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My Houzz: Colorful, Architectural Gem in Ojai
Earthy tones with splashes of bold color create a couple's dream home, a nature-inspired retreat in Southern California
Contributing home tour photographer/writer for Houzz, design enthusiast, blogger and photographer.
Contributing home tour photographer/writer for Houzz, design enthusiast,... More »
A home that embraces the outdoors is a must in a location as beautiful as Ojai, California. Surrounded by architectural charm and natural beauty, John Hidley and Beth Stephens feel fortunate to live in their dream home. The exterior is full of eclectic influences — from Japanese to Southwestern to California Mission. The couple wanted the home to be a perfect representation of their style, so they teamed up with John's daughter, architect Kate Svoboda-Spanbock, of Here Design and Architecture to design their colorful nature-inspired retreat. "I usually find something I don't like about a house," says Beth, "but in this house, everywhere I look I see something I love."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: John Hidley and Beth Stephens
Location: Ojai, California
Size: 2,100 square feet; 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms
That's interesting: The indoor stair risers are designed to look like a waterfall, with its transitioning hues representing earth and water.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: John Hidley and Beth Stephens
Location: Ojai, California
Size: 2,100 square feet; 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms
That's interesting: The indoor stair risers are designed to look like a waterfall, with its transitioning hues representing earth and water.
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by Shannon Malone
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| "Our decorating philosophy is to be lively yet restful at the same time," says Hidley. With this in mind, Svoboda-Spanbock designed the home with color, comfort and utility, using bold hues and an abundance of built-in storage space in this custom shelving. Shelving paint: Bittersweet, Pratt & Lambert |
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| The citrus-colored entryway is lined with built-in storage, allowing the couple to tuck away odds and ends at the beginning and end of the day. |
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| All of the tile in the home is sourced from a manufacturer in Mexico. Svoboda-Spanbock arranged the kitchen tiles in an alternating pattern, giving the backsplash a customized look. |
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The couple worked with kitchen designer Pamela Leone to create a highly efficient, organized and functional kitchen space. This sliding shelving unit is one of the many customized features. "She had us take inventory of every single dish and utensil we owned," Hidley says. "It seemed like a pain at the time but turned out to be absolutely necessary for such a great design."
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| Hidley decided on glass doors to show off their glassware in the upper cabinets. The clear doors provide an appearance of being open, without the risk of items falling out, breaking or becoming covered in dust. The couple chose honed Caesarstone countertops for a more earthy feel. |
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To choose the color palette, Svoboda-Spanbock brought in five color boards for the couple to choose from. "At first I didn't like any of them," says Stephens. "Imagining this red right next to this green on a board just seemed like too much, but now I love it!"
The couple was originally hesitant about the lime-green Goldenberry shade by Pratt & Lambert on all of the window and door frames. Svoboda-Spanbock explained that the view outside of this home is always green or brown. Framing the view with the lime green highlights the outdoor scenery.
The couple was originally hesitant about the lime-green Goldenberry shade by Pratt & Lambert on all of the window and door frames. Svoboda-Spanbock explained that the view outside of this home is always green or brown. Framing the view with the lime green highlights the outdoor scenery.
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| Svoboda-Spanbock combined Hidley's love of Southwestern, California Mission and Japanese architecture by focusing on their use of natural elements and materials. The couple had the upholstered living room furniture custom made by Kravet Couture. Many of the home's furnishings and textiles were sourced by small boutiques, such as Kava Home. Table: Ethan Allen |
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| The framed wall indentations were built prior to finding artwork to fill them. The couple found the large, beautiful painting by Sheri Belassen at a store in Santa Barbara, California. Wall paint: Downy Gray, Pratt & Lambert; mantel paint: Goldenberry, Pratt & Lambert |
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Hidley discovered the colorful living room rug fastened to the wall of a store in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Creating an attractive yet enjoyable home on such a small, narrow lot wasn't easy. To keep the home from feeling like a long, narrow tunnel, Svoboda-Spanbock designed multilevel ceilings and floors and multiple openings to outdoor patios. The patios were designed to feel like extensions of the house, giving the home a spacious, wide feel. Hidley recalls a visiting friend exclaiming, "I know I'm outside right now, but I feel like I'm inside!"
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| After moving in, the couple realized they used the dining room more for enjoying a cup of coffee, reading or using the computer than dining. They replaced the chairs with a sectional sofa from Kava Home and changed the space a cozy nook surrounded by windows. Dining table: Hidley's mother's; mirror: Pottery Barn; rug: Crate & Barrel; painting and giraffe: Leslie Clark |
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The tile detail on the stair risers adds even more lively color to the home. Svoboda-Spanbock designed the stairs to look like a waterfall when someone is standing at the bottom and looking up. The top has more oranges and yellows — representing the earth — which gradually fade into more greens and blues to represent water.
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| This cozy room doubles as a library and home office. The Southwestern feel of the home shines with cowboy paintings by artist Mick Reinman, leather furniture and colorful textiles. Couch: American Leather, Home Furniture Company; throw pillows: Crate & Barrel; leather chair: Pottery Barn |
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| The library was designed to act as an extra bedroom if needed. A sliding door is hidden in the built-in shelving divider, which can section off the room and allow for more privacy. |
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Svoboda-Spanbock used natural materials as her inspiration and chose acid-tone cement floors in a dark brown stain to look like a dirt floor. The floors use radiant heat, making the home more energy efficient.
The hall features an arched doorway leading into the bedroom. "We originally wanted all arches," says Hidley, "but my daughter Kate said no. She gave us this one to keep us happy."
The hall features an arched doorway leading into the bedroom. "We originally wanted all arches," says Hidley, "but my daughter Kate said no. She gave us this one to keep us happy."
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| The master bedroom has a beautiful outdoor feel with its elongated windows and views of the outdoor landscaping. Bedding: Pottery Barn |
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While designing the home, Svoboda-Spanbock created spaces for pieces of antique furniture Hidley already owned, such as this heirloom dresser in the bedroom.
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The couple wanted their master bathroom feel like a spa. They chose to have an unenclosed shower and a large two-person tub with a view of the lush outdoor scenery.
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Svoboda-Spanbock wanted every detail to have a purpose. This exterior cutout wall, while not functionally necessary, provides the space with greater visual depth from either direction.
"Kate designed our house precisely how we wanted, with a lot of patios and windows," says Hidley. Although Stephens didn't move in until after construction had started, it's exactly what she wanted as well. "It couldn't have been more perfect," she says.
"Kate designed our house precisely how we wanted, with a lot of patios and windows," says Hidley. Although Stephens didn't move in until after construction had started, it's exactly what she wanted as well. "It couldn't have been more perfect," she says.
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| Hidley advises other homeowners to clearly communicate taste and style to their architect. Hidley drew his own plans for years but couldn't figure out exactly how to make them happen. "Kate prevented many possible mistakes," he says. "We went into it with very detailed plans, leaving no rooms for mistakes or surprises, and came out right on budget." |
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The home opens up to multiple outdoor patios, each with different character and used at different times of the day depending on the sun and weather. "We often have lunches and entertain out here," says Hidley.
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| The rear patio opens up to a beautiful backyard designed by landscape architect Kathy Nolan. Drought-tolerant and fragrant plants, including some fruit-producing ones, are among the plantings. The couple ordered all of their patio furniture from patiosUSA.com and purchased the umbrellas from a store in Palm Desert. |
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| The front exterior has a strong Santa Fe–style influence with its earth-inspired hues and drought-tolerant landscaping. Although the home is unique to the neighborhood, it blends well with the natural surroundings of Ojai. |
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Svoboda-Spanbock worked with structural engineer Laima Reeder, contractor Scott Loomis and painting contractor Scott Titus. Jack Khalifeh helped with the mechanical, electrical and plumbing. "With a radiant floor, a ton of windows and no air conditioning, this was no small feat," says Svoboda-Spanbock.
Ideabook published on June 12, 2012.
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Marie Meko
It would be great if land area and floor level built up area can be shared.
Best wishes and wonderful stay
marcie
http://custm.co/hz/26