By LE Construction · Published October 6, 2026
Santa Paula, Ojai and Ventura have some of the best early twentieth-century houses in Southern California. Craftsman bungalows with deep porches and built-ins, and Spanish Revival homes with stucco, arches and tile, line the streets near their downtowns. In Ojai, the 1917 Arcade set a Spanish Colonial Revival style for the whole town. These houses deserve remodels that update them without erasing them.
Start with what to keep
Walk the house and list what makes it what it is:
- Original windows and doors.
- Trim profiles, built-ins and cabinetry.
- Wood floors.
- Plaster walls and coved ceilings.
- Fireplaces and tile.
- Arched openings.
Sound originals are usually worth repairing. Damaged ones can often be matched.
Kitchens
Craftsman kitchens were small and utilitarian. A remodel can expand them while using materials that suit the house: inset or shaker cabinets, natural wood, simple tile backsplashes, period lighting. In Spanish homes, handmade-look tile, plaster hoods and warm wood fit.
Bathrooms
Original bathrooms with colorful tile can sometimes be preserved and rebuilt properly behind the tile. When starting over, subway tile, hex floors and classic fixtures look right.
Systems behind the walls
These houses usually need:
- New wiring and a panel upgrade.
- New supply lines in place of galvanized pipe.
- A seismic retrofit for raised foundations with cripple walls.
- Insulation where walls are opened.
Plaster and stucco
Plaster walls are opened carefully and patched to match. Exterior stucco on Spanish homes often has smooth or hand-troweled finishes that take skill to match. (Stucco repair)
Additions that fit
Additions to period homes look best when they follow the original rooflines, eave details and proportions, and use windows that match the style.
Fire-zone homes
In Ojai and the Santa Paula foothills, exterior changes in fire hazard zones follow Chapter 7A. Fiber cement can match wood siding profiles while meeting fire standards.
See remodeling older homes, and our pages for Santa Paula and Ojai.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a modern kitchen in a Craftsman house?
Yes. Many owners choose inset or shaker cabinets, natural wood, simple tile and period-style lighting, which look at home in a Craftsman while working like a new kitchen. Some go fully modern in the kitchen and keep the rest of the house traditional.
Is plaster worth keeping or should it be replaced with drywall?
Sound plaster is worth keeping; it is durable and gives walls their character. Damaged areas can be repaired, or patched with drywall built up to the plaster thickness so the wall stays flat.
How do I match the stucco on a Spanish Revival house?
Older Spanish-style homes often have smooth or hand-troweled stucco. Matching it means using the same technique, tested on small areas until the texture and sheen match.
Do historic homes have special permit rules?
Some properties in historic districts or designated landmarks have additional review for exterior changes. Interior remodels are rarely affected. Check with your city before planning exterior work.