Lara & Chris: Their Style

It’s important that our home is a reflection of our personalities. We’re not shy about using color and love to experiment with patterns and textures throughout the house. We gravitate toward an Eastern-inspired aesthetic because of its elegance, simplicity, and ability to fuse with modern styles.

How would you describe your style?
Eastern-inspired contemporary.

What’s your favorite room in your home and why?
The living room is our favorite room because it's where we spend the most time relaxing and entertaining. Guests who sit on our pillow-laden daybed sofa rarely want to get up because it's so comfortable.

Did the two of you decorate your home together, or was it mostly one person -- if so, who?
Lara comes up with most of the ideas since she’s a graphic designer, and Chris helps execute them.

What are your favorite places to shop for home furnishings and accents?
We like to shop at West Elm, Target, IKEA, and outlet stores. Many of our home accessories are inherited from our families, accumulated from our travels, or created by us. We like to use accents and artwork that have a personal meaning or history rather than purchasing items just for the sake of being purely decorative.

Doorway

This area of the living room is home to their many indoor plants. The Buddha statue was the first item purchased by Lara's mother when she immigrated to the US from the Philippines. It was given to the couple as a good luck charm when they bought their first home. The ceramic owl was originally an umbrella holder that was converted into a planter. It came from the cosmetic boutique that Lara's grandmother owned in Georgetown.

Hallway

The coatrack was a hand-me-down from Lara's parents that displays her mom's old evening purses along with some new ones that were made by her second cousin in the Philippines. Her favorite bag is the one her relative made out of a multicolored Japanese obi sash that was bought when Lara visited her store in Manila. The graphic, hand-painted Izmir tiles were purchased on the couple's honeymoon to Turkey and remind them of Istanbul's lively bazaars.
 

Living Room

They opted for a daybed filled with luxurious pillows instead of the traditional couch to optimize the lounging area in their small space. The flower art above it is silk Japanese prints Lara rescued from her parents’ basement, which she rematted and reframed herself. Since the wall and furniture colors are very neutral, textiles in bold hues and patterns were used to bring visual excitement and playfulness into the room.

The Bedroom

The bedroom showcases some of the Asian-inspired antiques inherited from Lara's grandmother. The screen was hung above the bed to create a focal point in the room's alcove area, and it also served as the inspiration for the room's color palette. Both objects complement the couple's growing Japanese print collection, and they enjoy seeing the inherited items used in a new, updated setting.

Bedroom (continued...)

The chairs previously sat in Lara's grandmother's formal living room and were always admired by Lara as a child. The low slung chairs were reupholstered with Chinese brocade fabric and put in the bedroom to create a tranquil reading nook. A tall floor lamp was placed in between the chairs not only to provide lighting, but to also mimic the shape of the chairs.

Finished Basement

They wanted to make the basement very sleek, bold, and graphic. The walls were painted a deep red to make the space feel energetic yet intimate. Black and white elements create contrast in the room. The grid on the wall is composed of black-and-white, industrial-themed photographs taken by Chris. They are displayed in affordable acrylic snap frames that are easily found at any craft store.

Guest Bedroom

The guest bedroom has soft blue-gray walls accented by chocolate-brown accessories. The goldfish print was purchased online from one of the couple's favorite up-and-coming artists, Audrey Kawasaki. The Asian-patterned lamp is another heirloom from Lara's grandmother and ties well into the surrounding artwork.

Patio

The backyard used to be a barren piece of land. Last summer, a flagstone patio was laid and landscaping was done so they could finally enjoy the yard and have veggie cookouts. The patio decor integrates patterns and color schemes pulled from the interior to create a cohesive flow from the inside to the outside.

About Lara & Chris

How did you meet?
We met in high school through mutual friends at a punk rock show.

How long have you been married?
We've been married one and a half years.

How long have you been together?
13 years.

Where were you married?
At Zola's in the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.

Where do you live?
A townhouse in Alexandria, Virginia.

About Lara & Chris (continued...)

Your jobs?
Lara is a senior graphic designer at a local studio, and Chris works for the federal government.

Interests?
We both love traveling, photography, working out, vegetarian cooking, art, and spending time outside. Lara loves taking jazz and hip-hop dance classes; Chris is involved in adventure racing and mountain biking.

What do you like to do on the weekends?
Fix up the house, hang out with friends, go to the gym, check out local art exhibits in DC, and hike.

Do you have any pets?
We have two spoiled cats named Isabella and Tasha.

What do you fight most about?
Communicating and scheduling.