topic Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE in Home

SANTA MONICA HOUSE

Oznell — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 17:06:08 GMT

This pretty family house was apparently even more white before it got a refresh. The brief for the design team was to warm it up a bit, while retaining the clean white aesthetic. The wallpaper, interesting (but possibly controversial) touches of forest green, and cozy rug in living room seem to be moves in that direction.

I feel the main dining area needs something-- that long row of chairs is too utilitarian. Needs more "personalization".

Breakfast area:

The family room's use of textures and sumptuous, comfy fabrics is masterful:

I seriously love this master bedroom.

Nice child's bedroom:

Do you think they warmed up the house sufficiently? Of course, the stark white we are seeing on camera may be a warmer, creamier white in real life, therefore not looking quite so clinical.

I think they did quite well with introducing the earthy organic touches of greens, indigos, straw color, and all the textures. A few antiques and reclaimed woods, and the soft Oriental rugs really help. I'd like even more color, but that's me.

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

stevieb — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 17:31:43 GMT

@Oznell I'm sure this is a nice house and probably worth a small fortune in that neighborhood... I see some elements I really like, but overall don't find the decor to be anything I'd write home about. As for warming it up, for what they likely paid their decorator, i'd say the job wasn't well done... I'd also note that I don't like Mid-Century in any way, shape or form and there are simply too many chairs that fit that bill for me to like several of the rooms featuirng them, including the living, breakfast and dining rooms. I love the weathered looking desk in the bedroom, the chest in front of the window in the family room and like the black hutch in the dining room. Personally, despite the warming elements you mentioned, I don't think you 'warm' a house with hunter greens, greys, blacks and contemporary lighting...

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

spiderw — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 17:46:44 GMT

For me it is still too stark and white. I would put in many more changes in each room to warm them up. As it is , it isn't appealing and doesn't draw me in. Sometimes just the touches of paint colors, curtains/drapes, wall decor can change rooms.

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

Somertime — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:20:46 GMT

@Oznell I usually like almost everything you post but unfortunately not this one. For me there is nothing that has been softened. For me, it is very stark, sterile and cold. Nothing inviting especially the seating arrangement in the living room in front of the fireplace. I find the furniture odd and not a good mix. I don't care for matchy, matchy but I prefer them to relate in some way.

Dinning room table is fine, works with the hutch but I do not care at all for the choice of chairs or the two vases on top of the table. For me, the whole perspective is off.

In the Master Bedroom, the light fixture is completely modern and does not work well with all the rustic pieces. Do not care for the loveseat at the bottom of the bed on top of the two chairs and two rustic stools. Think it should be one or the other.

It is not pleasing to me, nor does it say, Come in, sit, visit for awhile.

Not that any of this matters because I am sure they are quite pleased with the outcome and that is what's important.

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

loriqvc — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:34:24 GMT

I totally agree with @Somertime; the furniture is so distracting to me that I barely paid attention to the rest of the decor and color scheme. The overall layouts of most of the rooms seem very uninviting and staged, and things just don't seem to coordinate well. To answer @Oznell's question, I do think the home isn't too stark white, and I actually don't mind the touches of wallpaper, but this home just seems "off" in many ways.

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

colliemom4 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:42:08 GMT

@Oznell The only thing I don't like is the grey kitchen. It's well done. I just don't care for a grey kitchen. I would like to have seen a richer warmer look in that room. What do you think? The room with the grey sofa looks quite cozy and is my favorite. The antiques fit in well and definitely add interest.

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

shoptilyadropagain — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:56:14 GMT

I need some color on a lot of the walls for me to like it.

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

Desertdi — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:58:35 GMT

I lived in Santa Monica for 20 years.............a house that size is worth MILLIONS........

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

Oznell — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 19:02:38 GMT

Perceptive feedback on this place-- fascinating to hear reactions.

@colliemom4, that's a good question-- I'll have to think about that and get back to you...

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

GenXmuse — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 19:24:45 GMT

Very colorless and unimaginative. Everything looks straight out of Crate and Barrel which is also colorless and unimaginative.

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

colliemom4 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 20:35:00 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
I lived in Santa Monica for 20 years.............a house that size is worth MILLIONS........

@Desertdi Yes it would be. I would think even a small piece of land there may be worth that much?

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

colliemom4 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 21:50:49 GMT

@GenXmuse wrote:
Very colorless and unimaginative. Everything looks straight out of Crate and Barrel which is also colorless and unimaginative.

It is very contemporary looking but I like it. I don't find it boring. We all like different things.

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

Desertdi — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 21:14:27 GMT

@colliemom4 wrote:
@Desertdi wrote:
I lived in Santa Monica for 20 years.............a house that size is worth MILLIONS........
@Desertdi Yes it would be. I would think even a small piece of land there may be worth that much?

@colliemom4 Santa Monica is densely populated. There is no "vacant" land.......... Old buildings are demolished in order to put up new construction.

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

colliemom4 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 21:30:54 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
@colliemom4 wrote:
@Desertdi wrote:
I lived in Santa Monica for 20 years.............a house that size is worth MILLIONS........
@Desertdi Yes it would be. I would think even a small piece of land there may be worth that much?
@colliemom4 Santa Monica is densely populated. There is no "vacant" land.......... Old buildings are demolished in order to put up new construction.

@Desertdi Someone I know inherited a home near there and said the land would be worth a lot. That's the only reason I brought it up.

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

Desertdi — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 21:48:38 GMT

@colliemom4 wrote:
@Desertdi wrote:
@colliemom4 wrote:
@Desertdi wrote:
I lived in Santa Monica for 20 years.............a house that size is worth MILLIONS........
@Desertdi Yes it would be. I would think even a small piece of land there may be worth that much?
@colliemom4 Santa Monica is densely populated. There is no "vacant" land.......... Old buildings are demolished in order to put up new construction.
@Desertdi Someone I know inherited a home near there and said the land would be worth a lot. That's the only reason I brought it up.

@colliemom4 Yes, and the closer to the beach, the more $,$$$,$$$(!)

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

SXMGirl — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 21:59:08 GMT

@Oznell I am definitely in the minority here because I love the house. I find it to be calm and relaxing. I did not see any wallpaper, so I don't know what was controversial.

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

Oznell — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 22:31:49 GMT

I'm back, @colliemom4, and have thought about your kitchen question. (And thank you for asking, and stimulating more discussion!) Like you, I'm not a big fan of gray cabinets-- it's funny though, because on my monitor the color looks more of an interesting stormy blue-gray, so it didn't bother me that much! The kitchen, although not my favorite, I think is fine for the house.

I'm torn, because like @SXMGirl, I do find the house relaxing and spacious, but the dining room bothered me, looking too regimented or something. The rest of the house, if it just had a bit more color, to me would be a very pleasant family house. Of course, I do like quirky, one of a kind effects, but for some reason, I don't mind the slightly generic feel of this house. Maybe because they threw in some of my beloved midcentury touches, along with a few mouth-watering antiques and rugs!

I still think when I look at it, "nice, casual California house".

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

GingerPeach — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 23:04:04 GMT

I love the look of this cabinet/hutch. About 25 years ago, I painted the bathroom cabinets in my upstairs bathroom black with an undertone showing through.

The house gives me the impression it's rented, as in airbnb perhaps. I see nothing personal.

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

colliemom4 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 23:07:53 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
I'm back, @colliemom4, and have thought about your kitchen question. (And thank you for asking, and stimulating more discussion!) Like you, I'm not a big fan of gray cabinets-- it's funny though, because on my monitor the color looks more of an interesting stormy blue-gray, so it didn't bother me that much! The kitchen, although not my favorite, I think is fine for the house.

I'm torn, because like @SXMGirl, I do find the house relaxing and spacious, but the dining room bothered me, looking too regimented or something. The rest of the house, if it just had a bit more color, to me would be a very pleasant family house. Of course, I do like quirky, one of a kind effects, but for some reason, I don't mind the slightly generic feel of this house. Maybe because they threw in some of my beloved midcentury touches, along with a few mouth-watering antiques and rugs!

I still think when I look at it, "nice, casual California house".

@Oznell Thank you for sharing your opinion regarding the cabinets. I didn't see any blue at all. That would probably make me dislike them even more. I will say I like the kitchen cabinets and they are updated, so that's a big plus for me. I'm sure I could live with it or change it if I owned the home.

I had to go back and look and the dining room pic and now I think I understand your thoughts about that particular space. The dining room table looks more like something you'd conduct a business meeting at than dine. It's very different. I think I'd change it.

I also get the nice, casual California feeling when I look at it. It seems perfect for the area.

Re: SANTA MONICA HOUSE

jannabelle1 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 23:15:37 GMT

The first word that came to mind is "sterile"....this should be such a beautiful home, but it lacks warmth. The ceiling in the living is beautiful, but it's barely noticeable because it just blends in with the walls. I think the decor totally missed the mark on this one, but if the owners are happy - well, good for them!!