Design Ideas From a Teen Crash Pad in Venice Beach
Colors abound without clashing in this resource center for homeless teens, created by a team of compassionate designers
Natalie Myers
March 24, 2012
The same talented team of designers behind the incredible rooms at the Good Shepard Charity Project open-house tour have now donated their services to create a cheerful crash pad for homeless teens in Venice Beach, California. With Vanessa De Vargas acting as project manager and lead designer, the vision for a bright and contemporary resource center became a reality.
Venice Beach is home to hundreds of runaway teens. The crash pad, right off the boardwalk, aims to provide them with a haven to help them restore their lives. The materials, appliances, furniture and fixtures were donated by companies such as Flor, CB2, Blu Dot, Hygge & West, EKLA Home, Cliff Spencer, midcenturyLA, Henry Road, Zia Priven, The Sofa Company and more.
The reception area, designed by Typhanie Peterson, is the first sign that you have reached a welcoming and vibrant place. The geometric wallpaper declares that the space has young energy, and the blues reference the beachy locale. Keeping the reception furniture white, light and unfussy makes for a less intimidating encounter for the teens.
Another view of the reception area from the computer area shows that it is divided by a low wall from the rest of the open floor plan, but the visual connection is always there, which demanded a cohesive vision from the designers in regard to style, colors and geometry.
The computer area was carved out of the open floor plan and designed by Kelly Edwards. This is a spot for teens to connect online with family members and friends and reassure them that they are OK. The simple task area gets a jolt of energy from the teal desk lamps and black Pantone chairs. The large abstract wall art above the task area is an inexpensive DIY project (paint chips) that ties in the different designers' color schemes in the big, high-ceiling room.
De Vargas used the design of the lounge area to set the tone for the rest of the project spaces. A retro-modern look infused with turquoise and magenta accents sounds jarring, but under her direction it's pleasing to the eye.
Note De Vargas' use of the half-painted magenta wall to add height to the low-slung sectional sofa. She also hung framed artwork low in relation to the extra-high ceiling. These two decisions bring an intimacy to the lounge area that is hard to achieve in an open floor plan with high ceilings and lots of white walls.
De Vargas is also adept at giving vintage furniture a new lease on life through reupholstering and the right accessories. The chair and credenza used for the lounge area may have been passed up by other designers, but when you are working pro bono you take what you can get and make it work.
At the back of the long rectangular space is the kitchen. A turnaround time of three weeks would have scared away many other designers, but Charmean Neithart did not shy away from the challenge. The key was keeping the cabinets, hardware and appliances as simple as possible and having fun with the glass tile backsplash and wallpaper. Notice that the same gray-green and blue, beachy tones of the reception area are reflected in the tile backsplash and the rug.
A splash of yellow by way of the retro-style table and chairs for the eat-in nook of the kitchen is a cheerful surprise and an eye-popping contrast to the grays, blues and greens.
Up the stairs to the mezzanine level is an unusual use of wallpaper.
At the top of the stairs is another hangout space, a little more private, designed by Winston Carney. The magenta from downstairs is carried up through painted neon pink support trusses.
This mezzanine space sits under skylights and right before the entrance to the therapy office. It offers a relaxed vibe; good conversation can flow at the picnic table, where neon pink cushions lighten the mood. Another great idea you can see in the background: Cheap wood sliding closet doors have been revamped and clad in wall covering for high style .
The serenity of the therapy office, which is by Mollie Ranize, introduces some inventive storage solutions. Again we see half the wall painted, but this time with a twist: The lemon-yellow paint is installed on the upper half. Wood crates serve as floating storage above the sofa. Their black painted interiors showcase the contrasting objects within.
More wood crates are stacked for an ad hoc bookcase. Painting the interiors of the crates a rainbow of bright hues relates to the bright colors downstairs and the Missoni-like pillows nearby. This is a fun and inexpensive solution for dressing up utilitarian crates.
Since the bathroom is closed off and separate from the other open spaces, it took on its own personality and went Regency glam with a design by Marilynn Taylor. Note how the yellow and gray from the downstairs kitchen is tied in here, but with a very different look.
More:
Small Space, Small Budget: Learning from the Upward Bound House
Houzz Tour: Freshening Up a California Box
Favorite Color Combinations: Yellow and Gray
More:
Small Space, Small Budget: Learning from the Upward Bound House
Houzz Tour: Freshening Up a California Box
Favorite Color Combinations: Yellow and Gray
Related Stories
Basements
30 Fun and Creative Ideas to Elevate Your Basement
See how home bars, golf simulators, craft rooms, saunas and other fab features turn lower levels into top attractions
Full Story
Storage
25 Hidden Doors and Secret Spaces
Sneak ideas from pantries, playrooms and other spaces concealed behind bookcases and camouflaged doors
Full Story
Photo Flip
25 Home Bars Stashed Under the Stairs
These home bars make refreshing use of the awkward spaces under stairs
Full Story
Basements
Semifinished Basement Remade Into a Chic Family Lounge
By Becky Harris
The transformed space features a black-and-white palette, a stunning bar countertop and a wine bottle display
Full Story
Basements
Denver Basement Adds Family-Friendly Living Space
By Becky Harris
A designer and a contractor convert a crawl space into a smart and stylish place for playing, relaxing and entertaining
Full Story
Basements
Shiplap, Oak Accents and Layers of Light Warm a Basement Design
By Becky Harris
The lower level of this New Jersey home has a TV lounge, home gym, pingpong room and bathroom-locker room
Full Story
Outbuildings
We Can Dream: Ultimate Sports Barn
This newly built barn in the upper Northeast features a private bowling alley, basketball court and movie theater
Full Story
Bedrooms
5 Things You Didn’t Know Your Bedroom Needed
Don’t miss out any longer — these additions to your sleep space can make life so much lovelier
Full Story
Room of the Day
Room of the Day: Storage Space Turned Classy Dressing Room
In this vintage-inspired space, Mom can get ready for the day or take some time for herself
Full Story
Laundry Rooms
Dream Spaces: 10 Ideas for a Get-It-Done Utility Room
Boost a laundry or utility space with design ideas that will make the room as good-looking as it is useful
Full Story
Please check us out at www.saxonlynnarts.com
Nice story.