In 2022, with a second baby on the way and the ambition to grow their real estate portfolio, Carlos Naude and Whitney Brown were ready for more space. While a large kitchen and backyard pool were priorities for their growing family, so was finding a space that they could infuse with their own personal history and distinct taste. When they came across a dated, nondescript home for sale in good condition in Granada Hills, California, they knew they had found the right place.

The couple run Working Holiday, a multidisciplinary creative studio based in Los Angeles with a portfolio that includes several renovations. With a few completed projects across Southern California, including one in Woodland Hills, they were all too aware of the ultra-competitive real estate market in L.A. So they shifted their focus to Granada Hills, a quieter suburb they liked for how easy it was to access Santa Monica or Sherman Oaks, to help their odds in nabbing a home. The strategy paid off when their offer—which was only in the ring with two compared with the 40 they were up against in areas like Calabasas—was accepted.

Before: Backyard Exterior

After: Backyard Exterior

Originally built in 1962, the 2,762-square-foot residence was aesthetically chaotic but well-maintained, says Carlos. It wasn’t the couple’s dream home, but they saw potential in its vaulted ceilings, ample-sized kitchen, and large garage where Carlos could store all his outdoor toys, which include a motorcycle, surfboards, and a camper.

The home’s new palette and overall aesthetic is inspired by their backgrounds. Carlos grew up in Puebla, Mexico, and spent part of his 20s living in Sweden. Whitney joined him in Stockholm for several months before they moved to New York City. Carlos’s heritage and the couple’s time overseas have influenced them greatly, they say. For the renovation, they wanted to create an eclectic vibe that subtly combined the Spanish influences of a Mexican hacienda with Scandinavian minimalism.

Before: Entryway

After: Entryway

Carlos and Whitney opted to scrap all of the home’s finishes, which were a jumble of mismatched tile, fake wood and quartz, an equally chaotic landscape, and a cloistered layout that felt stuck in the ’70s. The duo replaced the hodgepodge of carpet and tile covering the entry, kitchen, and stairs with handmade brick. “We brought it in from Tijuana,” Carlos says. “A few bricks have dog paw prints, which we think is charming.” In the living room, family room, and bedrooms, they went with hardwood. “The brick is beautiful but sometimes it can feel cold,” Carlos says. “It’s a different texture when you’re walking barefoot. We balanced it with wood in the rooms where we chill more.”

Before: Living Room

After: Living Room

The couple reshaped most of the interior doorways, creating arches where there were once squared of corners. The motif also appears in some of the built-in storage. “Previously everything was very sharp-feeling,” explains Carlos. “The arched doorways add character and give it a rounder feel.”

To further bring in what Carlos calls a “Spanish-Mexican vibe,” he and Whitney used a neutral lime wash from Portola Paints for the walls. Carlos and Whitney prefer leaving their walls empty rather than hanging art, aside from the occasional textile piece, preferring to feature the texture of a finish.

Before: Dining Room

After: Dining Room

Before: Kitchen

After: Kitchen

Carlos and Whitney went with a Roman clay from Portola Paints for the backsplash. Compared with the lime wash used throughout the house, the clay is easier to clean.
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With the renovation recently completed in November 2023, the family is enjoying finally settling into a new home that feels like a reflection of themselves. But work is never far from their minds. As in previous projects, the next step is launching a shoppable online gallery featuring the products used throughout their renovation. "We treat our projects like showrooms where we bring in the brands we like and curate the space accordingly, and then basically create a digital showroom," Carlos says.

Before: Family Room

Before: Carlos and Whitney got rid of the bar and accompanying carpeting in the would-be family room: “It felt very ’70s, plus we rarely drink,” Carlos explains." layout="" credit="Add credit" photoUserId=""/>

After: Family Room

The couple wanted the family room to feel cozy, so they selected a rug by Nordic Knots and a sectional from Arhaus." layout="wide" credit="Photo by Carlos Naude" photoUserId=""/>

After: Upstairs Bathroom

After: Bedroom

More from Working Holiday:

Construction Diary: A Serene Desert Hideaway Is Part Rental, Part Designer Showcase

Construction Diary: A Midcentury Ranch in L.A. Becomes a Young Family’s Japandi Dream Home

Project Credits:

Designer of Record: Working Holiday / @workingholidaystudio

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