A Mid-Century Beach Bungalow Has an Envy-Inducing All-Weather Porch

Name: Judy and Mark Hughes
Location: Seal Beach, California
Type of home: Bungalow/Co-op
Size:890 square feet
Years lived in:1 year, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: My husband Mark and I (both realtors) purchased the 850-square-foot bungalow in November 2022. The community is co-op living and most of the 6,000 plus units are original to 1962 when the community was developed. We loved the space with an open floor plan and slightly vaulted ceilings and large windows. It was in really rough shape, and there was carpeting in the bathroom. We started renovating a few months after closing. We are accustomed to small spaces, as we had rented apartments in New York and Los Angeles over the past 15 years. We really wanted to own, but we did not want to spend a million dollars plus for a 1000-square-foot home. We opted for a small condo that we could renovate so that we would be free to travel and not be strapped by a large mortgage.

The community is two miles to the beach and only 35 minutes away from our adult kids who live in Los Angeles. My favorite part of living here are the ocean breezes, one floor living, a public tennis club down the street, great shopping, and easy access to the charming main street.

我们both grew up on the East Coast mid-Atlantic region. We have lived in Florida and New York City, and we love to travel. Our style is a combo of Scandinavian clean lines, coastal casual, and lots of color. We kept the base colors neutral and added pops of color with rugs and accessories. We used Benjamin Moore’s “Simply White” and “Ballet White” for the walls and cabinets. The unit has a northern exposure and only windows on the front with three skylights. We wanted to keep it as warm and bright as possible.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less:Mid-century beach bungalow

你最喜欢的房间是什么,为什么?我们love the outdoor porch. It runs the entire length of the bungalow. It is truly another room in the house. In coastal Southern California, we can sit out there in all seasons. We kept it comfortable by adding rugs and many pillows. My plants love it out there due to the large skylight.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home?我们bought thisentertainment center from Crate and Barrel. It is the perfect size for the room and offers added storage, which is vital in such a small space.

Any advice for creating a home you love?My advice is to always add warm lighting and a lot of it. Warm inviting lighting is so important. The new LED bulbs are great for energy saving but make sure you always buy the warm bulbs. Create a collected feel and avoid buying all new accessories at home stores. Pick up small pieces in your travels and try to support small businesses and to purchase well-made unique pieces. Quality over quantity in small spaces. I research any purchased item that I bring into the house. Oh… and PLANTS; they are the cheapest decorations you can buy, and they are a healthy addition to your home.

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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