Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A California Craftsman Bungalow Lightens Up
Japanese and '60s-mod touches give heavy-looking interiors a new outlook in this Pasadena home
When this homeowner bought her Craftsman bungalow in Pasadena, California, it had been stripped of many of its charms by bad renovations. She and her boyfriend at the time worked on the house constantly, but they went a bit overboard on Craftsman style. After she split from the renovation-helping Craftsman-inclined boyfriend, the house seemed just too dark and clunky for the homeowner and her son. "The house had too much heavy Stickley furniture, a very large leather sofa and was dark; it wasn't comfortable for her," says interior designer and best friend Angela Dechard. Dechard lightened it up by combining Craftsman, Japanese and '60s-mod styles to better suit her friend's tastes.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of 3 (the homeowner has since married)
Location: Pasadena, California
Size: 2,500 square feet plus a pool house and studio
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of 3 (the homeowner has since married)
Location: Pasadena, California
Size: 2,500 square feet plus a pool house and studio
Dechard removed a wall between the dining room and the kitchen to open things up. "The backsplash tile has a Mondrian effect," she says.
The mix of woods on the breakfast bar brings in more mod style. A wine refrigerator and drawers are tucked on the other side. The oak cabinets were already there, and reusing them saved a lot of money. Dechard had them sandblasted and added translucent panels to the doors to lighten them up.
Counters: Caesarstone; backsplash tile: Mission Tile West
The mix of woods on the breakfast bar brings in more mod style. A wine refrigerator and drawers are tucked on the other side. The oak cabinets were already there, and reusing them saved a lot of money. Dechard had them sandblasted and added translucent panels to the doors to lighten them up.
Counters: Caesarstone; backsplash tile: Mission Tile West
The previous owners had renovated the guest bath with generic big-box-store fixtures and cabinets. Dechard sourced unique cabinets and a sink from Duravit. The cabinets' mixed panels bring in the '60 mod and loads of storage, with built-in towel bars attached.
All of the tiles are glass, including the green mosaic shower tiles you can see in the mirror's reflection.
By the way, that cutie taking a nap is Dechard's dog, Chica.
Sconces: Shy Up Duo, glass tiles: Mission Tile West
All of the tiles are glass, including the green mosaic shower tiles you can see in the mirror's reflection.
By the way, that cutie taking a nap is Dechard's dog, Chica.
Sconces: Shy Up Duo, glass tiles: Mission Tile West
Dechard switched out a big, heavy Craftsman-style bed for this platform bed that she custom designed herself, along with the two small nightstands. She also custom designed the Japanese-inspired dresser.
A yellow accent wall warms up the space, while new recessed lights brighten it. Hanging pendant lights by Alison Berger save nightstand space.
A yellow accent wall warms up the space, while new recessed lights brighten it. Hanging pendant lights by Alison Berger save nightstand space.
The dresser's design incorporates a floating bookcase. Dechard worked with cabinetmaker David Barahona of Three D Cabinetry throughout the home and cannot say enough good things about his skills. "He had a lot of helpful ideas, and he taught me a ton," she enthuses. Her designs and his carpentry certainly carry on the Craftsman philosophy.
A shoji-style door brings Japanese style to the master bedroom and closet. Cherry Tree Design crafted it from solid walnut and coated rice paper. The same company also crafted the beautiful pendant light in the closet.
A Noguchi floor lamp and Saarinen Womb Chair bring in Japanese and '60s-mod style.
A Noguchi floor lamp and Saarinen Womb Chair bring in Japanese and '60s-mod style.
Dechard had the cabinetmakers craft a his-and-her dresser in the center of the walk-in closet. She designed it at counter height because her friend and client did not want laundry to wind up stacked or strewn across the top.
Lantern: Cherry Tree Design
Lantern: Cherry Tree Design
The top of the two-sided dresser is carved stone. Dechard had the cabinetmakers create these small carvings for collecting jewelry and other little bits and pieces.
The master bath shows the most Japanese influence; it's relaxing and spa-like. A bluestone counter has a blue-green cast. The countertop's subtle brown veining picks up on the zebrawood cabinets.
The mirrors are hinged and have close-up makeup mirrors on the backs (that is, inside). A porcelain pendant light picks up on the vessel sink.
Pendant light: Oh China 7 Up Suspension Lamp, Tobias Grau; Italian mirrors: Ann Sacks; vanity: custom, Three D Cabinetry
The mirrors are hinged and have close-up makeup mirrors on the backs (that is, inside). A porcelain pendant light picks up on the vessel sink.
Pendant light: Oh China 7 Up Suspension Lamp, Tobias Grau; Italian mirrors: Ann Sacks; vanity: custom, Three D Cabinetry
A teak shower bench brings warmth to the steam shower and ties in with the wood vanity. Dechard splurged on the handmade mosaic tile from Ann Sacks. Using it as a banding accent and using a less expensive tile for the rest of the shower created a big design impact while saving money. A floating stone shelf keeps shampoo and soap within easy reach.
Dechard also designed the pool. The pool surround is sandstone.
There is a large ledge on the left side of the pool for sitting a spell in the water. The building behind the pool is the studio.
The swimming pool bathroom is accessible from the pool house and directly from the outside. Dechard took her inspiration from Morocco for it.
The salvaged door, ironwork above it, pendant light, mirror and tile border are all Moroccan. The niche has Moroccan teacups with candles in them and also has a Moroccan grate in it. The brass sink is custom.
The salvaged door, ironwork above it, pendant light, mirror and tile border are all Moroccan. The niche has Moroccan teacups with candles in them and also has a Moroccan grate in it. The brass sink is custom.
The homeowner is a photographer's rep and runs her business from this detached studio building, which she shares with four employees.
The studio is crafted out of a former two-car garage with an addition.
A perk for Dechard for designing this stylish and comfortable bungalow for her best friend? Visiting. When I interviewed her, she was at airport in Portland, Oregon, on her way to Pasadena to enjoy some Memorial Day weekend fun with her friend.
A perk for Dechard for designing this stylish and comfortable bungalow for her best friend? Visiting. When I interviewed her, she was at airport in Portland, Oregon, on her way to Pasadena to enjoy some Memorial Day weekend fun with her friend.
In the home's one living room, also the den, an oversize leather sofa went out and a new cushy sectional with mixed upholstery came in. Striped Missoni fabric adds '60s-mod style; the restored wood trim and mantel highlight the original Craftsman style. Roman shades in chocolate-brown hemp enhance the windows without overwhelming the room.
New lighting also helps brighten the space, including recessed lights and a pendant light with a shade made of Spanish horsehair.
Sofas: Roche Bobois