The kitchen is often said to be the heart of the home, but in this Del Mar neighborhood abode, the heart is in the originality that has been diligently and lovingly invested by its owners. Built in 1936 and true to the architecture of the time, the original layout had multiple small rooms with low human-scale ceiling heights. Today, after eight years of hard work and patience, the three-bed, three-bath open-concept bungalow is the epitome of color and character.
A welcoming atmosphere captures guests as they enter the living room, where splashy artwork, primarily from local artists, offers insight into the family’s vibrant life. Custom built-in shelving displaying memorabilia and treasures from the owner’s past and present emphasizes the charm.
A large sunset canvas painted by Jeffery Neel McDaniel sits atop the original oak fireplace, anchoring the room with a variegated palette that establishes color selections for the upcycled furniture pieces. “I really want people to feel comfortable when they come in,” remarked the owner of the artistic home.
Adjacent to the living room is a cheerfully appointed playroom full of art supplies for the owners’ children, emphasizing the importance of creativity in each of their lives. A sizable energetic painting by Abby Kiel contributes to the room’s playful disposition. The artist, a personal friend, introduced the owners — thus beginning their story as a family. Its impressive scale and presence in an inner space signifies a sense of togetherness and a nod to the layered history of the family.
At each turn, visitors are met with echoes of adventures the family have taken together. Nods to West Indies and Moorish styles are interspersed throughout, highlighting a sampling of the owner’s cultural influences. The dining room subtly represents the family’s tropical vacations with a surround of celadon green touches and jungle-esque palm wallpaper. Dark teak case goods recall the original stained wood flooring and showcase the painted splendors that adorn the walls above.
Photographs taken by the owner on a Mexican vacation add authenticity to the charismatic gathering space by highlighting the entryway into the kitchen. Redondo cement tiles imported from Mexico are inlaid into the surrounding red oak flooring, serving as a vibrant accent runner that elongates the room and directs the eye to the chalkboard focal wall used as a “central command” for family messaging.
While the home is approximately 3,000 square feet, the layout suggests a life lived more intimately. The primary bedroom with a daybed in the center exemplifies this intentionality — it’s a place where the family can bond and have the occasional slumber party together. “I wanted it to reflect how we live our lives,” the homeowner said.
Inspired by African journeys, the bedroom is styled in earth tones, graphic patterns and textures. Handwoven baskets surrounding unique taxidermy mounts accent the vaulted ceiling. A dynamic painting centered between two genuine African blades exudes a cultured impression while complementing the space with its alluring color palette.
The owners expressed deep value in maintaining the originality of the house by preserving it as much as possible while making it their own.
“I wanted to reflect that it was built in the 1930s,” they said. “We tried to bring in shapes and colors that reflect that period but are fun and weird.” Each art piece and memento has a story and a personal meaning to the owners. Every aspect of the house, inside and out, brims with artistry and openheartedness and embodies the heart and soul of the family.
