In July 2023, Alexandra Daddario purchased a stunning retro home in Brentwood, California, and images of her living room have lived in my mind ever since. While I was certainly never opposed to the mid-century modern aesthetic, something about Alexandra's living room brought the style to life in ways I'd never seen before.
The 'treehouse-inspired' architectural jewel, designed by Matt Kivlin in 1959, is perhaps the perfect canvas for this design aesthetic, complete with light wooden floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and sliding glass doors that blur boundaries between indoors and outdoors and maximize natural light and views of the canyon. In such a setting, it's no surprise that her mid-century modern furnishings shine.
Two years after my first glance, it remains bookmarked as my dream living room, but I don't need a Brentwood treehouse to follow her example. I'm starting with a wooden vinyl cabinet (much like this one from Wayfair), a vintage SwissAir poster (I found the exact match on eBay), and a brown leather sofa to upgrade my corner the Alexandra way.
Shop the Look
This record stand brings retro intrigue to your living space with its organic lines, flared profile, and refined linear detailing. Resting on tapered legs, the design balances iconic style with everyday practicality, just like Alexandra's.
This ultra-rare vintage travel poster from the 1971 Airview series was designed by photographer Georg Gerster and Emil Schultess to advertise flights to Europe. Rich in visual intrigue, it offers a distinctive blend of modernist photography and mid-century travel culture.
This planter pairs a terracotta-toned metal pot with a natural wood base, blending warmth and clean-lined design. Generously sized to let plants flourish, the earthy finish and sculptural stand bring balance and texture to any living room.
This distressed faux-leather sofa showcases ultra-premium construction, combining solid oak framing and angled dowels with classic rolled arms. Its refined silhouette blends vintage charm with minimalist sophistication, creating a statement piece that will last.
Crafted in genuine leather, this piece brings rustic charm and enduring character without feeling heavy. Effortlessly chic layered over a linen sofa or harmonizing with leather, it adds a touch of classic sophistication that elevates any interior setting.
This charming ceramic vase measures 2.5 × 2.5 × 4.8 inches (excluding flowers) and is crafted from high-quality, environmentally friendly materials. Its simple design and elegant color make it a versatile accent, resistant to corrosion and wear. Place it next to your record player for an Alexandra-inspired look.
I've favored the mid-century modern aesthetic ever since laying eyes on Alexandra Daddario's retro style living room. However, as designers explain, this look isn't set to waver in 2026. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
'As homeowners and designers continue to seek timeless styles with a contemporary twist to suit modern homes, comments Marie Goodwin, head designer at decorative fabric specialist at Prestigious Textiles.
'Mid-century modern is set to have its moment as we move into 2026. From block patterns and geometrics to sleek furniture and neutral colorways, blending function and form in this way brings a sense of simplicity and charm to any home.'
This corner of Alexandra's living room offers all the inspiration I could need, but yet, Marie explains there are even more ways to get ahead of the curve.
'Choose a grounded color palette, accent the space with curved furniture, and don’t be afraid to embrace impactful prints and bold colours when choosing soft furnishings,' she says.
'Small scale geometric patterns are particularly effective for this trend and are really useable across larger furnishings like sofas, headboards and curtains, but also for adding visual interest to smaller furnishings like scatter cushions, pouffes and lampshades.' I am almost certain this look will look just as beautiful in another two years from now, but only time will tell.
