Budget Breakdown: It Took One Tree and $319K to Turn This Ranch House Into a Walnut Wonderland

Fallen timber provides inspiration—and fresh material—for a moody midcentury revamp in Ojai, California.

May 26, 2025 - 19:51
Budget Breakdown: It Took One Tree and $319K to Turn This Ranch House Into a Walnut Wonderland

Fallen timber provides inspiration—and fresh material—for a moody midcentury revamp in Ojai, California.

While Leah and Kyle initially wanted to fully open up the wall between the kitchen and the living room, discovering that it was load-bearing changed their plans.

When Leah Bradley’s good friend, carpenter Kyle Titterud, gave her the inside scoop on an "as-is" fixer-upper he recently purchased in Ojai, California, her interest was piqued right away. The charming 1965 ranch home—in mostly original condition—is nestled among orange groves with scenic views of the Topatopa Mountains.

Bradley, a Costa Mesa–based landscape and interior designer, had already collaborated with Kyle on a previous project in Ojai, and his latest find felt like a natural fit for the carpenter-designer duo’s second project. "Kyle and I fell in love with the property after walking it together," recalls Bradley. "We knew it had so much potential."

With mountains in the background and fruit trees growing in abundance, the land was a big part of the Ojai home’s initial draw.

With mountains in the background and fruit trees growing in abundance, the land was a big part of this Ojai home’s initial draw. "It was just a peaceful place to be, and I knew it would be such an amazing home," says landscape and interior designer Leah Bradley.

Photo by Jenavieve Belair

Leah chose a muted green for the home’s exterior.

Bradley chose a muted green for the home’s exterior. "I love how the plants all popped off it," she says. Bradley and Kyle updated the front porch with tile from Concrete Collaborative and a porch light and door handle from Schoolhouse.

Photo by Jenavieve Belair

The home is sited on just over an acre of land in Ojai’s East End, and the idyllic landscape was an immediate draw for Bradley. "The road that leads to the driveway is lined with fruit trees and friendly horses peering over their fences," she says. "I instantly fell in love with the land and views. It was honestly so breathtaking."

Clearing the overgrown yard helped unlock sightlines that had previously been obscured. Now, from the home’s back deck, unobstructed views of the hills and orange grove can be enjoyed.

Clearing the overgrown yard helped unlock views of the hills and orange grove from the home’s back deck.

Photo by Jenavieve Belair

See the full story on Dwell.com: Budget Breakdown: It Took One Tree and $319K to Turn This Ranch House Into a Walnut Wonderland
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