An L.A. Bungalow Becomes An Indoor-Outdoor Paradise
Los Angeles is chock-full of unfeeling stucco bungalows that could use major style makeovers. When Design, Bitches (best name ever) was hired to completely refashion an unloved bungalow, the L.A.-based architectural firm decided to take the structure in an entirely new direction, remodeling the existing home, creating a new landscape design, and adding a garage.
"The original house was ... small, [had] dark rooms, and no real connection to the outside/backyard," Rebecca Rudolph, the firm's co-founder, said. "The biggest challenge was creating an expansive feel."
Rudolph maximized the flow between the indoors and the outdoors with a series of spatial moves that connect the house and the yard. The team removed a part of the dining room and replaced it with a wraparound deck. A master suite is now nestled in the backyard. "By pulling away a 'chunk' of the original house, we have created outdoor spaces that have both an intimate, human scale, and also open up the interior of the house to carefully curated views," Rudolph said.
1. Living Room
A custom cedar wood-paneled wall — along with the custom-made Douglas Fir shelves — create natural vibes in the modern living room. The sofa and coffee table are from Room & Board. Fireplace tiles by Ann Sacks from the Savoy Collection in Penny Round create a dark focal point in the bright space.
2. Kitchen
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The hardwood floors needed an upgrade so, to stay true to the house's roots, the team opted for a new white oak floor that matched the original floors. Custom cabinets, painted in a vibrant blue-green start a theme of bright color pops.
3. Kitchen
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On the kitchen island, a Minerit HD Cement Board kitchen counter was installed, along with a Kohler Indio sink and Grohe Minta faucet.
4. Kitchen
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The kitchen is nearly all glass, offering an unobstructed view of the deck and increasing the feeling of openness in the home.
5. Exterior
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The bungalow, located in Atwater Village, features a beautiful natural surrounding. A backyard with trees is definitely a luxury in a big city like Los Angeles. What better way to take advantage of this luxury than to create interior/exterior spaces around the outside?
6. Deck
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If you like entertaining, building a bench that allows more people to sit around the dinner table is a great option. The ceiling, made with Douglas Fir framing lumber, feels as if it's a part of the backyard.
7. Deck
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A Fermob table from the Costa Collection is surrounded by purple-painted chairs. A hanging light from West Elm creates the perfect illumination for a sunset meal.
8. Kitchen and Dining Area
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Pops of color can be found throughout the home. Underneath the kitchen counter, you'll find the same paint used for the outdoor chairs. Modern, geometric bar stools by Bend Goods allow the hue to shine through.
9. Bedroom
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A large wood panel creates a separation On the other side of the wood panel wall, a private bedroom is separated with concrete floors. The bedding is from Blu Dot.
10. Bathroom
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The bathroom's color palette is just a hint more subdued. A shower wall built with a frameless glass enclosure is covered in tile from Heath Ceramics in New Modern Blue.