This 1930s Spanish Casita in LA Got a Wild and Whimsical Makeover

For Faith, it was important that the home’s Spanish-style heritage remain its crowning glory. “It also helped set the stage for lots of warm color, pattern, and art,” she notes before Deidrie chimes in. “I showed her images of what I wanted and I wasn’t surprised when we laughed together at the fact that most of the images I ‘hearted’ were her work,” adds Deidrie. “So, the brief was, in a word, brief, in terms of describing what I like.” In an effort to dial up the pizzazz, each space was designed and decorated with different forms and finishes, promising new surprises around each corner. The foyer, for example, plays host to a custom white-and-cherry vintage-dresser-inspired shoe cabinet that doffs its hat to the window trim of the same tone. Moroccan-tile alcoves dazzle in the bathroom and Roman clay walls breathe cool air in the primary bedroom. And the boudoir—with its beautiful gold-filigree palm tree wallpaper, dusty rose chair, and teal vanity—could easily have tumbled out of an Old Hollywood dressing room.

The living room, however, is the ultimate cabinet of curiosities. Here, pristine white walls highlight the original architecture, and custom reclaimed wooden shelves serve as the pièce de résistance “It was designed to display their art and decor, but it ended up giving pride of place to a very special portable bar cart—originally a wedding gift—that desperately deserved a home. “Now, the cart accompanies us to our well-known Crab Shacks backyard parties and returns quietly to its place when not in use,” says Douglas, confessing that the living room and backyard are probably his favorite spaces of all because “they’re equally suited for intimate evenings and fun gatherings.”