At Home With The Werners

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING ON LIDO/NEWPORT BEACH? WOULD YOU LIVE ANYWHERE ELSE? 

Oh my love affair with Lido! There are so many magical things about this little island that I cherish. Since our yard is pretty small we are forced to play outside and stay active. We’re steps away from a quaint little beach, great parks and of course water activities like paddle boarding and boating. In the Summer you will find us walking to dinner with a glass of wine in hand or having a movie night in our driveway with all of the neighbor kids.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR AWESOME NEIGHBORS…

Our neighbors are like family to us.  We are truly surrounded by the most spectacular, fun and generous families!! Our afternoons always end up in the alley together watching all of our kids play.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE AESTHETIC OF YOUR HOME? 

It’s a mix of modern, rustic and eclectic.

 DO YOU HAVE SENTIMENTAL PIECES IN YOUR HOME? 

We definitely have a few but probably the closest to my heart is the original Walter Plunkett painting of Scarlett’s green curtain dress from ‘Gone with the Wind’. My Great Grandfather was very involved in the movie and it was given to me as a wedding gift. I’m lucky enough to pass it daily on my walk up and down the stairs!

PHOTOGRAPHS OR ARTWORK? 

Combo. Our walls are filled with family photos and artwork from some of our talented friends and masterpieces from our three year old preschooler.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO KEEP THINGS TIDY (ESPECIALLY WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN)? 

Less is more so we do our best to ‘thin the herd’ in the toy category. These days there are so many cute organization tools like ‘Eliza Gran’ baskets to keep our home clutter free and cute.

 TELL US ABOUT YOUR PLAY AREA… 

The vintage Navy lockers that we found at the flea market were a pretty spectacular purchase and they replaced the Ikea shelving option we almost bought. Not only do they keep their toys tidy they also add a little character to the kid zone. One of the walls has chalkboard paint but I got pretty burned out trying to draw so I created a little tissue-paper ocean to fill the space. It’s a fun little corner of the house with a good balance of chaos and creativity.

 WHAT WAS THE IDEA BEHIND YOUR DAUGHTER’S ROOM? 

I selfishly wanted Harlow’s room to feel like a vacation in Palm Springs! It’s drenched in bright colors, big pineapples, pool ripples and pink flamingos. It’s calming with a shade of neon and tastefully girly.

WHAT WAS THE IDEA BEHIND YOUR SON’S ROOM? 

I wanted to create a space that would breed imagination and a ‘camping’ theme just seemed fitting. Its cluttered with vintage pieces and thoughtful hand me downs. The walls carry old photos of my dad fishing as a kid and antlers that once belonged to Chris’ grandfather. My Papas’ binoculars sit fireside next to the old guitar that Henley loves to play. His room screams adventure and I think believe he takes full advantage of it!

WHAT’S YOUR PHILOSOPHY WHEN IT COMES TO DECORATING? 

I’m a firm believer that ‘character’ makes a home, home. We pride ourselves on taking our time to find thoughtful and interesting pieces to fill our spaces. A home tells your story and people should see and feel your personality when they walk in the door.

DO YOU HAVE FORMAL TRAINING WHEN IT COMES TO INTERIOR DESIGN? 

No but I would love to go back to school and become more knowledgeable. 

WHAT SOURCES DO YOU USE FOR INSPIRATION? 

Pinterest! It was best friend while I was breastfeeding and it’s my best friend when I’m drinking wine and scheming up my next project.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU GET THE ITCH THAT EVERY WOMAN HAS TO GET NEW FURNITURE LOL WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS FEASIBLE? HOW DO YOU KEEP THINGS FRESH? 

Oh man do I have a nasty itch for changing everything right now!!!!! Our home is very ‘child-proof’ and I’m dying for a white couch and a concrete coffee table! In the meantime I’m working on refreshing pillows on my husbands old couch from college and searching for some African mud cloths to cover the ripped ottoman coffee table! Another instance where I need to remember that this is all temporary!

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP FIVE ITEMS IN THE HOUSE EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE? 

A rug that you swoon over daily; Your favorite candle; Large vase for weekly fresh flowers; Fiddle Leaf Fig to bring the outside in; Wine glasses from Maison Midi for survival mode drinking.

WHICH ITEMS IN THE HOUSE BRING YOU THE MOST HAPPINESS? 

My children’s artwork

DO YOU HAVE ANY INVESTMENT PIECES THAT YOU DON’T REGRET ONE BIT? 

We have two Jonathan Adler swivel chairs that were worth every dime!

WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO SHOP FOR THE HOME? 

Heritage Mercantile, Flea markets, Anthropologie and West Elm.

DO YOU HAVE ANY DESIGN SECRETS OR HACKS YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE FOR A HOME ON A BUDGET? 

Target will always have an affordable option for that item that you’ve been drooling over or you can always try your hand at a cost effective DIY project to spruce a space up!

DO YOU BURN CANDLES? WHICH ARE YOUR FAVORITE? 

When I’m treating myself I’m a diehard Jo Malone (lime basil & mandarin) and Diptyque (Baies) burner.

HOW DO YOU CREATE THE RIGHT AMBIENCE IN THE HOME? (THINK FIVE SENSES/TEXTURES) 

Natural sunlight during the day or outdoor string lighting at night;  fresh cut flowers, favorite candle burning and ‘The XX’ playing. A fun signature cocktail is always a nice touch too.

DO YOU PLAY MUSIC IN YOUR HOME? IF SO, CAN YOU SHARE A PLAYLIST THAT YOU’RE CURRENTLY LISTENING TO? 

We always have music playing in our home and our kids are passionate about it as well. On a normal day you will hear a lot of Best Coast, Chvrches, Alt J, Phantogram, The National, Helio Sequence and Bloc Party playing throughout the house. If we’re super lucky we get the occasional guitar solo of ‘Surfer Girl’ from Henley as well.