I like the dog...

Love those red stools!!

I think it's a gorgeous house (you can definitely see a professional touch), but since when does DIY mean "hire a designer"?

Ditto Kalexander--not my favorite tour but I'm enamored with the fact that you live by a body of water. A dream of mine.

Lovely, but impersonal. I want my home to show that "I" live there.

Nice pooch.

just lllllllllllllllLLLLLLLLLL-lovely everything!

What an amazing front door! This is what I would do if I could afford it. You are truly blessed folks. Thanks for sharing!

3,000 sq ft Venice Beach home. Too out of reach for 99.999% of us.

I don't mean to sound like captain safety, but angle of the first shot finally made me realize why I've always had a knee-jerk aversion to cooktops on islands: it's disconcerting (to me anyway) to have an open flame adjacent to a seating area, not to mention flying grease. I do like the idea of cooking being social, though.

I was also concerned about the cooktop. Wouldn't it be better to have counter space on both sides of the cooktop?

I loves the whole house and the color schemes with one exception - that sort of Moroccan looking room with saturated color and a big "sunburst" on the wall seemed out of place, although it would be nice somewhere elese. It was just jarring with the rest of the house.

Wasn't crazy about the Tiffany-blue-and-brown color scheme in one of the bedrooms. I know it was THE look some 5-7 years ago, but that's the problem. Trends look dated the minute they're no longer THE look.

That said, I like the downstairs very much - it looked both chic and comfortable - and the color scheme seemed less attuned to fashion and more to the rest of the furniture.

I wish there was a close up picture of the dog. I like the fireplace. I agree with a lot of the other comments..as soon as I saw that this home was professionally decorated I was skeptical. It looks a little too staged and almost unliveable..but there were some really nice elements. As a whole it's a little much. But thanks for sharing.

Beautiful home but nothing so interesting and inspiring...I also am not a big fan of wall paint colors especially the wall color in kitchen.

lots and lots and lots of really lovely, interesting pieces that for some reason add up to a less than inspiring whole...

There is no such place as "Venice Beach CA" It's Venice CA 90291. The other is simply real estate advertising boollasheeta.

The kitchen/great room look incredibly bland and impersonal (save the pretty red stools), but the use of prints and color in the rest of the house make up for it. It does make it seem like that area belongs to a different house, though.

Yup, unmistakeably done by a decorator. It lacks that special magic you feel when you see a home lovingly built and/or filled in by the owners. Sorry, it's mean.

lovely ceilings but the lighting seems to take away from it.

It looks like Marakeesh meets Boca Raton

I really like this tour because it's so different than my own style. I was looking at the pics on my phone while my little guys played outside, and I had to check it out again on my computer to get a better feel for the home. So glad I did! I love seeing styles that are different than mine, and this house is simply gorgeous.

@Ayme - but you're missing a crucial point. You DON'T live here. This may very well show that these specific people live here. Saying something is impersonal to you is pretty myopic and incredibly subjective.

I loved the built ins, they look clean and ultra-functional. I also like the difference between outside and inside; I wasn't expecting the modern lux look from a cape cottagey exterior.

I'd like to know more about the firebox in the living room. Is it truly woodburning or is it gas? If gas, was it custom? Who is the manufacturer? Thanks!

"Marrakesh meets Boca..." funny stuff.

I love the outdoor spaces & especially the trunk table. Is it teak? Do you have a source? I'm jealous of that lovely location. How delightful to live on the water like that!

The interior has a great use of fabrics & textures with lots of layers that most people (myself included) have a hard time coordinating. It's obvious a professional designer did the spaces. The designer did a nice job of including vintage items so not everything is too shiny & new.

This house really interested me so this is my second post!

I think the wall colors are right for the place. Having lived in many parts of the country, I can say the light is different in different places, and that affects the color choice. The colors I have used in Nevada (pale green, peach, cream) I never would have used in my house in Massachusetts (off white with exposed brick walls) or my house in New Jersey (sandalwood, pale blue).

Getting the colors right for the climate - and for the exposure - NSEW - goes a long way toward creating a beautiful effect.

Without of course my having actually been there, I think these folks have hit it just right.

I LOVE the mixture of textures and patterns here. Great tour!

I am disappointed that the photographer didn't turn on any lamps for the photoshoot. The light from the windows is not enough, and the warm lighting of the lamps would make this home look much more inviting.

Yep, looks a lot like a "decorator" house, very staged. But warm and elegant. Cannot believe how many living areas.... and really did not like the master bedroom wallpaper, though.

I think it's lovely. When Venice gets foggy (for much of the summer) those bright walls will make the place feel more warm.

That is a whole lotta seating areas for one house.

I love the pops of oranges, reds, and pinks, the wooden garland "curtains," and some of the textures and patterns combined together. I think there are some interesting combinations that could be used for inspiration by DIYers.

SUPER HOUSE! SUPER PHOTOGRAPHY!

Cool Paul

I just don't know...some of the color combinations confused me. Many individual things I liked though....i.e. Thomas Paul rug (I have it in Dark Blue) and your red sofa. Love the physical style of the house, but some of the decor seemed too trendy or outdated......I don't know.....

Wow! So wonderful! How I wish to live in a glamorous house like that. Its definitely astounding! Extreme NO

Isn't this Apartment Therapy?? This site is turning me off more recently with posts like these.

Nifty - I like this house.

I absolutely love this house and the front door is to die for. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely home with us.

Barbara

I am surprised by the some of the snippy comments, I thought this was Apartment Therapy and the readers were generally pleasant and well-mannered or otherwise just silent. I liked the tour, house and photography. Variety as far as staged versus casual works for me. Casual is more personal, but staged has merit too. For example, if you're looking for tips to stage your home for sale (or visit from the inlaws).

I don't know maybe commenters got put off by the fact that the home owners proudest DYI is finding a designer to do it for them.

I could fit every apartment I've ever lived in inside this house.

That dog is charming.

This has been so awesome to see! I kept saving pics. for ideas & there is more than most magazines. I could care less that it was professionally done or has a lot of sq. footage. The use of old and new is what I love seeing and it was done very well here. Thank you so much for taking the time to share!!!

Lovely home but the red Tolix stools seem out of place.

I think it's beautiful. Celebrate the hard work and talent of the designer and commend Jim and Theresa's good fortune in finding her instead of razzing the couple for admitting they couldn't decorate all those rooms in that beautiful home on their own.

OK - resources for bathroom please? Hardware and paint?

What is the paint color in the guest bedroom - pretty shade of blue.

I think much of this house tour is very "Apartment Therapy". The light blue bedroom with floral bedspread screams Apartment Therapy in every way.

There are many pieces I find intriguing. I love the feather/coral chandelier in the living room. It is a crucial piece in the room, adding a hint of Hollywood to make sure the space is not overly "Cape Cod".

The modern teal blue vases on the asian red console are stunning.

I also like the cut-out detail on the side of the outdoor white harvest table.

Though I live in Toronto, I have been to Venice Beach twice and loved to walk the streets around the canals. What I remember most from the area is the eclectic mix of house styles. It is impossible to find two houses alike.

I appreciate the understated decor of this space. It could have been so much more flamboyant and over-the-top, but I think restraint was used. The best feature being the canal itself, is not over-powered.

Thank you for a glimpse into my favourite area in California!

I love the light fixtures in the dining room.

My favorite elements (aside from the enviable location):
* The vertical orientation of the first floor fireplace and its surrounding tile.
* The cluster of lights over the dining room. Bet it's lovely, dimmed at night surrounded by those buttery walls!
* The strong graphic lines of the media room millwork.
* The beachglass-y blues used here and here. Was the bedroom tile an inspiration?

Well, that's a bajillion dollars well spent. I like how it gives the feeling of being a houseboat, and the house is on the water.

Great mix of contemporary and ethnic to create a unique space- I love the use of different fabric patterns! Loved the antique looking ethnic furniture mixed throughout. A bit cluttered for my taste, but you can never really get away from stuff...

This has got to be one of the best tours ever - an amazingly beautiful home, inside and out!

i don't understand everyone's hate for using a designer. i don't think that using a designer means the style and decorations inside the home reflect someone else's tastes. a good designer can help you figure out your style and how to incorporate all the elements in a cohesive way. and since when did using a professional mean you can't be featured on Apartment Therapy? the DIY reader can still get design and decoration ideas from the home tour. I, for one, am pleased to see a well put together house that doesn't feature pallets as furniture and a Keep Calm and Carry On poster.
Beautiful home, great use of colors and artwork. I especially love the massive trunk table outside.

Gosh, tough crowd. I think it's lovely and it would be a dream to live there. I doubt I'll ever have the chance to visit a home in Venice in person, so thanks for the chance to see inside!

I think it's lovely. Gave me lots of ideas for my apartment. I run through Venice with my marathon training group every Saturday morning, so it's nice to see the inside of one of these houses.

Nice location, but there are too much going on in the house, not a fan. Just looks like someone with money bought a bunch of expensive knick knacks and filled the house with stuff.

a new favorite of mine, beautiful!

This really IS a tough crowd. I think if you're not willing to take influence where influence can be found or move along to the next post, you're really missing out on the concept of design blogging. There's nothing wrong with using a designer and as someone who has been following AT from the beginning, I think there's nothing here that goes against the basic concept it's always had; finding inspiration in other people's homes. I don't really care that this home is larger than my own any more than I care that a tour from last week is much smaller. I can find inspiration and interest in any number of small parts or the sum of it all. If people can't find that, fine. Fair enough if it's not your style, etc. But it's not cool to rag on the owners of homes that put their personal space up and AT for somehow betraying their original concept is just kind of tired and missing the point of design itself.

I too have to agree that it should not be an issue with the size of the home or apt. or whether or not a designer was used? What is the big deal? While I may not like everything in the tour, I still appreciate having such diversity in the homes and decorating styles no matter how low budget or high end the home is. I always learn something new or find something to inspire me.

That photo of the palm trees got me in the thumbnail. I don't know about the rest of the place, but that photo makes the whole house (tour)! For me.

Each room surprised me...and in a pleasant way. What makes this home so interesting and personal is the mix of styles. Some rooms serene, some rooms bold. And lucky you, Theresa and Jim, to live by the water.

I admit it is a home most people could never afford & that there was a professional decorator, but it was still fun to see. I liked the rooms that were bright & cheerful. It just seemed alittle too staged for my taste, but it was still lovely.

I'm not sure how people are reading this as impersonal. It's not my style--too maximalist for my minimalist tastes, but it's surely got as much, or more, personality than the upteenth mcm redone ranch with Eames furniture and atomic clocks. And I like Eames stuff and atomic clocks.

@Melissa82
@bruintoo
Uhhh... I'm pretty sure that was a joke. I thought it was funny, and honest. Better than the one tour that answered the survey "I picked out all the finishes without a designer~!" but was sincere/not joking.

I am getting kind of annoyed at the ATers who comment solely to the effect of whether or not a place is attainable to them/most ppl. Seriously now.

I like the pendent lamp collection--AT pimps that sort of thing every now and then, but I don't think I've seen many real spaces with it (probably 'cause it could get expensive). I like the red stools but feel like there could bit more red in the kitchen to tie it in, besides that one tchotchke. What if you get tired of that thing and then the stools are the only red things for miles? I guess there are worse fates.

The scale of the glass vase with the sand on it and flowers on the table in the master(?) bedroom is messing with me. It makes everything else look dwarf-sized and actually kind of claustrophobic in the one picture. ^^;

I like the white vases in the other bedroom. Source?

Swoon. what absolutely gorgeous combinations of interesting colors and textures in every room. it's all so interesting and also comfortable and laid-back looking. incredible. makes me want to move to California.

Lovely home. Someone should have straightened that starburst mirror before taking the photo!

Wonderful home! Can someone tell me what color the walls are in what appears to be the guest room? The one with blue walls? Love that color!!

I like the master bath!
The rest of it is too "Veranda" magazine for me.
I bet my mom (60's) would love it!

Wow!

Hmmm, looks like a magazine spread to me. Lovely, but boring. Only thing I like about this house are the artichoke-looking-things in the guest bedroom.

Love your house...how sick am I to want to sleep in the guest bathroom...I need a life...Loved the baby (doggie) too!!!

Oh...and the sunburst mirror..thingy...I love ornate items like that...LOVE IT!

Very eclectic and interesting! It makes me feel a little better about the custom drapes I just ordered with a very loud print :) Just go with your gut and add things you like and it'll look good.

Goodness, I just read some of the comments. Why are you guys upset they hired a designer? Isn't people getting work in the creative field and making things beautiful like this home a GOOD thing? Chances are a lot of you are in creative fields, too, or at least appreciate them enough to visit Apartment Therapy and post comments.

KUDOS TO ALL! I want to hang out in this house :)

I clicked on this post because I love the look of the pale aqua walls in the guest room (recently painted my sons' room and was trying for that almost translucent blue water effect, but it fell short). So, please share, what color is it, exactly? And unlike a previous commenter, I do love the color scheme in that room, doesn't matter if it was trendy a few years ago, it's still a beautiful, serene combination.

SO, the yuppies took over Venice as well. Used to be a small, funky enclave of very old beach houses. Now they've crammed oversized showcase 'mansions' onto small streets and canals. Take me back to 1960 - please!!
Nothing stays the same - and who ever said bigger is better?
Love the pup - he looks like a reincarnation of my Murphy!
BTW - every California home has an added bonus because of the state's great sunlight...

here is a listing in venice, ca on realtor.com for a similar house in case you have the money!

$1,825,000
Price Reduced
Beds:3 Bed
Baths:3 Bath
House Size:1,999 Sq Ft

Yosoymami,

I have the same color in my kids' bathroom. I used a discontinued Martha Stewart Lowe's color called Araucana Blue. They still have the swatch books and colors in the computer if you ask.

cute!

Looks very Florida, not so much Venice. Pretty though, but just has that impersonal feel.

in the years i have been enjoying apartment therapy and the hundreds and hundreds of tours and homes i have viewed, i can say without hesitation this is my number one favorite home ever. maybe im just in a good mood or something, but this house seems flawless to me in style and taste. thanks so much for sharing and being open to comments both great and cold. kudos to you and your home!

I'm soooo envious.

I too like the dog... But I love you home! Love the Venice canals - you have some prime real estate there!

I would also like to know the paint color in the bedroom... THANKS!

I've walked down the canal pathways and bridges before with a few friends and drooled over these houses. Amazing.

Another "Apartment" Therapy post that showcases a professionally "done" house that clearly costs far more than most anyone living in the US will _ever_ be able to afford to spend on their own places. Bleh. I'm tired of seeing how these people live - I'm much more interested in how creative people with average budgets and above-average IMAGINATION go about decorating their spaces. Apartment Therapy used to be about that. Yeah, some of the colors are nice, and the canals are almost as lovely as they were before all the millionaires moved in, but this leaves me completely cold.

Pardon me if this was already covered. What is the color used on the kitchen cabinets themselves?

I'm dying to know the paint color in the bedroom as well!