Inside an Editor and Sculptor’s 800-Square-Foot Craftsman Bungalow in LA

Historic homes often lose their charm when they’re remodeled—but Anna Furman’s 1912 Craftsman bungalow was enhanced by the architect who reimagined it for modern living. “Especially in LA, old houses are either gut-renovated to hell in a soulless, sterile way or they’re falling apart at the seams,” says Furman, a sculptor and Associated Press editor. “This house really felt like a Goldilocks situation. It’s 100-plus years old, and it’s retained a lot of its original character, but it’s been updated to bring natural light in.”

In 2007, Barbara Bestor, “who’s known for taking really simple materials and transforming them into playful-yet-practical design elements,” used an abundance of honey-toned plywood to overhaul the abode for the previous tenants. Furman was attracted to the warmth of the humble veneer that Bestor created, which appears on the wall cladding, kitchen counters, and built-in seating and storage throughout. “I lucked out with that,” she reflects.

Short, wood stools are peppered around the home. “I use those as sculpture stands if I’m being scrappy,” says Furman. “Sometimes I use them for plants, or I’ll have friends over for a movie night, so they’re just extra seating. I have a projector that comes down on the wood wall.”

“I made that last year and it just immediately made sense to me in that corner,” Furman says of her green lamp. “It anchors the couch in place—not literally, but visually. It looks organic, but also not of this world. That’s how I think about a lot of my art.”