C C C

Restoration

a fine
vintage
Reclaimed materials and an
eco-friendly design approach bring a
faded California classic back to life.
by Stacy Durr Albert

PHOTOS: MARK LOHMAN; STYLING BY SUNDAY HENDRICKSON

L
ong before “going green” became
the current fad, Cynthia Foster
and Karel Samson were hooked on
sustainability. As an environmental
economist, Karel is well-versed in the art of
conservation, while his wife, Cynthia, has
Timeless charm fills the a flair for earth-friendly design. So when
living room, where reclaimed the California couple purchased a trio of
Douglas fir flooring from the run-down cottages in Venice Beach, an eco-
1920s sets a vintage tone. friendly design approach was only natural.
Although the sofa is new, it “Our goal was to create sustainable,
was crafted from certified beautiful, functional homes, to attract peo-
organic lumber and ple with their beauty and then provide them
recycled polyester fiber. with the experience of living sustainably,”
explains Cynthia, who is also an actress. Aunt Zoe’s Place is
The cottages were in a terrible state of the epitome of
disrepair, yet Cynthia and Karel were drawn storybook charm:
to them from the get-go. Though they were Sweet jasmine hugs a
long neglected, “We had our eye on them white picket fence out
and knew they would be a perfect project front, while eucalyptus
for going green. It was a challenge, but trees brush the roof
we knew what we wanted to do from the above. The house
ground up,” Cynthia recalls. number (out of view)
After purchasing the cottages, the was crafted from
couple consulted an organic designer, pieces of vintage
Kelly LaPlante of Venice, who helped them license plates.
transform the properties into inviting, sus-
tainable guest quarters. The cabin shown

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 on these pages, dubbed Aunt Zoe’s Place, is
irresistibly inviting. Every inch was planned
from a green point of view—energy-efficient
solar panels and reclaimed lumber are just a
few of its eco-friendly features.
“We kept asking ourselves about the
impact the project would have on people
and our planet,” says Cynthia. “We are
strong advocates of sustainable building
practices.”
Step inside Aunt Zoe’s Place and
you’ll quickly realize that going green
didn’t detract from the cabin’s aes-
thetic appeal. Quite the contrary—the
450-square-foot cottage is a bright, airy
retreat that beckons guests to linger. Filled Cynthia Foster and her
with repurposed materials and organic touches, dog, Gracie, enjoy a
the getaway cabin is a perfect place to unwind moment in the cottage.
after a day at the beach (just four blocks away)
or sightseeing in Los Angeles. The vintage farmhouse
When Cynthia and Karel started the cabin’s sink in the kitchen was
renovation, they aimed to preserve as many of found at Sante Fe Wreck-
the original materials as possible and to reuse ing in Los Angeles. Cynthia
them where they could. When they opened up found the freestanding
the kitchen by vaulting the ceiling and remov- Hoosier-style cabinet on
ing two walls, they salvaged much of the wood. eBay; it adds 1920s flair.
“We were meticulous about minimizing waste
and didn’t have what’s traditionally thought

Painted Wood Floor: Check Mate To Create

1. Prep your floor for
over your cross.) Work on one of the “x” lines, and
measure and mark a line that’s 12 inches from the
Since many of the wood floors are original painting. Be sure to clean it thoroughly and let it center point. Snap another line over this new point at
dry completely. a 90-degree angle to the “x” line that you are working
to the cottage, they aren’t exactly in perfect
2. Lay out your diamond design. Even if you don’t want on. Continue in this fashion until you have created a
shape. Instead of camouflaging their to measure out every line to perfection, it’s a good idea diamond checkerboard pattern.
imperfections, Cynthia decided to leave to get a sense of how your design will look before you 6. Once you have sketched out your diamond design
them “honest” and exposed. “I didn’t want paint it. For example, will some of your diamonds be in pencil on the floor, it’s time to mask your diamonds
to make them something they weren’t,” she cut off partially by base cabinets? Use a pencil to map with tape. Use painter’s tape to tape off the outlines
explains. Her solution? A whimsical painted out where you want your diamonds to appear on your of the diamonds you will paint. Press down the tape
cherry-and-diamond design. Here’s the floor. You can sketch out a basic design on paper first firmly to prevent paint from bleeding under the edges.
recipe for achieving the checker-patterned if you need a better visual, or you can simply lay out a 7. Now it’s time to paint the diamonds. For this
floor shown on these pages: series of 12-inch floor tiles and trace them right on the design, the diamonds that alternate with your
floor to create your pattern. painted diamonds will be left in their natural wood
You Need 3. If you want to take a more state. For the painted diamonds, we recommend
L Floor cleaner
technical approach, use a chalk using a 4-inch wide paintbrush and working in the
L Pencil
line to map out your design on the direction of the grain. You might also consider using
floor. (If you don’t like this option, a foam brush for precision work around the edge
L Chalk line
skip ahead to step 6.) Working of the square, filling in the rest with a paint roller.
L Painter’s tape
A cheerful country with a partner will make this Apply one or two coats of paint, depending on your
L Paint roller and tray
flavor fills the kitchen, job easier. To start, measure the preference. (One coat will create more of a washed
L Paintbrush (4-inch)
as do energy-smart center point of the room’s width, or transparent look.) Allow the paint to dry, and then
L Foam brush (optional) and with a person at each end of remove the tape very carefully.
appliances and vintage L Paint (low VOC is a chalk line, pull it taut and snap 8. Clean up any messy edges, if necessary, and then
accents. The curtains recommended) it lengthwise against the floor. You you can add your cherry design. Be sure your dia-
were made from L Clear top coat (low should now have a long line down monds are completely dry before you add the cher-
vintage tablecloths; VOC is recommended) the center of the room. ries. To create the cherry motif, you can either paint a
the finials are vintage L 12-inch square tile or
4. Snap another line, width-wise, freehand design (using our picture as a guide) or you
across your first line. This will make a cross design. can use a cherry stencil motif.
crystal doorknobs. The object for template (optional) 5. Next, rotate your chalk line 45 degrees so that it 9. Finally, apply a clear finish after all of your painted
cabinetry was custom- L T-square
bisects two quadrants of the cross, and snap another designs are dry. Remember, don’t worry if your dia-
L Stencil, cherry design
built with certified line. Then rotate the chalk line another 90 degrees monds have some rough edges—country style is all
organic lumber. (optional) and snap another line. (You should now have an “x” about casual, lived-in comfort!

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 Cynthia’s decorating
philosophy involves finding
new purposes for old things.

Even the outdoor decking is eco-friendly: It is Trex decking, made from recycled sawdust and
plastic. A vintage café table and chair set provides the perfect spot for quiet conversation.

Nostalgic details make

a splash in the bath,
starting with the van-
ity crafted from an old
nightstand. The stained-
glass window is another
vintage piece.
The time-worn handle,
below, is actually a
vintage garden spigot.
The floor, below
right, was made from
horizontally cut wine
corks (by Jelinek
Cork Group). Cynthia A little creativity goes a long way toward making an
designed the border impression. Here, an antique sewing table topped with
with tile remnants that glass becomes a nightstand with nostalgic flavor.
were salvaged during
the renovation.
of as demolition; it was more like deconstruction,” says Cyn- The organic mind-set doesn’t stop at the decorations: All of
thia. “We had our guys save every piece of lumber that was re- the building materials are also organic and non-toxic, including
moved, and most of it was still in excellent shape and was reused. paints and finishes with no or low VOCs, organic linens, natu-
We donated the things we couldn’t use to Habitat for Humanity.” ral cleaning supplies, insulation made from recycled blue jeans
Many design details came from the old cabin or its surround- (Bonded Logic) and a whole-house water filtration system.
ings, such as the mantel that was carved from the eucalyptus tree “Karel and I were so pleased that we were able to put into
out front that had to be cut down for the solar panel installation. practice our beliefs about sustainability,” says Cynthia.
Other elements were found at flea markets, junkyards and an- Not only is the cabin a model of sustainability, it’s also an
tiques shops, Cynthia’s favorite haunts. “We found some great old oasis of vintage charm. Everywhere you turn, nostalgic de-
windows, hardware, light fixtures, tile and more,” she says. tails abound, bringing the past to life. Reminiscent of a 1940s
Cynthia’s decorating philosophy involves finding new pur- hideaway, the delightful cottage is a vision of yesteryear that’s
poses for old things, such as the sewing machine base she trans- steeped in tradition and comfort—a far cry from the dilapidated
formed into a nightstand base and a vintage bugle that became a building Cynthia and Karel found not too long ago.
pot rack. Another unique feature is the material selected for the
bathroom floor—it is made of horizontally cut wine corks, ac- Editor’s Note: Aunt Zoe’s Place is available for rentals. For more
cented with a border of tile pieces from the original cottage. information, visit: venicebeachecocottages.com.

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