Botanical artist Krislyn Komarov, shown with husband Dmitri, kept her creative streak in check when designing her Los Angeles home. Although visitors will see the occasional exclamation point here in the form of hanging bubble chairs the overall effect is more lived in, less design lab. “We didnt want the house too packed,” Komarov says. “I collect things and love curiosities, but I dont want a house that looks like people dont actually live there.” (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)
Komarov is best known for botanical installations the kind that wont fade after five days in water. Here, charred manzanita is adorned with hundreds of tiny mirror fragments. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)
A 7-foot cypress stump became inspiration for a little DIY lighting: Komarov wired the salvaged wood and found a complementary shade. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)
Komarovs botanical sculpture and a resident fan. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)
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Whereas many people might fill the kitchen window with plants and flowers, Komarov uses the space as a stage for her latest fascinations. The most recent: white porcelain and ceramic figurines some kitsch, some classic that form a still-life of quirky elegance. “That space is like an altar to me,” she says. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)
An ornate frame surrounds a series of small mirrors instead of a single sheet. The bed is flanked by more simple beauty. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)
Komarovs floral creations, like her home, reflect her pursuit of beauty in the unconventional. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)
The front of Komarovs house offers the first hint that what lies inside defies easy labels. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)