Renovated Spanish Bungalow in Anaheim

Interior designers Dan and Erin Benedict believe their home for their playground — a place to have fun and experiment with new design ideas. The few transformed their 1924 California bungalow from a neglected little house into a magical and upgraded abode. Although it was important to them to keep lots of the original architectural elements, they managed to upgrade the house and create a space that feels present, flows nicely and works well for entertaining.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Dan and Erin Benedict
Location: Anaheim, California
Size: 898 square feet; 2 bedrooms; 1 bathroom
That is interesting: Erin’s great-grandmother was the first homeowner in 1924, along with the house has been in the family ever since.

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Inviting Adirondack chairs with monogrammed cushions welcome guests into the Benedicts’ cozy porch. The couple installed striped Sunbrelladraperiesto dress up the outside sitting area.When they purchased the home, it had a 1970s-style front doorway with gold diffused glass. Dan replaced it on this doorway, which he constructed himself.

Rods: Benedict August; porch lamp: Kichler

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The cozy family room includes architectural details, like the original lower moldings, that bring out the nature of the house. The couple installed white paneling on the wall to create texture and sophistication.

Erin and Dan both love to couple contrasts — big and small, shiny and matte, smooth and rough. In this area, plaid armchairs comparison with a dark leather couch. A wooden cart java tableprovides storage and display space for books and magazines, and Roman shades dress the windows.

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BEFORE: The kitchen ceiling and walls above were a bright yellow, and the window above the sink was a classic jalousie model which didn’t shut all the way. The floors were avocado-green and harvest-gold linoleum. Dan, who is also a contractor, did all of the remodeling work himself.

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AFTER: Originally, a good wall with a single doorway divided the kitchen and dining space. Dan knocked a wall down to open the rooms to another, making it more practical for entertaining and everyday usage.

Another sink and a small refrigerator in the island are all handy features, especially when the couple throws parties. “We have had parties of 100 people and it didn’t feel crowded,” says Dan.

Appliances: Frigidaire; pendant lighting: Kichler

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The newly renovated dining room connects to the kitchen. A tall dish rack exhibits classic Bauer bowls passed down from Erin’s grandmother.

Paint color: Light Tan, Dunn Edwards; dining seats: Pottery Barn

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Near the laundry area, Dan put in a kitty door into the side of a cupboard as a clever place to put away the litter box. This keeps their feline, Einstein, both happy and discreet.

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The home office homes Dan’s impressive classic rail collection. Ten years ago Erin picked up a train from a flea market as a gift to Dan. Since then he has found the majority of its partners on eBay. Dan has more trains compared to custom-built floating shelves will maintain, therefore he moves the collection.

A few of these trains are produced with surplus tin with classic bottlecap graphics printed on one side, and many others are made of cast iron. “Towards the end of World War I, there was a shortage of cast iron, in order for three years they made a copy of a single locomotive out of tin rather and resumed using cast iron after the war,” Dan explains.

Paint color: Whole Wheat, Dunn Edwards

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This antiqued bronze sculpture is a mini mockup which Dan suggested as a public art piece for the city of Anaheim, though it wasn’t accepted. It’s called”Phonograph in Bloom,” and Dan envisioned it as a tree under which people could sit on seats surrounding the base.

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On the opposite wall, both Erin and Dan installed floating shelves to flank the window. Red Lucite seats from West Elm (no more available) deliver a fun, modern look to this workspace.

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A mini Vitra Panton S seat is one of many mini replicas on display in the office’s open shelving.

“We adore collections. Our home felt as though it was when we finally had our collections on screen,” says Erin.

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BEFORE: The garden was cramped and outdated, and has gone through a significant transformation. The few cleared out tons of grass and weeds and removed a dark patio roof to make way for a new patio.

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AFTER: Erin and Dan made an outdoor living space which may be enjoyed all year round in California’s mild weather.

The patio is made of poured, colored slate and concrete. The elevated planters and planters are clad in piled stone. The windows on the garage, once covered with pubs, now seem fantastic with black shutter awnings. The three-car garage and artwork studio are accessible from the alley in the back.

Patio dining seats: Restoration Hardware; mirrored chandeliers: Z Gallerie

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A rock water fountain creates a calming vibe to the outside dining room. The patio provides a great view of Disneyland’s nightly fireworks during summer time.

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Lush landscaping creates a private hangout close to the outside fireplace. This is one of Erin’s favorite spots because it gives a comfortable, tranquil yet secluded atmosphere. Orange bougainvillea bursts with color, and party lights from a former event still hang.

Each year the couple throws a party for the Oscars, with guests enjoying the show on a large outdoor movie screen.

Patio couch seats: Restoration Hardware

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The horizontal roof with red tiles and the stucco siding are extremely typical of an early California Spanish bungalow. Two big potted spiral topiaries framework the porch.

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Erin’s proudest homeowner instant was when her grandmother, who grew up in the house, seen and said,”This feels like home. It should have been this way”

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