Houzz Tour: Beauty Restored to a 1930s Spanish Colonial Revival Home
Original details have been painstakingly preserved or reproduced in this Santa Barbara home
Becky Harris
August 28, 2016
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
This Santa Barbara, California, house was in bad shape, but it had designer and Spanish Colonial Revival aficionado Clark Collins at hello. Its maintenance had been deferred since about 1984: The roof, plumbing and electrical system needed replacing, the window frames were rotting and the driveway needed to be ripped out. “The shell was in OK condition, but other than that it was in tough shape,” Collins says. “I could see the potential, though.” By respecting the architecture during the renovation and using elements from the 1930s in the interiors, he restored his clients’ home to its original glory.
Photo by Holly Lepere
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: This is the second home of a couple who live in Los Angeles.
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Size: 985 square feet (91.5 square meters); two bedrooms, one bathroom
Year built: 1931
Designers: Remodel and interior design by Clark Collins of Collins Design & Development; landscape design by Grace Design Associates
“I love Spanish Colonial Revival architecture,” Collins says. “After the widespread destruction in the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake, the city of Santa Barbara adopted this style to give the city a unified Spanish character.” Wrought iron accents, Saltillo and decorative tile, white stucco exteriors and red tile roofs are all key elements that make up the look.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: This is the second home of a couple who live in Los Angeles.
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Size: 985 square feet (91.5 square meters); two bedrooms, one bathroom
Year built: 1931
Designers: Remodel and interior design by Clark Collins of Collins Design & Development; landscape design by Grace Design Associates
“I love Spanish Colonial Revival architecture,” Collins says. “After the widespread destruction in the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake, the city of Santa Barbara adopted this style to give the city a unified Spanish character.” Wrought iron accents, Saltillo and decorative tile, white stucco exteriors and red tile roofs are all key elements that make up the look.
Before Photo
Photo by Clark Collins
BEFORE: This was the state of the home as Collins began the restoration.
BEFORE: This was the state of the home as Collins began the restoration.
Photo by Eric Foote
AFTER: The exterior was renovated, the flat roof replaced and the original clay tiles restored. The front porch is a favorite outdoor space.
Stucco paint: Alabaster 7008, Sherwin-Williams; windows and doors paint: Retreat SW6207, Sherwin-Williams; deck and eaves paint: Weathered Brown DEC756, Dunn-Edwards
AFTER: The exterior was renovated, the flat roof replaced and the original clay tiles restored. The front porch is a favorite outdoor space.
Stucco paint: Alabaster 7008, Sherwin-Williams; windows and doors paint: Retreat SW6207, Sherwin-Williams; deck and eaves paint: Weathered Brown DEC756, Dunn-Edwards
Photo by Holly Lepere
“In Santa Barbara it’s so nice to be able to use your outdoor space,” Collins says. “We created a dining area that easily seats eight to 10 people, as well as two other areas for reading and lounging. And there is also the wonderful covered front porch.”
He worked with Grace Design Associates on the landscape design. While the majority of the stone walls were original, they added some additional retaining walls, using old stone salvaged from other projects that matched the original walls, and carefully matching up the grout as well. This sitting area, outfitted with Adirondack chairs, provides a view over the driveway to the city and hills beyond.
“In Santa Barbara it’s so nice to be able to use your outdoor space,” Collins says. “We created a dining area that easily seats eight to 10 people, as well as two other areas for reading and lounging. And there is also the wonderful covered front porch.”
He worked with Grace Design Associates on the landscape design. While the majority of the stone walls were original, they added some additional retaining walls, using old stone salvaged from other projects that matched the original walls, and carefully matching up the grout as well. This sitting area, outfitted with Adirondack chairs, provides a view over the driveway to the city and hills beyond.
Photo by Eric Foote
An inviting gravel path leads from the front yard to the backyard. “Margie Grace completed all of the landscaping. She’s fantastic and always uses a lot of succulents and drought-tolerant plants,” Collins says.
An inviting gravel path leads from the front yard to the backyard. “Margie Grace completed all of the landscaping. She’s fantastic and always uses a lot of succulents and drought-tolerant plants,” Collins says.
Photo by Eric Foote
The house enjoys views of the city of Santa Barbara, the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands, as seen through the picture window on the left. To the right are the entry door and picture window we saw on the front facade of the house. To the left is the opening to the dining room. Collins left open a clear path behind the sofa from the front door through to the dining room, which keeps an easy flow in the small house.
When it comes to paint, Collins says, “In small houses I try to keep it simple.” He chose Cottage White by Dunn-Edwards throughout most of the house. “It is a warm white that works well when you are trying to create a sense of age in a home,” he says.
Also adding age are vintage touches in keeping with the period and style of the home. There’s a California seascape by Dedrick Stuber over the mantel, an antique stick wicker coffee table and an old sugar cane mill supporting a fern. The sofa is vintage; Collins had it re-covered in a Colefax and Fowler cut velvet.
Paint: Cottage White, Dunn-Edwards; coffee table: Corner House Antiques
The house enjoys views of the city of Santa Barbara, the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands, as seen through the picture window on the left. To the right are the entry door and picture window we saw on the front facade of the house. To the left is the opening to the dining room. Collins left open a clear path behind the sofa from the front door through to the dining room, which keeps an easy flow in the small house.
When it comes to paint, Collins says, “In small houses I try to keep it simple.” He chose Cottage White by Dunn-Edwards throughout most of the house. “It is a warm white that works well when you are trying to create a sense of age in a home,” he says.
Also adding age are vintage touches in keeping with the period and style of the home. There’s a California seascape by Dedrick Stuber over the mantel, an antique stick wicker coffee table and an old sugar cane mill supporting a fern. The sofa is vintage; Collins had it re-covered in a Colefax and Fowler cut velvet.
Paint: Cottage White, Dunn-Edwards; coffee table: Corner House Antiques
Photo by Holly Lepere
The lighting fixtures throughout the house are refurbished or reproduction pieces. “I tried to honor the house by using period light fixtures. The ceiling light and the sconces over the fireplace are all period light fixtures from the 1920s and 1930s that have been rewired,” Collins says.
Armchairs: Charles Fradin; pillows: Hollywood at Home and Kathryn Ireland; cactus lamp: Lee Stanton Antiques; antique mirror: Brenda Antin Antiques
The lighting fixtures throughout the house are refurbished or reproduction pieces. “I tried to honor the house by using period light fixtures. The ceiling light and the sconces over the fireplace are all period light fixtures from the 1920s and 1930s that have been rewired,” Collins says.
Armchairs: Charles Fradin; pillows: Hollywood at Home and Kathryn Ireland; cactus lamp: Lee Stanton Antiques; antique mirror: Brenda Antin Antiques
Before Photo
Photo by Clark Collins
BEFORE: This photo showing the opening between the living room and the dining room gives you a good idea of the home’s condition. It had great bones but was in need of a spruce-up. “The hardwood flooring in the house is original. These are white oak boards that are easily refinished,” Collins says.
BEFORE: This photo showing the opening between the living room and the dining room gives you a good idea of the home’s condition. It had great bones but was in need of a spruce-up. “The hardwood flooring in the house is original. These are white oak boards that are easily refinished,” Collins says.
Photo by Holly Lepere
In the dining room, a refurbished period light fixture adds the iron often seen in Spanish Colonial Revival homes. Wire chairs take up less visual space in the modest-sized room. Collins used a mix of Heriz, Serapi and Caucasian rugs to layer warmth on the floors throughout the home.
In the dining room, a refurbished period light fixture adds the iron often seen in Spanish Colonial Revival homes. Wire chairs take up less visual space in the modest-sized room. Collins used a mix of Heriz, Serapi and Caucasian rugs to layer warmth on the floors throughout the home.
Photo by Eric Foote
Collins kept true to the spirit of the original kitchen. “The cabinets are similar in style to the originals — flat-panel drawers and a modified Shaker door on the cabinet doors,” he says. He also mixed in metal mesh grilles, common in the early 1900s, as infill panels on some of the doors as well. He extended the cabinets to the ceiling to maximize storage in the small home.
The designer swiped the scallop detail from another area of the home and repeated it beneath the range hood and on the bottom of the shelf above the kitchen sink.
Range: Wolf
Collins kept true to the spirit of the original kitchen. “The cabinets are similar in style to the originals — flat-panel drawers and a modified Shaker door on the cabinet doors,” he says. He also mixed in metal mesh grilles, common in the early 1900s, as infill panels on some of the doors as well. He extended the cabinets to the ceiling to maximize storage in the small home.
The designer swiped the scallop detail from another area of the home and repeated it beneath the range hood and on the bottom of the shelf above the kitchen sink.
Range: Wolf
Photo by Eric Foote
While Collins maintained the overall architectural integrity of the house, he did replace the small door to the kitchen with an opening that matched that between the living room and the dining room. He also took out a separate laundry room to expand the kitchen a bit and integrated the washer-dryer into the room.
Dishwasher: Miele
While Collins maintained the overall architectural integrity of the house, he did replace the small door to the kitchen with an opening that matched that between the living room and the dining room. He also took out a separate laundry room to expand the kitchen a bit and integrated the washer-dryer into the room.
Dishwasher: Miele
Photo by Eric Foote
The vintage style of the Big Chill refrigerator was an apt choice. The light fixtures in the kitchen are period reproductions.
The vintage style of the Big Chill refrigerator was an apt choice. The light fixtures in the kitchen are period reproductions.
Photo by Eric Foote
The stackable washer-dryer is concealed behind the cabinet doors to the left of the refrigerator. He outfitted these door panels with the metal mesh grilles.
A new Dutch door leads out to the backyard. All the door hardware is original to the home as are all of the interior doors. Collins preserved every window he could. Another small period detail is the use of ceramic covers on the switch plates and outlet cover plates.
The stackable washer-dryer is concealed behind the cabinet doors to the left of the refrigerator. He outfitted these door panels with the metal mesh grilles.
A new Dutch door leads out to the backyard. All the door hardware is original to the home as are all of the interior doors. Collins preserved every window he could. Another small period detail is the use of ceramic covers on the switch plates and outlet cover plates.
Before Photo
Photo by Clark Collins
BEFORE: This original tile pattern in the kitchen inspired the tiling in the kitchen and the bathrooms. But Collins swapped the colors — originally the kitchen had green tile and the bathroom had yellow. Bringing the sunny yellow into the kitchen brightened up the room.
BEFORE: This original tile pattern in the kitchen inspired the tiling in the kitchen and the bathrooms. But Collins swapped the colors — originally the kitchen had green tile and the bathroom had yellow. Bringing the sunny yellow into the kitchen brightened up the room.
Photo by Holly Lepere
AFTER: He repeated the metal mesh grille panel detail on the cabinet doors below the sink. The kitchen sink faucet is by Dishmaster. “I love these! They look great and work really well,” Collins says. The black glass knobs on the cabinets in the kitchen are reproductions from Rejuvenation.
Faucet: Dishmaster No. M76, Dishmaster Faucet
AFTER: He repeated the metal mesh grille panel detail on the cabinet doors below the sink. The kitchen sink faucet is by Dishmaster. “I love these! They look great and work really well,” Collins says. The black glass knobs on the cabinets in the kitchen are reproductions from Rejuvenation.
Faucet: Dishmaster No. M76, Dishmaster Faucet
Photo by Holly Lepere
Photo by Holly Lepere
“In the bathroom, I kept the original tub and had it refinished, but otherwise everything else is new,” the designer says. Mint green and black tile in a pattern reminiscent of the 1930s, a pedestal sink and a built-in medicine cabinet capture the era in the bathroom. The lights and knobs are reproductions.
This is the one room where he switched up the wall color. “Bathrooms always feel clean and crisp with Swiss Coffee,” he says.
Paint: Swiss Coffee, Dunn-Edwards; medicine cabinet and glass knobs: Rejuvenation
“In the bathroom, I kept the original tub and had it refinished, but otherwise everything else is new,” the designer says. Mint green and black tile in a pattern reminiscent of the 1930s, a pedestal sink and a built-in medicine cabinet capture the era in the bathroom. The lights and knobs are reproductions.
This is the one room where he switched up the wall color. “Bathrooms always feel clean and crisp with Swiss Coffee,” he says.
Paint: Swiss Coffee, Dunn-Edwards; medicine cabinet and glass knobs: Rejuvenation
Photo by Eric Foote
Both modest-sized bedrooms are simple and spare. A jute rug adds a natural texture on the floor. The marble light is an antique and the ceiling light is a period reproduction. Collins added another seascape, this one by artist Geoffrey Krueger.
Bamboo bed: Michael S. Smith/Jasper Furniture; rug: Restoration Hardware; green throw and accent pillow: Hollywood at Home; bed linens: John Robshaw; marble lamp: Lee Stanton Antiques
Both modest-sized bedrooms are simple and spare. A jute rug adds a natural texture on the floor. The marble light is an antique and the ceiling light is a period reproduction. Collins added another seascape, this one by artist Geoffrey Krueger.
Bamboo bed: Michael S. Smith/Jasper Furniture; rug: Restoration Hardware; green throw and accent pillow: Hollywood at Home; bed linens: John Robshaw; marble lamp: Lee Stanton Antiques
Photo by Holly Lepere
Just off the kitchen is this outdoor dining area. The concrete top on the table stands up to the elements. Collins copied the original exterior sconce from the front of the house and repeated it out here.
Outdoor concrete top table: Restoration Hardware
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Just off the kitchen is this outdoor dining area. The concrete top on the table stands up to the elements. Collins copied the original exterior sconce from the front of the house and repeated it out here.
Outdoor concrete top table: Restoration Hardware
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
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Wow, wow, wow!!
I love the transformation. You’ve kept so much of the original tile work. I like that you haven’t overly modernized it. It is so comfy. Boy, do I envy you, your beautiful year round location! I’m in the Canadian Prairies, finally enjoying a day on my front porch. A rarity :-(.
So,I was surprised to see tile on the counters, I personally like that, I have that on my kitchen counters 12by12 italian, it’s not that hard to keep clean and I have a freestanding island with granite for prepping .The tile gives me a little more rustic look!