Cottages & Bungalows November 2010 issue features a project close to interior designer, Sarah Barnard's heart, her parents South Bay residence.
Hometown Treasure: A neglected 1912 bungalow is restored to its former glory.
By Rebecca Ittner
Photography by Mark Tanner
Styled by Sarah Barnard
Max the dog relaxes on the classic Craftsman porch that his owner, Don Barnard, built using salvaged Douglas fir planks. Don uncovered the beautiful wood ceiling after scraping away many layers of paint. Family heirlooms take center stage: one rocker once belonged to Don's grandfather and the other to his wife's grandfather. The table belonged to Don's grandmother.
As with most projects in this home, Don used his vast knowledge and talents to mend this circa 1880 Victorian floor lamp and the armchair upholstered in mauve mohair. Though he had a contractor build the fireplace, Don made the bookcases and mantel using reclaimed Douglas fir.
The early-1900s Winchester rifle once belonged to Louis Zamperini. Don gave it a place of honor above the fireplace. The mantel clock is an original by the Seth Thomas Clock Company, model no. 89, with"eight-day pendulum movement."
A perfect accent to the ceiling lamp, the signed Quezal wall sconce sports "pulled feather" shades. The photos are of the home's most famous resident, Louis Zamperini, as he arrived at the Long Beach, California, airport in 1945 after being a POW in World War II.
Made of walnut wood, the chair once belonged to Don's grandfather. Don and his daughter, Sarah, made the matching ottoman as a project when she was in design school.
A circa 1901 signed Quezal brass ceiling lamp graces the ceiling in the living room. Its shades are in the "pulled feather" design, which can also be seen on the room's sconces.
Bonnie Mae found this circa 1912 Mahogany player piano at a yard sale when her children were young. At the time, it was in dilapidated condition--it had no ivory on the keys and was scratched and dinged. She saved for more than three years to be able to have it fully restored. A 1935 Edison brass blade oscillating fan, antique globe lamp and early-1900s painting create a balanced composition.
This player song roll is just one in the Barnard's collection. The roll includes lyrics so that people can sing along as it plays.
Don and Bonnie Mae purchased this circa 1920 Queen Anne table and chairs from Don's grandmother shortly after they were married, more than 38 years ago.
Part of Bonnie Mae's extensive antique milk glass collection, these pieces feature a grape-and-vine design.
A wedding gift from Bonnie Mae's mother, this vintage Heritage Hall Staffordshire Ironstone sets a beautiful table. On the back of one of the plate is inscription: "A typical home of the "Vieux Carre" district of New Orleans. Genuine hand engraving."
Don designed and made the dining room's built-in buffet of Douglas fir, based on photographs of the original one that had been torn out in one of a series of remodels.
The cheery kitchen holds Bonnie Mae's prized teapot collection as seen on the display rail built by Don. A circa 1900 oak crank wall phone rests above the circa 1869 oval drop leaf table and chairs.
The circa 1880 Victorian love seat in mauve mohair and cut Belgian velvet graces the boxed bay that Don deigned and built. The casement windows were salvaged from a demolition site and, with minimal adjustments, perfectly fit into the original window frames.
A walnut Victorian table topped with a c.1901 signed Quezal lamp and signed Leegras vase turns a plain corner into an artful display.
Vintage lace bedding, a recent thrift-store find, graces the circa 1900 iron Murphy bed.
The claw-foot tub, pedestal sink, toilet and medicine cabinet, all circa 1912, were salvaged from the bungalow court where Don saved many items from going to the landfill. The light fixture is a reproduction.
Don built the grape arbor from redwood trellis. The arbor is visible through the bay windows.
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SARAH BARNARD is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), is certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), and is recognized by the International Institute for Bau-Biologie & Ecology as a Building Biology Practitioner (BBP) and by the United States Green Building Council as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP). She serves on the Santa Monica Conservancy’s board of directors and specializes in green interior design and historic preservation. For more information about Sarah and her practice visit www.sarahbarnard.com
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