In This San Diego Home, a Headboard Serves As Surprising Living Room Wall Art

Some cities clearly express their energy: bustling New York, romantic Florence and modern Tokyo. San Diego is easy and cool. Long stretches of golden sand and ivy-covered adobe houses appear on every corner. People walk the streets in flip-flops as the wind blows salty ocean water and sweet corn. This is where your muscles soften and your gait slows down.

Emily Sanchez’s home captures this feeling perfectly. The founder of the two-bedroom apartment Classy Casita, who settled in sunny San Diego, breathed a sigh of relief. Sunlight streams through the windows, illuminating the terracotta cushions, hanging pothos baskets and wicker oak cabinets. A cloud of blankets covers her bed, and tall cacti protrude from the corners.

Of course, San Diego is nothing without Mexico, just an hour away, as is Sanchez and her home. The space is a direct product of her heritage, decorated with traditional rustic pottery, homegrown succulents and warm desert tones.

Result? A piece of paradise in your hometown, just like San Diego itself. Below, Sanchez shares more about how she styled her first custom space, her favorite pieces of furniture, and what she calls her signature pieces.

How did you first discover your space? What about it appealed to you?

I found this rental on Zillow in 2020 and was so excited because it was my first time living alone. It was important to find the perfect place so that I would feel comfortable and this place would be the coziest. I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.

What initially attracted me was the Spanish style, which is my favorite style. Plus, the space itself has unique features like an arched doorway, some cute built-in shelves, a great layout, and of course, great natural light. I also immediately fell in love with the exterior, which had lots of trees and a cute fountain.

Describe the surrounding neighborhood—does your home fit in or stand out? 

It definitely fits the local style. There are a lot of Spanish style homes in San Diego, and many of the houses and apartments in my area are designed that way. I love to walk and run around my neighborhood and admire the beautiful houses.

How would you describe your style and approach to decorating your home?

Luckily, my personal style matches the Spanish architecture of my home perfectly, so decorating it was easy. Everything fits together perfectly because it makes sense. I used a lot of wood, warm colors, terracotta and patterns – and added a lot of greenery to liven up the space.

Who or what are your biggest design inspirations?

I get a lot of design inspiration from people online, but most of my inspiration comes from traveling—getting out and exploring a new place. My biggest inspiration was traveling to Mexico and visiting Bali, Indonesia.

How does your heritage inform your style?

My heritage can definitely be found in my style in simple images like the clay pots I use to grow plants, the tones used in decor, and even the small accessories I have from my travels to Mexico or Latin. -inspired.

Any other cultures you take design notes from?

Certainly. I love many cultures and their styles, but if it wasn’t from my culture, it would be from the Middle Eastern cultures, as well as Asian cultures such as Indonesia and India.

What were the greatest finds in your home?

One of my biggest finds was the sofa from APT2B. It’s the perfect size for my small space and I can choose the perfect neutral color. I also love the uniqueness of the sofa legs – they are made of wood and have a classic look that gives the sofa a lot of character.

I also pair it well with my coffee table from West Elm, which is handmade in India and has the perfect low roundness and beautiful craftsmanship. It’s a unique touch that really brings the living room together.

Another favorite find of mine was a large fan hanging above the sofa that I bought at Urban Outfitters. I always get compliments on this and I think it has become my calling card at this point. Many people have said that they recognized my house from the fan or bought it themselves because they liked the way it looked in my house.

Do you have a favorite design feature or room?

I love every room in the house for different reasons, but my favorite is the living room. This is the first room you see when you walk inside and get a panoramic view of the apartment thanks to its open concept. The ceilings are also very high and I love how many memories I have made with family and friends in this space.

Where in your home do you spend the most time, and what are you usually doing there?

I spend most of my time in the office working, but if I’m not working or trying to change settings while working, I’m usually in the living room. I love doing some work here on the couch or watching a show, inviting friends over and listening to music – this room has the best atmosphere!