How This Silver Lake Home Got a Complete Stylish Makeover While Staying Within Budget

A young couple was ready to give their three-bedroom, two-bedroom home in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles a full makeover. “They sought a complete transformation, desiring a space that not only accommodates their growing family but also captures the artistic essence of their eccentric Silver Lake neighborhood,” explains Shawn Taylor, who’s a co-founder of Dacotah Studio alongside his wife, Tina. “We began our work with them by forming a common mission—to blend comfort, style, and their own personal brand of fun.”

Marcus Meisler

A big renovation was needed since the house was outdated and didn’t have a functional floor plan that suited the couples’ passion for entertaining and cooking. The kitchen was small and tucked away in a corner; the laundry room was outside; and the primary bedroom and bathroom were located in the front of the house, which didn’t get a lot of natural light.

Marcus Meisler

But there was also a budget to contend with. “This project required a delicate balance between our client’s design aspirations and financial boundaries,” Tina explains. “To address this, we scrutinized material selections, exploring cost-effective alternatives without compromising quality. This process reinforced the principle that value engineering is not just about cost-cutting; it’s a creative optimization that ensures the design integrity while respecting financial parameters.”

Marcus Meisler

With keeping that balance in mind, they rearranged the floor plan and made some room swaps: the family room became the kitchen; the old kitchen became the new primary bathroom; and the old primary bathroom became the laundry room. The new kitchen is bigger with doors opening to the backyard, while the primary bedroom and bathroom are located in the back of the house and open to the backyard as well.

Marcus Meisler

“There was a great deal of structural work that took place,” Shawn explains. “It is a hillside home with interior elevation changes. Ensuring a seamless transition between different floor levels demanded precise spatial planning and creative use of design elements.The challenge was to integrate these subtle changes cohesively, optimizing the available space and emphasizing a sense of continuity throughout the home. Through thoughtful design solutions, we transformed these small level variations into opportunities to enhance the overall flow and visual appeal of the living spaces.”

Marcus Meisler

When you walk into the home, you either step down into the living room and dining room or step up into the new kitchen. New windows were added to floor the rooms with natural light. Post-modern furnishings and art complement the muted palette of hard materials.

Marcus Meisler

“The kitchen features maple cabinets and Taj Mahal counters with a large island and curved details that opens out the backyard with the large bifold doors,” Tina adds.

The bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry room are located on the other side of the house. The primary bedroom features a large ensuite bathroom and a walk-in closet. 

Marcus Meisler

“The shared bathroom is in the center of the rooms and has Tadelakt walls and bejmat floors in a herringbone pattern,” says Shawn. The new laundry room is beside that with custom cabinetry and side-by-side washer and dryer. The outcome is a serene and tailored environment that flawlessly embodies the vibrant and artistic essence of the Los Angeles neighborhood and its inhabitants.”

Marcus Meisler

The revamped floor plan now provides more functionality, thanks to the chef’s kitchen, primary suite, and spacious laundry room. And the new windows and doors both modernize the home and provide plenty of natural light.