Lisa Nakamura runs a residential design studio in Silver Lake, where she specializes in homes that feel warm, personal, and impossible to pin to a single era. We sat down with her to talk about her approach and how Sellwise pieces fit into her projects.

How would you describe your design philosophy?

“I want every room to feel like it evolved over time, even if we designed it in six weeks. That means mixing vintage and new, high and low, rough textures with polished ones. The worst thing a room can be is matchy-matchy. People live in homes, not showrooms.”

Where does Sellwise fit into that mix?

“Sellwise pieces have this quality where they look like they could be vintage but they’re built with modern engineering. The Modesto Credenza is a perfect example — the cane insets and the proportions feel very 1960s, but the cable management and the finish quality are totally current. I can put it in a room with actual vintage pieces and it holds its own without looking like it’s trying.”

Which pieces do you find yourself reaching for most?

“The Topanga Lounger is in probably half my projects right now. Clients sit in it during our first meeting and I can see the moment they decide they need one. The performance fabric is a huge selling point for families — I don’t have to worry about recommending a $1,400 chair to someone with a toddler. Beyond that, the Ojai Vases are my secret weapon for styling. A couple of those on a shelf and suddenly the whole room feels curated.”

Any advice for someone furnishing their first home?

“Buy fewer things and buy better things. Start with the big anchors — a great sofa, a credenza, your lighting. Live with those for a while before filling in the gaps. The small stuff can come from anywhere, but the pieces you build the room around should be things you genuinely love and that will last.”