A REVAMPED GEM

See how a neglected bungalow is transformed into a charming, retro haven with a curb appeal boost.

A designer revamps a derelict bungalow into a charming,

retro retreat.

COURTYARD CURB APPEAL. Julia Chasman gave this Spanish bungalow some much-needed curb appeal, with decomposed granite, a fresh paint job with bright accent colors and a Spanish-style fountain she designed herself. The fountain is now a focal point that can be enjoyed from inside or outside the home.

When you come across a neglected home, do you see an eyesore on the street or a diamond in the rough? For designer Julia Chasman, old homes speak to her and inspire her to revive them with retro elegance and vintage charm. When she stumbled across a rundown Spanish bungalow in Eagle Rock, California, she knew that she wanted to restore the home to its former glory and pass it along to new homeowners. “When I saw this place it was very sad looking, but I saw the potential in what it could be,” Julia says. She bought the home and poured her heart and soul into restoring the entirety of the property, leaving nothing untouched.

ADMIRATION OF DESIGN

With all the care and attention to detail Julia puts into her restorations, simply calling her a house flipper wouldn’t do her work justice. Once the restoration was completed, Julia staged the house using items from her personal collection of vintage furniture and accessories. “My style and taste in decor is drawn from multiple influences. Like most designers, I like to mix high-low if

I can. This is reflected in the quality of the furnishings and in the artwork,” Julia says.

Her design style mixes vintage and antique finds with modern floor plans and bright colors. “I take great pleasure in the mix—and the hunt—to find things for free,” she adds. “I found the brightly colored guest-bedroom chair in the street and painted it myself with four coats of Farrow & Ball’s Blazer in high gloss. Then I recovered the seat with the same honeycomb-pattern fabric that’s on the upholstered chair in the living room.”

The high-low approach is also, of course, budget friendly. “Lighting is a great place to mix. The living room has a very good piece of English sunset glass on the ceiling fixture and handmade wrought-iron sconces with antique mica shades above the fireplace, but I used Home Depot Schoolhouse globes in the hallway, and a mix in the kitchen of inexpensive factory-style pendants over the island and a good Schoolhouse Electric reproduction pendant over the sink. The country chandelier in the dining room is from World Market.”

“I enjoy sharing my vision with others, and I want to show off the home as I see fit,” Julia says. “It’s bittersweet to sell a home that I’ve poured so much into, but being so emotionally involved makes the experience more rewarding.”

MISSION STATEMENT. The dining room table is a new piece that has a vintage feeling to it. The distressed wood complements the revamped oak flooring and pairs well with the dark-brown trim used around the windows of the home. The room is tied together with faux-vintage lighting fixtures, rugs and wall accessories.

She bought the home and poured her heart and

soul into restoring the entirety of the property,

leaving nothing untouched.

|RIGHT| CENTER STAGE. The original living room window remains a focal point of this space. It looks out on the plants living in the newly redesigned front yard and the brand new Spanish-style fountain. Julia stripped off layers of vinyl tile in every room to reveal the original oak flooring underneath.

|BOTTOM LEFT| COLOR ME VINTAGE. The mixing of old and new is one of Julia’s favorite aspects of interior design. Here she incorporated a turquoise desk that brings in a pop of color. The desk is paired with a chair she found on the street, which she repainted and reupholstered herself. The desk accessories include a midcentury lamp, a vintage Royal typewriter found at an estate sale and pieces from Julia’s needlepoint collection.

|BOTTOM RIGHT| BLEND IT IN. “Modern décor is all about mixing,” says Julia. She combines this midcentury Lane dresser with accessories from her personal collection. “I try to mix high-low if I can.” Taking expensive pieces and mixing them together with inexpensive flea-market finds is a great way to bring retro style to your home.

GEM OF A KITCHEN. One of the biggest transformations to take place in this home was the renovation of the kitchen. Julia took down walls that separated a breakfast nook, dining room and galley kitchen and opened it all up into one large space. The pipes were rearranged and windows were moved to better suit the space. The rich sage green and deep reds bring warmth to this newly remodeled room.

COOL, CALM AND COLLECTED. The sage green used for the custom cabinetry brings a cheerful feeling to the space. Adding more storage in the kitchen expanded the kitchen significantly, and makes the room bright and spacious.

|BOTTOM LEFT| HEART OF ART. Of the many vintage pieces from her personal collection, this poster brought back from France is one of Julia’s favorites. The color scheme fits perfectly with the space she designed, and the subject matter seemed ideal for kitchen décor.

|BOTTOM RIGHT| RETRO REVIVAL. The inclusion of this 1952 O’Keefe and Merritt stove brings a vintage charm to the kitchen. The stove was restored and reglazed to make it look brand new. The white subway tile and polished chrome accents pair well with the greens used throughout the kitchen.

LOVE AND CARE

Julia takes special care of the homes she decides to restore, and she understands the challenges of taking on older properties. “First and foremost, a home needs to be functional as well as livable,” Julia says. She took this idea to heart by tearing down a few walls to create a more open and modern flow, replacing the electrical system and rearranging pipes. She made some great additions including a 1920s-inspired second bathroom that wasn’t there before and a patio outside the master suite. “You can have vintage charm and style with modern conveniences,” Julia states.

Her additions reflect the age of the bungalow, and every decision is made with the house in mind. “I usually just go with my gut on projects like these,” she says. “I try not to worry too much or second guess myself.”

MORE THAN INVESTMENT

For Julia, restoring homes is a labor of love and is much more than searching for a return investment. “Not everyone wants a vintage-style home, and that’s okay,” Julia says. Her inclusion of classic elements stays true to the home’s history, and as she moves on to new projects, she feels how rewarding the process can be. “I believe my houses attract the buyers they are meant to. There are enough people out there who appreciate what I do and respond to the home the way I do, with love and admiration.”

COLORING CHARM. Bright pops of color are shown through original artwork, painted furniture and a new rug to tie everything together. Fresh flowers complete the décor on this distressed cabinet and are one more way the interior is tied with the outdoors.