1351 Coronado Terr

By 2004, the Karen Vidal had rehabilitated upwards to ten properties including two apartment buildings in the diverse styles of Craftsman Bungalows, distinctive Victorian and Traditional, Spanish, and Mid-century Modern architecture. Since most of the properties were within a few blocks of one another in Echo Park and Silver Lake, real estate agents and neighboring homeowners appreciated Vidal’s significant contribution to improving the neighborhood’s appearance and rising property values.

One thousand three hundred and fifty one Coronado Terrace was a challenging project that proved Karen Vidal’s design and business talents and incorporated many of the standards that are signature to DesignVidal.

Built in 1922 by William Powers, the three bedroom house was home to Powers and his family, and later, after his death, where his daughter came back to raise her two daughters and son. The house was abandoned in the late 1970’s when the children had grown and they moved their mother with them. Indecision on what to do with the house led to disrepair and neglect. It had become a boarded- up eyesore for 25-30 years on the modest street before the threat of a lawsuit by city of Los Angeles forced the owners to put it up for sale in the summer of 2004.

Despite its poor condition, competition was fierce for the property and the area was experiencing what was to be the height of the housing market.

“The market became hotter and hotter and there was a professional flight from the entertainment industry into real estate. They could all make more money flipping a house than in five years as an actor or producer, said Karen, “There were at least five solid years of this kind of movement.”

Friends who lived nearby tipped off the Vidals on the impending sale.

“People really liked what Karen was doing and were contacting her about properties wanting us to buy because if she took a property and turned it around it would bring up the block,” said Guy.

An unusual offering.
“The seller's agent had everybody show up and make an offer. They didn’t even open it up, they only pulled back a few boards and let us go in with a flashlight,” recalled Guy. “When Karen walked in there was such a smell of dead rats and no air I wondered how we were going to get rid of it but Karen saw the hidden potential.”

Karen beat out 40 other offers based on their experience and plans for the home. “They saw what she had done with other houses, and through the agent we showed them pictures and gave them a letter of what she wanted to do to the home and they liked her proposal to honor father/grandfather in a permanent way by affixing a plaque on the building.

“I saw their emotional connection to the house,” said Karen. “I didn’t invent plaques, but I see them all over the city and why not make people feel proud? These buildings are around a lot longer than us and buyers like it too.”

Starting with the basics
For Karen, fixing the foundations, installing new electrical and plumbing systems and repairing the roof are the priority before focusing on aesthetic improvements. She used neighborhood businesses whenever possible. Building supplies found right around the corner at Baller Hardware, Jill’s Paints and Taylor Brothers were preferred over big warehouse chains and they sought out vintage fixtures and appliances, establishing relationships with local talent -- contractors and crafts people.

It may have looked like a teardown for years but the cozy floorplan and original elements such as wood-framed windows, nine-light doors and built-ins were enough to inspire Karen further. In quite an imaginative way, Karen accented the graceful roofline by replacing the original rounded support columns with a craftsman-style porch of local river rock to reflect a rustic charm that had been missing.

Recognizing today’s homeowner, Karen opened an entrance to the backyard directly from the house, and created an outdoor living space on a large wooden deck with stairs that leading down to the backyard with deep possibilities.

And as a romantic reminder to the past, Karen added carriage house doors to the detached garage enhancing the peaceful grounds.

The Powers home became a remarkable representation of Karen’s talent -- how to bring out the stylistic features of skilled crafts work -- all while staying within the context of a vintage home.

“Imitators came from everywhere,” recalled Guy. “People did her bathrooms like crazy, her kitchens a lot. She just kept moving ahead and people couldn’t keep up with her. Karen couldn’t resist built-ins; she went and got new black fixtures and a vintage claw-foot tub and painted it black. She worked with variations on wainscoting and tried to stay ahead of everyone. She knew where to put things and when we showed the house she was doing full props --nobody was doing that at the time.” Karen did this while staying within budget, which was Guy’s job.

“She was doing three at one time. It was stressful but she did it. Karen had to keep reinventing but it pushed her to be disciplined. Because these projects weren’t client-based – she was the client -- that really helped her to know what it’s like to spend money on her own and shows in how she’s taking care of her clients now.”

Recognizing buildings as products of their time
“Maybe someday I would be interested in building something from scratch for someone but that’s not my thing right now. I see so many beautiful properties that have been covered up and disguised through cheesy remodel,” said Karen. “I like to pull away and discover the jewel beneath. I would be interested in going on a treasure hunt with my kids. I think this is what we are trying to find is the lost treasure.”

"Mrs. Powers visits Karen Vidal at the newly restored home Powers was born in".

A lasting tribute
“When the Powers family -- the woman that sold Karen the house -- came to see the house when it was done she was crying and her daughter told us, ‘You never see her so emotional,” recalled Guy. “It brought her back and they were so happy to see the house being cared for.”

“The relationship people have to the homes is they still want it to pass it to good hands. What’s nice about restoring homes that’s really satisfying is that you are honoring the people who built it.”