A Second Chance
Author:Lindsey ShookRon Woodson demonstrates how to make an old home feel new without erasing its history
“I approach every design project with a fresh set of eyes and really listen to what the property is saying to me, and I also listen and learn as much as I can about my clients so I can design the home of their dreams,” says designer Ron Woodson, partner at Woodson and Rummerfield’s House of Design. “The common thread in all of my design work is incorporating the old with the new.” This philosophy, coupled with his passion for architectural preservation and eclectic design, helped Woodson transform a Spanish-style Outpost Estates home built in 1971 into a modern move-in-ready family home. “It was a typical Southern California ’70s adobe-style home with great bones,” he notes. “The previous owner was a prolific dance choreographer who lived in the home until his death at 103 years old.”
With the goal of saving a perfectly sound home that might have been demolished for a new build, Woodson searched for ways to enhance the original details and modernize the flow for current standards while holding on to the unmatched charm. “The house was very well built,” he notes. “We saved some of the very special details such as the beamed ceilings, lava rock fireplace and original vintage lighting. I wanted the home to flow seamlessly and take advantage of the Southern California indoor/outdoor living.” The most dramatic change happened by relocating the kitchen from the north side to the south side of the structure, creating a larger chef’s kitchen with all the bells and whistles and more main living space. Woodson worked with select partners including Cosentino, Kimberly Denman, Michael Taylor, Monogram, Fuse Lighting and Quintus to help bring his vision to life. “It’s always great working with industry partners you admire and respect. These are also partners I call friends.”
As cofounder of SIA (Saving Iconic Architecture), retaining the architectural history and character found throughout Southern California is near and dear to his heart. “I was very happy to take this diamond in the rough and give it new life,” he notes. “Architectural preservation not only keeps neighborhoods intact but also saves our planet, lessens the strain on landfills and saves trees and our environment.”