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This renovation project began as an original 1980s boxy colonial

and resulted in what we are calling a California Colonial. There were three key elements we had to consider from our clients:
 
First, Dad is an accomplished home chef who has contributed to one of our best local restaurants, making a chef‘s kitchen a must.
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Second, this family loves to entertain, and they have a huge family. To accommodate these gatherings, the first floor design flows in a circle from foyer to kitchen and dining, bar and family lounge room to living room. Each space needed to be well defined yet harmonious with the overall design.

​Third, our clients are adventurers. They love to travel, they love being active and outdoors, visiting national parks and different countries on school breaks. They love to read and play sports and music. They are a very fun and cool family!
 
In an effort to embody their spirit of adventure and love of good food, family and friends, their new California Colonial was born. It was crucial that we create this look and feel in a way that was authentic and 
timeless, not kitschy, so we focused on the hard finishes to do so: we transformed their fireplace from a massive 1980s stone wall into a clean and simple California Spanish style fireplace. 

We chose authentic Saltillo tiles for the mudroom that would be congruent with the fireplace design and repeated that color throughout the home.  Our client sourced many vintage pieces that we integrated into the design plan: the powder room sink is a standout in the design; it is as charming as it is sustainable. 
 
Finally, it was so important to select the most timeless and fresh finishes for this home, as longevity was an important wish of the clients: they waited a long time for this complete renovation, and they wanted it to last. Every design decision was made with this in mind.
 
  • Each hard finish (tile, countertops, flooring) is simple and clean
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  • The walls are warm, but light with crisp white trim
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  • The upholstery is comfortable in modern shapes with lots of color in the soft furnishings of rugs and pillows
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  • The rich color palette includes terracotta, greens and blues, and warm wood tones
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  • We reimagined the curved staircase by adding wrought iron balusters and painting the original custom handrail black
 
By staying true to the home’s original architecture while honoring this family’s personality, we have created a home for them to love and enjoy for years to come.
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