Modern Remodel
A Home Designed Around Family
When I first met these homeowners, they were looking for a designer who could help transform their 1970s home into something that better reflected the way they lived today. We met through an ASID Kitchen and More Tour, and a few months later we began the journey of completely reimagining their San Diego home remodel.
Originally, the home reflected its era with carpet, parquet flooring, a brick fireplace, and whitewashed ceilings. The homeowners wanted to modernize and simplify the space, creating a cleaner, more streamlined aesthetic while still maintaining the warmth and comfort that makes a house feel like home.
This was a complete gut remodel, and throughout the process, the homeowners were highly involved. We visited showrooms together and collaborated on every major selection, ensuring the finished home reflected both their personal style and how they wanted to live.
The Kitchen Became the Heart of the Home
The kitchen was the centerpiece of this transformation — both literally and figuratively. These homeowners love to entertain, and with children, neighbors, two dogs, and a cat regularly sharing the space, the kitchen needed to function for everyday family life as well as large gatherings.
The goal was to create a kitchen where everyone could be together without getting in the way of the cook. We designed three distinct zones:
The convenience zone includes under-counter refrigerator drawers for milk, drinks, and snacks, a wine refrigerator, and a hidden coffee station.
The cooking zone centers around the professional-grade appliances, including a panel-ready SubZero refrigerator and freezer and a six-burner Wolf range.
The prep and cleanup zone includes a large double-basin sink, dishwasher, and generous workspace.
By thoughtfully separating these areas, the homeowners could prepare meals while kids and guests naturally gathered around them — exactly how they wanted their home to function.
The kitchen was also designed to seamlessly connect with the outdoors. When the large bifold doors open, the kitchen, dining area, and outdoor living spaces become one continuous entertaining space, allowing the home to accommodate large gatherings with ease.
Balancing Modern Design With Natural Warmth
One of the biggest design challenges with a clean, modern aesthetic is making sure it still feels welcoming. To balance the crisp white kitchen and light-colored furnishings, we incorporated natural materials throughout the home.
Reclaimed barn beams, hand-waxed by the homeowners themselves, add warmth and character. European oak flooring, expansive windows, and greenery throughout the home help blur the line between indoors and outdoors.
The kitchen features white shaker cabinetry paired with Bianca Venato backsplash tile, quartzite on the island, and quartz countertops around the perimeter. Black-trimmed glass doors add contrast and become one of my favorite details in the otherwise light and airy kitchen.
In the powder room, we incorporated a live-edge countertop — another unexpected element that adds warmth and personality by juxtaposing natural texture against the home's streamlined design.
Thoughtful Solutions Beyond the Pretty Details
Every remodel comes with challenges, and this project was no exception. One of the biggest was helping the homeowners understand the investment required to achieve the materials and finishes they truly loved. As the design developed, they decided to increase their budget so we could incorporate the elements that made the biggest impact.
Another challenge was a small but important architectural detail: a step transition between the main living area, hallway, and outdoor patio. Finding the right height required multiple conversations to balance visual aesthetics with safety from both inside and outside the home.
Creating a Home That Connects Inside and Out
The transformation extended beyond the interiors with updates to the outdoor spaces, including teak furnishings, stucco finishes, and concrete elements that complemented the home's new aesthetic.
The original whitewashed ceilings were sandblasted and restored to their natural finish, while the fireplace received a new Venetian plaster veneer, adding another layer of warmth and texture.
This project represents what thoughtful interior design and whole-home remodeling can accomplish — creating a home that not only looks beautiful but functions around the people who live there. Every decision was made with their family, their lifestyle, and the way they wanted to gather in mind.