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My Houzz: A Rich Blend of Old and New
An interior designer's whimsical collections fill up her Southern California, wine country home
Much like the Temecula city motto, “Old Traditions, New Opportunities," the home of Deidre and Steve West is a welcoming blend of creatively arranged new and old treasures. With a background in interior design, Deirdre has taken full advantage of her talents with everything from paint colors, to materials, to placement of furniture and artwork. “I like to mix antiques and unusual items with new pieces. I am a collector of things," says Deidre.
The West family moved to the Southern California wine country community of Temecula from the coastal Orange County town of Capistrano Beach in 2005. “We actually had our name in a lottery for another home further down the freeway and lost out on it," Deidre says. "At the time, I was in Colorado with my ailing father, and my husband actually purchased the home alone. I loved the open entryway, especially the turret design.” What the Wests love most about their home city is that it has two interesting areas for tourism: the wineries, and Old Town for shopping.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Deidre and Steve West, daughter Nicole (age 10), dogs Sandy and Pom Pom
Location: Temecula, California
Size: 3,100 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths
That's interesting: Any interesting fact about the home that didn't get into the story?
The West family moved to the Southern California wine country community of Temecula from the coastal Orange County town of Capistrano Beach in 2005. “We actually had our name in a lottery for another home further down the freeway and lost out on it," Deidre says. "At the time, I was in Colorado with my ailing father, and my husband actually purchased the home alone. I loved the open entryway, especially the turret design.” What the Wests love most about their home city is that it has two interesting areas for tourism: the wineries, and Old Town for shopping.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Deidre and Steve West, daughter Nicole (age 10), dogs Sandy and Pom Pom
Location: Temecula, California
Size: 3,100 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths
That's interesting: Any interesting fact about the home that didn't get into the story?
by Cheri Bradshaw
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The turret-style entry was one of the first things Deidre loved about her home and native, easy-care plants frame the exterior.
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Cheri Bradshaw: Where is your favorite spot or room in your home? Why?
Deidre West: Sadly, I don’t sit there often enough, but I love to sit on the formal living room sofa in the morning before my daughter is awake and have my coffee and read my magazines. The spot has a great viewpoint for the rest of the downstairs so I can really ‘see’ my home. One of the views from the vantage-point is of the handsome antique desk that once belonged to a Michigan senator (WHICH ONE?), a collection of rug beaters, and a portrait acquired at an antique store in Beaumont.
Deidre West: Sadly, I don’t sit there often enough, but I love to sit on the formal living room sofa in the morning before my daughter is awake and have my coffee and read my magazines. The spot has a great viewpoint for the rest of the downstairs so I can really ‘see’ my home. One of the views from the vantage-point is of the handsome antique desk that once belonged to a Michigan senator (WHICH ONE?), a collection of rug beaters, and a portrait acquired at an antique store in Beaumont.
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The most whimsical room of the house is the upstairs laundry room. Colorful clothesline patterned wallpaper (WHO MAKES THE WALLPAPER? DID DEIDRE ADD IT HERSELF?), dresses the walls, and the space includes a vintage ironing board with a tin Hawaiian print Deidre matched perfectly with a rustic wooden frame.
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Deidre mounted a bright primary color child's bench on the wall and uses it as a drying rack.
A windowpane and driftwood garland make the perfect statement and add dimension and interest to the room.
A windowpane and driftwood garland make the perfect statement and add dimension and interest to the room.
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Two framed vintage children's swimsuits atop bright red matboards hang above the washer and dryer. (IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THESE SWIMSUITS? SPECIAL STORY? ARE THEY VINTAGE AND FROM THE FAMILY?)
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CB: What advice would you offer other homeowners?
DW: Always make sure your home has a balanced mix of metal, wood, shiny surfaces, solid pieces and fabric pieces. If the balance is right you will feel it. I mixed elements throughout the home, and the dining room is no exception. I paired a rustic ebonized wood dining table acquired from a client with cane-backed chairs. I plan to paint the chairs black to match the table. Alongside is a trim and tall white bamboo china cabinet found at an estate sale.
Inside the buffet is a mix of china, crystal, seashells and gems, and a small part of my vintage purse collection. A wire dress form stands as a silent but stylish sentry, and the coastal influence surfaces in two framed prints of sea fans on the wall.
CB: Four fantasy dinner guests Deidre would love to invite over?
DW: Benjamin Franklin, Michael Eisner, John Lasseter, and Warren Buffett.
Paint: Blustery Wind, Dunn Edwards
DW: Always make sure your home has a balanced mix of metal, wood, shiny surfaces, solid pieces and fabric pieces. If the balance is right you will feel it. I mixed elements throughout the home, and the dining room is no exception. I paired a rustic ebonized wood dining table acquired from a client with cane-backed chairs. I plan to paint the chairs black to match the table. Alongside is a trim and tall white bamboo china cabinet found at an estate sale.
Inside the buffet is a mix of china, crystal, seashells and gems, and a small part of my vintage purse collection. A wire dress form stands as a silent but stylish sentry, and the coastal influence surfaces in two framed prints of sea fans on the wall.
CB: Four fantasy dinner guests Deidre would love to invite over?
DW: Benjamin Franklin, Michael Eisner, John Lasseter, and Warren Buffett.
Paint: Blustery Wind, Dunn Edwards
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CB: What was your biggest dilemma?
DW: Storage space. I don’t think there has been a home built with enough storage. We remodeled the kitchen island by adding doors, drawers, and a bookshelf for recipes. I also spruced up the cabinets by adding braiding detail to fit into the existing door fronts and hand-stenciled the pantry doors.
CB: Who is your favorite designer?
DW: I like any designer who can marry new and old well, likes really weird or unique items to surprise you, and more masculine looks with a feminine twist. I don't like a home designed with too many upholstered pieces in lots of different patterns. My proudest homeowner moments are when men actually notice the décor and compliment me on it. I expect comments from women, but not men. They all love it!
Paint: Pale Gold, Dunn Edwards
DW: Storage space. I don’t think there has been a home built with enough storage. We remodeled the kitchen island by adding doors, drawers, and a bookshelf for recipes. I also spruced up the cabinets by adding braiding detail to fit into the existing door fronts and hand-stenciled the pantry doors.
CB: Who is your favorite designer?
DW: I like any designer who can marry new and old well, likes really weird or unique items to surprise you, and more masculine looks with a feminine twist. I don't like a home designed with too many upholstered pieces in lots of different patterns. My proudest homeowner moments are when men actually notice the décor and compliment me on it. I expect comments from women, but not men. They all love it!
Paint: Pale Gold, Dunn Edwards
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Down the hallway, tucked into a corner, Deidre has placed yet another of her personal works of art. The top of this tiny triangular table is artfully decorated with a mosaic of paint chips. Deidre cut and arranged the paint chips, glued them down, and lacquered the top to replicate ceramic tile.
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The master bedroom is a soothing blend of the warm yellow walls, with an introduction of blue sky-like ceiling and bedding, and rich brown accents.
Bed: Crate&Barrel
Bed: Crate&Barrel
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The two-toned master bathroom.
Paint: Steamy Spring, Dunn Edwards
Paint: Steamy Spring, Dunn Edwards
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The collector in Deidre is evident throughout the home. A collection of vintage purses are framed and displayed as works of art on the upstairs hallway.
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The beautiful pillbox collection was started by a co-worker’s gift some years ago, to which Deidre adds to over the years.
CB: Where is your favorite place to shop?
DW: I purchase many things from Stanford Antiques in San Clemente. Many of my decorative pieces were castoffs from previous clients and my favorite antique store is Granny’s Attic in Temecula. I love to go to Pottery Barn to get styling ideas.
Paint: Pale Gold, Dunn Edwards
CB: Where is your favorite place to shop?
DW: I purchase many things from Stanford Antiques in San Clemente. Many of my decorative pieces were castoffs from previous clients and my favorite antique store is Granny’s Attic in Temecula. I love to go to Pottery Barn to get styling ideas.
Paint: Pale Gold, Dunn Edwards
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CB: What would be the first thing you would grab if your house were on fire?
DW: Three framed drawings that our daughter drew at age three and four. They are precious to me.
Deidre has been an interior designer for the past seven years and owns her own company, Makeover Masters, serving the Orange County and Riverside counties. She is also a Power Seller on Ebay, of both her own line of designer pillows made from vintage hankies and linens (Kchoos, also sold on Etsy) and collectibles she acquires at estates, from clients and secret spots she loves.Husband Steve is a paint contractor, owner of Color West Painting. “His men painted the entire house before we moved in, which was great! The yellow gold color you see predominantly throughout our home works well because it changes with each area and in different lighting. A friend of mine in Dana Point has her home painted in the same color, and I just love it.”
DW: Three framed drawings that our daughter drew at age three and four. They are precious to me.
Deidre has been an interior designer for the past seven years and owns her own company, Makeover Masters, serving the Orange County and Riverside counties. She is also a Power Seller on Ebay, of both her own line of designer pillows made from vintage hankies and linens (Kchoos, also sold on Etsy) and collectibles she acquires at estates, from clients and secret spots she loves.Husband Steve is a paint contractor, owner of Color West Painting. “His men painted the entire house before we moved in, which was great! The yellow gold color you see predominantly throughout our home works well because it changes with each area and in different lighting. A friend of mine in Dana Point has her home painted in the same color, and I just love it.”
by Cheri Bradshaw
»
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CB: What is your philosophy on gardening and landscaping?
DW: Go with native plants, succulents, and easy care maintenance. That said, fragrance is important to me. If money were not an issue, I would splurge on fresh flowers in every room.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPE OR GARDEN PHOTOS? WIDE SHOTS OF THE BACKYARD (IF PHOTO WORTHY?)
More:
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My Houzz: Collected Style in Oregon
Next: Browse hundreds of inspiring homes
DW: Go with native plants, succulents, and easy care maintenance. That said, fragrance is important to me. If money were not an issue, I would splurge on fresh flowers in every room.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPE OR GARDEN PHOTOS? WIDE SHOTS OF THE BACKYARD (IF PHOTO WORTHY?)
More:
My Houzz: Colorfully Collected in Austin
My Houzz: Collected Style in Oregon
Next: Browse hundreds of inspiring homes
