A Minimalist LA Jewelry Designer Goes Maximal - Remodelista
LA jeweler Kathleen Whitaker recently invited us into her turn-of-the-century, wood-framed house in Echo Park; as longtime fans of her quiet eponymous jewelry line... Photography by Nancy Neil. ...we were curious to see how her understated aesthetic might play out in the home that she and her cinematographer husband, Bradford Whitaker, have remodeled by themselves over the last three years. On the front porch, the couple moved the front door back to its original location, so that visitors enter into the foyer instead of straight into the living room. A former potter, Kathleen selected a pendant light by mid-century Californian ceramicist Stan Bitters for the entry; it came from Silverlake dealer Ten10. The ceramic candle holder on the coffee table is by artist David Korty. A large Elephant Ear potted plant introduces an organic sculpture to the arrangement. A vintage French table light from Nicky Kehoe and a ceramic vase by Bari Ziperstein sit on a mid-century magazine rack from Boo Radley’s (now called The Window). The couple kept the as-found kitchen (including the Wedgewood stove), but removed all of the upper cabinets to open up the space, and added a Copper Pot Rack from Old Dutch International. “Their greens and terra-cotta pots stand out from the deep green-blue of the wall.” The folding rocking chair is from Costa Rica. In the TV room, Bradford replaced a window with new French doors that open onto the back deck and lawn. The curtains are African Aso Oke fabric. The beadboard-paneled guest bedroom was most likely a sleeping porch like the office/study below. “It’s hard to find brand-new furnishings that have genuine character.” Bradford built shelving throughout the house. Thanks to a relocated window in the living room, the couple have a view onto their garden. The Whitaker’s Echo Park neighborhood is teeming with creatives, including lighting designer Brendan Ravenhill–see Live/Work in Echo Park: A Designer at Home.