Mend Founder Elle Huerta’s Sun-Filled Venice Bungalow

Elle Huerta is the founder and CEO of Mend, a self-care app launched just last year that helps you through a breakup and is a community for those going through heartbreak.

Her cozy home is located along one of Venice’s “Walk Streets;” pedestrian-only walkways where homes are tucked behind verdant trees. It’s a small oasis in the middle of a bustling city, a relaxing place for a busy CEO to call home. The house’s style is also about creating a calming space; it’s a minimal, uncluttered interior that allows the vintage and antique furnishings to shine.

Along with the app, Mend has city guides for mending broken hearts, a podcast, and even a curated list of books that may help heal a broken heart.

My Style: Comfortable, minimal, natural.

Inspiration: The ocean, Ojai, Japan.

Favorite Element: The front yard and patio because it feels like a little oasis in the middle of Venice. It’s basically the second living room.

Biggest Challenge: Limited counter space in the kitchen.

What Friends Say: Sometimes older bungalows can be a little dark, so friends usually remark at how light and airy this house is—the skylight and vaulted ceiling are game changers.

Biggest Embarrassment: I picked up a no-shoe rule from living in Tokyo, and I usually feel a little embarrassed asking people to take off their shoes when they come over… but it makes a huge difference!

Proudest DIY: I upgraded almost every element in the master bathroom (lighting, medicine cabinet, fixtures, new paint) because it was really dark and drab—I learned how to do everything on YouTube.

Biggest Indulgence: My tchotchke shelf in the guest bathroom. The shelf started with a few mementos and just naturally evolved into its own diorama. Every guest gets a kick out of that because it’s the one corner of clutter in an otherwise very organized space.

Best Advice: Let your space evolve. Don’t rush decorating just so that it’s all “done.” I love slowly putting things together over time, without a specific plan in mind. It’s more fun for me if I approach decorating like a collector vs a task that has to be done all at once.

Dream Sources: Antique markets around the world.

PAINT & COLORS
Decorator’s White, Benjamin Moore

LIVING ROOM
Couch — H.D. Buttercup
Blue Pattern Pillow — Tribe and Territory
White Pillow — H.D. Buttercup
Rug — Tribe and Territory
Wooden Chair — Venice Vintage Paradise
Black Bull — Wooden Nickel Home
Media Console — West Elm
Plants and Pots — Venice Plants
Red Bull — Antique from Spain
Cactus Pastel — Treasures of Ojai

BREAKFAST NOOK
White and Wood Table — Sunbeam
Clear Chairs — Similar Here
Black-and-White Painting — Susan Cohen
Ocean Photograph — Graham Walzer

KITCHEN
Vase — Santa Monica Airport Antique Market
Lucite Three-Bottle Wine Holder — AG Antiques
Olive Oil and Balsamic Bottles — Ojai Olive Oil
Marble Utensil Holder — Crate & Barrel
Marble Paper Towel Holder — Crate & Barrel
Glass Kettle — American Tea Room

BEDROOM
Bed — Keetsa Cloud
Bedding — Parachute Home
Large Dresser with Mirror — Sunbeam
Smaller Dresser — Santa Monica Airport Antique Market
Chrome Lamp — Wertz Brothers
Hexagonal Nightstand — Treasures of Ojai
Plant and Pot — Venice Plants
Clock — Braun

BATHROOM
Soap Dish — Hermes Eau d’orange
Medicine Cabinet — Kohler
Trash Can — Umbra
Towels — Parachute Home

GUEST BATHROOM
Mini Statue — Calaverita de Mita, Punta Mita, Mexico
Soap — Hermès Eau d’orange
Fornasetti Candle — Net-a-porter

DINING ROOM
Lucite Candle Holders — AG Antiques
Chairs and Table — Long Beach Antique Market, Reupholstered by Venice Interiors
Bench — Long Beach Antique Market
Black-and-White Painting — Susan Cohen
Footstool — Tribe and Territory

PATIO
Plants and Pots — Venice Plants

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