Home of Our Dreams: Meet Matt and Tara Winter

Welcome to the home of interior designer Matt Winter, his beautiful wife Tara and baby girl, Scout. Matt, covered in tattoos and donning dashing Americana duds, leans against the teal vintage tiles in their naturally rugged and brightly lit kitchen, his legs crossed at the ankles. He’s sipping tea and chatting with us when his two year old daughter comes running in taking photos with her mom’s cell phone. “This is better,” she says to no one in particular, as she snaps a photo. “No, this is better,” she proclaims to the world.  Her lovely mama follows right behind. “Yeah, great photo!” she assures her young babe. Scout snaps another before proudly heading out to the warm front patio to photograph their dogs, Otis and Prudence.

Our most recent lookbook, A Very Hippie Holiday, was shot here, at the Winter’s exquisitely rustic home. The warm abode is chock full of reclaimed wood, original tiling, and vintage accessories and furniture. Verdant greenery flourishes throughout their home, the light brilliant, as the breeze pushes an airy path from the open double doors to the corner-hinged open windows. It feels days away from Los Angeles, up here in the still hills. Matt has been designing interiors both domestically and internationally for many years now, first feeling the itch as a child thanks to his artistic mother. He started his interior design company, M. Winter Design, to maintain focus on each environment’s authentic charm and bring out the inner beauty of restaurants, bars, retail and hospitality spaces, via found vintage pieces. Thirsty Crow, Gjusta, and Power House are just a few projects under his belt…all keeping a similar rustic, effortlessly detailed, and pure aesthetic. Get a peek into his home below and catch an exclusive interview with Matt and Tara as you scroll through.

 

When did you first realize you were interested in interior design?

I grew up in a 1920s California Spanish home that my mom designed. She was the first person to introduce me to design and would take me to all the flea markets when we traveld to the Midwest to visit family.

…and when did you first realize that you were good at it?

I started building and doing wood-refinishing jobs in high school. I would find cool objects and sell them to my friends who owned bars and restaurants. Shortly after, they would ask me for design help and it just grew into a business from there.

Wow, amazing! Do you remember your first design job? How did it go!?

First job I did was a bar in Culver City. I tried to keep the aesthetic authentic.

What kind of approach do you take when designing? 

Definitely go by my gut feeling, which makes my approach different from most interior designers today, who use computer programs to lay out every aspect of the job.

What kind of guidelines do you follow when designing for a space?

I like to see how I can bring out the natural beauty of the space. If it’s a more challenging space I try to find ways to give it character. I love using old french doors/windows and adding beams to the ceilings.

Which is your favorite restaurant in LA to eat?

Gjusta and The Tasting Kitchen are our go-to brunch spots.

…and what about your favorite restaurant or bar in LA for the interior design element?

The Little Door.

Favorite hotel in LA for design?

Chateau Marmont.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

Salvador Dali — we visited his home in Cadaques, Spain.

Your family is so darling! What do you guys love to do when you have free time?

We love to travel together or be out in nature but, when we’re in LA, we spend time at home cooking dinner with our friends.

How did you two meet? 

We’ve been together since high school!

Scout is hilarious — how would you describe her in three words?

Funny, engergetic, strong-willed.

 

What’s playing on your record player right now?

Bon Iver, Ray LaMontagne, Neil Young, Hall & Oates.

What qualities do you look for in an antique piece?

Eclectic pieces that aren’t too over-the-top.

Do you have a favorite piece of furniture in your house?

Our French leather club chairs.