This "Prairie Cool" California Bungalow Is All About Earthy Tones and FUN Pattern Play

The nearly 100-year-old home of Kirsten Blazek’s clients had seen better days. When the owners tapped the designer to revive their 1926 residence in Ojai, California, the Spanish-style property was full of oddities. Among them were a narrow fireplace divider between the dining and living areas, as well as outdated materials, such as gray tile countertops. Plus, the original floor plan didn’t allow for easy indoor-outdoor flow, which the owners craved. “We took the house down to the studs and started over,” says Blazek, the founder of design firm A1000XBetter.

What emerged from the gut renovation was a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home that was meticulously arranged for flow and functionality across 1,261 square feet. A cohesive color vision is the cherry on top. “I wanted to work in colors that felt authentic to the Spanish nature of the house and also the Ojai Valley area in general,” Blazek says. “We used rusts, greens, ochres, and creams as our main palette for all materials and furnishings.”

Paired with patterned wallpapers and fabrics along with warm furnishings and materials, the home radiates a lively yet calming energy, with a distinctly wild edge that feels fresh and freeing. We're calling it prairie cool.

All of the millwork was custom, so that was probably the largest investment.

LIVING ROOM

A bold floral wallpaper sets the tone for moody elegance.

One of the first things Blazek selected for the home was a House of Hackney wallpaper for the living room. Featuring birds, blooms, and berries on vines, the earth-toned wallpaper set the color palette for the whole house. From there, Blazek layered the space with "bespoke millwork, vintage accents, and a cloud-like sectional, designed for intimate evenings and cinematic escapes," she says.

DINING ROOM

Vintage furniture leaves a lasting impression.

"As the first space to greet guests upon entry, the dining room called for a bold impression," says Blazek. "A sculptural vintage table and chairs anchor the room with timeless presence."

To create separation between the dining area, living room, and kitchen, Blazek added arched dividing walls to replace an awkward, narrow fireplace on one side, and swapped an existing half wall with an open bar counter on the other.

KITCHEN

Warm tones and enveloping textures encourage easy, slow mornings.

Blazek worked with Bananas & Hammock to create a bespoke kitchen island with rustic flair. Custom cabinetry, painted in Sherwin-Williams’s Roycroft Brass, pairs with a soothing green patterned Robert Kime wallpaper to give the cookspace a garden-like feel.

For the custom banquette, the team chose a wool check Maharam fabric to build a cozy corner. "Rich in warm tones and tactile materials, every detail was curated to invite lingering mornings and meaningful moments," Blazek says of the nook.

SECONDARY KITCHEN

The down-to-earth energy is in the details.

As part of the project, Blazek transformed the existing garage into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). The space continues the home’s elevated, earthy energy, especially in the kitchen. "Modern elements, like durable Cosentino countertops, pair seamlessly with a playful patterned backsplash to create a space that feels both practical and full of personality," Blazek says.

SECONDARY LIVING ROOM

Where Western flair runs wild.

In the ADU's open floor plan, which "blends living, kitchen, and office," Blazek says, the living area "invites you in with effortless charm."

PRIMARY BEDROOM

The sanctuary is a celebration of pattern and color.

To create a bold, whimsical retreat, Blazek covered the primary bedroom in a Counterpart Studio wallpaper featuring full moons, snacks, cacti, clouds, and lightning bolts. "This bedroom is a celebration of color, where every surface—from the richly patterned wallpaper to the upholstered bed and layered rug—sings in harmony," Blazek says.

PRIMARY BATHROOM

Mixed materials elevate the space.

Artful accents, like the bespoke metal shower enclosure and checkered tiles, elevate everyday necessities.

GUEST BEDROOM

A sun-dappled room provides a welcome oasis where visitors can unwind.

“Bathed in golden light from windows on three sides, this bedroom radiates warmth and youthful energy,” Blazek says of the dedicated guest space. “Sunny yellow tones dance through the room, creating a cheerful retreat that feels both uplifting and serene.”

GUEST BATHROOM

Architectural details enhance the charm.

Blazek chose a light, airy color palette to fill the guest bathroom with a sense of ease and elegance. The arched entry to the shower-tub with a two-panel curtain adds a touch of romance.

ADU BATHROOM

The monochromatic moment is grounding.

"This ADU bathroom explores the richness of brown tones, from the shower tile to the vanity and flooring," Blazek says. "The monochromatic palette creates a warm, cohesive feel that draws you in and makes the space feel grounded and inviting."