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My Houzz: Renovated Spanish Bungalow in Anaheim
A cozy but neglected 1924 California home near Disneyland gets a polished new look and a sleek patio
Design is my passion. Before freelancing from my Southern California home, I was an art director for many years. When it comes to home decor, I love mixing vintage, worn pieces with modern clean lines bringing the right balance of comfort and style. Whether it's decorating, graphic design, photography, or repurposing a fun flea market find, I embrace every design challenge with enthusiasm and an opportunity to make something a little more beautiful.
Design is my passion. Before freelancing from my Southern California home,... More »
Interior designers Dan and Erin Benedict consider their home to be their playground — a place to have fun and experiment with new design ideas. The couple transformed their 1924 California bungalow from a neglected little house into a charming and updated abode. Although it was important to them to maintain many of the original architectural details, they managed to update the home and create a space that feels current, flows nicely and works well for entertaining.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Dan and Erin Benedict
Location: Anaheim, California
Size: 898 square feet; 2 bedrooms; 1 bath
That's interesting: Erin's great-grandmother was the original homeowner in 1924, and the home has been in the family ever since.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Dan and Erin Benedict
Location: Anaheim, California
Size: 898 square feet; 2 bedrooms; 1 bath
That's interesting: Erin's great-grandmother was the original homeowner in 1924, and the home has been in the family ever since.
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by Shelley Gardea
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| Inviting Adirondack chairs with monogrammed pillows welcome guests to the Benedicts' cozy porch. The couple installed striped Sunbrella draperies to dress up the outdoor sitting area. When they bought the house, it had a 1970s-style front door with gold diffused glass. Dan replaced it with this door, which he built himself. Rods: Benedict August; porch lamp: Kichler |
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| The cozy family room features architectural details, such as the original lower moldings, that bring out the character of the home. The couple installed white paneling on the wall to create texture and sophistication. Erin and Dan both love to pair contrasts — large and small, shiny and matte, rough and smooth. In this space, plaid armchairs contrast with a dark leather sofa. A wooden cart coffee table provides storage and display space for books and magazines, and Roman shades dress the windows. |
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BEFORE: The kitchen walls and ceiling previously were a bright yellow, and the window above the sink was an old jalousie model that didn't shut all the way. The floors were avocado-green and harvest-gold linoleum. Dan, who is also a contractor, did all the remodeling work himself.
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| AFTER: Originally, a solid wall with one doorway divided the kitchen and dining space. Dan knocked down a wall to open the rooms to one another, making it more functional for entertaining and daily use. A second sink and a small refrigerator in the island are convenient features, especially when the couple throws parties. "We've had parties of 100 people and it didn't feel crowded," says Dan. Appliances: Frigidaire; pendant lights: Kichler |
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| The newly renovated dining area connects to the kitchen. A tall dish rack displays antique Bauer bowls passed down from Erin's grandmother. Paint color: Light Tan, Dunn Edwards; dining chairs: Pottery Barn |
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| Near the laundry area, Dan installed a kitty door into the side of a cabinet as a clever place to store the litter box. This keeps their cat, Einstein, both happy and discreet. |
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| The home office houses Dan's impressive antique train collection. Ten years ago Erin picked up a train from a flea market as a gift to Dan. Since then he's found most of its companions on eBay. Dan has more trains than the custom-built floating shelves will hold, so he rotates the collection. Some of the trains are made of surplus tin with vintage bottlecap graphics printed on one side, and others are made of cast iron. "Towards the end of World War I, there was a shortage of cast iron, so for three years they made a copy of one locomotive out of tin instead and resumed using cast iron after the war," Dan explains. Paint color: Whole Wheat, Dunn Edwards |
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This antiqued bronze sculpture is a miniature mockup that Dan proposed as a public art piece for the city of Anaheim, though it wasn't accepted. It's called "Phonograph in Bloom," and Dan envisioned it as a tree under which people could sit on benches surrounding the base.
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| On the opposite wall, Erin and Dan installed floating shelves to flank the window. Red Lucite chairs from West Elm (no longer available) bring a fun, modern look to this workspace. |
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| A miniature Vitra Panton S chair is one of several miniature replicas on display in the office's open shelving. "We love collections. Our house really felt like it was ours when we finally had our collections on display," says Erin. |
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BEFORE: The backyard was cramped and outdated, and has gone through a major transformation. The couple cleared out tons of weeds and grass and removed a dark patio roof to make way for a new patio.
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| AFTER: Erin and Dan created an outdoor living space that can be enjoyed all year round in California's mild weather. The patio is made of poured, colored concrete and slate. The raised planters and fountain are clad in stacked stone. The windows on the garage, once covered with bars, now look fantastic with black shutter awnings. The three-car garage and art studio are accessible from the alley in the back. Patio dining chairs: Restoration Hardware; mirrored chandeliers: Z Gallerie |
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| A stone water fountain creates a soothing vibe for the outdoor dining area. The patio offers a great view of Disneyland's nightly fireworks during the summertime. |
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| Lush landscaping creates a private hangout near the outdoor fireplace. This is one of Erin's favorite spots because it offers a comfortable, serene yet secluded atmosphere. Orange bougainvillea bursts with color, and party lights from a previous event still hang. Every year the couple throws a party for the Oscars, with guests enjoying the show on a large outdoor movie screen. Patio lounge chairs: Restoration Hardware |
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| The flat roof with red tiles and the stucco siding are very typical of an early California Spanish bungalow. Two large potted spiral topiaries frame the porch. |
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| Erin's proudest homeowner moment was when her grandmother, who grew up in the home, visited and said, "This feels like home. It should have always been this way." |
Ideabook updated on May 26, 2012.
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People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
What a beautiful home ! I simply love everything about it especially your ''Phonograph in bloom''. I could see it enlarged as a fountain in my backyard. Birds would love bathing in their each little basin ! Congrats on a lovely reno.
Evy
I grew up in Anaheim (& raised my family there) & always preferred the cozy bungalow homes.
Thanks for sharing & the walk down memory lane.......