Tips for Decorating a Bungalow House

When it came to decorating her L.A. home, actress Stephanie Turner had an ace up her sleeve: her cousin, celebrated interior designer Nathan Turner. The two Angelenos are sibling-tight--and in sync stylistically too. “We’re both drawn to mix-matched patterns and antiques,” says Nathan.

“And we share a love of California.”
That love played out in every inch of the 1920s bungalow that Stephanie purchased with her husband, Chris Ganan.

“Nathan’s suggestion was to embrace what it already was: a cottage-y house.” Together, the Turners worked room by room to combine the pieces Stephanie already owned with budget-friendly finds from eBay and flea markets, as well as from Nathan's showroom. Ticking stripes, floral prints, and natural materials jibe with the home's cottage roots, while contemporary furnishings and oversize photos keep the look from going granny. In addition, every room is away in color. "We have such great light on the West Coast," Nathan says. "You can't waste that light on just white and beige."

Lacking layout options 
in her small master bedroom, Stephanie placed the bed against the windows--a Design 101 no-no. “I was so surprised when Nathan loved it,” she says. It works thanks to the long vintage-fabric curtains, which soften the area where the bed overlaps with the panes.

• French Ring Sheet Set in Navy, from $128. Zig Cotton Dhurrie, from $198.

Nathan loves combining hues and patterns, as shown in the casually elegant collection of cool blues he chose for Stephanie’s bedroom.

• Red Cotton Twill Ticking, $9.95/yard.

To make a variety of prints work in one space, change up the scale, says Nathan. Stripes bridge everything: “They’re almost like a neutral as far as I’m concerned."

• The Original Pendant Light, $2,750. Samoa Weave Arrowroot Wall Covering, $294/roll. Libations Antique Brass Bar Cart, $599.

Nathan achieves his un-fussy brand of chic by not hewing to one era or decor style. In the small dining area, that means combining a grass-cloth wallpaper with a statement-making light fixture.

• Rattan in Canal, $147/yard.

Covering a doorway with cloth may sound makeshift, but in the bright, light-colored dining room, it makes the space look like a portal into a cool blue world.

• Lacefield Bindi Kelly Curtain Fabric, $22/yard.

In the living room, paisley curtains and an ethnic rug meet clean-lined furniture.

• Macramé Wool Rug, from $298. Striped La Jolla Basket, from $78. Covington Pink Woven Ticking Fabric, $16/yard.

For their one-year-old daughter Nora's nursery, Stephanie envisioned simple white drapery against the lemon-print wallpaper. But Nathan pushed for pink ticking stripes--which proved to be just the extra hit of pattern the room needed. “It’s one of those Nathan touches 
I wouldn’t have considered myself,” says Stephanie, shown here with her husband, Chris, and Nora.

• Teak Coffee Table, African Textile Pillow, Vintage Painted Table, and Bistro Garden Chairs, nathanturner.com.

• Mahal Block Print Indoor/Outdoor Lumbar Pillow, $35.

For an alfresco living space, just repeat the interior’s formula: comfortable seating, tables, pillows, and rugs. This bold cushion echoes the paisley drapes in the living room.

• Grainsack Indoor/Outdoor Lumbar Pillow, $50.

This neutral pillow pairs well with the busier patterns found on the patio.

• Hamptons Outdoor Rug, from $198.

It looks cool and classically elegant, but it’s tough enough for use outside.

• Slat Metal Outdoor Chairs by Blu Dot, $149.

Yellow’s a natural accent for all the blues and pinks found inside and outside the house.

• Sconset Jute Side Table, $598.

Jute brings a space down to earth, as with this side table.