Eclectic Modern With a Vintage Splash
After Asher and Jessica Richter first set eyes on this neglected Santa Monica, California, bungalow, they were willing to overlook the home’s obvious troubles. The lawn was overgrown, the ground plan was bloated and the whole interior had an update. Fortunately, the big-ticket items — like the foundation, plumbing, electrical and roof — were all structurally sound. “We loved the California bungalow architecture and felt confident purchasing the home with renovation projects in your mind,” Asher says.
The Richters possess their own custom furniture and interior decorating business, Weego Home, and considered that the home an perfect spot in which to place their skills to use. As their own customers, they had the liberty to create an interior filled with color, pattern and texture — a look they have dubbed “eclectic modern with a classic splash.”
In forming their vibrant and modern beach bungalow, the Richters maximized every square inch on the way. Here is how they did it, along with tips on decorating small spaces.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Asher and Jessica Richter, using their own 3 rescue dogs (Benny, Rosie and Coco-Bean)
Location: Santa Monica, California
Size: 950 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Weego Home
At just under 450 square feet, the living room is the greatest room in the home. To make the room feel even more spacious, “We chose furniture with clean lines which offered extra storage or had open bases,” Asher says. There are definite views through Kartell’s Louis Ghost chairs, and open bases on the coffee table and ottomans, which came from their store.
Past a fresh layer of plaster, the fluctuations in the living room were largely decorative. Vintage-inspired components like sea grass background, a Sputnik chandelier plus a hanging wicker chair present groovy retro style.
Rocky Coffee Table and Rocky Ottomans, both by Weego Home
Weego Home
The Richters’ media cupboard is customizable. “This particular piece has alternating panels of 3 inset drawers and/or two floating shelves, with media cutouts in the back to accommodate our TV components,” Asher says. He also saved visual distance by floating the TV on the wall. This left the cupboard top open for displaying accessories.
Media cupboard: Miranda Cabinet, Weego Home
Weego Home
A mirror-faced side table reflects Benny, who appears to love all the playful patterns at the living space. “We used mirror components and glass lamps using natural colors to reflect light into the snug space and help keep the open texture,” Asher explains.
Eva Side Table: Weego Home
Weego Home
“Clients often fear mixing colors or patterns, and end up having a lackluster outcome,” Asher says. “By maintaining bigger items impartial, we could incorporate layers of color through accent accessories and items.”
Weego Home
The kitchen was the very first and most extensive project the owners handled. They exchanged everything, installing new hardwood floors,high-gloss white cabinets and stainless steel appliances. They added color with accents, such as a brilliant green mosaic backsplash and bright orange chairs. The pendant light adds another dash of green.
They kept the kitchen’s design lighthearted, including chalkboard paint showing off a treasured Acapulco chair fruit basket they received as a housewarming gift.
Pendant light: Covered in Galbraith and Paul’s Beads cloth; seats: Lucy Side Chair, Bend Seating
Weego Home
After handling the kitchen, the couple moved on to the bathrooms, which were completely functional but felt dated and cramped. Light colors, reflective tiles as well as an anemone-like sconce lighten the room in the master bathroom, whereas a floating vanity and transparent glass shower stall make the space feel bigger.
Inspired by timeless 1920s style, the owners chose 2-inch from 2-inch Carrara marble hexagonal tiles to the flooring. They added a contemporary touch with rectilinear green tiles. “We depended on translucent tiles to not just avoid overpowering the space, but to create a fluid environment motivated by the ocean,” Asher says.
Weego Home
To keep the open idea, the Richters chose a floating toilet vanity. “We picked the Fresca Nano Bathroom Vanity in walnut, since it had a simple, compact design, and the finish complemented the soothing color palette flawlessly,” Asher says.
Light fixture: Spazia Pistillo (stopped; Robert Abby creates a simliar one); marble tiles: The Builder Depot; glass tiles, Tomei Falling Water, Platinum Green, Westside Tile and Stone
Weego Home
A similar design approach was used by the couple in their guest toilet.
Weego Home
While most of the primary elements are the same like in the master bathroom, this peacock painting inspired more vibrant accent pieces in the guest bathroom. “By maintaining the color of the toilet flooring, tile, paint and fixtures calm, we could incorporate pops of green and yellow with items like the towels, hand soap and orchids,” Asher says. “Bringing lively elements into a calm space keeps the design interesting and bright.”
Weego Home
“The bedroom is the most private part of any home; the space should feel refreshing yet indicate serenity and romance,” Asher says. For the serenity section, the homeowners chose soothing gray bedding and Ferm Living’s Family Tree Wallpaper in silver.
About the dividers they combined solid linen drapery with sheer trestle-pattern panels in West Elm, to elicit a light, airy texture. They layered in color, with yellow cushions, gold finials, canary floral accents and turquoise glass table lamps.
Weego Home
A timeless Florence Broadhurst wallpaper adds a lively touch. “We created a custom wall panel with stretched egrets cloth to bring in pattern without overpowering the small guest room,” Asher says.
This midcentury-inspired sofa is a custom design from Weego Home and can be made into a sleeper. The couple discovered the mirror-topped hexagonal tables at a Palm Springs flea market. “They are moved around for entertaining and supply added character without consuming too much space,” Asher says.
Table lamp: Georgia Lamp, Jonathan Adler; sofa: Weego Home
Weego Home
“We love to try unique shapes, patterns and color combinations until we find a mixture that works,” Asher says. “We produce symmetry among cushions and frequently realize our eye prefers accessories in pairs.”
