A Surprise Home Makeover for a Marine and His Kids
In time for Veterans Day, a vet’s townhouse gets redesigned to embrace scale, function and warmth
Mitchell Parker
November 10, 2020
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
The Marine Corps taught Angel Cuevas how to live a spartan, pared-down lifestyle. Years after serving, though, he still hadn’t quite broken the habit. He recently moved into a townhouse in Lancaster, California, with his two young daughters. The few pieces of furniture he owned made the home look a bit bare. He knew he should warm it up for his girls, but he just didn’t know how. “I would have loved to have done it — coordinate this, match that — but I don’t have intimate knowledge of how to lay out a room or choose colors,” he says. “Never in a million years could I do that.”
“After” photos by Roberto Garcia
Project at a Glance
Who lives here: Angel Cuevas, a Marine veteran and vice president of operations for nonprofit Operation Gratitude, and his two daughters, Hazel, 5, and Sarah, 3
Location: Lancaster, California
Designer: Charmean Neithart of Charmean Neithart Interiors
Watch now: See this Marine vet and his daughters react to the surprise makeover
Cuevas wasn’t the only one who noticed. Jordan Blashek is his former Marine unit commander and a current co-worker at Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit that sends care packages to active-duty troops. He took note of Cuevas’ sparse home and decided to help him with a makeover of the living spaces and the girls’ bedroom. “He put so much toward everyone else as a dedicated public servant,” Blashek says. “He moved into this new home and wanted it to be this warm, wonderful place for his children. We thought there was no better person than him to do a home makeover for.”
Blashek used Houzz and found interior designer Charmean Neithart to help his buddy. She worked to create a more functional layout, add color, and bring in new furnishings and accessories — a bunk bed was a must for the girls — all of which she bought from Houzz.
Project at a Glance
Who lives here: Angel Cuevas, a Marine veteran and vice president of operations for nonprofit Operation Gratitude, and his two daughters, Hazel, 5, and Sarah, 3
Location: Lancaster, California
Designer: Charmean Neithart of Charmean Neithart Interiors
Watch now: See this Marine vet and his daughters react to the surprise makeover
Cuevas wasn’t the only one who noticed. Jordan Blashek is his former Marine unit commander and a current co-worker at Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit that sends care packages to active-duty troops. He took note of Cuevas’ sparse home and decided to help him with a makeover of the living spaces and the girls’ bedroom. “He put so much toward everyone else as a dedicated public servant,” Blashek says. “He moved into this new home and wanted it to be this warm, wonderful place for his children. We thought there was no better person than him to do a home makeover for.”
Blashek used Houzz and found interior designer Charmean Neithart to help his buddy. She worked to create a more functional layout, add color, and bring in new furnishings and accessories — a bunk bed was a must for the girls — all of which she bought from Houzz.
Living Room (Before)
Cuevas, a newly single dad (he shares custody of the girls), had filled the living room of this rental home with two bulky love seats and a large lounge chair. “They were essentially eating the room,” Neithart says. “It was a real nice space, just filled wrong.”
And all the beige and brown didn’t help liven things up. Neithart decided to start by correcting the scale of the furnishings and bringing in a little color. (Although Cuevas knew about the makeover of his girls’ bedroom, the downstairs makeover was a surprise for him.)
Cuevas, a newly single dad (he shares custody of the girls), had filled the living room of this rental home with two bulky love seats and a large lounge chair. “They were essentially eating the room,” Neithart says. “It was a real nice space, just filled wrong.”
And all the beige and brown didn’t help liven things up. Neithart decided to start by correcting the scale of the furnishings and bringing in a little color. (Although Cuevas knew about the makeover of his girls’ bedroom, the downstairs makeover was a surprise for him.)
Living Room (After)
Neithart removed two large pieces, which went into storage, and kept one smaller love seat. She added two streamlined occasional chairs, and incorporated Cuevas’ existing coffee table and end tables.
“It’s good for homeowners to understand that it’s worthwhile to use some existing pieces,” Neithart says. “You don’t have to throw out all your furniture. If you understand scale and have a good floor plan, some of your existing stuff can work.”
Morton butterfly chair in brown: Fashion N You; Blumenthal area rug: Surya; “Pompom Botanicals I” artwork by Megan Meagher: SCI; Celinda contemporary glass accent lamp in blue-gray: Uttermost; butterfly print: Art Virtuoso
Neithart removed two large pieces, which went into storage, and kept one smaller love seat. She added two streamlined occasional chairs, and incorporated Cuevas’ existing coffee table and end tables.
“It’s good for homeowners to understand that it’s worthwhile to use some existing pieces,” Neithart says. “You don’t have to throw out all your furniture. If you understand scale and have a good floor plan, some of your existing stuff can work.”
Morton butterfly chair in brown: Fashion N You; Blumenthal area rug: Surya; “Pompom Botanicals I” artwork by Megan Meagher: SCI; Celinda contemporary glass accent lamp in blue-gray: Uttermost; butterfly print: Art Virtuoso
Neithart is particularly fond of the compact blue armchair, a discreet recliner. “It’s really good quality, not expensive and really good-looking,” she says.
She painted the longest wall in the room, previously beige, a blue-gray.
Brewster Gray paint (accent wall): Benjamin Moore; Macedonia midcentury recliner in dark blue: GDFStudio; “Metallic Layers” artwork: Uttermost; two-piece metal jacks sculpture set: Benzara, Woodland Imports, The Urban Port; wood tray: Hilda’s Furnishings; wall-hung chalkboard: Uniek; Lola pillow cover (on love seat): Surya; wool throw blanket: Tweedmill Textiles
She painted the longest wall in the room, previously beige, a blue-gray.
Brewster Gray paint (accent wall): Benjamin Moore; Macedonia midcentury recliner in dark blue: GDFStudio; “Metallic Layers” artwork: Uttermost; two-piece metal jacks sculpture set: Benzara, Woodland Imports, The Urban Port; wood tray: Hilda’s Furnishings; wall-hung chalkboard: Uniek; Lola pillow cover (on love seat): Surya; wool throw blanket: Tweedmill Textiles
“It’s really remarkable to see what Charmean did with the space,” says Cuevas, pictured here in the new living room with daughters Hazel, on the left, and Sarah, on the right. “She turned everything around and put things in places I didn’t think they’d fit. She made the place look a whole lot bigger than it is. It was a wonderful surprise for me.”
Staircase Niche (Before)
When Neithart had arrived at the home to take measurements and interview Cuevas about his girls’ room, she’d noticed that he was working on his laptop on the sofa. Neithart thought he could use a dedicated space for working from home. An area beneath the staircase, previously filled by a large love seat, seemed like a good spot.
Watch now: See this vet’s living room transformation
When Neithart had arrived at the home to take measurements and interview Cuevas about his girls’ room, she’d noticed that he was working on his laptop on the sofa. Neithart thought he could use a dedicated space for working from home. An area beneath the staircase, previously filled by a large love seat, seemed like a good spot.
Watch now: See this vet’s living room transformation
Staircase Niche (After)
A desk, chair and low-slung bookcase established a proper workspace. The piece of art above the desk — an American flag with the Marine Corps logo — is Cuevas’ most cherished piece.
Braylon industrial wood shelf: GDFStudio; Kirkly ceramic table lamp: IMAX Worldwide Home; desk lamp in dark bronze metal: Lite Source; Sophie chair: Farmhouse Dining; modern Craftsman executive desk: Home Styles Furniture
A desk, chair and low-slung bookcase established a proper workspace. The piece of art above the desk — an American flag with the Marine Corps logo — is Cuevas’ most cherished piece.
Braylon industrial wood shelf: GDFStudio; Kirkly ceramic table lamp: IMAX Worldwide Home; desk lamp in dark bronze metal: Lite Source; Sophie chair: Farmhouse Dining; modern Craftsman executive desk: Home Styles Furniture
Dining Area (Before)
A corner off the living area was meant for a dining table, but it had been empty since Cuevas had moved in. He and the girls had been eating meals around the coffee table. Neithart took some measurements and went looking for a right-size table to fill the space.
A corner off the living area was meant for a dining table, but it had been empty since Cuevas had moved in. He and the girls had been eating meals around the coffee table. Neithart took some measurements and went looking for a right-size table to fill the space.
Dining Area (After)
Neithart added a four-seat square table and chairs. The family loves to read together, so two narrow bookcases keep books close by.
Yorkshire 42-inch farmhouse table: Ezekiel and Stearns; Gear side chairs in walnut: Modway; “Born in a Barn I” painting (behind table, top) and “Born in a Barn II” painting (behind table, bottom): Chelsea Art Studio; rattan placemats: Artifacts Trading Co.; Canyon five-piece flatware: William Shepee; Fez 16-piece dinnerware in gray: Euro Ceramica; Raya de Agua striped napkin set in light blue: E by Design; rattan napkin ring set: Kouboo; industrial wall shelf units: Urban Industrial Group
Neithart added a four-seat square table and chairs. The family loves to read together, so two narrow bookcases keep books close by.
Yorkshire 42-inch farmhouse table: Ezekiel and Stearns; Gear side chairs in walnut: Modway; “Born in a Barn I” painting (behind table, top) and “Born in a Barn II” painting (behind table, bottom): Chelsea Art Studio; rattan placemats: Artifacts Trading Co.; Canyon five-piece flatware: William Shepee; Fez 16-piece dinnerware in gray: Euro Ceramica; Raya de Agua striped napkin set in light blue: E by Design; rattan napkin ring set: Kouboo; industrial wall shelf units: Urban Industrial Group
Patio
Neithart also spruced up the patio, accessed from the living room through a sliding glass door. With the addition of a bistro table, chairs, an outdoor rug and some plants, the area extends the family’s living space.
A Breath of Fresh Air collection rug: Kaleen Rugs; Dorchester outdoor bistro set: GDFStudio; Sunstruck Yucca Plant outdoor pillows: DiaNoche Designs
Neithart also spruced up the patio, accessed from the living room through a sliding glass door. With the addition of a bistro table, chairs, an outdoor rug and some plants, the area extends the family’s living space.
A Breath of Fresh Air collection rug: Kaleen Rugs; Dorchester outdoor bistro set: GDFStudio; Sunstruck Yucca Plant outdoor pillows: DiaNoche Designs
Girls’ Bedroom (Before)
The existing toddler beds functioned well, but the girls were outgrowing them. Besides that, there was hardly anything in the bedroom. “‘Sparse’ was the word I kept using,” Neithart says.
Watch now: See this vet’s daughters react to their new bedroom
The existing toddler beds functioned well, but the girls were outgrowing them. Besides that, there was hardly anything in the bedroom. “‘Sparse’ was the word I kept using,” Neithart says.
Watch now: See this vet’s daughters react to their new bedroom
Girls’ Bedroom (After)
Neithart painted the walls a soft coral to liven things up and play better off the brown carpet. She also swapped out the black curtains for custom ones.
Sunlit Coral paint (walls): Benjamin Moore; Clifford foldable shoe rack: Winsome; Birdsong swinging floor lamp: Kenroy Home; “Hello Sunshine” print: Outside In Art Studio; Daisy Beatrice-designed canvas (in larger frame to the left of shutter mirror): KESS InHouse; “Orange Tones” canvas art by Sheila Golden (above shutter mirror): Trademark Fine Art; Coastal shutter mirror in coral: Hickory Manor House; 27-piece cookware play set: KidKraft; kids classic table and chair set: Guidecraft
Neithart painted the walls a soft coral to liven things up and play better off the brown carpet. She also swapped out the black curtains for custom ones.
Sunlit Coral paint (walls): Benjamin Moore; Clifford foldable shoe rack: Winsome; Birdsong swinging floor lamp: Kenroy Home; “Hello Sunshine” print: Outside In Art Studio; Daisy Beatrice-designed canvas (in larger frame to the left of shutter mirror): KESS InHouse; “Orange Tones” canvas art by Sheila Golden (above shutter mirror): Trademark Fine Art; Coastal shutter mirror in coral: Hickory Manor House; 27-piece cookware play set: KidKraft; kids classic table and chair set: Guidecraft
A small-scale dining set creates a play area for the girls.
Lovebird coat rack in bronze finish: SPI; Bigmouth puppet set: Get Ready Kids
Lovebird coat rack in bronze finish: SPI; Bigmouth puppet set: Get Ready Kids
Neithart removed the toddler beds and took advantage of the vertical space with a bunk bed that has two twin beds, a dresser and desks on each end.
Hazel had wanted a bunk bed for the longest time, after seeing her favorite cartoon character, Peppa Pig, with one.
A stand-alone dresser provides additional storage, while two rows of hooks hold the girls’ costumes.
WIlloughby loft bed and Athena chest, both in white: Acme Furniture; ceramic lamp on dresser: Fangio Lighting; Owl Bird Tree II duvet cover: DiaNoche Designs; Baby Elizabeth kids chair in
glossy white: Compamia
Hazel had wanted a bunk bed for the longest time, after seeing her favorite cartoon character, Peppa Pig, with one.
A stand-alone dresser provides additional storage, while two rows of hooks hold the girls’ costumes.
WIlloughby loft bed and Athena chest, both in white: Acme Furniture; ceramic lamp on dresser: Fangio Lighting; Owl Bird Tree II duvet cover: DiaNoche Designs; Baby Elizabeth kids chair in
glossy white: Compamia
Neithart also brought much-needed organization to the closet to accommodate clothes, toys, stuffed animals and books. “It’s overwhelming that someone would do something like this for myself and the girls,” Cuevas says.
Outdoor ikat dot bean bag in orange: Majestic Home Goods
Watch now: See this Marine vet and his daughters react to the surprise makeover
Get the look: Shop for products from this makeover
Your turn: See how to make and use Houzz ideabooks for your own home project
Outdoor ikat dot bean bag in orange: Majestic Home Goods
Watch now: See this Marine vet and his daughters react to the surprise makeover
Get the look: Shop for products from this makeover
Your turn: See how to make and use Houzz ideabooks for your own home project
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Perfect. Well done.
This is a beautiful way to honor a Veteran. Semper fi!