The Figgle Family’s Cozy First Home

Name: Casey, Andrea, Nathan, Dylan & Carly Figlewicz
Location: Lomita, CA (South Bay)
Size: 1300 square feet
Years Lived In: Two months!! We just bought this house after waiting eight months to hear from the bank! We are loving it.

You would never guess that the Figlewicz family moved into their Lomita home just two short months ago. Family photos, handmade artwork, and heirlooms abound and give the house a feeling that they’ve always lived there. As first time homeowners, Casey and Andrea are giddy with plans for their new home, from finishing the attic for more bedrooms for the kids, to cultivating the garden.

Married eleven years, the couple partner together not just in marriage, but also in business. For the past six years, they have run their own creative wedding photography business, Figlewicz Photography. When looking for homes to purchase, they chose their home not only for its detached garage that makes for a perfect shooting and studio space, but also for its huge backyard where the children have plenty of room to play. They have three kids, – Nathan is eight and he loves Legos, Dylan is five and she is addicted to baby dolls, Carly is three and she loves puppies. The whole family shares a love for the beach and they spend as much time together there as possible surfing and collecting sea glass together.

Like most first home buyers, the couple had a few reservations about purchasing their home, one of which was that it was too small. However, they couldn’t deny the fact that it just “felt right”. So they came up with creative solutions on how to best use the space, such as the triple bunk beds built by Andrea’s father (who also built the girls’ dollhouse which was originally Andrea’s childhood dollhouse). The home, built in 1915, was a short sale, and the couple put in an offer ten months ago. Downtrodden, they almost gave up hope after not hearing from the bank for eight months. But then one day the bank accepted their offer and they had thirty days to move in. It has been a whirlwind for the family, but they are in love with their cozy home and know that they made the right decision for their family.

My Style: Beach house meets farm house. Vintage hand-me-downs. Everything can be re-used for something new!

Inspiration: After my grandparents passed away, I flew to Nebraska to bring home some of their things. I realized how much I loved all of their vintage treasures. When I was young, I used to play in their attic and it was the most magical place. When I look around my house now, I am reminded of my grandparents. Also, my Uncle Charlie always taught me to view life through different eyes and see that trash can be treasure. Finding a marble in the street is God’s way of saying hello. Everything can be more colorful if you add the color. And when you have collected too many treasures, give them to others!

Favorite Element: My Hoosier cabinet. A friend of my parents gave it to our family. They didn’t have a place for it, so for years they stored it in our garage. When I was a girl, I used to pretend it was my kitchen. When I was older, I moved it into my bedroom and then when I moved out I brought it with me. I’ve never painted it, I just love it the way it is.

Biggest Challenge: Three kids! And now we are in a two bedroom house. Luckily there is a huge backyard!

What Friends Say: My friends are worried that one day my collections might turn into a problem. Haha – but I have reassured them that by that point I will be selling my collections.

Biggest Embarrassment: I don’t really get embarrassed easily. I have three kids…that changes the rules! Haha.

Proudest DIY: Photo collage of the kids. Kids’ bunk beds made by my dad!!

Biggest Indulgence: Our new cabinet for our tv. It’s really the only thing we have purchased.

Best Advice: Don’t be afraid to change things around. Every time I rearrange, new ideas pop into my head. And always pick up treasures! Don’t be afraid to paint.

Dream Sources: Casey and I have always loved the ocean and nature. And I love vintage items and all the stories that go along with them. We have been married for eleven years and we also work together as wedding photographers. Which means we spend a lot of time home together with our kids during the week. We love making our home fun and cozy. We also converted our garage into the Figlewicz Photography office. We are so excited to settle into our new home and we can’t wait to finish the backyard! We love gardening and so far we have started a little vegetable garden. Next summer it should feel more like a “Figgle farm”!

PAINT & COLORS
• mint fizz, chalkboard
• I spray paint everything. Rust – Oleum Satin Lagoon, Green Apple, Green Moss, Aqua

LIVING ROOM
• Mirror – Target
• Vintage books – I bring them home every time I find them. My favorite is Les Miserables from 1915!
• Wooden Coca-Cola crate – Nifty Thrifty in Oakland, Nebraska (paid $5!). All the heart shapes rocks, sea glass and shells are from our beach
• Italian daybed – thrift store
• Coffee table – a friend’s backyard
• Arm chair – Ikea
• Couch – Present from grandma! SAM’s Club
• Mason jars with shells and sea glass – Jars are from Nebraska and various places. Shells and sea glass from everywhere we’ve traveled (Morocco, Mexico, Nicaragua, Oahu, Tavarua, Namotu).

DINING ROOM
• Table – hand me down from my best friend! From Ikea.
• Bench – found and painted it with my son.
• Chairs – garage sales and I spray painted them.
• Record Art – We inherited Casey’s uncle’s records and I turned the Beach Boys records into art.
• Drapes – Ikea
• Desk – hand-me-down from my uncle

KITCHEN
• Vintage tins – from my grandma’s house in Nebraska
• Vintage marbles in mason jars – antique shop
• Hoosier cabinet – hand-me-down from my parents
• Chicken wire frame – I used an old frame my dad made.

BEDROOM

• Quilt – Anthropologie
• Rag pillow – Home Goods
• Closet drapes – converted my top sheet into rag drapes.
• Vintage coat rack – from my grandma’s house too. I hang my jewelry on it now.
• Dresser – found on the side of the road!
• Vintage suitcases – from Nebraska and the purple floral one is my great grandma’s!

KIDS ROOM

• Bunk beds – made by Carlton Construction, aka my dad
• Quilt – my mom made it out of her childhood clothes
• Butterfly quilts – the white quilt I found at an antique store when I was 16 and the orange one I found this year in Cambria. My mom bought both of them for me!
• Shelf and Bench – Ikea
• Dollhouse – hand made by my daddy! Carlton Construction
• Kids books – Most are my books from when I was little. My favorites are A Noise in the Closet, Colors, and Big Thoughts for Little People
• Vintage flour cloth streamer from my grandma
Vintage child’s desk – passed down to us from Casey’s grandpa and grandma.

Thanks, Figgle Family!

(Images: Bridget Pizzo)

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