Friday, March 27, 2009

A Bright Bungalow

This beautiful Los Angeles Bungalow caught my eye from the minute I spotted that bright tangerine door. Who could live behind it, I thought, such a bright and bold statement for such a small little house. Then - as pictures allowed me to tour the beauty that rested behind that tangerine door - I found myself coveting, hoping, dreaming, wishing - that someday, this day, TODAY, I'd find myself cozy in a cute California Bungalow with a bright tangerine door. Care to join me for a second look? Let's go!

The entry way sports interesting, ethnic, antique furniture with a silk cushion in yes, tangerine. The art, primitive actually, but beautiful - unique. All of this simplicity leaves the eye wondering, what's going on in here? Is this one of those minimalist Californian vegan's, who happened upon a great dumpster find when on their way to the dendro-activist meeting? But then, as you turn the corner and happen upon the living room ...

It's not minimalist at all! No, in fact, the house is lived in, furnished, and accessorised, styled and for the lack of a better word - LIVING! Check out those plants! And, what's this? A worn down Persian rug? So comforting to know that a beautiful room can exist without sea grass. (Sorry Joni!) I swoon over the rolled arm sofa with bronze nail head trim, the hyacinth reed chairs and the tufted ottoman stacked and stuffed with books, books, and more books!

The sofa boasts a suzani, very popular today - so not at all a surprise - but lets take a closer look at some of the accessories, shall we? A silver tea tray is oh so perfect for that royal blue velvet ottoman, and the clay elephant side table/stool - interesting and, remarkably, not nearly as tacky as I thought it'd look! A smart solution to color coordination in the room - remove the dust jackets from your hardbound books! Look at how they pop here!

And when we remove the palm tree, and replace with an interesting lamp - you see the room really take new form - this time, with an eclecticism that really rings true to my style! Love those Ikat pillows too, and throwing blue into that mix of cream, orange, purple and black, assures us that the owner of this beautiful home has no qualms with color! But just when we were taken with this room there seems to be another in the distance calling our nosy names ...

A second living room? A great idea! More entertaining space - and so convenient for dual use. Here we see more Ikat mixed with pattern and another great eclectic mix of old and new, interesting and blue?

That's right! This room leads right outside to the patio, that sports a beautiful blue fence. We'll get to that, next. For now - lets just marinate in the tranquility of this space.

Styled slightly differently, you really get the idea of how a lazy afternoon could be spent reading your favorite design book, or shelter magazine from the built in settee of this great space. Table space with enough room for your favorite drink, books, and even a toasted pepper and brie on oven roasted focaccia. Mmmm.

By the way - loving these Asian themed pillows! Aren't you? This really is a lesson in mixing interesting fabrics and patterns. Here you can see that even though the choices are bold, the overall look is cohesive. A tip for this, make sure that you keep at least one of your patterned choices neutral - that is mostly one color, with a color in the pattern to coordinate with a color in your secondary pillows. Enough talk about pillows - I'm ready for the outside, aren't you! I mean - with the weather so lovely in California, who wouldn't spend the bulk of their time outside?

And especially with an outdoor space this lovely!? I am in love with this space - its openness, and its styling. Note the copper framed mirror hanging on the side of the house and the sunbrella covered stools in you guessed it, tangerine stripe! This, my friends, is the perfect place to have a party ... until

now! Turning from one area to the next in this place is like a treat in and of itself! What a glorious escape this is, complete with a dining table for 6, and daybed for one, or two if you're sharing that focaccia! I sure wish it came complete with food ...

Ah ha! Ask and you shall receive! Not only food, but drinks and Pottery Barn lanterns, to boot! I'm really starting to like this place.

And in case you're feeling like a rest by the pool - here's a space made just perfect! Not a detail missed. Feel free to lounge about.

I'll be resting here, on the lushly cushioned daybed, covered in beautifully patterned pillows, beneath the boughs of bamboo and lantern light with a cold Corona and lime. Cheers!

38 comments:

  1. Love the house and the rooms and the outdoor, Artie. I like the colors. I use orange and blue in our house a lot...Christine

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  2. What an absolutely fantastic place....thanks for sharing! (I found you by way of Joni!)
    Blessings...

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  3. OH MY - I am right there with you outside with you. that is amazing! And since I am SO not the minimalist, I loved this post. I need to be, but am not. :)

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  4. Artie...What a wonderful surprise behind that tangerine door! I am a very visual person and spent a long time studying the photos!! Amazing! I LOVE that outdoor space! Do I need to move to California?? lol...Thanks!
    Debbie

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  5. Such a unique and stylish, yet comfortable house. I can see why you love it! The outdoor space is awesome!!!

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  6. Hi Artie...are you sure you're not a copy writer for a home style magazine? Your commentary is so wonderful to read! ;-) Bo

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  7. Yes,Artie, I agree with Bo, you do pull us in and right along with your great writing skills. And seriuosly, this is one sweet dwelling place. I know I could move right in and enjoy even though it's far from what I would have chosen in my decor. Clearly I am too staid, as this is very fun and tasteful and COLORFUL!! Love it!
    Suzanne

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  8. love the colors, so inviting! The outdoor space is so lush and looks like a perfect spot for a party!

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  9. Hi Artie,

    Just when I start believing that my tastes have now changed to more neutrals, you show something like this and it blows my mind. Especially as I sit here on a cold rainy day and long for the warmth of a place like California.

    I did buy the set of Toile dishes, but sent them to my son's house in Pa.,now I just have to find a way to sneak them into our house without my husband noticing. ;) I am officially a disaholic.

    Hugs
    'D'

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  10. Lovely actually! You have the best play list ever.

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  11. WOW!! This is a beautiful home. I just love to look at homes when the owner goes with their heart! Not afraid to go out of their box. OH~~~ It is just so cozy and inviting. I'm so glad you stopped by, I put you on my sidebar if that's okay? It's kinda funny I had just been thinking about your beautiful blog but could not find it from your last comment on my blog, so thank-you for stopping by today, now I have it.

    Blessings,

    Ginger

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  12. There are no words for how much I love this post!!! I love to see interesting, classy, spot on design in normal everyday homes. Thanks for visiting my space since it brought me here today. I love when you come visit...

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  13. Oooh God!! Love your blog...

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  14. You're right...so much of it's appeal is that you know you could walk in, kick off your shoes, and put your feet up. It's not stuffy or standoffish...and yet it's still magazine worthy.

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  15. Mornin' Mr. Artie! I am furiously trying to scheme a way to transform at least one of my two decks into something dreamy like the outdoor room photos. That mirror, the containers filled with lush green, absolutely all of it. The interior spaces are equally as gorgeous! I have my work cut out for me. But I am going to do SOMETHING and will eventually post it! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  16. Ivan, I love your blog, and am so ready to decorate my deck for spring, started and then now we have snow in the forecast.
    Your answer to the question below....art, yes, it will make any room feel like new! As it speaks to you choose pieces that will resonate within your heart for years to come. Art is as important as any piece of furniture or custom drapes.

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  17. Thanks so much for the well wishes. I appreciate it so much. My husband bought the rope candle at Cracker Barrel. We had never seen them before either. Have a great week!

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  18. Oh Artie, when you move into this wonderful bungalow, may I just live in the back yard? I'll be very quiet. You won't even know I'm there (until your cocktails and snacks begin to disappear!). I enjoyed this post so much. I also enjoyed all of the outdoor inspiration in your previous post. Beautiful and inspiring. laurie

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  19. Yum, I am loving those egg shaped lamps in that one photo.
    I always have to stop in and see what you are showing us, amazing photos of great spaces, love it!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and you have been tagged my friend!!
    Linda

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  20. I don't know all the different names for the materials and such, so I'll just say this. Move your ass over and make room for me! I wanna bask with you!

    Justine :o )

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  21. This is beautiful. I wonder who is the landscape artist?

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  22. Fabulous bungalow inside and out. I would be very happy there. I love all the colors and it is such an inviting place. Love it all. Thanks for coming by, if you were here I'd love to give you a piece of chocolate pie. Really easy to make, but really good. Thanks again, Hugs, Marty

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  23. I'm in love! All the orange, the Asian theme, all the eclectic pieces...LOVE it all!!

    I must get one of those pillows in the 9th picture down? Do you happen to know where they are from?

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  24. Eclectic heaven! Hurry and move in, Artie and we can be neighbors =)
    xo Isa

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  25. Now THIS is what I call a home that 'HAS IT ALL!!' So beautiful, stylish, but oh so comfy looking. The worn rug just adds character and charm that so many pretty rooms lack...In fact, I have a draft for a post on just things such as this.
    The elephant table just goes to show that anything can be used if the person using it has this much talent to putting a room together.
    I am totally in love with everything about the whole house and yard...just beautiful.
    Thanks for sharing!!
    hugs, bj

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  26. Love the cozy little cottage on you post today! Great ideas in those rooms!

    Carol

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  27. Artie, What an enchanting home. I could move right in and feel very comfortable. Love it!
    Terrie

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  28. What a cute house with all the color and style. Very cozy!

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  29. I had to comeback to go over these photos slowly . . . just beautiful.

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  30. I love it! Love that front door! and WISH it was warm enough out to relax outside on the patio with a cold corona and lime! :)

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  31. Wow, this is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing it with us. The door is unexpected and fun. Love it.
    ~Michelle

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  32. Gorgeous love the tangerine color on the front door it really makes a statement.

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  33. What a perfectly wonderful place. I wouldn't change a thing!

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  34. A DREAM cottage. That blue is my favorite color, and this home is filled with wonderful ideas!

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  35. I love all of the punches of color in this charming bungalow. There is so much to look at and yet it doesn't feel cluttered at all, which is a challenge in a smaller home. The color on the walls in the second living room really makes the room feel cozy. I could imagine spending a lazy sunday in there just reading and relaxing!

    Thank you for the tour.

    xo
    Brooke

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  36. What a treat this is! It is almost like a mini expedition of discovery only to find the treasure back where you started; that being outside. Thanks Artie.

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  37. Thanks for finding me Artie, because I am so glad to find you. I love your blog and all your finds. If you get a chance you need to come to the Spring show here in Texas. I love to look but I also spend too much as well. Thanks again, Heidi

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  38. I keep coming back to read this post and look at the inspiring use of color, texture and pattern. I am a fan of mixing old with new. My hubby hates it, he says it just messes up the new stuff...ugh, no eye for design. What can I say, I married a pilot. I should show him this post, maybe he would see the beauty of it...just maybe. Thanks for the tour.

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