Before & After: A Suburban Bungalow Gets a Cool SoCal Upgrade
When native Californians Erica and Mark moved back to the Golden State after a stint in New York City, they fell in love with Pasadena. We did too: It was recently named one of Apartment Therapy’s Coolest Suburbs in America. Though Erica and Mark work in Los Angeles, the nearby ‘burb won them over with its strong sense of community—not to mention its dreamy Craftsman bungalows.
Erica and Mark found a home of their own in a neighborhood aptly nicknamed Bungalow Heaven—an area where more than 800 bungalows were built between 1900 and 1930—but their new home’s exterior lacked those easy-breezy bungalow vibes. It was painted a clunky, 1970s blue that stood out for all the wrong reasons: Various patches and a later addition were all painted mismatched shades of blues. It just didn’t feel right.
Watch: Erica’s Bungalow Makeover
The residents of Bungalow Heaven are very proud of their neighborhood’s quirky architectural past, and Erica wanted to honor its spirit. “We really wanted to choose a feeling that was true to the home and the history,” she tells us.
To get that relaxed, traditional feel, we chose Green Balsam PPU11-15 by BEHR®. It’s a natural, airy shade evokes that instantly warm SoCal style. (Think potted succulents and summer evenings on the porch.) Then, we trimmed the house in Bit of Sugar PR-W14, a clean white, and painted the porch a subtle shade of greige, Coliseum Marble PPU8-16, to keep things soft.
BEHR ULTRA® Exterior made the job super easy, combining paint, primer, and protectant into one powerhouse can of paint. And since BEHR paint is designed for real life, Erica and Mark will be admiring their handiwork for years to come.
The new exterior is both modern and timeless, a warm and earthy effect that updates (but stays true to) the classic Craftsman palette. And Erica and Mark aren’t the only ones who love it: Neighbors have been stopping by to compliment the new look, which is helping the couple join their new community.
“When you drive up your driveway, you want [your house] to make you happy,” Erica says. “Before it didn’t. Now I’m happy.”