Designer Eclectic Pink California Adobe

Designer Eclectic Pink California Adobe

Neva Williams desperately wished to glimpse and see what had been concealed behind this home’s imposing wall. After passing, she finally had her opportunity once an open-house hint appeared out front. Although Williams, a designer and builder, wasn’t in the market for a new home at the moment, the beautiful adobe house grabbed her. She walked in and said to herself, “This is it — this is my house.” While still holding true to the first California adobe design, Williams has included her own private spins to make a home representing her classic yet eclectic fashion.

at a Glance
Who lives here: Neva Williams
Location: Ojai, California
Size: 3,300 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
That’s interesting: Almost all of the artwork in the House is by local designers.

Shannon Malone

Williams’ love of bold colours is observed both inside and outside the house, with its own bright pink walls and blue doors and windows. In regards to the colour palette, Williams did not have to make very many changes. “Everything was ideal for me,” she states. “This house found me”

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The outside walls of the home are 22 inches thick (two adobe bricks), and the inside walls are 12 inches thick (one adobe brick). The first beams throughout the home are redwood. “The open beam arrangement is wonderful. You simply can’t rebuild that today,” Williams states.

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The home is full of bold colour — a mix of Craftsman, Southwestern along with various different styles. “Design should be classic,” Williams states. “Don’t follow trends.”

The pew in this area is in the Ojai church. A striped Navajo rug has been thrown for a dash of colour. The dining table and seats had been passed down by her parents.

Shannon Malone

Although Williams does not specify her fashion since Southwestern, the effect is found throughout the home’s colorful coral walls, fabrics and pottery — such as this classic lawyer bookcase full of multicolored dinnerware.

Shannon Malone

Williams’ ex-husband, Bruce Williams, crafted many of these furniture pieces, such as this hutch in the dining room. Williams discovered this collection of pottery in the Southwest and complemented the display with framed local artwork.

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Williams utilizes thick curtains rich with texture as an alternate to doors in several rooms.

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This spacious room generally acts as a home office, however, Williams was preparing to sponsor a wedding when this photograph was taken and was using this space for additional guest sleeping.

Shannon Malone

Over the years Williams has obtained many pieces of furniture out of reveal places and retail spaces she designed within her 30-year design livelihood. This ottoman is from a Guess retail shop she worked on.

Shannon Malone

The past homeowners installed the bright red kitchen flooring. Although it’s a bold choice, Williams loves them. “There is no such thing as an ugly colour,” she states. “It all depends on how it’s used.”

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Williams did not make any changes to the kitchen since the timeless design and bold colours matched her personal style. All the cabinets in the kitchen have earthquake latches to accommodate Southern California’s notorious quakes.

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The patio is one of those few places where Williams made significant structural alterations. In adobe houses, outside patios and spaces often lead to different sections of the house. Williams wanted access from the inside, so she enclosed the patio, making an additional interior space for a guest bed.

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Using its chandelier, flowery fabrics and soft colours, the master bedroom is an ideal manifestation of Williams’ classic fashion.

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The master bathroom is warm and welcoming with its soft pink hues.

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When Williams bought the house, there was a lawn in the yard but small other landscaping. She planted a lovely garden with everything from roses to orange trees, including much-needed life and colour to the outside space. “Being from Pasadena, I have to have roses. I really like them,” she states.

Shannon Malone

Williams wanted to create a pool long enough for laps, but nothing too big or broad. She calls the effect “the goddess pool” She built and designed the pool and spa in 2003, using tile from RTK Studios in Ojai.

Shannon Malone

Williams always wanted a red barn, also assembled what she calls for the “Barn House.” The barn attic is fully equipped with a kitchen and bathroom, and is currently inhabited by a renting tenant.

Shannon Malone

Williams’ love of adobe homes stems from time spent in New Mexico learning to build them together with her ex-husband. Although the house wasn’t on document until the 1950s, Williams thinks it was built from the late 1920s. “I’ve had people who used to live here a long time ago stop by and ask to see the home,” she states.

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