Houzz Tour: Striking Modern Remodel in Venice Beach
California clients give their outdated beach bungalow a midcentury modern–inspired facelift
Vanessa Brunner
November 26, 2012
Houzz Contributor
A bold departure from its neighbors, this modern home fits surprisingly well in its eclectic Venice, California, neighborhood. Architect Tim Petersen stuck with the home's simple footprint for the remodel, maintaining the single story from the original home but adding about 500 square feet. A new, open living space and a striking exterior upgrade gave this home the midcentury twist the clients wanted.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A pair of empty nesters
Location: Venice, California
Size: 1,650 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A pair of empty nesters
Location: Venice, California
Size: 1,650 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
The clients had looked at a larger home in the Hollywood Hills but fell for Venice's funky style. Their children no longer live at home, and they liked the more manageable size of this house.
One-story bungalows in a range of styles make up most of this eclectic beachside neighborhood. Though the remodel has a modern design, Petersen made sure the home's scale would blend in with that of the surrounding homes. A two-story plan was considered but deemed not right for the site.
One-story bungalows in a range of styles make up most of this eclectic beachside neighborhood. Though the remodel has a modern design, Petersen made sure the home's scale would blend in with that of the surrounding homes. A two-story plan was considered but deemed not right for the site.
One of the clients creates metal sculptures and wanted to combine his love of midcentury design with elements of his sculpture work. Rusted Cor-Ten metal on the exterior was up to the task.
Each room embraces the site's abundance of light with large windows and doors.
The two bedrooms have large sliding panels. The owners keeps the door tucked in the pockets to make the house feel more open.
A simple, modern living room arrangement maintains the home's open feel and midcentury modern sensibility.
Sofa, chair, table: Gus Modern; hide rug: Pure Rug; window door systems: Jeld-Wen
Sofa, chair, table: Gus Modern; hide rug: Pure Rug; window door systems: Jeld-Wen
Steel sheets with a custom patina connect the interior to the Cor-Ten steel outside. The contrast between white and warm materials continues through the whitewashed oak flooring and warm stranded bamboo cabinets in the kitchen.
Patina: custom, Sculpt Nouveau
Patina: custom, Sculpt Nouveau
Originally this open living space had low ceilings and separate rooms for the kitchen, living room and dining room. Like many older bungalows, the living room faced the street. Petersen flipped the layout; now the living and dining rooms face the backyard and the kitchen faces the street.
The beautiful kitchen has the high-end feel the clients wanted with a modest price tag. Caesarstone counters were used instead of granite or marble, and stainless steel KitchenAid appliances stand in for luxury Sub-Zero or Wolf choices.
Cabinets: chestnut-stranded bamboo, Teragren; light: Random Light, Design Within Reach
Cabinets: chestnut-stranded bamboo, Teragren; light: Random Light, Design Within Reach
Beautiful Daltile products in the bathrooms achieve a similar look to pricier alternatives. Frosted glass provides privacy and light.
Petersen converted the original one-car garage into a welding studio for the client's sculpture work, so he had to figure out how to fit two cars into the back alley. A custom telescoping rusted steel gate allows two cars to park parallel; a wall of bamboo shields them from the home's view.
The front yard now serves as an additional outdoor room, with a square fire pit and a sculpture garden.
General contractor: Ed Blanco, Blanco Construction
General contractor: Ed Blanco, Blanco Construction
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On another note, our good friends and neighbors used the same contractor for their house and have been unbelievably happy. No one is happy with their contractor, so I have to mention it. We drive by and the work is beautiful, the work site is so clean, they are such hard workers. It's very impressive.
Phenomenal upgrade!