Spirited Design to Get a Santa Cruz Beach Bungalow
“I really like to change space; it is what design is all about,” says homeowner and interior designer Lorri Kershner. She remodeled her 1947 beach bungalow at Santa Cruz, California, not once but twice. The bathroom and kitchen were overhauled. Then, years after, when her youngest son moved out, she enlarged the center of the house by converting a bedroom into an office space and a laundry area.
She laid off the interiors with artwork, personal collections and salvaged pieces which show a design approach filled with intention. “I like lively, motivated interiors that create a psychological experience,” Kershner says. “I am partial to spaces which make you stare, cause you to need to return or make you never need to leave.”
at a Glance
Who resides: Lorri Kershner along with her dog, Fin
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Size: 1,300 square feet;1 bedroom, two baths and a workplace
Year constructed: 1947
Shannon Malone
Kershner reupholstered this Holly Hunt couch in the living area three times over 13 years to coincide with the changing styles of the room. It had been covered first in French lace, then in a Donghia fabric that resembled older Japanese stitching, and it is covered in a velvet linen by Lee Jofa.
She selects fabrics that can withstand everyday use. “I want my house to be lived in, so every fabric and carpeting is dog and child friendly,” she says.
The large charcoal and hot-wax bit of art over the sideboard is by artist Vi Li. The resin pieces on each side are by local artist Michelle Stitz.
Shannon Malone
Kershner’s two favorite chairs are in the living area. They had been brought back from a trip to Hong Kong 25 years ago. Similar to the couch, the two happen to be reupholstered three occasions to alter together with the space’s different looks.
She made the white oak bookshelf, which John Wallis of Wallis Woodworks constructed. “I like the usage of built-ins for a little house,” she says. “I looked after designing them, for saving of space and good utility. I like simple, uncluttered spaces which are inviting and comfortable.”
Oil painting: Stephanie Heit
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“Working together with artists and collecting art has always been a big part of my layout practice and my life,” says Kershner. “All of the art I own has a story, and I adore how art defines a room and gives it rich character.”
The painting over the fireplace is by Santa Cruz artist and close friend Jane Harlow. The cactus sculpture at the living area was a present to Kershner from her son.
Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
Wallis also constructed the dining table, which Kershner made; it is the centerpiece of the house, she says. Crosses collected from all over the nation wrap the area. Some were made by Kiowa Indians in Oklahoma, one is authentic tramp art and many were made by Kershner’s artist friends. “I’ve been collecting them for more than 20 years,” she says.
The three pieces of artwork hanging in the hall are painted Polaroids by Michael Berman, an artist Kershner met in Marfa, Texas, where she has a second home.
Horse artwork: Tobin Keller
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The kitchen has been part of the first remodel. Bruce Larson of Acme Construction made the cabinetry with FSC-certified wood. The granite has been salvaged from a former restaurant project.
One of Kershner’s splurge items was the 27-inch Sub-Zero refrigerator. “It was among the best investments I ever made. It is built in, a huge space saver so effective. It made a huge difference in the overall look and usefulness of a little kitchen,” she says.
Shannon Malone
Kershner raised both of her kids in the house. When her son grew up and moved out, she took on a second remodel, opening the center of the house to create an integrated office space. The new space is full of built-in shelving, art and plenty of wall space to pinning up layout inspiration boards and hanging bikes.
Shannon Malone
A steel medical cupboard in the space is a score from among Kershner’s hospital remodeling projects.
Shannon Malone
Additionally during the remodel, Kershner added a laundry area and pantry. An artist at Taos, New Mexico, made the doors out of pounded tin. Exactly the identical artist also made among the crosses at Kershner’s collection.
Artist Mark Kotansky painted the bit above Kershner’s desk. “Mark was a midcareer artist who attended the Art Center in Los Angeles, afterwards moved to Munich, and who died very young,” she says. “We taught ceramics collectively in Palo Alto if we had been in college, and stayed close friends.” Kershner continues to sell a lot of his pieces for their own clientele.
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The guest bath has cool blue floors and backlit steel mirrors made by Bob Bucher.
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The sink in the master bath is black granite in Stone Forest, which sits atop a thick Granite vanity.
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The built-in wardrobe in the bedroom has been custom made using FSC-certified wood.
“I have not ever had a huge budget to use. I just took time to plan my layout, and I adhered to it,” says Kershner. “I have lots of plans. Being a designer, your house is always your lab. That being said, I suggest the help of a design specialist. A well-thought-out plan will always save money and time in the end.”
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“Every morning I wake up early, make coffee, climb back in bed and watch the light appear in my garden. This is my favorite thing to do, and I love that my bedroom gives views of the garden,” says Kershner.
She made the headboard and had it assembled by Wallis Woodworks, and upholstered by Christallo’s Upholstery, which has done each of the upholstery in the house. “I really like this therapy on the headboard,” she says. “I’ve done it many times for customers, using everything from silk to cowhide.”
The wall covering is a commercial material which Kershner turned horizontal.
Shannon Malone
“I really like being surrounded by the things which are most meaningful and inspiring to me: pictures of my kids, art, things I really like to collect,” Kershner says. “My house is my refuge — it brings me back to myself.”
On the bedroom is are photos of Kershner’s kids and artwork, including another slice by Jane Harlow.
Shannon Malone
The garden was landscaped when Kershner purchased the house, but she included the redwood deck, trellises, raised vegetable beds and a barn for her cows.
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