Magical things can happen when a renovation considers not only the owner’s present living situation—but the future as well. That’s exactly what happened when Susan Nwankpa Gillespie of Los Angeles–based Nwankpa Design connected with a recent NYC transplant who had moved out west in search of a more laid-back lifestyle and a place to put down roots.

Nwankpa Gillespie was introduced to the client, an entrepreneur, via a mutual friend on his real estate team. She was originally brought on to consult on the site and its potential for future development, however she soon took on the task of renovating the home to suit the needs of the client’s bachelor lifestyle, while remaining flexible enough to one day evolve into a comfortable living space for a young family. “Our shared goal was to create a space that felt contemporary and masculine, but also cozy and inviting enough to eventually be a family home.”

Before: The Sunporch

Dating back to the 1920s, the existing 1,300-square-foot bungalow had undergone recent updates that had definitely run their course. The layout was composed of small and segmented spaces with low ceilings that made the two-bedroom, one-bath home feel cramped. However, the bungalow had good bones—and by uncovering the potential of the existing structure, Nwankpa Gillespie was able to create a contemporary bachelor pad that could one day evolve into a cozy family home.

Before: The Living Room

After: The Living Room

“The biggest transformation involved opening up the ceilings to reveal the shape of the existing roofline,” explains Nwankpa Gillespie. “It was a bit of a risk, with the different shapes of a pitched and flat roof coming together, but cladding the ceiling with cedar planks unified and celebrated these moments.”

Before: The Dining Area

After: The Dining Area

The additional height gives the living space an airy and expansive feel, while the tongue-and-groove ceiling creates “a feeling of intimacy and refuge.” Nwankpa Gillespie loves how the material palette came together, and the way the light “dances across the surfaces.” “It just feels good to be in the space,” she observes.

Before: The Kitchen

After: The Kitchen

However, the most unexpected source of joy has been the improved indoor/outdoor connection. “My client’s been pleasantly surprised by the front windows that replaced the screened porch,” says Nwankpa Gillespie. “They create a vast connection to the outdoors, and have a very dramatic feel to them.”

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Before: The Bathroom

After: The Bathroom

Related Reading:

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Susan Nwankpa Gillespie, Nwankpa Design / @nwankpadesign

Builder/General Contractor: THC Venice

Cabinetry Fabrication: Avonce Cabinets

Also Appears In

Before & After: An Outdated Venice Beach Bungalow Becomes a Light-Filled Bachelor Pad