Design 5 Swoon Worthy Things:

Erick Garcia Is All About Creating Spaces to Escape To

Words by Sacha Strebe.

Ye Rin Mok
Ye Rin Mok

Much like the movie of the same title, there’s just something about Erick Garcia. And we’re not the only ones who are smitten by the designer. From Jen Atkins’ hip Los Angeles home to Julie Sariñana of Sincerely Jules‘ Mediterannean backyard transformation or Marianna Hewitt’s serene LA apartment, the Maison Trouvaille founder has quickly made a name for himself as the go-to designer with the A-list set—and it’s easy to see why. He has a knack for creating personal sanctuaries with his artful layering of neutrals, texture, and patina that evoke instant warmth and comfort without compromising style. A goal we all hope to achieve at home!

So, we tapped Garcia recently to learn more about the interior expert, his career, design philosophy, and some of the pieces he’s loving right now. Read on to be inspired.

Ye Rin Mok
Ye Rin Mok
Sam Frost
Sam Frost

NAME: Erick Garcia

PROFESSION: Interior Design

HOME BASE: Los Angeles, CA

INSTAGRAM: @maison_trouvaille

WEBSITE: maisontrouvaille.com

BRIEFLY, HOW YOU CAME TO DO WHAT YOU DO: I originally had plans to be a fashion designer but after fashion school (and a few awful jobs), I decided to go a different route. I went to London to study interior design, eventually came back home to LA, and worked a few years at a couple of design studios before opening my own firm.

WHAT YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB: I love that my job is never the same and every day is different. I get the opportunity to meet so many different clients and see their unique personalities, which ultimately informs me and my amazing team to design spaces they truly enjoy and love.

Sam Frost
Sam Frost

WHAT YOU LIKE LEAST ABOUT YOUR JOB: There are so few moments of instant gratification. It is a joy when you find that perfect artwork or fabric or chair, but usually, the whole process is so long. You order a sofa that takes four months to arrive or you finally decide on that perfect stone tile, only to find out that it’s discontinued. It’s a long arduous journey but it’s taught me some patience and sometimes I discover unexpected things along the way.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY: To create a place where someone can escape to their own personal sanctuary.

YOUR AESTHETIC IN 3 WORDS: Earthy, approachable, worldly.

WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WORK MOST AND WHY? Traveling the world and being exposed to different cultures and design aesthetics. My Mexican heritage also influences a big part of my design and lastly, my love for natural textures and materials.

I’M ENDLESSLY OBSESSED WITH ____ BECAUSE: I’m endlessly obsessed with travel because it re-inspires me in so many ways.

DESIGN TREND YOU LOVE? WHY? I love the revival of raw materials because there’s a connection back to nature and earth. You can see the hand in all of the unique pieces that remove the look and feel of mass production.

Ye Rin Mok
Ye Rin Mok
Ye Rin Mok
Ye Rin Mok

ONE YOU WISH WOULD GO AWAY? WHY? I wish the Memphis movement would go away. All of the geometric shapes and bright colors feel a bit jarring and chaotic.

COLOR OR NEUTRAL? EXPLAIN. Neutral. It’s timeless.

WE WILL NEVER SEE _____ IN YOUR HOME (WHY): You will never see red in my home. I don’t like calling attention, and red demands it.

HOW AND WHERE YOU SHOP: We start with a design concept that drives our choices in which shops to source from. We also really love and appreciate good vintage shops, flea markets, and sourcing from our own shop. Specifically, Big Daddy’s, Berbere Imports, and Etsy are great.

Ye Rin Mok
Ye Rin Mok

WHO ARE YOUR DESIGN ICONS AND WHY?

  • @kellywearstler — I appreciate all of the different mediums Kelly Wearstler implements into her designs. She’s a true master of her craft and has really solidified her brand and aesthetic.
  • @indiamahdavi — She’s so brave and adept with color, pattern, and print.
  • @sarahsolis — I love Sara Solis’ casual, California style. It feels elevated and approachable.
  • @alexanderdesignbuild — Vanessa Alexander’s work looks and feels like a vacation which is something I really appreciate in design. I want to live in all of the spaces she creates.

Erick's 5 Favorite Things:

Bouclé fabric gives another dimension of texture and adds warmth to any space.

This soap smells wonderful and leaves such an amazing scent on your hands. We use it in our studio and everyone loves it.

Graphic stone is having a moment in our studio. Every piece is unique as natural stone varies in color and veining. Whether it be a countertop or a small tray it always makes a statement. This tray we love is a piece that you can find online and also in our shop.

This curved low-back vanity stool is such a charming accent piece. It’s a beautiful study of scale and proportion. It is available in many finishes and fabrics which all make it a bold statement. It's versatile and capable of elevating any space.

I love when a piece doesn’t need explaining because its design speaks for itself. This ceramic pendant is minimal and raw in that handmade imperfect quality. We incorporated a pair of them in one of our projects and we are still swooning over it.

Share this Swoon –