A 1970s California beach house made modern

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L.A. architect Rachel Allen helped clients transform a characterless 1977 stucco box in the coastal community of Carpinteria into a whimsical, family-friendly getaway.

When Amy Lippman and Rodman Flender bought the house, it was a dark and somber space with kitchsy porthole windows and a bad stucco job. But it was also 200 steps from a pristine stretch of Carpinteria State Beach.

Working with Allen, the homeowners remodeled in two phases over four years. Today it stands as a modern California retreat for family and friends.

That’s Flender, above, in a museum-white space lined with thrift store paintings. The house in Lippman’s ‘before’ photo, above right, contrasts with the house today, right. Below: Haskell’s room has bunk beds that are a play on train sleeper compartments.

Article: Rachel Allen’s beach house makeover

Photos: Beach house made modern

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credits: Mariah Tauger/Los Angeles Times

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