My Houzz: Patterns Perk Up a 1920s Craftsman in Berkeley
http://decor-ideas.org 07/13/2015 21:13 Decor Ideas
Helen and Johnse Howard’s 1928 Craftsman in Berkeley, California, was in pretty bad shape when they bought it in 2014. It needed major seismic repairs, foundation work and new plumbing. To offset these surprises, the couple — she’s an interior designer; he’s a consultant — set out to create a bright and cheery interior that mixes traditional furnishings with statement wallpaper and colorful accents. In less than six months, they added enough of their own personal touches to make their house feel more like home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Helen and Johnse Howard with their cats, Pop and Olive
Location: Berkeley, California
Size: 1,300 square feet (121 square meters); 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Year built: 1928
The crucial first order of business was doing the foundation and seismic work. Since that ended up eating more of their budget than they anticipated, Helen tried to make sure the furniture and finishes made a bold impact without breaking the bank.
“I splurged on some of the bigger items, like the sofa and dining room table. I also splurged on lighting throughout the house,” she says. “Since our budget for the interior was on the smaller side, I wanted to splurge on items that packed a lot of punch. I think we achieved that with the lighting and wallpaper.”
Entry area wallpaper: Zebras, Scalamandré; sofa: One Kings Lane; Mini white console table: CB2; art above console: Sam Friedman
The living room highlights the blend of traditional and modern. Vintage armchairs and wood trim play off the contemporary touches.
Armchairs: Room Service Vintage
“My favorite piece is the still life in the living room by Casey Gray. My brother-in-law introduced us to the artist, and we really enjoy his work,” Helen says. “I think it’s the perfect embodiment of the neotraditional — a still life done entirely in spray paint.”
Art over mantel: “Still Life with Gull and Conch,” 2014, by Casey Gray; curtains: custom
The couple’s bar sits on a vintage brass shelving unit in the living room that they found on Craigslist.
Glass-topped tables keep the room feeling open and spacious.
Paint: Green Smoke, Farrow & Ball; rug: West Elm outlet; coffee table: Williams-Sonoma outlet; side table: Amazon
BEFORE: Off the kitchen is a bonus room that the previous owner used as a mudroom. When the Howards moved in, almost all the floors in the home were damaged, most notably in this space.
AFTER: Helen decided to replace the vinyl with patterned cement tile, which helped level the formerly uneven floor while creating a vibrant look. Now the couple uses the room as a breakfast nook.
Paint: Off-Black 57, Farrow & Ball; dining table: Docksta, Ikea; Vintage French round side chairs: Restoration Hardware; floor tiles: Tulum, Cement Tile Shop
The large watercolor canvas from Black Crow Studios on the back wall of the bonus room has hung in every home Helen has lived in since she was 19. “It was one of the first things I purchased after becoming interested in interior design,” she says.
Paint: Off-Black 57, Farrow & Ball; bench: vintage; floor lamp: Jonathan Adler
BEFORE: The original dining room had bad lighting and an unfortunate combination of paint colors. The mustard yellow walls seemed to absorb any sunlight, making the room feel dimmer than it was.
AFTER: Bold chinoiserie-patterned wallpaper and an organic-shaped chandelier reinvigorated the space.
Wallpaper: Palais Chinois, Osborne & Little; Bond dining table: Jonathan Adler; Branch chandelier: Omega Lighting; vintage dining chairs: Etsy
Playful details can be found throughout the home, like this brass seashell door stopper that Helen found at a sibling’s house. “Like most people, I draw inspiration from many sources. I try to stay current with magazines, blogs, art shows, museums,” she says. “I follow my favorite designers and interior design junkies on Instagram. I’m also inspired by my family, which is loaded down with some creative and talented folks.”
BEFORE: The original kitchen was in need of a major overhaul, especially after the couple found water damage throughout the lower cabinets.
AFTER: Helen created a cheery and bright space by using patterned cement floor tiles to highlight and complement some of the home’s original architectural personality. New and refurbished existing cabinets were finished off with a new countertop. A farmhouse sink, updated paint and newly stained wood complete the space.
The rug is a souvenir the couple brought home from Turkey.
Floor tiles: Tulum, Cement Tile Shop; sink and faucet: Faucet Direct; countertops: Silestone
A cheeky illustration print from Charlotte Fassler hangs near the kitchen’s farmhouse-style sink.
BEFORE: A spare room right off the entryway had the potential to be either an office or a guest bedroom.
AFTER: The couple decided that a guest room would be the best use of the space. Helen placed a pair of modern pink lamps on each side of the nail-trimmed upholstered bed to add an element of fun.
Wallpaper: Gertrude’s Plaid, Scalamandré; bed: One Kings Lane; Rosie Smoke table lamps: CB2; bedside table: Target
The bamboo dresser is vintage, and a perfect foil for the wallpaper.
“I was born and raised in Texas, so I’m sure at some level my style has been influenced by that,” Helen says. “I think it’s most evident in the more traditional elements of my style, like the large-scale gingham. I think that wallpaper is my spirit animal.”
BEFORE: The original bathroom, the only one in the house, felt dated and lackluster.
AFTER: Helen used a vibrant patterned wallpaper to create a big impact in the room. Brass accents complete the look.
Wallpaper: Raphaël Dark Blue, Sandberg & Friends; sconce: Rejuvenation
The master suite is another room that blends traditional and modern styles. The dark, rich wall color is offset by a custom neon sign over the bedside table as an accent.
Slipcovered Parsons bed without footboard: Restoration Hardware; Simplicity mirrored side chest: Z Gallerie; sconces: Serena & Lily; curtains: Restoration Hardware; neon light: Black Rooster; rug: flokati, RugsUSA.com; bedding: Matouk
Details such as the modern prints and a vintage vanity tray complete the look.
Vintage dresser: Ohmega Salvage; wall paint: Hague Blue 30, Farrow & Ball
Helen and Johnse, seen here, are both originally from Texas but relocated to the West Coast a few years ago. “The Bay Area has so much to offer — good weather, the outdoors, a phenomenal food and drink scene, great art … the list goes on and on,” Helen says. It was ultimately family who helped the couple solidify the choice of their new city. She says, “I have two sisters and a brother-in-law here, and we’re beyond happy to call it home.”
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