This reveal has been a long time in coming and I am super excited to finally begin sharing it with you! We completely gutted this family home in Santa Monica, and added a huge kitchen and entertaining space and even excavated the lot to build a huge basement. Once construction wrapped up we filled the home with comfortable, family-friendly furnishings that feel both laid-back and elegant, with a slight European vibe. The project itself took a while to get across the finish line, but we've been keeping it under wraps until it was published in the Winter issue of Rue Magazine! Every publication is an honor, but this one was an especially exciting pinch-me moment for the entire team.
Photography by Amy Bartlam
Project Scope: Extensive renovation with an addition on the back of the home.
Overall Vibe: Elevated, laid-back family home.
The Entry
The front of the house was the only area that retained the same footprint, though we did redo the stairs and the flooring. Everything got a fresh coat of white paint to set a relaxed, chill tone and we complimented the simple space with a chunky console table for some weight. My favorite console-lamp-mirror styling combination worked perfectly here, with a playful hand-shaped chair for some whimsey and organic shape.
The Living Room
I love this room because it’s technically the “formal” living space in the home but still feels super inviting and relaxed. We didn't make any structural changes, but we added beams to the ceiling and changed the fireplace. Now, it feels a little like a cozy European lounge but the palette is straight out of California with soft blues, linen, creams with punches of black and brass. We played off earthy tones, added in texture and unique details like painting the window trim a different color than the walls. My favorite piece is the bone inlay cabinet and the two accent chairs we made in a beautiful patterned fabric. The sofa, ottomans, and drapery are custom for a luxe feeling, while the vintage rug gives a collected feel.
The Dining Room
Just off the front living room, the dining room is small but packs a punch. A pair of vintage doors leads to the “dirty kitchen” and add a ton of charm. My other favorite spot in this room is the small built-in unit that is actually a secret door to additional storage under the stairs. This home has the ultimate amount of storage and we utilized every inch we could. This room was also part of the original floor plan and we kept it small so we can add more square footage in other areas that were more important. Chairs are semi custom with added patterned fabric -- such an easy way to upgrade a boring piece of furniture. The custom drapery is a pair of linen panels with sheers underneath to filter light and add softness.
A moody wet bar connects this space to the family room. It's a small space, so we wanted to go really bold and chose a deep blue for the cabinets paired with a brass mesh detail on the faces. With the same dark counter top from the kitchen and polished nickel plumbing, this little space is full of elevated materials that feel special and make entertaining easy.
The Powder Room
This is my favorite bathroom in the house! We used handmade Zellige tile from floor to ceiling in a dark blue/grey and then paired it with warm brass details in the light fixtures, plumbing, and accessories. The custom-made vanity is topped with a super-bold veined marble that ties in the blue from the tile. The vanity is designed to feel like a piece of furniture, and the vintage rug and art finish off the space.
We'll be back each week this month with new spaces in this project. In the mean time, follow along on Instagram for more sneak peeks. If you're interested in working together, please fill out our inquiry form.