Renovation of a Midcentury Home into a Mexican Hacienda Style by Working Holiday Studio
The founders of LA-based Working Holiday Studio, Carlos Naude and Whitney Brown, undertook a significant renovation of a midcentury home in Granada Hills, Los Angeles. Originally built in 1962 and untouched since its first owners, the house was transformed to blend eclectic hacienda style with Mexican and Scandinavian influences.
Design Transformation
The renovation focused on opening up spaces and updating the interiors to suit modern living. Key changes included opening up the walls between the dining room and kitchen to create a spacious area under a dark-stained, mono-pitched ceiling. The kitchen was revamped with swing-out French doors, dark green plaster walls, warm millwork cabinets, and handmade brick floors imported from Tijuana, Mexico. Throughout the home, arched openings and iron railings with wavy balusters enhance the hacienda aesthetic. The interior palette features neutral, earthy tones complemented by occasional vibrant accents and natural materials.
Interior Details
Living spaces feature formal rooms with sculptural seats around marble coffee tables, anchored by whitewashed brick fireplaces. Upstairs, bedrooms are decorated with natural materials and neutral tones, while bathrooms showcase playful touches like checkerboard tiling. The emphasis throughout is on creating cozy, comfortable spaces suitable for both family living and entertaining.
Exterior and Additional Features
The house exterior was rendered in mid-grey stucco, highlighted by black-framed windows and doors. A large covered veranda overlooks the backyard swimming pool, ideal for outdoor lounging and dining.
Additional Properties
Naude and Brown also offer their other properties, including the ZenDen in Woodland Hills and Casa Mami near Joshua Tree National Park, as vacation rentals.
This renovation project exemplifies a blend of cultural influences and contemporary design, transforming a dated midcentury home into a vibrant and welcoming space for modern family living.
Photos: Carlos Naude
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