Historic LA Bungalow
We love the idea of mixing old with new, but balancing modern comforts and old school glamour is not an easy task. Sarah Barnard Design, an LA-based firm committed to sustainable design, managed to strike just the right balance in the restoration of a gorgeous 1918 bungalow in West Hollywood.
By Kate Dannies
The bungalow was dilapidated and in bad need of an update at the outset, but the designers managed to preserve some of the historic features of the property while achieving a thorough update making the home a comfortable and modern haven. Using recycled materials and with a sensitivity of the historic significance of the property, old and new were combined in perfect harmony.
The bungalow’s exterior is an understated blue-gray, with pops of red and orange adding interest and a modern touch. Inside, the home’s glamorous fundamentals—original fireplaces, wood floors, crown moulding—are softened with a mixture of antiques and modern lines.
The main living space features a restored brick fireplace set off by mustard walls, yellow leather seating, and a graphic black and white carpet. The look is completed by gold and wood side tables, and a cosy display of books, art, and souvenirs from the owner’s world travels. The room looks like the best version of home—elegant and poised while liveable and comfortable.
The dining area is open and airy, with sky blue walls, modern art, and a delicate light fixture. These elements are anchored by a substantial wooden dining table and an antique armoire accented with more one of a kind pieces from the owner’s collection.
This space flows into the kitchen, a functional yet refined space featuring green tiling, dark wood dormers surrounding a skylight, and accents hinting at a quintessentially California aesthetic. The countertops in the kitchen are made from recycled beer bottles, yet another example of the designer’s ingenuity in repurposing materials.
Repurposing continues in the owner’s office, which features a prominent desk made from pieces of a bowling alley lane. The office is bright and airy, with large windows and light fixtures that mesh seamlessly with those found in the kitchen. A bright yellow hallway is vibrantly decorated with colourful photographs from the owner’s globetrotting adventures.
The property’s two bathrooms reflect the sun and sea of the California coast, with one done in bright orange and the other in blue. Prominent tiling contrasts with clean modern fixtures, and the flooring and carefully selected accents complete the look.
As jetsetters ourselves we love how the designer was able to incorporate the owner’s love for travel into the story of this historic bungalow, creating a functional and liveable space with a good dose of elegance and glamour and an eye towards sustainable design.
