt Pippen and chihuahua mix Goose.
Beniston opts not to display her illustrations at home, keeping her personal art separate.
When discussing disagreements over thrift finds, Zaletel humorously mentions an Anna Nicole Smith bobblehead tucked away on a high shelf.
“I love her,” Beniston interjects, lighting up the discussion.
Surprisingly, they both conclude that they have never had a significant disagreement regarding their home projects or decor choices.
“This trust in each other’s taste is crucial,” Zaletel explains.
For Beniston, their collaborative approach to home decor reflects the health and happiness of their relationship.
In their small living space, optimizing storage without sacrificing character has been paramount.
They’ve ingeniously transformed an unused kitchen corner into a cozy breakfast nook, added a hanging pot rack from the ceiling, repurposed a retro pullout ironing board into a spice rack, and created a handmade purse rack along with a shelf for sweaters in the bedroom.
Their creative spirit remains undampened by limited space, as they continually embark on new projects, including crafting a scale model of Zaletel’s inherited grandfather clock, positioned atop the actual clock in their living room.
Zaletel typically takes on tasks that involve cutting and drilling, while Beniston shines in her painting and sewing pursuits.
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted Beniston to channel her creativity into painting a vibrant mural in the hallway that connects to a fabric panel featuring flowers and quirky animal motifs, reminiscent of her work for Gentle Thrills.
Their kitchen is adorned with colorful curtains made from quilts and fabric sourced from local flea markets and craft stores, providing a cheerful atmosphere.
Despite only having one closet in the hallway and another in the bedroom, the couple manages to navigate their small space with ease, often avoiding conflicts over clutter.
To further enhance their living arrangements, they’ve rented a nearby studio workspace.
Here, they store extra clothing and art pieces, and the space also doubles as their laundry area, accommodating their needs efficiently.
While they share aspirations of homeownership, they are committed to staying in their beloved rent-controlled apartment until they’re able to purchase their own home.
The decision aligns with their financial goals, as they meticulously set aside funds they would have spent on separate living spaces.
“It’s a five-plus-year plan,” Zaletel shares.
“More like five to ten years,” Beniston interjects with a realistic view.
Their enthusiasm remains steadfast, though they acknowledge the potential challenge of rising home prices that may leave them priced out of their desired market by the time they’re ready to buy.
The current median list price for homes in Eagle Rock stands at an eye-watering $1.3 million according to Zillow, creating uncertainty around their future plans.
Regardless, Zaletel remains optimistic: “No matter what, we’ll have that money saved, whether we’re renting a house or buying. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
image source from：latimes
