Name: Clare Vivier & Thierry Vivier
Location: Echo Park - Los Angeles, California
Size: 2000 square feet
Years lived in: 10 years
Clare and Thierry did what many of us love to see - restored and appreciated the character of an over 100-year-old Craftsman home. They made the home comfortable and contemporary for their needs, but also complemented its original architecture. Thierry even built two bungalows in the backyard, which look like they were original to the home, for extra storage and his office.
Not only do Clare and Thierry have a beautiful old home, but you can also tell that they thoroughly enjoy their home with friends and family. Nothing in the home is too precious and everything is meant to be enjoyed. The backyard is definitely meant for parties and summertime fun with a ping pong table, trampoline, garden, and a large grass area to entertain.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: Mix of vintage and modern finds, French antiques from travels in France, plus cozy pieces for our family to feel comfortable.
Inspiration: I'm not sure if we had inspiration in decorating the house; it just had to be comfortable and in good taste. We've been here for 10 years and we've gone through a lot of changes in that time; having a child and raising him, different careers, etc. and I think we're in a different place in our life and our house reflects that.
Favorite Element: My favorite element of the house is the fact that we're up so high that no one can look into our house and we don't really need curtains. And...also because of this I love the light throughout the house.
Biggest Challenge: How to make such an old house look modern. Also, a challenge for us has been when to update things. When you're in a house for a while (we've been here for 10 years), sometimes you don't notice that things have gotten stale looking and could really use a spruce up. It's a challenge to look at your home with new eyes. A house is constantly a work in progress.
What Friends Say: I think they think it is charming. And there are usually 3 things that people are surprised by: how old it is - 1905; how big the backyard is; and the fact that my husband built the bungalows in the backyard himself (he's not a carpenter by trade; he says he built them by reading a how-to book).
Biggest Embarrassment: My dining room chairs and table. They are pretty oak wood, but they squeak horribly and make for loud dinner parties - but not in a good way. I really abhor them and they've been first on my list of things to replace in the house for a long time, but somehow other things keep getting done before that. If we could replace just the chairs alone I'd be so happy, but dining chairs are hard to find!
Proudest DIY: We bought the house 10 years ago in really poor shape, but it was so light-filled with enough room for us, we knew we could make it wonderful. My husband, who is responsible for most of the work in the house, would say his proudest DIY projects are the 3 structures in the backyard. He built two sheds because these old houses have almost no closets and a bungalow which is his office. The cool thing about his bungalow is that the inspiration for it came after we found the 5 French doors which encircle it on 3 sides. We found the doors (which were saved from a demolished house in Beverly Hills) first at Santa Fe Salvage in LA and then we designed it and he built it. The one thing I did and that I'm proud of was lay the hexagonal tile in our downstairs bathroom.
Biggest Indulgence: I don't think we have any big indulgences in terms of fancy big ticket pieces, so my indulgences are more the things that make the house pleasurable, like having an open shower with a window in it where we can spy the Hollywood sign. And because I have a lot of clothes - probably my biggest indulgence is devoting a whole room for my closet.
Best Advice: In regards to stuff around the house, if it's clutter toss it. White sheets are calming. When your house overwhelms you clean your kitchen sink, you'll feel better. If you can afford it, get a housekeeper to help you out.
Dream Sources: Parisian flea markets, JF Chen, Nickey Kehoe in LA, ABC Carpet & Home in NY
Resources of Note:
APPLIANCES
- Blue Star stove/oven
- LG fridge
- Maytag dishwasher
HARDWARE
FURNITURE
- Flea markets (Alameda and Pasadena)
- Habitat
- Crate&Barrel
- West Elm
- Ikea
ACCESSORIES
- West Elm
- Nickey Kehoe
- Mohawk General Store / Amsterdam Modern
- Kelly Lamb
- Heath Ceramics
- Victoria Morris
LIGHTING
- Vintage French
- West Elm
- Pasadena CC flea market
PAINT
FLOORING
- Oak - first floor
- Redwood - second floor
TILE & STONE
BED
ARTWORK
OTHER
- Flowers - Holly Flora
- Interior design - Lauren Soloff (friend and LA-based interior designer)
Thanks Clare & Thierry!
Images: Marcia Prentice
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I got so excited when I saw this on Twitter. I had hoped AT really meant restored, as in restored the woodwork to its original beauty.
so charming. the windows in the living room are beautiful; I love the light in that room.
Very charming and lovable. You did a great job on the reno.
Looks great! I restored my house from the 20's, and kept it period. People do not understand how good a house looks when the restoration stays within the original aesthetic.
I love this. Such a "real" house - you can tell that it's been lived in and not just styled for the photos. Love the mix of dark and white trim.
Oh, the LA house tours almost always make me want to pack up my Chicago apartment and drive out there, and this one definitely does. I especially love that nook that looks like maybe it's part of your closet, or just a corner of your bedroom. Light and airy and yet also cozy -- your whole house seems to have that vibe.
Question for anyone: I love the jewel-box look of painting the ceiling color down to the little molding. If I had a square-box apartment with no molding or architectural interest but pretty high ceilings, could I put in little chair-rail style molding 12 inches down from the ceiling and recreate that, or is it a craftsman or period detail that would look off in another context?
I think they really succeeded in making the house feel modern but still true to it's roots. And while the design works as design, it also feels real -- not decorated, but lived in.
source the greenish bowl displaying lemons, please?
also...jealous of the backyard/patio area...what a great place to entertain.
concerned there's nothing over the bed. maybe the painting that was on the floor in the 'office/dec' area? or even a diy would be better than the big open wall. just a thought!
Great job. I wish we could have seen pictures of the backyard bungalows.
All I have to say is this inspired me to take another look at a bungalow near me that is selling for cheap and needs some work. Not sure if it gets enough light though. This is one of my fave tours ever!
sigh. i want to hug this home. it's so inviting and comfy. i can only hope that one day my home will exude the same warm spirit.
i second @dulcibella - i wish there were more photos of the backyard structures that thierry built.
@aprildeann - i think that bowl is kelly lamb: http://www.kellylamb.net/
I love this home! We are redoing a 1913 home that is rumored to be a Sears home. You have given me great inspiration.
Can you share the dark paint color in the dining room?
Funny you loathe your dining room table and chairs. I lingered on that pic and was loving them - with the buffet. Looks fantastic. Maybe you can get a furniture person to come and fix them so the squeaks are gone and they are sturdy once again. Visually, they look fantastic.
What a gorgeous house! It's really fun to see a stylish DARK kitchen (not that I don't love white kitchens, but seeing dark cabinets with darker wall color pulled off so well is a fun change of pace). Also love that you have a ping-pong table outside! Would never have thought of that myself but it's a really fun idea.
i love this house. very lived in and beautiful. not what i was expecting. and yes, i wanted to see the bungalows and that room filled with clothes.
and if you don't want that dining room set anymore i will definitely take it off your hands!
Homely home, looks comfortable
Lovely home. So much character. Especially love the mix of the dark and light trim, best of both worlds.
The dining table and chairs are identical to the ones in my grandparents' craftsman (circa 1916). They had a built in sideboard, however. BTW, is one of the bulbs burned out in the dining room fixture?
I love the house. It looks cozy and real. The back yard is lovely. I love ping pong too.
Ccol, cozy, very relatable... unlike endless house tours that seem massively self-conscious and styled to death. Props to your huz for the lovely bungalows.
Looks like a great place to spend time with family and friends! Love the windows and light. Your vintage style bathroom mirror/cabinet is so great.
Love the doghouse almost as much as the main house. Lucky dog.
I just ordered a table almost identical to yours from an Amish furniture store, but in a cappuccino stain. I'm refinishing some old chairs after having splurged on the table, but the Amish furniture folks can make you chairs in many different styles and woods and stains. They are about $200-350 a chair. You could certainly find something to match your very beautiful table.
I love the creaking of old wood, but couldn't find a table I liked in solid wood with leaves.
I love old houses. Love the bathroom tile, your closet room, the settee in the living room and your back yard. When can I move in?
You live in my dream house, btw.
Great tour - especially love the living room with the built-ins and fireplace, the room is very inviting. Beautiful outdoor space as well.
love it! such a warm, beautiful home.
What a warming, cozy home, totally not what I expected. Loving the colors and furnishings, not pretentious, as I was expecting. I also live in a craftsman home and I've been searching for a dining room set like that for a long time, really surprised that was your biggest embarrassment, it was my favorite! Heck, I'd be happy to drive out to California to take them from you :)
Keep the craftsman house tours coming! There have been several over the last few weeks and it is my favorite style of architecture.
Lovely! Was disappointed to not get to see the other buildings. The office with the multiple doors sounded fantastic!
Lovely home! Love the paint choices and the open kitchen shelving. Great job!
What a beautiful home. Job well done. I knew I recognised the name. I'm a huge fan of my La Trop! Thanks Clare.
We should call this the Echo Park/Silver Lake Design blog. What are, 60% of the houses on here from LA? Okay okay. LA, NY, Chicago, with token entries from Austin and Seattle as needed.
I am in love with your dining room. The wall color and the gorgeous wood furniture, clean lines, nice proportions, etc. So I was surprised to read you want to change it. But I guess photos can't tell the whole story.
There's my perfect house. I'm completely envious. I love looking on here to inspire me to use certain decorating ideas at home. Love this home.
AHHHHH!! Thank you, THIS house tour is why I come to this site.
Love how the heritage and bones of the house are maintained, and yet the house is contemporary as well. The shower is beautifully done.
Very lovely house. I do feel the European influence. Love it!
By far, the best I've seen on this site. A warm, welcoming, lovely home.
I really wish AT would stick with APARTMENTS.
I want your house. Really, it is beautiful, I am jealous : - )
Sorry-Very uninspiring.
Looks like every home in Cleveland very dark even with all that California sunshine.
Wow, what an incredible house! Great bones. I love your honeycomb tile in the bathroom!
LOVE IT!
Glad you dint restore the original woodwork which can be so dark and oppressive to live in. The house looks great I wish my craftsmen had a second floor! The best thing about the houses are the windows ( and the details and the elegance) I consider mine a fishbowl.
re: the chairs, they look really good there, just re-glue them!!
Squeeks are a good thing
Very cute house and love the paint colors. Could you tell me which BM colors they are:
Fireplace room (kind of green grey)
Clawfoot tub bathroom (kind of off white)
Piano room (light blue):
Bedroom w/ striped spread (yellowish):
thanks my email is zibgard@yahoo.com
Love how you solved the closet problem. The house has a homey feel. I especially love the sofa/daybed? under the windows in the living room. Can you tell me the source? It looks as if the sides come down. Is that so?
Craftsmen are usually dark in spite of how many windows they have. I do not like the use of black paint over the original wood. So much black and brown looks depressing to me.
I love the window above the couch! Yes, pretty dark interior, but I dig contrast w surrounding environment. Charming escape element.
Craftsman-style homes are my favorite, and you have done a super-job with yours. I love the colors you chose for each room and love the fact you went with dark and light paints, I think my jaw would drop open if I visited your home and saw each room with the unexpected contrast. Wishing you many years of happy living in this inspiring home.
Love the couch.
Your home is beautiful and looks so cozy! Can I ask where you got the chain with the tool charms?
Somehow missed this. Wonderful house and restoration. Enjoy life there!
Have you thought about taking the chairs to be reglued? Cheaper than buying replacements of the same quality and beauty, if, as you say, you can even find them.
Beautiful home, I love black houses.