October 17, 2022
In this project, our client was hoping to modernize the common areas of their home. The family’s sons are all in college now, so they moved out of Minnesota to escape the cold and settle down in a place where their surroundings would inspire their active lifestyle year-round. We envisioned these rooms as a place to gather and unwind, and the dining area leading into comfy lounge seating being the perfect spot for hosting friends or enjoying family time when the boys come home to visit.
From Dull to Dreamy
The open-air design of the front great room presents the best of Santa Barbara living, where sunshine and warmth flood into the layout complete with a kitchen, dining, and sitting area. The room had saltillo floors, rustic Spanish-style terracotta tiles which held potential but were overpowered by a brown ceiling, brown backsplash, and natural wood cabinetry with yellow accents. There was also too much brown in the den, making things feel heavy, dark, and uninviting. We painted the raw wood ceiling white and stained the beams to match the TV room beams, making everything more cohesive, spacious and bright. We brought in new lighting, updated the draperies, and incorporated interesting textures and fun patterns to reflect their personality.
Repurposing Inherited Pieces
We realized most of the furniture from their Minnesota house was mismatched and too large to fit the rooms’ scale, blocking the new house’s flow. Staying true to Rincon Road’s love of honoring tradition and family, we preserved family heirlooms such as a Spanish pine box in the den, and kept the dining room table, a gift from our client’s mom, as part of the design.
Original Fixtures, Reimagined
In the kitchen, we upgraded from brown backsplash to an eye-catching black and white pattern, creating a beautiful hand-painted focal point. By changing the backsplash and going with a bold mustard color for the dining room draperies, the original cabinets no longer seemed out of place, but became unique and intentional. Highlighting our client’s personal art collection in the new space was a priority. We featured her brother’s paintings and framed her son’s childhood artwork, personalizing the walls with elements of sentiment and story.
A Timeless Investment
Updating the central living spaces of your home becomes the gift that keeps on giving, since you spend so much time there. Not only will you be more inclined to entertain and share your space with friends, but you’ll get to kick up your feet and enjoy your meals in an environment that encourages you to slow down, savor the moment, and appreciate the simplicity of everyday beauty.
