When a young couple with two small children purchased a 1930s Spanish Revival property in Los Angeles, they weren’t set on transforming it into a super modern family home. Instead, they enlisted Candace Shure of Shure Design Studios to keep the “charming character” of the house intact, while updating the layout to reflect their active lifestyle. “That’s why they bought it in the first place,” Shure says.
From preserving original features, including light fixtures and the living room fireplace, to turning the galley kitchen into a spacious cooking space fit for entertaining, every detail was considered. Keep scrolling for before and after images of the dramatic renovation that’s teeming with design inspiration.
Separate rooms with a peninsula.
The homeowners enjoy entertaining, so designer Candace Shure ditched the kitchen’s previous galley layout. She removed the wall between the kitchen and the dining area and installed an L-shaped counter that could be used as a serving area. “We painted it black to create a visual break between the two spaces,” Shure says.
Embrace dark curtains.
The couple, who share a 1-year-old and have a baby on the way, tend toward neutrals, so Shure chose dark drapery rods and window treatments to introduce depth and contrast. “We also punctuated the space with found objects and antiques in darker tones,” she says.
Add tile to an original fireplace.
“To give the room’s focal point more presence, we widened the footprint and replaced stone with decorative tiling,” says Shure. The tiles are from Mission Tile West in South Pasadena, CA.
Frame a window with sconces.
The adjustable lights add a touch of quirky romance. “We love moving the rotating arms and shades to cast light around the space,” Shure says. The sconces are from Architects Design, a Turkey-based Etsy seller.
Linen, velvet and fur — oh my!
It’s what cozy bedrooms are made of. Sherwin-Williams’s Web Gray in a flat finish completes the “restful cocoon.” “The richness was exactly what the room needed to create that moody vibe,” Shure says. A variety of subtle patterns and sumptuous textures enhance the space.
A version of this feature appeared in the November 2023 issue of Good Housekeeping.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.”
Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com where she covered everything from entertainment news to product reviews to pop culture updates.
