Budget-Minded Comfort to Get a 1940s Hollywood Bungalow
Chad Foydl conducted his Realtor ragged while house hunting around Los Angeles. He wanted to find something just right — centrally located with a decent-enough skeleton that he can spiff up. The persistance paid off. “I knew the moment I walked into the home it was for me personally,” he states.
Like most first-time homeowners, Foydl discovered decorating and landscaping his new house a challenge initially. “I’m not a person who will see how it’s likely to look in my mind and make it happen,” he states. “I have to redo jobs because it did not turn out how I needed.” But after a significant push in the backyard, a kitchen remodel along with some help from friends, he turned his bungalow into a cozy little oasis that is just perfect.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Chad Foydl, his 2 housemates and 2 Labradors
Size: 1,700 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 1 3/4 bathrooms
Location: North Hollywood, Los Angeles
Sarah Greenman
“Before July of 2010, I had never implanted one thing,” he states. “I went from 0 to 100, and I believe I planted over 150 unique plants, trees and vines. I can’t say they’ve all survived, but most of them have, and also my yards are getting better and better every season.”
He sent climbing up vines every corner of the home to create the vibe of an overgrown cottage garden. Oversize stone pavers cover the backyard. Pictured on the left is a detached garage.
Sarah Greenman
You can observe the patio and backyard from the entry. The living room features a beautiful fireplace, lots of natural light and hardwood floors.
The tin mirror above the couch, and the one above the console in the foyer, were created for Foydl with a friend. The green coffee table is an old trunk, also talented to Foydl with a friend.
Sarah Greenman
The dining room includes a sturdy wood table with chairs custom made by Diane Bowen of Grand Loft Custom.
Foydl is a massive fan of artist Todd White. Among his pieces hangs from the dining room. “I believe what I enjoy the most about his work is that a lot of his bits involve people being social and having fun,” he states. “Certainly lots of them involve some type of alcoholic beverage in hand, but who isn’t a little more social when drinking?”
Paint: Cappuccino, Restoration Hardware
Sarah Greenman
Foydl is known by his friends as “the Labrador lover,” and this painting in his kitchen is one of his prized possessions. “I got this painting out of one of my dear friends as a housewarming present,” he states. “I vow that painting looks just like my black Lab, Newton. I’ve had many men and women threaten to steal it from me, but I think that it might go into my grave with me”
Paint: Duke Red, Ralph Lauren
Sarah Greenman
Diane Bowen of Grand Loft Custom also habit made the table in the entry. The doors onto the part were upcycled from an old European doorway which Foydl hand picked. Bowen then made the buffet around these doors. “It’s a wonderful combination of new and old, and I really like it,” he states.
Paint: Linen, Restoration Hardware
Sarah Greenman
A corner cupboard oversees the living room and displays a collection of baseball trophies, which represent first-, third- and – fourth-place finishes in the North America Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance World Series. Foydl is a member of the Los Angeles Killer B. The calendar year 2013 “represents the 10th year our staff has been in existence, and we are very proud of our past accomplishments,” he states. “Hopefully we will be adding yet another trophy this year.”
Sarah Greenman
A little den loves views of the back patio through sliding glass doors. The dark wood dresser is a precious family heirloom.
Paint: Sycamore Green, Restoration Hardware; art: Todd White
Sarah Greenman
This lavish sage-colored club chair with matching ottoman was a present from a friend.
Sarah Greenman
Having a $12,000 budget, Foydl ompletely remodeled the kitchen to include new Caesarstone countertops, glass-front cabinets, new stainless steel appliances, crown molding and crimson walls. In case you’ve got the right skills, he states, “do as a lot of your home improvement projects yourself [as you can]. I find that it’s the ideal way to feel great about your house.”
Since the house was built in 1941, the maintenance can occasionally be difficult. Foydl’s most up-to-date addition is a new sewer line. “It’s not sexy and it’s not a deal, but also the peace of mind is priceless,” he states.
Sarah Greenman
A huge bedroom at the back of the home enjoys oversized windows and perspectives of the back patio. The housemate who rents this room took advantage of the natural light to create an in-suite art studio.
Paint: Polaris, Ralph Lauren
Sarah Greenman
Foydl’s bedroom features a quaint bay window with a vintage stained glass piece he discovered “buried in the back of a vintage store in Burbank,” he states. “I believe I broke some store policy by going into the back of the store, but once I discovered it, I made an offer and it was mine”
Sarah Greenman
Foydl loves spending time on his front porch, where he’s created a little haven from the busy center of North Hollywood. “I really enjoy my neighborhood,” he states. “There are a ton of really hip and cool restaurants and stores in the NoHo Arts District which are a reasonable walk away. However, being a dog owner, I appreciate all of the coastal roads”
Sarah Greenman
A private back deck offers space for intimate gatherings. Among Foydl’s favourite things to do is sit and “smell the blossom and honeysuckle, usually with a Labrador or 2 at my feet. Perfection,” he states.
Sarah Greenman
Here is Chad on his back patio with his two best buddies. “My house is my refuge, and that is exactly what I want it to be,” he states. “I enjoy going home every day, and I am proud of it”
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