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OUR STUDIO
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ULTERIOR/INTERIOR
Looking beyond beautiful spaces
by Patrick Ediger
Great design begins with paying attention. The most valuable lessons I’ve learned as a designer haven’t come exclusively from job sites or showrooms. They’ve come from conversations, travel, remarkable hotels, memorable meals, exceptional craftsmanship, unexpected moments, and simply taking the time to notice the world a little more carefully.
Consider this an invitation into that process. Here you’ll find the observations, ideas, inspirations, and occasional provocations that continue to shape my perspective—not just as a designer, but as someone who believes our surroundings have a profound influence on how we live. Some essays are about homes. Others aren’t. But every one has, in some way, influenced the spaces I create and the life I aspire to live.
How Many Decisions Does It Take to Design a Kitchen?
FIELD NOTES: One of the biggest reasons renovations become overwhelming isn’t because homeowners have to make difficult decisions. It’s because they’re asked to make hundreds of decisions while construction is already underway.
6 days ago
Renovation Planning: The Most Expensive Decision Is Usually the First One
FIELD NOTES: One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that the most expensive decisions in a renovation happen when it’s time to choose finishes or furniture. In reality, the decisions that have the greatest impact on both budget and outcome are usually made long before anyone is looking at tile or paint colors.
Jul 31
Blurred Lines: How Interior Architecture Connects a Home to the Natural World
LA-based interior designer Patrick Ediger on how interior architecture and thoughtful decisions made long before construction begins allows a designer to connect interior spaces with the natural world and create a home that is beautiful and restorative.
Jul 22
Why Constraints Fuel Creativity in Interior Design
Many people think that having more freedom leads to better design creativity. But after years of working on interior design projects, I’ve found the opposite is true. Constraints are the foundation for creativity. By narrowing the field, we create clarity. By creating clarity, we make better decisions. And better decisions, made with confidence, are what ultimately lead to the most thoughtful and personal homes.
Jun 10
Meaningful Mementos & Luxury Interior Design: The Objects That Tell Your Story
A Los Angeles interior designer on how meaningful mementos, travel-inspired details, and architecture-led design create luxury homes that tell your story.
May 18
Embracing Thoughtful Design: The Shift in Luxury Interiors
LA-based interior designer Patrick Ediger on Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River, travel-inspired design, and the case for restraint in luxury residential interiors
Apr 8
Design Spotlight: Black Artists and Product Designers You Need to Meet
A spotlight on 11 black artists and product designers making an impact on the design industry.
Feb 24
Transform Your Home Into the Sanctuary You Need This Year
An interior designer shares five tips to make your home a sanctuary that lowers your stress levels.
Feb 5
Discovering Tailored Design: Creating Homes That Reflect You
When I walk into a home for the first time, I’m not just looking at the architecture, the layout, or finishes. I’m paying attention to how it feels. Is it inviting? Does it flow? Does it support the life that’s being lived inside it? More often than not, I can sense the story the homeowner wants to tell — even before they can put it into words.
Sep 2, 2025
The Best Margarita Recipes You Need This Summer
LA-based interior designer and amateur mixologist shares his favorite margarita and summer cocktail recipes.
Jul 31, 2025
The Psychology of Interior Design: Why We’re So Drawn to Antiques
There’s something undeniably magnetic about antiques. A timeworn dresser. A leather chair with just the right amount of give. A crackle oil painting whose original subject and artist are both long gone from this world. These pieces have a way of pulling us in, even if we can’t quite explain why.
Jul 9, 2025
Embracing Your Temporary Home: Design Tips for Rentals
Over the past few months, I’ve spent a lot of time discussing the process of rebuilding after the recent Los Angeles wildfires—helping homeowners navigate the complexities of restoring their homes and lives.
May 8, 2025
Exploring the Unique Styles of Los Angeles Architecture
Los Angeles has always been a city defined by freedom—of expression, of reinvention, of personal style.
Apr 17, 2025
Rebuilding Altadena: Preserving the Character of a Beloved Community
Altadena, a neighborhood known for its historic charm, independent spirit, and architectural beauty, now stands at a crossroads.
Mar 21, 2025
Rebuilding After the Palisades and Eaton Fires: A Smarter Way Forward
The question isn’t should we rebuild after the Palisades and Eaton fires, but how we rebuild—smarter, safer, and in a way that respects both
Feb 19, 2025
Creating the Perfect Paint Color Story for Your Los Angeles Home
Choosing paint colors in Los Angeles is more than a design choice—it’s about creating an experience.
Dec 5, 2024
How I Use 3D Renderings in My Interior Design Process (and Why My Clients Love It)
Why photorealistic 3D renderings have become an absolute must for my work, contracting partners, and create a phenomenal client experience.
Oct 16, 2024
How Mid-Century Modern & Googie Architecture Changed the Landscape of Los Angeles Forever
LA is home to so many styles of architecture, but a few stand out as distinctly Los Angeles.
Jul 18, 2024
Sustainable Interior Design Made Easy with My Rule of Thirds
Tired of crappy fall-apart retail furniture? SAME. Here’s how I'm bringing an end to fast furniture with my Rule of Thirds. Cute? Sure....
Jan 10, 2024
AI in Architecture and Interior Design: The Good, The Bad, and The Unreal
Does AI have a place in the interior design world? LA designer Patrick Ediger has some thoughts (and a major concern).
Nov 15, 2023
3 Unexpected Spring Cocktails Guaranteed to Impress at Your Next Brunch
Well friends, we’re back with another round of “Patrick’s favorite drinks” here at Ulterior/Interior, and I’ve gotta say — I’m pretty...
May 20, 2023
The One Design Trend We Should Actually Care About: Making Your Home a Destination
Moving beyond trends to create a layered sanctuary you’re proud to call home. Truthfully, most designers have a love/hate relationship...
Feb 17, 2023
How to Maximize Style in a Tiny ADU
Applying the best small space interior design tips to get the most out of this tiny living space. ADU numbers are rising in LA and...
Nov 18, 2022
Here's How I Pick the Right Paint Colors Every Time
First of all, let’s just be clear here: Choosing that perfect paint color is challenging for anyone. Sometimes even the pros. So if...
Oct 20, 2022
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