Inside a Laguna Beach Home by the Vintage Enthusiasts at Studio Gutow

Rip & Tan: We’re so eager to learn more about your background. What was your journey to interiors?

Studio Gutow: Co-founded by Melissa Rohani and Lisa Berman, Studio Gutow officially launched in January 2022, following the successful completion of our remarkable 3-year Emerald Bay project. What followed was years of collaboration on projects up and down the California Coast. Lisa’s passion for design comes from her childhood years which her father, an avid collector, formed. Melissa’s drive for interior design comes from her years as an antique dealer.

Our partnership is driven by an innate understanding of where their sensibilities intersect and where they diverge, leveraging each to create a balanced aesthetic. Studio Gutow was born from a mutual love of textiles, contemporary art, and modern and antique furniture; their latest discoveries deliver an elevated richness to every project. Fusing a modern approach with traditional design, we create living spaces that are collected, personal, and above all, beautiful. 

Rip & Tan: Can you tell us more about your family’s influence on your love of sourcing? What skills did you learn from them? 

Studio Gutow: Lisa grew up going to auction houses and art shows, she has an encyclopedic memory of the notable furniture makers and artists of the past century. 

Rip & Tan: When you’re taking on a new client, what are some of the telltale signs that signify a project as a definite yes for you? 

Studio Gutow: When a client has an interest in mixing old and new. When they have a love for the story of the items that they share space with. 

Rip & Tan: What was the approach for this particular space? What vision did the clients have in mind? 

Studio Gutow: Melissa wanted a home that felt well-loved and authentic to the time period of the original architecture of the home. This provided the perfect opportunity for us to showcase her unique aesthetic, characterized by vibrant hues, striking graphic prints, and luxurious textures.

Rip & Tan: Can you highlight a few of your favorite details—found treasures, favorite finishes, etc.—in this home? Any stories you’d like to share? 

Studio Gutow: We researched the joinery and ceilings of the time period and of the location. The beamed ceilings are new but made to look like they are authentic to the home. Many meetings and hours were spent perfecting it. 

Rip & Tan: What’s your philosophy on a pop of color? 

Studio Gutow: We love a pop of color. We like to base the room around a found rug so that the color story can be woven throughout.

Rip & Tan: Let’s talk textiles. What are some of the ways you used furniture or décor to bring warmth into this space? 

Studio Gutow: Textiles are a love of ours. We gravitate towards woven patterns rather than anything that has a print. So generally, if there is some sort of print, it is either a vintage fabric or something more bespoke. 

Rip & Tan: As a bit of a sourcing savant, what secrets can you share with others setting out on their own interior treasure hunts? 

Studio Gutow: Do your research and follow your heart. We love the markets in the South of France—it’s where the best vintage dealers in Paris head to gather their finds. 

Rip & Tan: When a room is missing something—but perhaps you haven’t quite put your finger on it—what are some of your first instincts to troubleshoot? 

Studio Gutow: We start by asking ourselves…What does the room have the most of? Is it contemporary-heavy? If so, add a vintage wabi-sabi piece. Is everything looking like your grandmother’s sitting room? Pop in a modern plaster lamp or a contemporary polished metal. 

Rip & Tan: What is it about an interior that makes it truly interesting and joyful to be in? 

Studio Gutow: Lean into the natural light of the space. Does it have low ceilings and tend to be dark? If the answer is yes, lean into the moody.