Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Nantucket-Inspired Craftsman in Venice Beach
Los Angeles designer Annette English gives a traditional Craftsman-style home a fresh and youthful update
Although this contemporary Craftsman is just a few blocks from the beach in Venice Beach, Calif., its interior has a decidedly proper East Coast vibe. The client had just purchased her first home and was about to go back to school. She wanted a look that was fresh, casual and elegant. Instead of opting for the usual California surf look, Los Angeles designer Annette English decided to turn to the other coast and looked to Nantucket and Cape Cod homes for inspiration.
Even with a tight deadline to meet, English had most everything in the house customized to add a special and personalized touch. The client grew up in a family of designers and art collectors, so she also had an eye for choosing and designing products.
Even with a tight deadline to meet, English had most everything in the house customized to add a special and personalized touch. The client grew up in a family of designers and art collectors, so she also had an eye for choosing and designing products.
Since the home was brand new, English and her team had an almost-blank canvas to work with. "It was fun to highlight those particular features that are intrinsic to the style of the home, while allowing the architecture to be a backdrop for something fresh and modern," English says.
Curtains: Custom, Bergamo fabric
Arm Chair: Custom, Larsen fabric
Pillows: Custom, Kathryn Ireland fabric
Curtains: Custom, Bergamo fabric
Arm Chair: Custom, Larsen fabric
Pillows: Custom, Kathryn Ireland fabric
The client wanted the home to feel youthful but still have a nurturing look that would allow her to relax and feel at home. English didn't want anything to come across as too serious, but still stuck with classic and timeless pieces.
Since the client was just about to start graduate school, she wanted a restful place to end her day. She also wanted a place where she could entertain, have friends stay and make into a home. "This was a new phase in her life — purchasing her first home and going back to school," English says. "Ultimately, she wanted a home that enveloped her when she walked in the front door."
Chairs: Hollyhock, upholstered in fabric by Michael Smith
Table: Williams-Sonoma Home
Chandelier: Vintage
Chairs: Hollyhock, upholstered in fabric by Michael Smith
Table: Williams-Sonoma Home
Chandelier: Vintage
English kept the kitchen design relatively simple. The kitchen is by no means small — it's a great kitchen to entertain in — but it's also very simple and manageable.
While most of the lighting in this house — including these kitchen pendants — was chosen by the builder, the fixtures are all tasteful and simple, so they didn't cause any conflicts in the interior design scheme. Custom white cabinetry pops against the mosaic backsplash, keeping the kitchen looking fresh and clean. The countertops are all a custom concrete blend — easy to clean, durable and easy to maintain.
Barstools: McGuire
Backsplash: Ann Sacks
Barstools: McGuire
Backsplash: Ann Sacks
The kitchen is connected to a small sitting room, which is conducive to entertaining and controlling the overflow of too many cooks in the kitchen.
Surprisingly, this project came up out of the blue for English. The client asked her real-estate agent for design references, and English sat down with her for an interview. The interview lasted only 15 minutes, but went extremely well. "The client felt very comfortable with us," English says. "She knew that we got her sensibility."
Surprisingly, this project came up out of the blue for English. The client asked her real-estate agent for design references, and English sat down with her for an interview. The interview lasted only 15 minutes, but went extremely well. "The client felt very comfortable with us," English says. "She knew that we got her sensibility."
The master bedroom is English's favorite room in this house. The spacious room has its own bathroom and a balcony overlooking a lush garden. The upholstered plantation-style bed frame and bench lend a feminine touch.
Carpeting: Mansour Modern
Bench: Custom, upholstered in Rose Tarlow fabric
Curtains: Custom, made with Rogers & Goffigon Fabric
Carpeting: Mansour Modern
Bench: Custom, upholstered in Rose Tarlow fabric
Curtains: Custom, made with Rogers & Goffigon Fabric
The colors in this room were based on natural blue, white and beige hues that can be found at the nearby beach. Natural fabrics and materials continue this theme in the room's accessories.
Table lamp: John Saladino
Side tables: Mitchell Gold
Table lamp: John Saladino
Side tables: Mitchell Gold
A large four-poster bed anchors the guest room, and a comfortable chaise provides a cozy place to sip coffee and read.
Bed frame: Oly Studio
Wall color: Dunn-Edwards, Silver Fern
Rug: Merida Carpets
Chaise: Custom, upholstered in Cowtan & Tout fabric
Side Table: Mecox Gardens, with Calcutta marble top
Curtains: Custom, made with Rogers & Goffigon fabric
More Houzz Tours:
Ocean-Inspired Home for Two in Newport Beach
Artistic and Peaceful in Ann Arbor
Family-Friendly Coastal Style in Michigan
Bed frame: Oly Studio
Wall color: Dunn-Edwards, Silver Fern
Rug: Merida Carpets
Chaise: Custom, upholstered in Cowtan & Tout fabric
Side Table: Mecox Gardens, with Calcutta marble top
Curtains: Custom, made with Rogers & Goffigon fabric
More Houzz Tours:
Ocean-Inspired Home for Two in Newport Beach
Artistic and Peaceful in Ann Arbor
Family-Friendly Coastal Style in Michigan
Couch: Custom, upholstered in Holly Hunt fabric
Coffee Table: Williams-Sonoma Home
Rug: Jayson Home