When not collaborating with her eclectic group of clients, interior designer Kishani Perera can often be found rocking out to anything from world to punk, indie to oldies, riding her vintage bamboo bike through the streets of Beverly Hills, or baking vegan cupcakes with her beloved pugs, Bodie and Bob.

As an interior designer in Los Angeles, my life can be quite hectic at times (but my fabulous clients are well worth the chaos)! My Character Approved items fill my life with happiness, balance, comfort, inspiration, and ease. They help to keep the stress at bay and the creativity flowing. From the most seemingly insignificant items to some of the more obvious, without these things I couldn't function (or so it would seem at times)!

1. Family and friends. The older I get the more I cherish every moment I spend with my wonderful family and invaluable friends. To celebrate life's wonders with or to seek comfort in when things get hairy, I would be at a loss without them. They're everything to me.

2. My boys, Bodie and Bob, a pair of 14- and 15-year old pugs without whom my world would not be the same. They are my kids, my sanity, and my joy. I adore these two and am proud to admit that I could in fact be labeled a crazy dog lady, but frankly I wouldn't mind!

3. Color. Whether catching a glimmer of light through an amethyst Murano lamp, or simply being wowed by a richly hued peacock blue silk rug, I find the vibrancy of color to be electrifying. I sometimes flip through my Benjamin Moore paint fan just for fun--is that weird?!

4. Music. I swear I must have been a musician in a past life because nothing moves me like a melody! Whether it's an upbeat tune to invigorate, or a quiet one to help unwind, the transformative quality that music has on me is undeniable. Needless to say my iPod is an ever-present entity in my life. On heavy rotation currently are The Buzzcocks, Crystal Castles, Atlas Sound, Sleigh Bells, Massive Attack, and The Smiths.

5. My Blackberry. Oh, where would I be without this? No really, I have no idea where I'm supposed to be without consulting my Blackberry Bold! For work, for life, for thoughts, for staying in touch, it's all here.

6. Antiques. There is nothing more exciting to me than finding a treasure from the past! Thinking of the lives it may have lived and the people who may have cherished it through the years, every piece has a story to tell. I find an infinite source of inspiration and joy browsing local vintage and antique stores as well as two of my favorite online shops--eBay and 1st Dibs. I find things I never knew existed, that I never knew I wanted or didn't realize I couldn't live without until discovering them!

7. Sweets. Having been vegan for 16 years and the victim of innumerable food allergies, indulging my sweet tooth was never an easy task. Thanks to Babycakes NYC, I can now enjoy cupcakes, donuts, brownies and other delectable tidbits without worry or guilt. This place is my bliss!

[Images: Sharon Montrose, Crystal Castles, Babycakes NYC, Blackberry, 1st Dibs]