When Los Angeles–based designer Shanty Wijaya purchased a ramshackle 3-bedroom/2-bath Spanish Revival home in the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, she knew it had the potential to become an extraordinary family home. The 1924 house had fallen into disrepair, and it was in need of both structural and cosmetic updates. It could have been a teardown, but Wijaya and her team at Allprace Homes saw an opportunity—and after a seven-month-long renovation, the home has a new lease on life.

Before: Exterior

As the co-owner and lead designer at Allprace Homes, a boutique real estate renovation and development company, Wijaya immediately saw the potential in the property—although she knew it would be a massive undertaking. Ultimately, she was “motivated by the personal backstory of the property and a love for Spanish Revival architecture” and felt confident she and her team could “restore and elevate the home for a new family.”

"I love Spanish Revival homes, and we knew we could make something amazing with this house...It has history, and I love that." —Shanty Wijaya

After: Exterior

Wijaya and her team sought to restore the beauty of the home’s original facade while extending its indoor/outdoor living areas and elevating its overall curb appeal.

To restore the property’s Spanish Revival charm, the team added a new clay tile roof to the house and garage. A clay tile roof hanging above the driveway creates the illusion of a porte-cochère. Arches add character to the house and celebrate its architectural style.

Before: Living Room

One of the biggest undertakings of the renovation was opening up the interior walls to allow for a better flow and more natural light. Wijaya explains that “prior to the renovation, there were lots of walls, a lack of sunlight, and a closed-off layout that made the house look small and tight.”

After: Living Room

At 1,212 square feet, the house is not large, yet Wijaya was able to reconfigure the main living areas to create an open flow and a feeling of expansiveness. Wijaya notes that her goal was to make the living areas “more functional and open, creating the illusion of a bigger space.”

The team installed arched openings and new windows to improve natural light, and added niches for extra storage. The living areas feature Belgian oak flooring with a vintage finish that lends warmth and character. The 19th-century fireplace was imported from a Victorian home in England, and Wijaya added a custom mantel.

An avid traveler and preservation expert, Wijaya is always on the hunt for one-of-a-kind pieces she can repurpose in her projects. For this renovation, she selected a 19th-century fireplace imported from a Victorian home in England to anchor the living room. A new custom mantel frames the unique piece.

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Before: Kitchen

In addition to updating and opening up the kitchen, Wijaya was inspired to transform the space into the central hub of the home.

After: Kitchen

“My design inspiration was the Italian farmhouse kitchen, hence the use of the high back farmhouse sink, zellige tile backsplash, La Cornue range, built-in range hood, and limewash paint,” says Wijaya. Vintage brass and brushed nickel hardware finishes add visual interest and depth to the cabinetry.

Before: Bedrooms

The home’s three bedrooms were renovated and reimagined as a master bedroom, a guest bedroom, and a nursery. As the original bedrooms were quite cookie cutter, Wijaya incorporated unique design elements into each room to create more personalized spaces.

After: Master Bedroom

Wijaya drew inspiration for the master bedroom from tranquil Spanish villas, incorporating earthy textiles and elegant French doors that lead directly to the landscaped backyard.

After: Guest Bedroom

After: Nursery

Before: Bathroom

After: Bathroom

Before: Garage

Prior to the renovation, the garage was in such disrepair that it had been rendered unusable. Rather than tear it down, Wijaya chose to convert the garage into a multifunctional room with custom carriage doors.

After: Garage

Before: Backyard

The backyard was overgrown in certain areas and barren in others. Wijaya brought the space back to life with a mix of new greenery and decorative outdoor elements.

After: Backyard

Wijaya wanted to create an outdoor area “just like in a European villa” with space for alfresco dining and indoor/outdoor living. She drew inspiration for the yard from “Mediterranean-Spanish landscaping as well as Hotel El Fenn in Morocco.”

An Art-Collecting Couple’s L.A. Home Is a Masterpiece in its Own Right

Project Credits:

Interior Design: Allprace Homes / @allprace, Shanty Wijaya

Builder/Landscape Architect: Allprace Homes

Staging Company: A 1000x Better / @a1000xbetter

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Before & After: A Dilapidated Spanish Revival Home in L.A. Gets a Dazzling Renovation