Houzz Tour: Lively Meets Thrifty in Southern California
A complete interior gutting, thrift store finds and an artistic eye give a photographer's home more space and a modern cottage look
Vanessa Brunner
September 25, 2012
Houzz Contributor
Photographer Stephanie Wiley loved the look of her midcentury house, but its interior hadn't seen an update since its original construction, and the layout felt too closed off for her family. Wiley had the house gutted and remodeled on its same footprint, and created the modern cottage feel she wanted with a new blue- and green-based color palette and thrift store finds.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stephanie Wiley and her 2 young sons
Location: Near Los Angeles
Size: 1,650 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stephanie Wiley and her 2 young sons
Location: Near Los Angeles
Size: 1,650 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
The cheerful entry is one of Wiley's favorite parts of the remodel. A bold turquoise doorway echoes the home's bright interior, and an outdoor chalkboard provides space to greet houseguests. "Turquoise just improves my mood," says Wiley. "And I love being able to leave messages for family and friends on the chalkboard."
Outdoor bench: Orchard Supply Hardware, painted black; front door paint: Cool Aqua, Benjamin Moore; sconce: Lowe's
Outdoor bench: Orchard Supply Hardware, painted black; front door paint: Cool Aqua, Benjamin Moore; sconce: Lowe's
Wiley used furniture and accessories she already owned; some had been passed down to her, and some she'd found at thrift stores.
The elegant mirror in the entry hallway belonged to her great-grandmother. A coat of black paint gave it an edgier feel. The small chair in the entry is a favorite piece — it was once filthy and covered in a maroon velvet, but she painstakingly cleaned, painted and reupholstered it, making it an adorable addition to her entry.
Console: Pottery Barn; chair upholstery: Calico Corners; étagère: Wisteria
The elegant mirror in the entry hallway belonged to her great-grandmother. A coat of black paint gave it an edgier feel. The small chair in the entry is a favorite piece — it was once filthy and covered in a maroon velvet, but she painstakingly cleaned, painted and reupholstered it, making it an adorable addition to her entry.
Console: Pottery Barn; chair upholstery: Calico Corners; étagère: Wisteria
Hand-distressed floors provide the look Wiley was going for, and their practicality for a house with young children is hard to beat.
A tight layout originally limited the flow between the main living spaces. Wiley had the walls opened up, and she reconfigured the interior without adding any square footage. Figuring out the right layout was a challenge, and she had to compromise in some spaces — including in the slightly narrow living room and kitchen.
Glossy white ceilings and a mix of playfully bright textiles combine beautifully in this happy living room. "I love color and prefer to use a little humor and personality in decorating — hence the huge goat canvas," says Wiley.
Couch: Dwell Furniture Store; armchairs: vintage; coffee table: Joss & Main
Couch: Dwell Furniture Store; armchairs: vintage; coffee table: Joss & Main
A vintage table and bench add character to the bright dining room. Connected to the living room, the dining space gets definition from a jute rug found on Overstock.com.
The new floor plan also demanded a galley-style kitchen. "It's wide enough to need an island but not wide enough to build one in," says Wiley. Classic white backsplash tile contrasts with the home's interior wall color — a very pale green (Distant Horizon, by Dunn Edwards) that looks almost white in some rooms.
Backsplash tile: Foothill Tile & Stone; pendants: Restoration Hardware; sink: Shaws Original; blue clock: Target
Backsplash tile: Foothill Tile & Stone; pendants: Restoration Hardware; sink: Shaws Original; blue clock: Target
Wiley wanted her kitchen to feel classic and beautiful, with a design that wouldn't date easily. She chose backsplash tile with minimal detailing and a very dark green granite to draw in the pine trees outside her home.
A small computer and TV space near the back of the house serves as a hangout spot for the kids. Although Wiley would love to add a bigger play area, this nook works perfectly and offers easy access to the outdoors.
The kids' space has a simple Ikea couch that Wiley covered with a custom slipcover.
Wiley's home office has a panoramic view of the woods surrounding her Southern California home. A vintage chandelier, painted black, contrasts the repainted vintage chair.
Desk: Ikea
Desk: Ikea
The master bedroom is Wiley's getaway. Custom curtains made out of Amy Butler fabric provide its only source of pattern. Wiley used the same base paint color here as in the rest of the house, but added 20 percent more white to give it a boost.
Nightstand, table lamp, chandelier: vintage; wall color: Distant Horizon, Dunn Edwards; bed frame: Restoration Hardware
Nightstand, table lamp, chandelier: vintage; wall color: Distant Horizon, Dunn Edwards; bed frame: Restoration Hardware
An all-white master bathroom fits into the home's new interior cottage scheme. Art found on eBay and a reupholstered bench add color to the classic white vanity and Daltile floors and shower.
Wiley left the outside pretty much as is. The midcentury exterior was simply updated with a new neutral color and fresh, white trim.
More: When to Paint Your Door Blue
More: When to Paint Your Door Blue
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Gorgeous classic, and with that view, breathtaking
What color is the outside of the house, and what flooring is used inside? Love both!
The outside of the house is "Kendall Charcoal" by Benjamin Moore and the floors are hand distressed oak with a custom stain applied. Thanks!