This Former Church in Highland Park Houses Interior Decor Inspiration in Every Corner

While everyone's under direct orders to keep sheltering in place, we can still daydream about a change of stylish scenery. Until we're all ready to socialize, one L.A. space that design devotees can rejoice right now is The Ruby Street, a former progressive church-turned-workspace and event venue in Highland Park that unveiled its fashionable facelift in mid-February.

Although the chic 4,000-square-foot building is temporarily closed to abide with coronavirus safety efforts, its snapshots prove that the 1905-built Arts and Crafts structure is filled with interior design inspiration in every corner, from the seating areas featuring artful chairs by Owl and Croft House to the tucked-away suites decked out with Hightower side tables and whimsical globe lamps by Entler (to name just a few).

And if you're taking the opportunity to reinvent your home or office right now, the good news is that you can shop the wedding-ready property's stylish floors, halls, and walls from your own home via The Ruby Street's online furniture and decor shop.

The Ruby Street also functions as a communal co-working space every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (for now, the service is on hold). Day passes are only $20 and monthly memberships are also available. Plus, members will enjoy healthy snacks and sips from Amara Kitchen and access to private meeting rooms and event programming.

For the Ruby Street's relaunch, L.A.-based indie musicians and co-owners Lourdes Hernández (who goes by the moniker Russian Red in her native Spain) and Zach Leigh (who also moonlights as a real estate developer) partnered with interior designer and Pomelo co-founder Francesca de la Fuente, graphic designer Daniel Barreto, and Working Holiday Studio to reimagine the creative haven.

In addition to adding a mural by L.A.-based artist Dakota Solt, the creative team upgraded the space with skylights, new oak flooring, redesigned landscaping, and modern and minimalist furniture, lighting, rugs, and decor from Another Human, Article, Bend Goods, BluDot, Loloi, Menu, Nima Abili, Nordic Knots, and many other stylish designers and brands.

Before its current life as a stylish party host, the historic former church was also a meeting spot for the Civil Rights movement. The space marks a full-circle moment for Hernández and Leigh, who renovated the entire place and reopened it in 2016 for event rentals.

The couple not only got married at the space, but also lived in the basement apartment during the first round of renovations, Hernández tells us. Among the surprises that they found where previously-hidden windows, which were restored to their former glory after discovering the features in vintage photos of the church.

Once non-essential businesses are allowed to reopen, the Highland Park venue will return to hosting cultural and community events, such as film screenings, musical performances, creative workshops, month-long artist residencies of local and international talents, and private dinners.

In the meantime, scroll through the gallery above to see more scenes inside the Millennial design wonderland, stay tuned for details on upcoming happenings (including Hera Collective's spring market, which still scheduled for May for now), and shop The Ruby Street's space online at its website here.

The Ruby Street, 6408 Ruby St., L.A., 90042; open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for co-working; (626) 658-7829