From House To Home

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From outside, this Spanish Mediterranean-style home has aged gracefully since it was originally built in 1926. Defined by a stucco facade, turret tower rising from a red clay roof, and the L-shaped design (which encloses a backyard sanctuary), its elements are timeless. But over the years, changes to the interiors had begun to interrupt the flow—almost like a spine that needed realignment.

Its new owners loved the neighborhood and the home’s classic styling—but they also envisioned some changes. They enlisted the help of builder Victor Farina of Farina & Sons, Inc. and decorators Jennifer Haddock and Katy Weaver of J. Haddock Interiors to help reconfigure and refurbish the interior spaces.

Form follows function and Spanish Mediterranean, with its thick walls and styling, was designed for an age before air conditioning. But the spaces had become too dark and felt confining. To set the wheels in motion for a lighter look, Haddock and Weaver designed a new staircase, which Farina installed. Delicately twisted wrought-iron balustrades replaced a heavy, wooden beamed structure that had out-served its usefulness. With authentic finishes and forms—metal, plaster, hardwood, tile—the designers and the builder worked with the new owners to honor the home’s heritage while at the same time bringing it into a more livable format.

A new master suite was critical, and Farina’s crew set about moving walls to orient the facing and reposition the closets and bathroom. The designers chose a blend of sage greens and creamy accents—but it is the strength of the materials that carries the spaces. The bathroom, for example, features a large walk-in shower area. Calcutta Gold brick-cut marble wainscoting topped in ceramic tile and beautiful limestone floors combine to create a timeless look.

In the kitchen, a warm blend of terra-cotta floor tiles, painted wood cabinets, and golden-colored accents glow with sunshine from the large window. Farina says it was a challenge to even out the previous remodels, and part of his task required plastering all the interiors. That subtle eggshell color sets the tone and contrasts with the dark wood beams of the vaulted ceiling. Haddock and Weaver designed a new island for better workflow and topped it with a mahogany slab. The new countertops are terra-cotta-colored marble and blend with the brick-cut backsplash and accent tiles.

Custom millwork was used throughout to help match existing woods. An original Pecky cypress ceiling in the living room was definitely staying, but old windows were rebuilt, as were the French doors which access the courtyard. “We refurbished; we didn’t replace,“ emphasizes the builder. Working with the decorators, they kept the flavor of an old home without sacrificing functionality. Hardware, lighting, and color were used to complement the new features and maintain the home’s integrity.

With almost 6,000 square feet, the home offers plenty of space. Part of the challenge was to make each room distinct and yet maintain the integrity and authentic elements. A new office space, for example, features dark cherry, floor-to-ceiling bookcases for a masculine appeal. The sunroom sits just off the main family room, a playroom keeps the kids happy, and adults can gather in the main living room and enjoy the parlor-like setting.

The owner admits that she wasn’t originally sure how they would fill the spaces, but has since changed her mind. “I did not think I would like living in this big of a home—it’s actually been really nice. There is room to spread out,“ she says happily.

She knew they were in good hands with Farina & Sons and also credits the designers with being able to offer viable solutions to design issues while incorporating beautiful individual pieces. Since her favorite things tend more toward the formal, she relied on Weaver and Haddock to make suggestions in their quest to lighten, yet maintain, the home’s original characteristics.

“They did a good job of knowing what I like and took that into consideration; they picked things that did justice to the house,“ she explains.

Haddock and Weaver work well together because each has an area of expertise. Weaver, for example, sketched the cast-stone fireplace and drew out the iron pilasters on the new staircase. Haddock relied on her love of color and texture for such details as bullion cording on the newly upholstered sofa and tapestry pillows, which inspired her because she thought they were perfect for the space.

By realigning the interiors and focusing on the home’s strong points, the team of craftsmen, decorators, and homeowners were able to combine the best of old Spanish styling with a cleaner, more efficient floor plan and more vibrant living spaces. The result is a family home that is bright and ready for its next generation.