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Rustic Materials and Eclectic Decor Transform a California Home
A new layout, rough-hewn materials and well-curated decor take this Santa Monica house to the next level
Turning a nondescript 1990s house into a “gentlemen’s lodge” was the goal for the remodel of this home in Santa Monica, California, says architect Tim Barber. The homeowners, two married men with a teenage son, wanted a home that mixed eclectic style and rough-hewn materials and had a new open layout. The result is a warm, elegant and rustic home that features a new “triple parlor” that connects the living room, dining room and family room; a luxurious master suite with a handsome walk-in closet; and a revamped kitchen that hits all the right notes.
After: To create a warmer and more rustic vibe, Barber and his team covered the exterior in brown shingles and used slate gray for the trim and burnt orange for the windows and front door. The portico was updated to include a porthole window near the eave, new square pillars and local fieldstone at the base.
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Before: The previous foyer featured a sweeping staircase, white walls and trim and flooring in a light brown wood. “The old staircase was so steep that it was difficult to walk up the stairs,” Barber says.
After: Barber and his team reconfigured the staircase to make it more squared-off and provide a less steep climb to the second floor. New slate floor tiles provide a rustic touch.
Designer Patrick Tennant had all the trim and molding painted a warm gray to add depth to the space and highlight the intricate woodwork. A faceted glass pendant light adds a contemporary touch.
Trim paint: Graphite, Restoration Hardware
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Designer Patrick Tennant had all the trim and molding painted a warm gray to add depth to the space and highlight the intricate woodwork. A faceted glass pendant light adds a contemporary touch.
Trim paint: Graphite, Restoration Hardware
Shop for glass pendants on Houzz
In the previous layout, the living room, dining room and family room were all separated by walls. “The homeowners wanted the space to be more open but still have some sense of distinction,” Barber says. As a result, he and the architecture team created what they call a “triple parlor” that features large openings that connect all three rooms, allowing one to walk from the living room at the front of the house, through the dining room in the center and into the family room at the back.
The living room includes a new gas fireplace with a surround of local fieldstone. New bookshelves flank the fireplace. An oil painting of a ship above the mantel is part of the homeowners’ extensive art collection. “They have a great collection of art that we worked in throughout the house,” Tennant says.
The living room includes a new gas fireplace with a surround of local fieldstone. New bookshelves flank the fireplace. An oil painting of a ship above the mantel is part of the homeowners’ extensive art collection. “They have a great collection of art that we worked in throughout the house,” Tennant says.
The dining room in the center of the “triple parlor” features an eclectic mix of style. The traditional-style wood dining table is surrounded by six modern office chairs covered in bold blue wool and a pair of woven seagrass host chairs. A pair of contemporary light fixtures above the table completes the stylish scene.
The TV wall in the family room is covered in local fieldstone to connect back to the living room fireplace surround. The design team also created a custom built-in to conceal wires and other audiovisual equipment. A shelf at the top of the TV wall is used to display some of the homeowners’ collection of globes.
The walls of the remodeled powder room are now covered in paneled wood painted the same warm gray that covers the molding and trim throughout the house. A stunning vanity featuring a marble sink and chrome legs adds classic sophistication to the space. The floor is covered in small marble tiles laid in a diamond pattern.
Before: The previous kitchen included a large L-shaped counter that separated the breakfast area from the rest of the room.
The new island is topped with Calacatta marble on one end and stained wood on the other. Similarly, two of the kitchen walls feature white cabinetry while a third has stained wood cabinets. “Mixing up the materials adds interest and helps to visually break up the space,” Barber says. A trio of faceted glass pendant lights above the island adds some elegance.
An alcove wrapped with windows was an ideal spot to add a freestanding tub. Art Deco-inspired light fixtures provide another standout touch.
71 Dream Bathtub Views
71 Dream Bathtub Views
The large walk-in closet features walls lined with custom built-in cabinets and cubbies. A skylight provides great natural light. “The homeowners love to travel, so we added a large wood table in the center of the closet for them to pack their luggage on,” Barber says.
The transformed backyard features a new pool and spa. A new covered patio off the kitchen and breakfast area includes an outdoor dining area and outdoor seating around a built-in gas fire pit.
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House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their teenage son
Location: Santa Monica, California
Size: Four bedrooms, four bathrooms
Designer: Patrick Tennant, Interiors by Patrick
Architect: Tim Barber, Tim Barber Ltd. Architecture
Before: The original house, which was built in the 1990s, featured gray shingles and white trim on the exterior. The entrance included a portico with four white columns. The house was somewhat coastal in style but overall it was “pretty nondescript,” Barber says.