When designer Alison Kandler told me that her Santa Monica cottage was going to be featured in HGTV Magazine, I couldn’t wait to see it.
I’d already fallen in love with her fab “farmhouse in the city” and could just imagine how much fun she’d have decorating a smaller place by the beach.
I think the headline in the HGTV Magazine article nailed it: Alison’s interiors always make me smile. How can a room not look happy with periwinkle and green diamonds painted on the floors?
“With its mash-up of cheery colors, charmingly shabby furniture, and mismatched patterns, the house has an upbeat, come-as-you-are feel to it.”
She told the mag she designed the kitchen and a lot of the colors throughout the house around the robin’s-egg blue of her Lacanche range.
The island was painted “Claret Rose” (Benjamin Moore) to match the Anthropologie cabinet knobs and drawer pulls she used. You can see the other side of the kitchen and a closer look at the fabulous range and scalloped-edge hood:
This looks like a life-size, grown-up playhouse that my inner child would like to have tea parties in.
Alison believes, “There’s a way to have lots of color, vibrant prints, and interesting shapes without going over the top.” Many thanks to her for sharing her home with us!
To see more, check the September 2014 issue of HGTV Magazine
(photography by David Tsay) and Alison Kandler’s website.
2020 Update: It’s on the market! You can see the listing on Redfin.
OMiGosh . . . wonderful!
And here I was, trying my best to talk myself out of that navy blue living room I wanted!
Great post!
Funny you mentioned that. I’ve been seeing so many navy blue living rooms that I love lately — makes me want to redecorate mine!
So sweet and girlie! Love all the whimsical accents. I especially love the green harvest table, beamed ceilings, and clawfoot tub. In all the old houses I’ve lived in, I’ve never been lucky enough to have a clawfoot tub. In my opinion, they are the best kind to soak away your troubles. 🙂
It would definitely be hard to dwell on any of your troubles in a tub like that — especially in that cheery color — wouldn’t it? 🙂
Julia, my inner child sat up and squealed when I saw that kitchen, then made a face because I can’t go play there today. This has to be one of my most favorite kitchens ever! Thanks for sharing that pretty place.
That’s exactly how I felt about it, Susan! How fun would it be to cook in there? It’s kind of like a playhouse for grown-up girls. 🙂
Very fun! I love the kitchen a lot too, and I think that the light pink backsplash is my favorite part. It looks so good and vintage-y with the brighter colors. That stove – swoon! I really like how she uses so many colors throughout the house. I’ve never been a fan of rooms that would be ruined by putting in a pillow or something of a totally different color. Nay nay to the matchy-matchy!
(By the way, I’ve also been admiring navy blue living rooms in pictures like the Pottery Barn catalog, etc. I don’t think I’d like it with white trim, though. Maybe matching trim? Or dark wood? It’s fun to ponder.)
I saw those PB rooms, too. Seems like we’re all slowly moving away from turquoise and into the darker tones this fall. Does feel cozier!
aw this is the cutest thing ever makes me smile
i love color and white mix works and just love that kitchen
“There’s a way to have lots of color, vibrant prints, and interesting shapes without going over the top.”
There’s irony if I’ve ever heard it—- these interiors define “over the top.” The rooms are too cute, IMO, and don’t look very comfortable….the seating in the living room especially.
Adorable! So fun and cheery with unexpected color combinations and vintage accents. Definitely reminds me of Mary Engelbreit. Love the dining room wall paper, (even though I’m not a ‘red person’, I suppose it’s more raspberry) with purple light fixtures. That range probably cost more than my car’s worth! I love this kind of look, but could never pull it off. I’m much more sedate, and the houses I’ve lived in didn’t lend themselves to this look – too much stained woodwork, darker wood floors, and antique wood furniture, so I couldn’t do the all white framework with colorful painted floors and furniture. This look does seem more feminine and playfully child-like. Is that a doggie door in the dining room? Alison is certainly fortunate to have two great houses.
Oh, yes, I forgot to point out that they added that little doggie door next to the French doors in the dining room. Good eye, Carolyn!
P.S. Looks like the same light fixtures in the dining room and laundry room! I’ve fallen for those purple shades, too.
I didn’t catch that. You’re right!
P.P.S. I recognize some of the furniture from the other house – that painted trunk and the spool and wicker chairs in the living room. She probably found something else she liked for the main house and these migrated to the beach house – or were they just for the photoshoot?
Yes, and I noticed they were a bit different between the pics on her portfolio (on her website) and in the magazine, too. Always fun to look for the different ways the furniture and accessories are used from one shoot to another! 🙂
A dream!!!!
Wow. Just wow. Too much, too much, too much. I found myself laughing hysterically at her quotes that completely contradicted the house. “There’s a way to have lots of color, vibrant prints, and interesting shapes without going over the top.” Um, well, why didn’t you do that way, then? Your house is terrible! “I love whimsy, but I always add contemporary white elements to balance it out.” Yes, that! I love that! WHY DIDN’T YOU DO THAT? Her house looks like a Mary Engelbreit print had a love baby with a circus tent. It’s an absolute creepy nightmare.
Nowhere in this commentary do I see the words “in my opinion” or “I think”. There is a way to express yourself without coming across as mean spirited. “Your house is terrible”? Come now, let’s keep it friendly and civil, please.
Wow. Sounds like you don’t like it. In my opinion, the house is adorable! To each their own, I guess.
What a precious kitchen!!! That is one happy house!!!
Very cute in a doll/playhouse kind of way, but too much cute/whimsy for me to actually live in, even for a weekend house. It’s a very “boys not allowed*” type place, but the kitchen is adorable.
*Let alone an adult male…I just couldn’t do that to one.
I imagine that if it was full of boys, the fist thing they would do is add an ‘F’ over the ‘ARTS’ letters on the wall, haha.
Probably!
I read in the article that it originally spelled out STAR, but she rearranged the letters. 🙂
Of course, I’m especially interested in that sweet kitchen! What a happy looking house — how could anyone not be happy living in it!
This house looks like something out of a fairytale. It’s so lovely and cheerful.
Hmmmm I dont know. It seems a little…. overly designed, faux-thrifty to me. I mean a $7,800 ++ LaCanche “Cluny” stove in Santa Monica ($$$$$)….. I’d be more impressed with this if the designer had achieved this look on a “regular Joe” budget. (Www.frenchranges.com for the stove)
I love that stove. I WISH I could afford one like that. In my dreams…ha. If she can, then I’m happy for her, though!
Pintastic! I think I’m in love with this house, Julia. 😉
Adorable. Love the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen table area.
The dining space! The range! The everything! I would never be this brave, but I. love. everything! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Well. I can see why some would appreciate a space decorated like this, mostly those of the female gender.
Believe it or not, but I help clean our house, so when I see rooms filled-up with stuff floor to ceiling, I always think “I’d hate to be in charge of the dusting”.
I really like the overhead light sconces running along the center of the kitchen ceiling. Wonder who the manufacturer is?
Love, love, love it! I noticed the doggy door right away because my husband won’t let me have one put in the wall. Just when I think I need to give in to the gray/neutral trend, I see a beautiful home filled with color! Her style makes my heart happy! Thanks for sharing!
Yeah, I don’t think there’s a trace of gray anywhere in this house, is there? I love all the color. Hey, maybe if your husband sees how well this cute little door fits into the dining room he’ll let you have one for your pup, Pam! 🙂
Damn! I love everything about this little house. I would love to live there with the kids. I’m afraid my husband would not be so keen, however. And since were a package deal I’m afraid I’ll need to compromise. 😉
This is a happy, happy, happy house. It really speaks to her artistic side; like she is painting a picture through decor. I would LOVE to have that range. While my own house wouldn’t be this feminine, I’m not really a pink person, I would be totally comfortable and at home here and my kids would be in a wonderland. Isn’t originality wonderful? I really enjoy seeing different styles of homes. I don’t know why it brings out ugly words from people when someone’s home is not how they would do their own.
Totally agree, Patti. Thanks! 🙂
Absolutely adore this colorful house! I could definitely live there!
I noticed they removed all the lighting in the livingroom magazine pic. Only reason I noticed is b/c I’m in the market for new lamps. Hmmm.
They did, didn’t they! Maybe you can see some in her portfolio pics if you click over to her site and check there.
I love the color combos she creates in this house. It works! I usually don’t like wallpaper, but I like what she used. Gives me a few ideas too. I can see why they moved the furniture around for the shoot because it does open the room up some. I can see though why she likes all the mixed seating. It’s fun. That tub! I wish I would have gone bold instead of just a white one.
I like colour but this house is a bit over the top for me. I don’t have to live there though so kudos to her/them for being brave enough to do what they absolutely love! I really appreciate seeing all styles and applaud them for being individual because how boring would it be if everyone decorated in the same way? It is refreshing to see even if it isn’t to my taste.
Hi Julia, thanks for beautiful house that you have shared with us here. This house is really gorgeous and the plants and trees around the house give an elegant touch. Great share.
I think this is a pretty, fun and colorful home. It strikes me as being happy and cheerful and I actually find it a rather refreshing antidote to the gray trend that is all the rage. I wouldn’t describe it as over-the-top, but then I’m drawn to color too, although usually more muted and understated. And though I’d never be able to pull this type of look off I think it would be fun to visit and cook in that kitchen. I just absolutely love that stove. The home that I grew up in had a vintage stove that was pink. I think my mother probably would have liked to have updated, but I recall that stove fondly.
Thanks for featuring this and I’m one of those types of people who likes variety and seeing something different than my taste or style.
Hello,
Love this entire house!
Does anyone know where the shelves in the laundry room came from?
I’m afraid I don’t, but maybe they mention it in the article?