Rebuilding after the Palisades Fire: a designer’s view
Abby Rose, owner and principal designer of Architexture Furniture and Interior Design, lost her own home in the Palisades Fire and is rebuilding it now. Her advice for anyone starting over: make a list of everything you weren’t satisfied with in your original house, and use the rebuild to change it.
What happened to Abby’s home?
Abby’s home was in Sunset Mesa, which is officially Malibu, up Coastline Drive, a street off PCH above the Getty Villa. It was lost in the Palisades Fire.
“We were lucky to at least have taken all the important documents and quite a few personal photos when we evacuated,” she says. “However, I had an extensive library of art and design books that I had collected over a 45 year period, as well as a large collection of Christmas ornaments also collected over many years and that were all lost.”
So when Abby sits down with a homeowner from the Palisades or Malibu who is rebuilding, she isn’t describing something she has only heard about. She is faced with the same problems for her own house.
Where do you start when you’re designing the home you’re rebuilding?
Start with what didn’t work before. “As sad and disappointing as losing your house or having your interior damaged is, on the positive side, it gives you a chance to recreate your house exactly the way you want it,” Abby says. “I would say make a list of anything with which you weren’t satisfied with your original house and that you want to change.”
What is the hardest part of rebuilding?
For Abby, it was the permits. “One of the hardest things was getting the permits approved. Once that happens, there is so much to coordinate. Much of it is coordinated by your contractor, but it’s important to stay on top of everything and know exactly what’s going on every step of the way.”
How does Abby help clients who are rebuilding?
“Depending on how they are working, I help them get organized and suggest we make a plan.”
From there, the design follows the client, not the designer. “Interior design is all about the client,” Abby says. “They are the ones who will live in the space once the designer is done.”
See how Abby works with homeowners on our residential design services page, or read about her work in Malibu and Pacific Palisades.
Why does a showroom help when you’re furnishing a house again?
When a house has to be furnished again, it helps to decide in person. At the Architexture showroom in Woodland Hills, you can try seating for comfort, take lamps and accessories home to try before deciding, browse a large textile and wallpaper library, and have larger pieces custom made to the size and finish the room needs.
That matters most with the pieces you use every day. “I always make sure to ask them how they use their sofa,” Abby says. “Do they normally sit up on it or do they lounge? This determines how deep of a sofa I would recommend for them.” Learn more about custom upholstered furniture made to your room.
Talk with Abby about your rebuild
Visit the Architexture showroom at 21410 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, Tuesday to Saturday, 11 AM to 4 PM, or call 818-760-3399.