Tour a California-Cool Dutch Colonial With Mid-Century Style

Some people have wanderlust and move every few years. Others buy houses they can see themselves in for the long haul — exactly how Joanne Hagopian and John Eknoian felt when they got their 1927 Dutch Colonial in Berkeley, California.

It was a good size (2,100 square feet), with a big yard to boot. Less lovely: All the floors, windows, and plumbing had to be replaced; the second story needed reconfiguring; and the finishes were older than old. “But we got busy raising a family and overwhelmed by decisions,” says Joanne. “We even back-burnered fixing a hole in the living room ceiling after a leak.” Twelve years in, they hired a contractor and tapped designer Ellen Nystrom. The pieces and palette chosen play up the couple’s fondness for mid-century style and, bonus, their alma mater: “We couldn’t resist UCLA blue and yellow,” says Joanne. Now that it’s done, they’re really never leaving!

With three children who like to hole up in their rooms, Joanne wanted this space to be temptingly comfy. A curved sofa by Lee Industries opposite a cushy armchair and ottoman by Global Views give people room to sprawl out, while layered rugs — a neutral Fibreworks wool rug topped with a vintage Swedish flat-weave kind — make it cozy. Two wood Blu Dot tables often serve as perches for board games and snacks.

Just like this family, the Shaker-style table was staying put. “It’s the first nice piece of furniture I ever bought,” says Joanne. The couple had it refinished to remove a burn mark from a long-ago Christmas candle mishap, and designer Ellen refreshed it with chairs upholstered in burnt orange fabric. Neutral drapes let the sunburst wallpaper by Thibaut on the ceiling shine.

The old setup was lose-lose-lose: Dated, dreary, and so small that, says Joanne, “John felt crowded when he was in there alone!” Reshuffling cabinetry opened it up and made room for an island. Yellow subway tiles by Fireclay play off the warmth of the walnut butcher-block island top and floors, enhanced by deep blue lower cabinets and sea-glass-hued Bover pendants over the sink.

Washed-out green walls, hand-me-down curtains, and the mattress on a box spring had to go. “Our space was chaotic, which I suppose reflected the chaos of having three kids,” Joanne says. Putting in a stylish bed (it’s from Pottery Barn), a rich wall color, and pretty Roman shades made with Pindler fabric makes the room feel put together. Above the bed, beaded necklaces from a trip to Africa bring back memories of a favorite vacation.

The room already had its forever faves — a navy blue bed and desk from a local store, chosen by Thomas. Cool upgrades include Roman shades with a quirky sea urchin print fabric by Kravet, bedding from Annie Selke’s Pine Cone Hill with perforated lines, and a tripod nightstand from West Elm. The rug, from Jaipur Living, ties it all together.