Houzz Tours
My Houzz: An Outdoor Entertaining Paradise in Long Beach
A 1929 Spanish-style home’s open layout and multiple courtyards provide lots of room for a California couple to socialize
Empty nesters Carin Jacobs and Teresa Elston relocated from their bungalow by the beach to a Spanish-style house with more outdoor space and room to entertain. The 1929 home, in the historic California Heights neighborhood of Long Beach, features multiple courtyards and a spacious backyard perfect for gathering with family and friends. Upon moving in, the pair brought in Spanish and Moroccan design influences plus their vibrant personal style.
This private courtyard is surrounded by thick plaster walls and showcases an arched picture window as well as the fountain. “We had the fountain built by a wonderful Mexican fountain designer named Kristi Black,” Jacobs says. “She is American but lives in Mexico, and her specialty is Mexican Talavera tile — she is like a tile queen.” Although Black is based south of the border, she has a crew in Southern California that executes building and installation.
The couple refinished the front door from their previous 1920s Spanish-style bungalow and installed it here. Meanwhile, this home’s original door was installed on their bungalow, which they converted into a rental property. “We asked the contractor if he thought it would fit, and it turned out it fit perfectly. He said it must have been a standard door size back in 1929,” Jacobs says. The original exterior sconces were in great shape and required only new glass for the lanterns.
Black designed the entryway alcove as well, adding colorful Talavera tile and tiling the risers on the front steps.
Black designed the entryway alcove as well, adding colorful Talavera tile and tiling the risers on the front steps.
An eclectic, art-filled living room overlooks the front courtyard and includes French doors that open to a center courtyard. “We had the couch custom-made to fit the space because we were having such a hard time finding seating for big parties,” Jacobs says. “We wanted to be able to seat 10 to 12 people.”
The comfortable, curved piece is covered in bold suzani-style fabric and complements the coffee table, made from an ancient Indian palace door.
The oil paintings visible above the couch and in the hallway were painted by a family friend and local artist, Susan Clover, who painted the scenes of Jacobs and her friends in the 1980s. Clover is the mother of Jacob’s best friend from high school. “We did a lot of traveling together. Her mom would take pictures of us and then paint the pictures — it’s our childhood in paintings,” she says.
The comfortable, curved piece is covered in bold suzani-style fabric and complements the coffee table, made from an ancient Indian palace door.
The oil paintings visible above the couch and in the hallway were painted by a family friend and local artist, Susan Clover, who painted the scenes of Jacobs and her friends in the 1980s. Clover is the mother of Jacob’s best friend from high school. “We did a lot of traveling together. Her mom would take pictures of us and then paint the pictures — it’s our childhood in paintings,” she says.
As is true of many homes in the neighborhood, the fireplace in this room is purely decorative.
A mannequin displays a silk velvet dress with delicate crystal rhinestones from Jacobs’ costuming warehouse. “I was digging through the 1920s section of costumes when I found it,” she says. Jacobs researched the piece and determined that it was made in 1929, the same year as the house. “If you look at it through the front window, the color matches the trim of the house,” she adds.
A mannequin displays a silk velvet dress with delicate crystal rhinestones from Jacobs’ costuming warehouse. “I was digging through the 1920s section of costumes when I found it,” she says. Jacobs researched the piece and determined that it was made in 1929, the same year as the house. “If you look at it through the front window, the color matches the trim of the house,” she adds.
Tribal masks, vintage clothing and antique furniture found on their travels decorate the interior walls. “The masks and all of the little artifacts are from everywhere we’ve traveled in the world,” Jacobs says. “We pick up things wherever we go.”
An arched hallway still has its original fixtures, and colorful area rugs are layered over original hardwood floors. “We love the juxtaposition of Spanish and Moroccan inspiration,” Jacobs says. “There are little touches of both throughout the house.” The couple took design cues from the style-savvy Korakia Pensione boutique hotel in Palm Springs, California.
Tufted chairs combined with bench seating fit perfectly within a narrow dining room that opens to the center courtyard. Coved walls, a tray ceiling and original light fixtures create a charming sense of authenticity and soul.
Jacobs and Elston commissioned local company B&B Hardware to re-create French doors that matched the originals in the dining area, which were weathered and leaking.
In the center courtyard, the couple ripped out a tacky 1970s fountain and completely renovated the space. Now pavers, a heat lamp, an umbrella, lanterns, couches, a Mexican chimenea and twinkle lights overhead define this alfresco living space, which is enjoyed year-round.
A big gourmet kitchen was their dream, but after falling in love with the house, Jacobs and Elston decided that they were willing to compromise. Instead, they added design personality to the small kitchen with pink appliances. They scoured eBay and Craigslist, and Jacobs called retailers looking for floor models to buy the retro-inspired Big Chill appliances at a discount. “I called every store on the planet,” she says. Jacobs found a supplier who was discontinuing the line. “I asked if they had a floor model in the warehouse they weren’t planning on selling. The salesperson said, ‘We do, but I have to warn you the only color we have left is pink — and we’ll deliver it for free.’” So Jacobs and Elston were able to buy them at half off and consider them heaven-sent appliances. “It was all brand new — the hood, the stove, everything,” Jacobs says. “It’s still a splurge, but we’re going to splurge for 50 percent off.”
The original octagonal pink and white tiles on the countertops are trimmed with glossy black tiles. The cabinets are painted white with contrasting gray insets.
Although the kitchen floor looks like tile, it’s actually linoleum from a linoleum store in Hollywood, California. When the house was on the California Heights Home & Garden Tour in 2015, visitors had a hard time believing that it wasn’t tile.
Although the kitchen floor looks like tile, it’s actually linoleum from a linoleum store in Hollywood, California. When the house was on the California Heights Home & Garden Tour in 2015, visitors had a hard time believing that it wasn’t tile.
A wall dividing the kitchen from the dining room was opened to create a pass-through, and another wall at the rear of the space was removed to incorporate additional square footage from an adjoining back porch.
This change meant that the refrigerator could now be located inside the kitchen instead of on the porch.
One of several chandeliers hangs in the kitchen, adding a touch of glam to the vintage pink-and-white space.
This change meant that the refrigerator could now be located inside the kitchen instead of on the porch.
One of several chandeliers hangs in the kitchen, adding a touch of glam to the vintage pink-and-white space.
The bedroom was painted lavender to coordinate with the oil painting by Clover, and the bedside table lamps were a gift from one of the couple’s twin daughters. “We love color,” Jacobs says.
A dresser provides storage in the bathroom, and accessories hung on pegs add color and personality.
Original tile on the walls and floor surrounds a soaking tub with 1920s fixtures.
“This sink was not here originally,” Jacobs says. “We found it at an antiques store for $20, and it’s the exact same color as the tile. We had it installed, and it looks like it’s supposed to be here. Our style is very artsy and quirky.”
The second bedroom was converted to an office space for Elston, who occasionally works from home. The couple found the ornately carved desk, originally from Mexico, on Craigslist.
The home’s generous outdoor spaces were a huge selling point, but when Jacobs and Elston moved in, the grounds were basically a blank slate. “It was all just dirt — no plants, no patio,” Jacobs says. “Last summer, we put in the patio, the steps and the French doors.”
Inspired by Korakia Pensione, they outlined the back steps of the patio by pressing small stones in the poured concrete patio before it dried. With help from their grown daughters, the empty nesters tiled and stuccoed the old brick stove in the backyard. “We made it a place for wood storage for the fire pit,” Jacobs says.
Inspired by Korakia Pensione, they outlined the back steps of the patio by pressing small stones in the poured concrete patio before it dried. With help from their grown daughters, the empty nesters tiled and stuccoed the old brick stove in the backyard. “We made it a place for wood storage for the fire pit,” Jacobs says.
Butterfly chairs surround a built-in fire pit made by Jacobs and Elston with leftover tiles from their front fountain project.
The yard also includes garden boxes for growing artichokes, celery, chard, herbs, kale, and tomatoes. Jacobs said that installing irrigation in the boxes made all the difference. “They get watered regularly, and Teresa dumps in the coffee grounds in the morning.”
An existing orange tree in the backyard yields a bounty of seasonal fruit. “The tree gives us hundreds of oranges,” Jacobs says. “We had Food Finders come out, and they picked about 300 oranges, which were then donated to the local homeless shelter.”
The yard also includes garden boxes for growing artichokes, celery, chard, herbs, kale, and tomatoes. Jacobs said that installing irrigation in the boxes made all the difference. “They get watered regularly, and Teresa dumps in the coffee grounds in the morning.”
An existing orange tree in the backyard yields a bounty of seasonal fruit. “The tree gives us hundreds of oranges,” Jacobs says. “We had Food Finders come out, and they picked about 300 oranges, which were then donated to the local homeless shelter.”
Gypsy, pictured, and Churro especially love the gardens and grounds.
Drought-tolerant agaves were planted along the driveway leading to the detached garage. Their sculptural form creates a simple, sophisticated border for the property and complements the sun-drenched exterior aesthetic.
Bougainvillea, palms and towering pepper trees lend a sense of place.
Bougainvillea, palms and towering pepper trees lend a sense of place.
The vintage wrought-iron gate is original to the home and leads to a welcoming courtyard. A new brass plaque below the 1920s-style mailbox designates the property as significant to the historic neighborhood.
“The house is small, but it’s perfect for us — sometimes we have to pinch ourselves that it’s ours,” says Jacobs, pictured at left with Churro. To the right are Elston and Gypsy.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Carin Jacobs, a costume designer; Teresa Elston, a project manager for an investment firm; and their two dogs, Gypsy and Churro
Location: California Heights neighborhood of Long Beach, California
Size: 1,100 square feet (102 square meters); two bedrooms, one bathroom
Year built: 1929
“We love to entertain, and this is such a party house,” Jacobs says. “We love all of these little outdoor entertaining areas.” The couple often host parties of 80 people or more, and they took advantage of their outdoor spaces. They set the yard up so that their guests can flow from the front to the back, and utilized the open-concept design of the home and exterior courtyards to keep guests circulating.
A gently bubbling fountain on vivid tile provides a focal point for the front courtyard and additional seating around the edge.