Diana Yen Started with the “Ugliest Bits First” When Updating Her Ojai Home

One-and-a-half years ago, when food stylist, cookbook author, and owner of Studio A La Carte, Diana Yen (and her pup, Ryder), moved into a two-bedroom house in Ojai, she found inspiration in the local surroundings.

“I became inspired by old Spanish adobes, ranches, and country living,” Yen says. “I wanted my house to feel earthy and peaceful with a soulful touch.”

Even though Yen wanted to make changes to her home, she admits that after purchasing the house, there wasn’t much of a budget left to renovate. She spent her remaining budget on replacing the existing floors with California-preferred luxury vinyl flooring and devised a game plan for making the home her own.

So, she decided to make changes room-by-room when the budget allows. Instead of completely renovating areas, she’ll remove things (like “grimy shower sliding doors” replaced with an inexpensive modern glass pane). To help lower costs, she’s become somewhat of a professional DIYer, too.

Since moving in, she’s created DIY squiggles to accent her closet doors, lime-washed her living room walls, and created a chef-approved pantry. Even though she takes renovations slowly, her home still feels like a representation of her.

“Much of my home has been filled with objects collected from traveling around the world and treasures accumulated over many years spent in New York City,” Yen explains.

Resources

PAINT & COLORS

• Living Room — Kalklitir “Terracotta”

• Kitchen — Farrow & Ball “Jitney, London Clay”

• Bedroom — Kalklitir “Elle”

• Bathroom — Vasari “Oxford Tan”

• Guest Nook — Benjamin Moore “October Mist”

LIVING ROOM

• Devyn Sofa — Sixpenny

• Side Table — Zara Home

• Akari Floor Lamp — Noguchi

• Area Rug — Cold Picnic 

• Vintage Senufo Table — Etsy

• Table Lamp — Tala

DINING ROOM

• Dining Chairs — Kaiyo

• Dining Table — AnthroLiving

• Plantasia Wallpaper — House of Hackney

• Picture Light — Visual Comfort

KITCHEN

• Induction Stove — Big Chill

• Classic Fridge — Big Chill

• Farmhouse Sink — Native Trails

• Brass Hanging Rail — deVOL

• Brass Faucet — Etsy 

• Shell Sconce — Mitzy

BEDROOM

• Bedding — Coyuchi

• Alt Down Mattress Topper — Quince

• Bedside Tables — Zara Home

BATHROOM

• Woodbridge Bidet Toilet — Home Depot

• Brass Hardware — Poignee Italy

• Bath Towels — Coyuchi

• Bath Mat, Hand Towels — Baina

Thanks, Diana!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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