We were enthralled at first sight of accomplished designer Heidi Merrick’s Los Angeles home. Rooted in a rustic design scheme with firm infusions of modernity, each room brims with charm and character. Unique furnishings, sentimental photographs, and antique treasures abound. (We adore the intentional bursts of color and splashes of stripes throughout!) Lush blooms plus bright, illuminated glimpses of the cheerful outdoors add an unparalleled vibrancy. From a cozy fireplace to a patio fit for a queen, Heidi’s abode is a physical manifestation of her creativity, talent, and exceptional aesthetic.
Would you say your collections influence what you bring into your home, or vice versa?
They influence each other; for me, it’s about a mood or aesthetic. I definitely see one in the other, and in hindsight I always see a through line and it even surprises me.
“I always say my fireplace hosts magical creatures and is a liability. My husband says we have to keep it because it’s a Bacheldor and there are only 16 in existence.”
You have such an amazing design aesthetic. From where is your design taste inspired?
Thank you! My mind and heart are always seaside. I grew in a small beach town, so I love everything to be cool and relaxed. My motivation in moving the aesthetic forward is to bring in more sophistication or simplicity — I never decorate.
The house has a Moroccan vibe, it’s a hundred years old and I try to pay homage to that.
“I sewed my first 10 collections on that sewing machine and I bought it with money I won in a scholarship.”
Your home seems to display a lot of eclectic pieces, with rustic elements, mixed with modern pieces. What design style would you say you most gravitate towards?
I just buy what I like. Be it an amazing photograph or an iron gate or excessive amounts of chandeliers, I want them all to feel true to me in a way.
What is your favorite room in your home?
The Harry Potter room (aka the guest room). We call it that because that’s where I watch tv and all I watch is Harry Potter. Some people call it the blue bed room.
“I have my mom’s and my mother in law’s record collections. One’s all Beatles and Bob Dylan, the other’s classical and French Horn pieces. JJ and I have Bon Iver and Iron and Wine. I believe the three together make the perfect trifecta.”