My Houzz: Cabin-Style Equestrian Haven in California
A home in Ojai pays tribute to the outdoors with warm woods and other natural materials, accented with a red and yellow palette
Design lover, contributing home tour photographer/writer for Houzz, blogger at www.o-live-design.com
Design lover, contributing home tour photographer/writer for Houzz, blogger... More »
After a bit of struggle and a lot of compromise, Stefanie and Willie Coeler designed and built a home to match their lifestyle. The couple, who are avid horseback riders and own three beautiful horses, found an ideal property nestled in the Ojai, California, river bottom, surrounded by seemingly endless riding trails. Although the location was a dream, the idea of building a home was not. "We had no desire to build a home," says Willie. "The opportunity was just kind of thrust upon us by chance."
With no architect, the couple relied on their contractor and books to make their dream home a reality. "We flipped through the floor plan books and picked out a mix-match of clippings that we liked, and altered them to fit our needs," Stefanie says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stefanie and Willie Coeler, their dog and 3 horses
Location: Ojai, California
Size: 2,800 square feet house; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
That's interesting: The firewood storage in the fireplace is accessible from the outside.
With no architect, the couple relied on their contractor and books to make their dream home a reality. "We flipped through the floor plan books and picked out a mix-match of clippings that we liked, and altered them to fit our needs," Stefanie says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stefanie and Willie Coeler, their dog and 3 horses
Location: Ojai, California
Size: 2,800 square feet house; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
That's interesting: The firewood storage in the fireplace is accessible from the outside.
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by Shannon Malone
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| The couple wanted their home to be energy efficient, especially when it comes to keeping the house cool during hot Ojai summers. To do this they designed with solar panels from REC Solar. "I think that solar energy is the greenest of all alternative energy sources, if it is produced right where it is used," says Stefanie. The backyard blooms with plants and flowers. "The pond is my husband's hobby," says Stefanie. The pond is home to 15 to 20 goldfish and all different types of water lilies. Willie made it deep enough so raccoons can't stand inside it and fish. |
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by Shannon Malone
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| The outdoor fireplace, made of river rock found on the property, was an afterthought. "We were leaving for a weeklong trip and needed to keep our rock worker busy," says Stefanie. "We drew lines in the sand and told him what we wanted him to do." The seating area is surrounded by gardens with a view of the couple's horses: Timber, Hanks and Jackson. |
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by Shannon Malone
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| "People are too concerned about everything being one style," says Stefanie. "Don't put a label on it — whatever I like is my style. I find things along the way that fit." The horse art paintings in the dining room are all originals by Stefanie. |
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by Shannon Malone
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| With no luck finding a dining room table that fit the scale of their dining room, the couple had their table made by Elliot's Unfinished Furniture in nearby Ventura. The vibrant red table runner, made by Stefanie's sister, and the matching Ikea chairs add a bold splash of color. |
by Shannon Malone
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The couple wanted the design to blend well with the surrounding area and not appear brand new, so they gave the home a cabin-inspired, Western aesthetic that combines wood, rock, warm hues and Western-inspired decor. The living room fireplace was constructed out of rive rock found on the lot.
Much of the couple's decorating inspiration stems from their outdoor lifestyle. Nature-inspired decor, such as this collection of horse-inspired artwork, adorns the walls. A little nook provides storage for firewood.
Rug: California Auctioneers and Appraisers
Much of the couple's decorating inspiration stems from their outdoor lifestyle. Nature-inspired decor, such as this collection of horse-inspired artwork, adorns the walls. A little nook provides storage for firewood.
Rug: California Auctioneers and Appraisers
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by Shannon Malone
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| Red throw pillows and blankets add bright, cheerful accents to the Western decor. Couch: Olga Furniture (now closed); chair and rug: Ikea; throw: Ventura Wharf gift store |
by Shannon Malone
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The couple used a yellow color palette. "I like the warm feeling of yellow," says Stefanie. With ample room for experimentation, they painted the downstairs walls with slightly different shades of yellow, adding dimension to an open layout.
This rocking chair is a garage sale find; Stephanie had it reupholstered by Pierre Deux in Carmel, California.
Paint: Butter (ligt yellow) and Madera (dark yellow), Dunn-Edwards
This rocking chair is a garage sale find; Stephanie had it reupholstered by Pierre Deux in Carmel, California.
Paint: Butter (ligt yellow) and Madera (dark yellow), Dunn-Edwards
by Shannon Malone
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The couple frequently visits the Ventura Auction House. Over the years they have acquired many unique treasures, such as this dining room hutch.
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by Shannon Malone
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| The breakfast nook is one of Stefanie's favorite spots in the home because she can sit and enjoy the morning view of their beautiful property and the Ojai Mountains. Willie says, "My favorite spot is wherever she is." Stefanie hand-painted the table, which is from Elliot's Unfinished Furniture. |
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by Shannon Malone
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| One design dilemma the couple faced was deciding where to place the kitchen. In the back of the house, it gets less light than a more traditional layout, but views of the outdoor scenery rather than of the street were a priority. Stefanie, who is from Germany, adores their stainless steel appliances from Miele, a German company. |
by Shannon Malone
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The downstairs office has a built-in shelving unit by contractor Scott Silver. "It was quick and easy," says Willie.
by Shannon Malone
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The spacious downstairs hall is filled with more built-in storage, plus old theater seating found at the Ventura Auction House.
by Shannon Malone
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"We wanted to be able to see the mountains and the horses from our bed," says Stefanie. The master bedroom features a door leading to the porch and backyard.
A fireplace of river rock acts as a one-room heating system. "It is great when one of us is sick, and we want to be warm without turning on the heater in the entire house," says Willie.
Rug: Hacienda in Ojai; chair: Ventura Auction House, reupholstered
A fireplace of river rock acts as a one-room heating system. "It is great when one of us is sick, and we want to be warm without turning on the heater in the entire house," says Willie.
Rug: Hacienda in Ojai; chair: Ventura Auction House, reupholstered
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by Shannon Malone
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| The house sits atop a flood plain, so there were building limitations. The couple had no choice but to build up, creating a two-story home. Siting the staircase was a huge learning process. To make a landing at the top of the stairs, they had to move the staircase forward, closer to the entryway. When they did this, they had to change the landing windows to fit. Facing one design challenge after the other, the couple learned to be flexible and adapt to every situation, working closely with their contractor. |
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by Shannon Malone
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| At the top of the stairs, a spacious landing with seating provides another place to relax. The couple thought about expanding the upstairs rooms but have grown to love the layout. |
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by Shannon Malone
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| The upstairs guest bedroom is a favorite among visiting friends and family. Its warm hues and private balcony overlooking the yard make for a perfect getaway. Chest: German flea market find; rug: yard sale; curtains: Pier One Imports |
by Shannon Malone
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Stefanie's art room is another one of her favorite spots. She can paint in tranquility while gaining inspiration from the room's scenic view of the property.
Desk: California Auctioneers & Appraisers
Desk: California Auctioneers & Appraisers
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by Shannon Malone
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| Davis the dog is a fairly new addition to the family. He loves his new home. More: My Houzz: Natural, Autumnal Cabin Style in California |
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