Tori Adams upgraded her home inside a rented Beverly Hills space
Tori Adams grew up in Burbank with a lifelong fascination for Los Angeles real estate, even tattooing the flat‑roofed home of her childhood on her forearm. As an adult she bounced between 12 different rentals over a decade, searching for the “just right” place in a city where moving is almost a rite of passage.
Background and Move History
While studying history at UCLA, Adams experienced the campus culture of yearly moves. After graduation she worked as a writer and editor for publications such as Flaunt, The Hollywood Reporter and Playboy, sharing apartments across Westwood and North Hollywood and hosting nearly 20 roommates. A brief stint living with her sister introduced her to what she calls “millennial gray.”
Current Residence
At age 25 Adams decided she needed a space of her own, describing the goal as “something unique and charming that felt like a home.” She eventually settled in a freestanding one‑bedroom, one‑bathroom bungalow tucked in the garden of a classic Spanish house in Beverly Hills, occupied by an elderly woman. The 500‑square‑foot unit includes a dishwasher, washer and dryer, and costs $2,340 per month including utilities. Adams says the rent is fair by Los Angeles standards and the central location lets her walk to local spots like Lodge Bread Co. And nearby pickleball and tennis courts.
Design Collaboration
At 30, Adams sought to bring her colorful, eccentric style to the bungalow while juggling a new editorial‑consulting business and volunteering with the nonprofit Our House. She connected with emerging interior designer Kiki Tolles through TikTok. Tolles, 24, markets herself as an affordable, renter‑focused designer who sources secondhand pieces and is studying commercial and residential interior design at KLC School of Design in London.
Renovation Details
Tolles began with a questionnaire to clarify Adams’s color and era preferences, a challenging task given Adams’s “whimsical and unique” style. They allocated roughly $2,000 for furniture and supplies, focusing most of the budget on the living room. The centerpiece is a pink velour couch from Sunbeam Vintage. To hide baby‑blue shiplap, Tolles installed a painted wooden panel without damaging the wall.
A warm wooden mid‑century cabinet, sourced on Facebook Marketplace, was fitted with a custom top. Instead of a mural, the opposite garden windows now feature a swallow‑themed wallpaper, serving as a stylish Zoom backdrop. Custom window treatments were crafted from secondhand materials: linen‑like Roman blinds in the kitchen, layered bamboo and linen drapes on patio doors, and velvet drapes in the bedroom.
The bedroom’s small, single‑window space was painted dark blue, with a double bed turned into a daybed. A roadside dresser was rescued, sanded, repainted and paired with a vintage Japanese panel as wall art. In the bathroom, a chalkboard panel invites guests to vote for their favourite room, while a striped fabric skirt adds storage to the sink.
Every detail—from vintage glassware to updated lighting—reflects the collaborative effort, with Adams contributing personal photos and chrome cat bowls.
Living in Beverly Hills
Three years later Adams has no plans to move again, noting only the occasional critters that accompany a building over 70 years old. While some family members consider the $2,340 rent “extreme,” Adams feels the price buys her quality of life. Unlike many peers in their 30s, she does not prioritize homeownership, stating, “The older I get, especially right now in this season of life, the less I need. It feels really freeing.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Tori Adams lived in her current bungalow?
She has lived there for 2½ years, which is her longest stay in a single residence.
What is the monthly rent for the Beverly Hills bungalow?
The rent, including utilities, is $2,340 per month.
Who assisted Adams with the interior redesign of her home?
Emerging interior designer Kiki Tolles provided the design services and labour for the renovation.
What aspects of this renter‑focused renovation do you find most inspiring?