RARE BEAUTY

Two worlds come together in this California home with a renewed color palette and personalized touches.

See how this California home combines traditional features with personal touches, modern flair and a renewed color palette.

How do you combine traditional features with modern flair and bold color?

This was the challenge presented to designer Jennifer Wallenstein of September Workshop when the homeowners of a Tarzana, California, home were ready to freshen things up without starting from scratch.

“The mother [who worked closely with the designer] wanted the house to feel more approachable and of-the-moment, but she didn’t want to tear it all down,” Jennifer explains. “It was a question of being strategic, while honoring the bones and preserving the character of the house.”

The remodel was a balancing act that required an eye for detail and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. Every room demonstrates a thoughtful compromise, whether it is a traditional profile with updated fixtures, or modern furniture with classic materials and fabrics.

BLENDED PERFECTION

Creativity abounds in the home’s carefully recrafted kitchen. Though the design of the original cabinetry was preserved, the cabinets were refinished in a soft, warm shade of white, and cabinet outlines were painted in a taupe hue to pick up on the darker tones in the hardwood floor.

Color was a huge consideration, and Jennifer spent a lot of time looking at different whites with the homeowner. Ultimately “we opted for a creamy white backsplash, as opposed to an icy white backsplash that you see a lot these days,” Jennifer says. “It created a seamless transition between the old and new elements.”

The remodel was a balancing act that required an eye for detail and a willingness to embrace the unexpected.

During the transformation, small details were not forgotten. Open cabinets were wallpapered with striped and floral patterns to create a layering effect and a stunning backdrop for antique dinnerware, a collection of cake plates and a few cookbooks. Polished nickel fixtures—as opposed to colder chrome and brass— bring about a subtle transition and contribute to the overall goal of a harmonious aesthetic.

EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS

While the layout in the kitchen was left untouched, one addition to the nook was an absolute must for the homeowner: a banquette. “She loves to entertain, and the dinning room is quite formal, so the banquette created the perfect space for casual get-togethers,” Jennifer explains.

Unused French doors behind the banquette were removed and replaced with a bay window to enjoy the gorgeous view of the backyard. Light pours in through the windows most days, and the homeowner always has fresh flowers on the table, making for a dreamy ambience year-round.

BUILDING A BRIDGE

Every boundary was pushed in doing this modern rendition of the house—that included the use of dramatic colors and wild patterns, especially in the living room. “The living room felt too neutral, and we wanted to balance the brightness of the kitchen with something a little moodier,” Jennifer says.

The desk—which was painted a dark aqua—is the perfect example of a risk that succeeds and makes its mark. Meanwhile, the rest of the living room pairs softer hues with pops of color in décor pillows and fabric-covered furnishings.

LASTING IMPRESSIONS

Color played a pivotal role in the renovation, breathing new life into beloved spaces, such as the daughter’s bathroom and the new en suite bathroom, created especially for the homeowner’s mother-in-law, who visits often.

“We started with yellow and beige undertones and transitioned to a cooler palette of blues and greens. It was almost like a revolt in the other direction,” Jennifer laughs. “The homeowner wasn’t afraid to take bold risks, and they paid off.”

|LEFT| LOVE, TARZANA. The family of five lives on a beautiful property set back from the road. It’s a peaceful, enclosed space, perfect for entertaining and hosting—both indoors and outside.

|ABOVE LEFT| BALANCE IS KEY. To tone down the brightness of the kitchen, the homeowner opted for a darker aesthetic in the living room. But it’s not without its own flair. The modern-style, barrel-back chair was covered in a classic floral pattern, while the coffee table adopted a bold blue Shibori fabric.

A BANQUETTE FOR BANQUETS. “The kitchen and nook area is the center of the home; it’s in heavy rotation,” Jennifer explains. The built-in was an essential addition, allowing the homeowner to host large gatherings in an intimate and casual setting.

|ABOVE LEFT| PRETTY & PRACTICAL. “We discovered a hairline fracture, so we needed to replace the sink. It was a functional choice at first, but it ended up in a better place, aesthetically speaking,” Jennifer says. The new apron sink and rather traditional faucet hardware add a charming and dreamy appeal.

|ABOVE RIGHT| A SLEEK ADDITION. The custom hood was crucial in terms of striking a balance between modern and traditional. It brings out the color in the nickel hardware and makes the kitchen feel both refined and refreshed.

A UNIQUE UNDERTAKING. “The cabinetry was beautiful to begin with, but the homeowner wanted something lighter and brighter,” Jennifer says. The countertops were replaced with honed Caesarstone quartz for a glossy and subtle shimmer, and a custom range hood was added for modern appeal.

|RIGHT| SMART & STYLISH STORAGE. These wicker baskets pull right out of the cubbies and can be placed on the counters. They’re extremely functional, but they also add a dash of warmth to the deep-blue cabinetry.

|ABOVE RIGHT| CAKE CRAZE. This is only a fraction of the homeowner’s extensive cake plate collection. Curated over a lifetime, the collection includes precious family heirlooms and souvenirs.

|ABOVE RIGHT| NATURAL WARMTH. “This side table is modern, but the material is a beautiful walnut that can be used in more traditional settings,” Jennifer says. “It’s all about balance, so if we used a modern shape, we tried to make a compromise with the materials.”

|ABOVE LEFT| CUSTOMIZED COOL. “This custom-made cabinet has a French-antique vibe, but we added a modern touch with muted glass,” Jennifer says. The choice was functional too. The cabinet contains napkins and tablecloths for entertaining, so it’s easy for the homeowner to find what she’s looking for, and it doesn’t look too cluttered.