Tiny Midcentury Jewel
A Small Home With a Big Personality
When I first met these homeowners, they were looking to transform their 860-square-foot San Diego condo into a home that truly reflected how they wanted to live. As a couple in their 60s, they knew this was where they planned to spend many years, and they wanted the space to feel special.
Because the condo was on the second floor and the investment was significant compared to the property value, I actually tried three times to talk them out of doing such a major remodel. They were confident, however, that this was the home they wanted to enjoy for years to come — and that made the decision worthwhile. Together, we completely redesigned the home in two phases.
Creating a Jewel Box of Color and Function
The first phase focused on the major transformation: the kitchen, living spaces, and bathrooms. The goal was to maximize every inch while creating a home that felt open, functional, and uniquely theirs.
The second phase focused on the details that elevated the entire home. We replaced the original, very common white slab doors with beautiful rift oak veneer doors — a simple change that made a dramatic impact. In a small home, every surface matters, and thoughtful details like doors can completely transform the feeling of a space.
We also designed a full-wall midcentury-inspired desk for a dedicated craft and workspace. In the bedroom, we created a custom bookshelf wall with a built-in reading nook beneath the window for these avid readers and their hundreds of books.
Bold Design in a Small Footprint
This project was especially fun because the homeowner came from the art installation world and had a deep appreciation for color. We embraced that creativity by designing a home that felt like a jewel box — layering bold moments of color with quieter spaces to create balance.
The result is a small home with a big personality: a space that proves thoughtful interior design is not about square footage, but about creating a home that feels perfectly tailored to the people who live there.