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FINDING THE HOME DESIGN STYLE YOU LOVE

How to get started:
One of the qualities about LA that make it special are the myriad styles of homes
you can find here. Sure, there are the newer, cookie-cutter outlying suburbs, but
most of LA proper has truly unique and individual neighborhoods, each with their
own charm and vibe. Finding the style that suits you best, in terms of both
aesthetic and functionality, can be a very fun adventure!

If you’re still in the discovery phase of “what do I like?”, you might be asking
yourself, “where do I start??” Due in part to the explosion of home design and
renovation TV shows in recent years, there are plenty of great home design
books, written for regular homeowners. They will walk you through determining
your style, based on what you like, and then how to create that look. Online, you
can find fun style quizzes that get you going. Search online for home tours; grab
some magazines and start a file of ideas that you love. Have fun!

Let’s talk about a few popular styles

Scandinavian:

This minimalist style is so much more than IKEA. The look is
functional and simple, with a lack of busyness and clutter. The style originated in
the Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway and Denmark, where forests, rivers and
lakes abound, creating a deep connection to nature. The use of natural materials,
such as wood, wool and woven textures (think rattan) is predominant. The long
winters in these countries make for very little daylight, and so there is a lot of
emphasis on lighting. It is very common to have natural light wood floors, white
or cream walls, neutral colors and expansive windows with no window
treatments. Woven textiles in the form of mohair, sheepskin and wool help to
add warmth, as do accent colors in earthy tones…dark blues and greens, gray,
brown.

Mid-Century Modern:

This style of home is easy to find in Los Angeles, as a wave
of new homes were built here between 1945 to the mid-70s. After WW II, many
soldiers were returning home, getting married and starting families, with suburbs
developing and creating a demand for homes that were relatively cheap and quick
to build. The bigger suburban lots offered the space to build a one-story, more
sprawling home with an open concept. These homes usually have lots of
windows, especially in the back and sides, opening up to the outdoors, creating an

inviting indoor-outdoor living space that the mild SoCal weather is so amenable
to. Natural materials are used like wood, exposed beams, concrete and stone.

Neo-Industrial:

This style of home borrows from actual industrial architecture,
with lots of concrete, steel and spartan windows.

Americana:

This style blends Farmhouse with Mid-Century, creating a fun mash-
up of wood paneling, vintage artwork, patchwork quilts and stone fireplaces.

Craftsman:

These charming homes abound in the LA home landscape, with
roomy front porches, a low-pitched triangular roof with overhanging eaves and
large tapered columns that help support the roof. The windows have patterned
panes, and there are always built-in features such as cabinets and window seats,
all crafted with custom millwork. Hardwood floors run throughout the home,
with a fireplace and nooks tucked in under staircases, creating lots of cozy, homey
spaces.

These are but a few of the home design styles you will find here in Los Angeles.
You can also explore Spanish, Mediterranean, Italianate, Modern/Contemporary,
Ranch and more.

Whatever home design you land on, we here at RWT Design and Construction can
help bring your dream to a reality. We love restoring older homes to their original
beauty, right down to the glass doorknobs and keyhole locks!