Newsletters

Tej’s Remodel of a 1960’s Santa Monica Condo

Marcia Prentice
Marcia Prentice
Marcia is an interior, portrait, and travel photographer and has photographed over 50 homes of creatives. Her photographic style is capturing her subject in the most natural state and creating an emotional response.
published May 16, 2011
comments
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
See More Images
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Name: Tej Sundher
Location: Santa Monica, California
Size: 1,800 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years

Anyone who has ever purchased a earlier era home with the intent to transform it to a more modern dwelling can relate to this story. Worn old carpet and pink wallpaper didn’t discourage Tej and his designer friend, Cozette, from seeing the vision of what could be.

See More Images
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
See More Images
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
See More Images
1 / 29
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

They jumped right into the construction and after completely gutting the entire residence, took on the selection of materials and furnishings. I couldn’t believe it when Tej told me that the entire remodel was finished in only three months.

Every room in Tej’s condo is well designed and functional, but my favorite space is definitely the kitchen. The orange paint color juxtaposed against the dark cabinetry and the blue and cream tile is a great combination. I was dying to know the source of the backsplash tile used throughout in the kitchen and was surprised to find out that it was actually pool tile. Tej doesn’t cook that often, but the large kitchen works well when entertaining a house full of guests.

See More Images
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: I knew one day I would purchase a home and hire my long time friend and interior designer, Cozette Coffman. Over the years I would always point out what I liked in other homes, restaurants, and hotels, so she really knew where I wanted to take things. I definitely love dark wood cabinets and one of the first selections we made was the Oak wood floors. I really let her take it from there, presenting me with the whole package and vision she had created for a modern space that is both hip and homey.

Inspiration: I wanted a home that was stylish like a hip hotel, but also welcoming enough to live in every day. Cozette helped me see that this house had good bones before I purchased it and then we developed a plan to gut it and remodel extensively.

Favorite Element: My favorite element is the remodeled kitchen. It’s great how open the new layout is and it’s really become the main hub when I’m entertaining. I also love the graphic stencil that Cozette painted on the walls in my bathroom.

Biggest Challenge: Furnishing the house after investing in the construction and remodeling costs.

What Friends Say: My friends and guests tell me that they love how my home is stylish but still masculine.

Biggest Embarrassment: My biggest embarrassment when I purchased the home was how outdated and small the kitchen was.

Proudest DIY: The dining chairs are from the Burbank Unpainted Furniture store and then we had them lacquered blue; definitely helped offset costs in the overall budget.

Biggest Indulgence: My biggest indulgence had to be the custom kitchen cabinets. Cozette’s design was fabricated by todosomething – they did a fantastic job incorporating all of the bells and whistles that you’d want in a kitchen.

Best Advice: Hire a professional – it’s so worth it!

Dream Source: I would have to defer to Cozette on that.

See More Images
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Resources of Note:

FURNITURE

ACCESSORIES

APPLIANCES

  • Refrigerator, Oven and & Microwave: Jenn-Air
  • Electric Cooktop: Kenmore Induction
  • Dishwasher: Bosch
  • Stainless Farmhouse Sink: Signature Hardware
  • Faucet: Grohe
  • Bar Sink: Houzer
  • Bar Faucet: Grohe
  • Beverage Refrigerator: U-line

HARDWARE

GUEST & MASTER BATHROOM FIXTURES

POWDER ROOM FIXTURES

RUGS & CARPET

FLOORING

  • Engineered Oak Flooring: Amigos Wholesale Flooring

TILES & STONE

LIGHTING

WINDOW TREATMENTS
Custom Draperies: Cozette Coffman Design:

  • Living Room Fabric: Brentano
  • Master Bedroom: Kravet & Jim Thompson
  • Master Bathroom: Jim Thompson

Shades:

WALLCOVERING

PAINT

  • Kitchen: Yolo paint # 02 Clay
  • Living Room: Benjamin Moore, # 0C-12 Muslin
  • Entry & Powder Room: Benjamin Moore, AF-20 Mascarpone
  • Brick: Benjamin Moore – Mesa Verde Tan, AC 33
  • Master Bedroom: Dunn Edwards, DE6177 Thatched Roof
  • Master Bathroom: Custom stencil
  • Wall, base: Benjamin Moore, AF-20 Mascarpone
  • Wall, 2nd color: Benjamin Moore, HC 26 Monroe Bisque
  • Accent color: Dunn Edwards #DEA161 Wild Mustang
  • Guest Bathroom: Benjamin Moore, Constellation AF 540

ARTWORK

OTHER

See More Images
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Thanks Tej!

Images: Bethany Nauert

• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE Check out past house tours here
• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form.
• Are you a designer/architect/decorator interested in sharing a residential project with Apartment Therapy readers? Contact the editors through our Professional Submission Form.

Filed in:
Apartment