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handymam Contact Ironwood on houzz. He is in CA and though I don't know CA, he might be able to give you tips (he llikes craftsman homes) and he may be able to recommend how to look for someone, And he maybe able to recommend actual people. Good luck with the new house, Oh, I am sooo jealous!

cholmondeley lovely house.

michelle11 Often contracting companies will have in house designers to help you decide. Make lots of phone calls and ask if they do free quotes! Amazing house, good luck.

reginakt Congrats on such a beautiful home! I love the built ins, especially around the fireplace. Definitely go with a designer that specializes in historic bungalows or at least someone that loves them and has respect for them.

mckate77 I also own a temple front bungalow with a big concrete porch on which I spend a good part of my summer. How fortunate you are to have unpainted trim and brick in your living room! Before hiring a designer, you might want to check out some of the books and magazines aimed at bungalow owners. I found them quite helpful. I hope you can find a designer who will remain true to the bungalow esthetic. Good luck!

DIAspoton what a great house. so many wonderful features. yes as handyman mentioned,contact ironwood. yes work with someone with an appreciation of and experience with historic craftsman homes.

Boyer Architects LLC Hire a local architect. Architects are licensed professionals who can help you create spaces that maintain the integrity of your Craftsman home. They know the local building and zoning ordinances, and will be able to help you create a phased plan that works with your budget. Many architects specialize in historic renovations. You might do an internet search, ask friends who have remodeled, or even check with the historic preservation department of your local government for references. Look at websites to find local architects who have done projects similar to yours.

Most architects will come to your home for an initial consultation at no charge. They will get an idea of the scope of your project and then write up a fee proposal for you. They should also send you a list of references upon request.

Congratulations on your new home, and good luck with your project!

Sandra Whittier Oh, I grew up in one. Stury the era and get estimates . Someone might be honest enough to charge honestly. If they show up with a white paint brush(kick them out the door)!!

Kayron Brewer, CKD, CBD / Studio K B Friends and coworkers are often a great source. You may know someone that has used a designer in the past. I have many clients that come to me from that resource. Many people have connected with me on Houzz as well. Look on Houzz for local professionals and find designers that have similar projects to the one you envision. Ask for references from the potential designer and also ask what their approach would be to the project, especially if you are looking for a 5 year plan. Depending on the designer, there may be an initial fee for a first time meeting. Others may give you a complimentary meeting for about an hour or hour and a half so you both can meet each other at the house and discuss what you are looking for. That is the interview time for both of you. Rely on gut instinct as well when you meet a person. Do you communicate well together? Does the designer listen to you? Best of luck! It is a great house!

lou simmons Find someone that is on the same page as you aesthetically and go from there. It's impossible to put a dollar amount on services, not knowing what's needed, but in my mind, worthy "designer" initially would have a look at the space (may or may not charge for this depending on his/her current work load or general approach to business) here what your thoughts are and from there could present you with a proposal for how to move forward. Thousands of dollars would'nt be unreasonable for a plan of attack that would address your entire house and would give you some idea of sequence and scope with allotted budget.


That is a fantastic living room! Please don't let anyone tell you to change a thing there, except for the flooring, as for the back room with the checkerboard floor, less sacred, blow out the wall or whatever & further emphasize, what i assume, are actual load bearing beams. Looks like there's great backyard/greenspace to open up to!

Enjoy, it's a tough go but worth it.

Susan Jacobs Are there are other craftsmen bungalows in your area that you admire? If so, ask the occupants in those homes if they used a designer or have one to recommend. Maybe a nice way to meet people in your new neighborhood. By the way, Ironwood is in Northern California -- really far away (it's a big state!) But, he might give you some good pointers...

Sarah Bernardy Design American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is another great source for finding designers in your area. Friends, family, and Houzz are other great resources already mentioned. Communication is key in a successful project so as Kayron mentioned make sure your personalities mess and that they can provide the flexibility and creativity you are seeking.

houzyadoin Get back to natural wood floors thru out, even in the kitchen. The charm is in it all. I'm wondering if indeed the red/blue stain glass in the dining area is original or made to appear. But it works if find fondness in it. If not original and the view wasn't bad. I'd remove the middle one and hang in another room that can gain from it and have one center see thru window. I would refinish the dining and living stained woodwork and beams with a stained graywash and lighten it up. Keep the fireplace to beautifull original tile. What can see of the kitchen butler pantry area looks great! These houses lend well with wood or butcher block counters somewhere in the kitchen. And the white works great for the period. Very lovely and I think the real change of curb appeal will be in repainting with period colors on the outside and finding some period or like planters to place on the steps handrail. And landscape up with native california desert like plants. This is a charmer and hope you have fun in it!

Smith Associates Architects PA There are local architectural firms everywhere waiting for your call (well, figuratively speaking). Many of our clients found us through our website via google search, and some even from Houzz..! Both allow you to see your local firms' work before making contact.

Nancy Switzler Thank you everyone for your helpful comments. We definitely will keep the living room and dining room the same except to remove the carpet. We may make some area rugs out of the carpet to preserve that aspect. The room with the black and white floor is a sunroom that was added in the 70s. The remodel we want to do is mostly to enlarge the kitchen add a bathroom and move the laundry area. I am adding a photo of the wonderful built ins in the dining room and the part of the kitchen that needs work.

Ieteke Ruypers Volpini What a great home... love the inglenook... best of luck with your design plans!

Nancy Switzler these are the photos I tried to post with the previous comment

bethbianchi One of the best ways I've found to find an interior decorator or designer that you like is to talk with employees in furniture, fixture, tile or lighting stores you like to shop in. They often know of and work with designers and can give you good recommendations of people that may have your design sense. You should not be charged for an initial visit/interview. Remember: They want Your business. You should know in that visit if you like and trust them, their taste, etc. You then decide how much you want them to do with or for you. Do you like to shop alone and then have them help you whittle things down? Do you want someone to shop for you? If you are doing additions, it is a good idea to get an architect. They often have designers they like to work with - same as the contractor you end of hiring. It is a good idea if the main players like one another - otherwise you are setting yourself up for an evil game of the hot potato of blame (or not if you are lucky!). Have fun with it and give yourself time.

William Roy Designer Kitchens So many thoughts as to what you might do.
1) Caution: an accreditation or degree does not guarantee a remarkable outcome. You want a designer that has a gift / talent, an artist, a good communicator.
2) A designer worth their salt will guide you though the design process offering you solutions with cost associated. This can save you money in the long run and you will be more satisfied.
3) Do a whole house feasibility study, the entire plan if you were to do it all now and that way you won't do something now that effect negatively what you might want to do later.
4) Have fun. It's hard enough remodeling when all goes well and the last thing you want is to select someone that you can't have fun with.
5) If you plan to do a kitchen, start there, I specialize in kitchens but help my clients with whole house designs. Space planning is an art.
Best of luck,
William Roy

Karen Echols I have no information for you regarding designers...but must comment because it is such a BEAUTIFUL house....Perhaps my FAVORITE design period...I was intended to break away from the fussy, overindulgent Victorian Era and concentrate in function and simplicity while preserving beauty...It's all about lines and textures... the playing of light & shadows in the rooms...it wasn't a BEIGE era, though...it was SOFT...Soft Golds and muted vermilion...pale aquas and creams...sandstone and dusty rose...the materials were mixed...couches were leather and warmed with rich tapestries...We had just discover the "Orient" so novelties were fine porcelains and chrystals...CLOCKS were collection items...floors were warm woods and areas were cozied by big rugs...there were patterned linoleum and sturdy tables...I've seen exteriors in blues and greens, especially if they were shingled....If it were MINE....I'd put stone facing over the brick, maybe in grey or strip it down to its original state...I might consider copper shingles for the front gable....Paint it a soft color with a striking accent color...perhaps a new front door....Some urns and hanging plants on the porch...some heavy wicker for seating...Need some flowering shrubs and perhaps a pencil holly on the left, hydrangea on the right...flank the walk way with and interesting grass... LOVE the leaded and stained glass windows...not so much the benches by the hearth...I think they were added later...I'd consider painting all the ceiling beams or at least lightening them up...certainly age has caused them to darken and look heavy...Use tradition to guide placement of modern furnishings....Have it express YOU when you walk in the rooms...RELISH the light in it and do the kitchen very practical and modern with stainless...Morris would appreciate the modernness of them... Blessings for great success...Please post results... Here are a couple of links for inspiration..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:4200GlenalbynDrive_LR.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Abernathy-Shaw_House_c.1908.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Peacock_Room_-_The_Princess_from_the_Land_of_Porcelain.png

libradesigneye Nancy, I'm in San Diego, so am familiar with these fabulous homes, but I don't want your business.

Just writing to suggest you also check out all of Susan Susanka's books from the local library. Her "Not-so-big-house" series of books expresses very precisely what is so wonderful in bungalow / craftsman work. Ironwood is out of Monterey I think. Fenstermann is out of Newport, but there is probably a great source right there in nearby Ventura or definitely out of Santa Barbara.

Go to all the home tours this spring in SB for ideas. Do research first, when I did, I found this link to someone who knows the terrain well. http://www.noozhawk.com/article/031211_anthony_grumbine_craftsman_homes/ Someone at his firm might be your person -

What you might do is offer to pay an hourly fee for half a day and let them talk off the top of their head about what they see, and what they know, and what they would and wouldn't do. Of course, ask what their hourly fee is first! To maximize the use of their time, draw up a scaled floor plan and scan that along with photos that you send to them in advance of their arrival. They will have ideas on sight.

You may or may not want to sign up for services now, but might be willing to hire them full on when you are ready for an addition or a kitchen remodel, for instance. Most designers have to go to a meet and greet for free, so if you offer to pay for a walkthrough consultation where you want them to think outloud, you are likely to get a good response and it won't matter if you are going forward in phases. You will know if you like them or not, and they (if they take the gig) will be thrilled to see your original architecture and have an opportunity to make a long term client without going for free.

Valvorie Dunn Your livingroom makes my heart go pity-pat!

Palindrome Design, LLC Hi Nancy - Oh I love your house! Congrats!

Is there a local design magazine that showcases designers that are in your area? I agree with Kayron that friends & neighbors are going to be a great place to find someone. If there are neighborhood listservs or yahoo groups, send out an email or a post to the group asking for recommendations.

I never charge for the first meeting. Projects are long-term relationships - that first meeting is just as much about me reading the client/project as it is about you assessing me. Find someone you connect with and feel like you can communicate clearly with. Design should be fun, so find someone who can get the job done, but is pleasant to work with along the way!

Your house is lovely - I can't wait to see "After" pictures here on Houzz!

Palindrome Design, LLC Also agree with Sandra! Make sure your designer puts you on a formal contract - and that the contract is very clear about what you are paying - hourly and what the terms are for purchasing.

By Design EK As a designer I recommend looking on houzz, said website or just Google designers in your area. Check out their online portfolios and their profiles. Narrow it down to 3 and talk to them. A designer who wants your business should do an initial meeting free, or just call them on the phone. You want someone who listens and asks questions about you. You should feel comfortable with them and feel that they will be open and honest with you. Their style ornate style of most of their work is not necessarily as important. I love and can achieve manynsucessful styles for my clients from historic to modern, but of course it would be a plus if the person you choose has done a bungalow style house before. Definitely they should want to work with you on many phases of your home remotely and should advise you on wisest ways to dive it up. Like working on kitchen and bath at once if possible asait will be less expensive for the plumber. Lastly a designer should charge around $100 an hour, I am in Michigan so I get less here but I think that number should be relevant in .CA, much more than that and they are too much. They should charge a set fee per room or phase of each project and the per hour would be for extra advising not agreed on in a contract. An architect would be great if you removing walls etc. But the designer should coordinate furnishings, kitchen design etc. Unless you findan architect that specializes in interior design. A good designer will design for your lifestyle and add a lot of value in the details. Good luck and I hope you post lots of after pictures. P.S. I do think some credentials like benign licensed designer or have a degree or many years experience is very valuable, especially if you are doing kitchen, bath, and remodeling not just decoration.

Fine Art Tileworks — Handmade Relief Tile There are 80 designers within 25 miles of you listed on Houzz:

http://www.houzz.com/professionals/s/Interior-Designers-&-Decorators/c/93033/d/25

Great looking home!

Steven Corley Randel, Architect Hi Nancy, You have quite a gem of Craftsman architecture! I would be glad to have a phone conversation with you to learn more about your project. Most of my work is in the Bay Area where there are many of these types of houses. Since I am licensed in California, I work anywhere in the state. Staying with the original design is a matter of architectural vocabulary and interpreting modern living with those aesthetics. That is what I do best. Take a look at my profile and let me know if I can set a time to talk with you. I can at least get you a bit more familiar with the process and then we can see what might be best for you. Thank you, SCR

Gail Elwyn Love your home! You can always ask your municipality for recommendations. The local inspectors will know who does good work in your area. Interview a few different designers and find the one you mesh with the best. They should do free first time consultations. Set a budget and scope of work early on. Good luck!

claudiabrown Fist I am going to say this make sure you make a budget for yourself and stick to that budget you don't want to be paying for more than what you have. Second go to home depot and ask them for a blank commitment what that will do is help you to stay on your budget. You go and measure the areas that you want done then take that to home depot and they will help you to design it just the way you see it, make sure you stick to your plan and then you hire some one to do it for you this way your only playing them for labor work and you'll save money. Third sometimes Home Depot have deals on the kind of floors you want to get done or Tiles is that is what you want, buy by the bundle not by pieces, pieces cost more. Make sure you pay for everything you need this way you stay on budget. Fourth , you should buy just a little extra just in case and what ever you don't use you can always take it back to home depot they will take it back as long as you keep your receipt. You can always ask Home depot if they know of anybody they will defiantly steer you to the right people. Lowe"s does the same thing. Good Luck and God bless both of you. That's the advice I give to all my friends and they have saved money. most contractors don't like me because of this information I just gave you.

Ironwood Builders Nancy...I have one resource for you in SoCal, based on my past issues of American Bungalow Magazine (a great resource and back issue articles are available online for free) ...I am very much into the style and own many period pieces, furnishings and decorative objects....but not a purist....my style has been described as Bohemian-Eclectic. I am based in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco..Russian River...Wine Country. Old house work is a specialized endeavor. I started in historic restoration at the age of 17, clearing out ruined Victorians in the Riley-Lockerbie District of Indianapolis for three women..an interior designer, a realtor and a money manager. A good start.

I emphatically do not think that anyone recommended by a big box sales associate is up to the task of restoring or improving your living antique. Staying true to the house is not for the faint of heart or the skinny wallet (I know, I've done two with a lot of sweat equity). I have been impressed with Steven Corley Randel's breadth of knowledge and suggestions here. I think discussing the project with him would be a good first step.

...from American Bungalow magazine:

http://www.americanbungalow.com/

http://johnslaven.com/

patrizia34 Well first of all I would go on internet a search for local contractors and look at the projects they've already done. Once you find a bunch that suit your taste, call them and ask for a free quotation. Serious contractors will give you free quotes.
Then make sure that they have an architect as project manager, familiar with the procedures linked to historical houses, you want to know for sure what you can do and cannot do when renovating your house, not to find yourself in trouble with the local authorities.
At that point you'll have to trust your instinct, because with contractors even with the most reputable, it is a bit of a gamble, you will have to keep an eye on everything they do, anyway and you will have to be very vocal specially at the beginning on what are your likes and dislikes, your needs and priorities to be clear without any doubts on what it should be the house you want to live in. Remember YOU are going to live there not the architect, so he has to be the vehicle to make your life easier, to improve your ideas and make them beautiful and personal, to give you ideas you would never think of because you are not in this business, the architect have to put into practice the kind of life you would want for you and for your family. Good luck with everything and congratulation for your beautiful house.

Ironwood Builders patrizia34...so sorry you have had a hard time with contractors....but just like the rest of the population, we're usually honest, hardworking and fair. Thing is...we all do estimates for free..but not without a defined scope of work or set of plans. So having the architect on board first, if that professional is necessary (you don't need an architect if you are simply fixing what already exists). I recommend interviewing both an architect and a General Contractor to work together to design and value engineer a project. It is rarely done that way o a smaller project, but when talking of phases and long term restoration, that team may be able to put forth a cohesive plan that makes the best use of funds and schedules. Some issues are global..meaning they are throughout the house...like rewiring everything (I mean EVERYTHING!) some are more localized, like repainting the exterior. I look forward to seeing more posts as you move along this path! Best of luck!

patrizia34 I've never meant to say that contractors are generally not honest, I've just referred to communication difficulties, a house owner wanting to renovate has often difficulties to convey his/her ideas clearly to contractors because is not inform on technical issues or on how to put into practice ideas orthey have no maenning to know even if they are feasible and that can create problems. I wish you to never experience this kind of miscommunication, but from my personal experience or from the people I know, it is a very common. I live in Europe, in Italy and I imagine that things are different over here specially in regards of historical houses, the rules here are very strict and an architect dealing with all the much complicated bureaucracy of thing is necessary, because in regard of historical buildings here even the color for exerior needs authorities approval!!! Also the penalties for doing thing wrong are severe, so an architect responsable of the project is even a legal protection for the home onwers. Lucky you that have a choice and far more flexible rules. Good luck.

Ironwood Builders patrizia34...In historic districts here it is the same way! We have review boards to watch over the work and approve plans....most of the people sitting on the review board have no formal training and are just cranky and concerned!

I agree that communication and rapport are extremely important in the relationship between contractor and client. I rarely fail at it..but sometimes?

patrizia34 Oh dear!... same nightmare...well in Italy we say "All world is the same small town".

Eye of the Day Take a trip to Pasadena & South Pas for a day, there is lots of inspiration there to take away ideas from 1 1/2 hour drive also Ojai a half hour away

Nancy Switzler Thank you again for al your comments and helpful suggestions. It sounds like we need to talk to an architect and an interior designer. Thankfully we plan on being here for the long term and so we don't need to rush. I do want to develop the long term plan pretty quickly so that we don't buy anything that we won't need or want in the future.

Nancy Switzler Ironwood and libradesigneye, thank you for the suggested resources.

Design By 101 Pisces INC Love the new place , you can go with a home stager and redesigner they can also help you not only for selling home but also for living and staying . look up www.stagingtraining.com press states and California and then you can choose who you want to come out to your home .

Infinity Countertops, Inc. You stated in original post you were remodeling the two most important rooms your home. The kitchen and bath. I humbly suggest you interview a kitchen and bath designer. Having designed and executed up to 200 kitchens a year (plus baths) for the past couple decades I would suggest that they will have more experience at delivering a remarkable kitchen, etc. Most architects design entire homes and thus few kitchens and If I don't do the interior design with my clients I recommend they bring in one to pick the dozens of different colors, textures and finishes. Best to you........

Nancy Switzler Thanks. Sounds like there are lots of options on which way to proceed

Nancy Switzler Update... We've been in our house for just over a month. Thankfully most everything is unpacked and thankfully most of our furniture fits in terms of color. Size and style are another story.
The big news is that we will meet with our architect (connected through Houzz!). He is going to work on a master plan to: redo current bathroom and kitchen; add another bathroom, laundry room closet, and a small den. This will involve tearing down the sunroom (room w/ black and white floor).
Meanwhile I am having trouble deciding what to work on. I started a project in the bedroom and the front porch and then noticed how filthy the pergola in the backyard was and started cleaning that! And I really want to remove the carpet and wallpaper in the living and dining rooms.I think I have house ADD.
Anyway, today I finished my front porch. I took an old gray and peeling patio set and reprinted it a nice red bought some cushions then found a cute bench for the other side of the porch and put some flowers in existing pots. Photos are attached. All for less than $200 which is good because we need to save very penny for the remodel. The only thing I am not too sure about are the ficus trees. Should I keep them or sell them at my yard sell next week?

libradesigneye Keep them! The red is darling with the old stairs, and now you are set for summer to get to know your neighbors, and sit outside in the warm evenings with ice tea.

patrizia34 I agree, it is best to keep them for now especially if you have a limited budget. You have your garden furniture to enjoy the summer so for now live them there, they seem to be in good condition, they fit in size and the style don't particularly clash with the porch. You can always change them in future as you wish them to be. I wouldn't rush, changing everything all at once, the beauty of renovating our home is that it is an ongoing process, you do most of the house at the beginning to make it functional and presentable, but leave all the settle changes and addition to later, to personalize your home here and there, bit by bit .