Eclectic Homes

Lively Meets Thrifty at Southern California

July 19, 2019

Photographer Stephanie Wiley loved the look of her midcentury house, but its inside had not seen an update since its original structure, and the design felt too shut off for her loved ones. Wiley had the house gutted and remodeled on its same footprint, and created the modern cottage feel she wanted using a new blue- and green-based colour palette and thrift store finds.

at a Glance
Who lives here: Stephanie Wiley along with her 2 young sons
Location: Near Los Angeles
Size: 1,650 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

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The entry is just one of Wiley’s favorite areas of the remodel. A daring turquoise doorway echoes the home’s bright inside, and also an outdoor chalkboard provides room to greet houseguests. “Turquoise just improves my mood,” says Wiley. “And I love being able to leave messages for family and friends on the chalkboard.”

Outdoor seat: Orchard Supply Hardware, painted black; front door paint Cool Aqua, Benjamin Moore; sconce: Lowe’s

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Wiley used furniture and accessories she possessed; a few was passed down to her, and a few she’d found at thrift stores.

The tasteful mirror in the entrance hall belonged to her great-grandmother. A coat of black paint gave it an edgier feel. The small chair in the entrance is a favorite bit — it was once filthy and covered in a maroon velvet, but she cleaned, painted and reupholstered it, making it a cute addition to her entrance.

Console: Pottery Barn; seat upholstery: Calico Corners; étagère: Wisteria

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Hand-distressed flooring provide the look Wiley was heading for, and their usefulness to get a house with young kids is challenging to beat.

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A tight design originally limited the flow between the primary living spaces. Wiley had the walls opened up, and she reconfigured the inside without incorporating any square footage. Figuring out the right design was a struggle, and she had to compromise in certain spaces — including in the marginally narrow living room and kitchen.

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Glossy white ceilings plus a mixture of playfully bright textiles combine beautifully in this happy living room. “I like colour and want to use a little humor and character in decorating — hence the huge goat canvas,” says Wiley.

Chair: Dwell Furniture Store; armchairs: classic; coffee table: Joss & Main

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A classic table and seat add character to the bright dining room. Connected to the living room, the dining room gets definition from a jute rug located on Overstock.com.

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The new floor plan also demanded a galley-style kitchen. “It is wide enough to need a island but not wide enough to construct one in,” says Wiley. Vintage white backsplash tile contrasts with the home’s inside wall colour — a very light green (Distant Horizon, by Dunn Edwards) that looks almost white in certain rooms.

Backsplash tile: Foothill Tile & Stone; pendants: Restoration Hardware; faucet: Shaws Original; blue clock: Target

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Wiley wanted her kitchen to sense classic and beautiful, with a design that wouldn’t date easily. She chose backsplash tile with minimal detailing along with a very dark green granite to draw from the pine trees outside her home.

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A small personal computer and TV space close to the back of the house serves as a hangout place for the kids. Although Wiley would love to bring a larger play area, this corner functions flawlessly and offers easy access to the outside.

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The kids’ space has a simple Ikea couch that Wiley coated with a custom made slipcover.

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Wiley’s home office features a panoramic view of the forests surrounding her Southern California home. A classic chandelier, painted black, contrasts the vintage chair.

Desk: Ikea

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The master bedroom is Wiley’s getaway. Customized curtains made from Amy Butler fabric provide its only source of layout. Wiley used the exact same base paint colour here as in the rest of the house, but added 20 percent more white to give it a boost.

Nightstand, table lamp, chandelier: classic; wall colour: Distant Horizon, Dunn Edwards; mattress frame: Restoration Hardware

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An all-white master bath fits into the home’s new inside cottage scheme. Art located on eBay plus a reupholstered seat add colour to the classic white dressing table and Daltile flooring and shower.

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Wiley left the exterior pretty much as is. The midcentury exterior was just updated with a brand new neutral colour and fresh, white trim.

More: When to Paint Your Door Blue

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