Created for Diana and Mike, a young couple with three small children, the renovation was guided by equal parts beauty and practicality. Diana’s close connection to her heritage—and her work as an Italian language tutor from the home office—inspired subtle references to the Italian landscape throughout the interiors, while family-friendly function is central to every decision.

The project was a full gut renovation that began with a complete reconsideration of the floor plan. Unbalanced kitchen and living areas, along with the overall flow of the first floor and primary suite, were thoughtfully reimagined. From flooring and cabinetry to plumbing fixtures, trim, and soft finishes, every detail was selected to create a cohesive, elevated whole.

One of the greatest challenges was expanding a kitchen the designers knew was too small for the family’s needs. The result is a beautifully resolved layout that supports everyday life while feeling polished and sophisticated. Completed over the course of 14 months, the finished home delivered exactly what the clients had envisioned.

In the slideshow ahead, the designers guide us through the transformed spaces, sharing sources, ideas, and thoughtful details you’ll love.

Michelle’s firm, Morgan Harrison Home, was brought on for a full gut renovation for a young family. “They’re Texas transplants,” she explains. “They were living in Greenwich, looking for a home with proximity to downtown but with a private, lakefront oasis feel to raise their girls. The client’s one major request—a dream space—was an at-home bar with space for entertaining, a perfect place to watch UT football games.”

Morgan Harrison Home’s scope included all interior finishes, millwork, hardware, plumbing, tile, lighting, and stone, in addition to all interior furnishings. “The goal was to create a home that feels fresh and contemporary while remaining comfortable and practical for daily life,” Michelle notes. “The design connects closely to the landscape, drawing in the lake views and natural surroundings.”

Working within the existing footprint, architect Tanner White carved out new spatial experiences and introduced expansive walls of windows to bring in light and views throughout. “Given the home’s long, angular, L-shaped layout, the interiors focus on softening the architecture,” the designer explains. “Layered materials, organic forms, a natural palette, and textured textiles create a sense of flow and continuity from one space to the next.”

The project took around 18 months, and the clients couldn’t be happier with the final space. “When they saw the finished home, they gave us one of those genuine responses that reminds us exactly why we do this work,” Michelle reflects. “Their daughters were ecstatic about their bedrooms. Those reveals are always especially exciting, because you know a kid will always give you an honest reaction, negative or positive. Given its importance to the clients, the bar reveal carried a lot of weight. We knew how much it meant to the clients, but when the clients finally saw it, it was a hit.”

Take a tour in the slideshow.

Her clients, a creative and art-loving family, approached their remodel with a deep appreciation for color, craftsmanship, and storytelling. “Their biggest request was a home that felt personal and art-forward while still honoring the calm, clean sensibility of Scandinavian design,” Emily notes. “They wanted spaces that could evolve with their family and showcase their growing art collection.”

Emily was tasked with providing full interior design services for the entry, living and dining room, kitchen, pantry, and mudroom. “Each room was approached as its own composition, balancing Scandinavian restraint with expressive color and thoughtful craftsmanship,” she explains.

In the kitchen, a sunny yellow island serves as a joyful counterpoint to the backsplash, while the beautifully matched wood grain on the cabinetry—which Emily notes was installed with exceptional precision—lends the space its quiet sophistication. 

“The butler’s pantry leans moodier and more playful, with a custom floor pattern in mixed‑finish Fireclay tile that brings depth and character to this hardworking zone,” she explains. “In the mudroom and front entry, form truly follows function; these are some of the busiest spaces in the home and ensuring they remained both durable and beautiful was essential to supporting the family’s daily rhythm.”

Finding the balance between the clients’ request for Scandinavian minimalism and expressive color required a nuanced approach, as Emily layered hues in a way that felt daring yet harmonious with the architecture and their art collection. “The project unfolded over approximately nine months, giving us time to refine each detail with intention,” she shares. “When the clients saw the finished home, they said it felt like a true reflection of their family—warm, creative, and deeply personal.”

The result is a home that balances restraint with expression, where each detail feels considered and every space reflects the family who lives there.

“That timing allowed us to collaborate closely with the builder and homeowners to make some thoughtful adjustments before construction was finalized,” she recalls. “Many new construction homes in Chicago, especially on standard city lots, tend to follow very similar floor plans, so it was exciting to have the opportunity to tweak a few key elements to better suit how this family lives.”

Because they live in the city and love hosting family and friends, the homeowners’ biggest priority was creating a space that felt warm, welcoming, and comfortable for gathering. “They wanted spaces that felt elevated but still practical for everyday life with young kids,” Carly explains. “Durability and livability were important, but they also wanted the home to feel thoughtfully designed and special—a place where entertaining would feel natural and easy. Creating spaces that could seamlessly transition from busy family mornings to relaxed evenings with friends was central to our design approach.”

CM Studio Interiors had a comprehensive scope of work. “We handled all interior design elements, including finish selections, interior elevations, cabinetry details, plumbing and lighting selections, and ultimately the full furnishing and styling of the home,” Carly says, noting that the overall look is a warm transitional style. “Throughout the home, we focused on natural materials, warm wood tones, layered neutrals, and subtle contrast to create a timeless look that still feels fresh and relaxed.”

From initial design through completion, the project took about 16 months. “Being involved from the beginning allowed us to ensure everything felt cohesive from the architectural details all the way through to the final accessories,” Carly shares. “But one of the biggest challenges was working within a relatively tight budget.” 

Since it was originally planned as a developer spec home, there were fairly aggressive allowances for many of the finishes. Fortunately, the homeowners purchased the property early enough in the process that they were able to customize many elements. 

“Our goal became finding thoughtful ways to stretch the budget while still creating a home that felt unique and elevated,” Carly tells us. “Seeing everything come together at the end is always incredibly rewarding, and the clients were absolutely thrilled with how the home turned out. Their biggest reaction was how much the space truly felt like them—warm, inviting, and perfectly suited for their family and the way they love to live and entertain.”

“I grew up by the sea,” she shared in a press release. “I remember our tiny cabin on the dock, the wood turned silver from years of salt and weather. I’ve always been drawn to things that age and soften; furniture that holds you at dawn, that grows more beautiful the more you live with it. The best pieces become part of your rituals.”

Olive Ateliers shares a similar reverence for imperfection and sentiment, favoring a timeless design language over fleeting trends. “The Sentimentalist feels like the most natural reflection of that shared sensibility—unfussy, romantic, and quietly nostalgic,” says Kendall Knox, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Olive Ateliers. “Each piece is designed to age beautifully, to hold you, to know you, and to feel like a deep, unspoken exhale.”

The collection includes pieces upholstered in classic ivory and blue stripes, alongside loungers, reading chairs with matching ottomans, loveseats, and sofas. A considered range of dining tables and chairs, as well as woven coffee and side tables, serve as foundational anchors, while stools, baskets, lighting, serving pieces, and pillows offer the perfect finishing touches.

Shop The Sentimentalist in person at Olive Ateliers’ Los Angeles flagship or explore the full collection online at oliveateliers.com.

The locale played perhaps the most important role, serving as the homeowners’ second home, separate from their primary residence in San Francisco. “The project is called Out of Fog Retreat, as it provides a place to step away from the fog of San Francisco and into a slower, more expansive way of living,” Mia reflects. “Sonoma has a warmth and softness that continually draws us in, and we wanted the home to reflect that sense of openness and ease while still feeling layered, personal, and lived-in.”

The clients envisioned the retreat as a place to gather with family and friends, where they could cook, entertain, and truly recharge. “Their primary goal was to create a home that could comfortably support large groups while still feeling intimate and relaxed when it was just the two of them,” the designer notes. “They wanted the kitchen and great room to function as the true heart of the home—visually open, filled with natural light, and oriented toward the landscape. At the same time, they sought spaces throughout the house that felt cozy and restorative, with a strong emphasis on materiality, comfort, and longevity.”

Mia’s eponymous design firm was tasked with the interior design of the complete remodel, including furnishings and styling throughout. “We led all finish selections, lighting design, custom millwork and cabinetry, as well as the design of the kitchen and bathrooms, taking a holistic approach to how each space would function and feel,” she says. “Alongside sourcing new furniture and lighting, we carefully incorporated a curated selection of the homeowners’ existing pieces, including vintage furnishings, a generational collection of art and ceramics, and collected accessories. This approach allowed the home to feel layered and personal rather than newly assembled, thoughtfully balancing old and new to create a relaxed, authentic interior that reflects how the homeowners live and gather.”

The two-year project came with budget constraints, but Mia was careful to ensure the design remained cost-effective without compromising its integrity. “The sunken family den was a key example, as lifting the floor was not feasible. Rather than seeing it as a limitation, we embraced it as an opportunity to create a more intimate, grounded space—one that ultimately became a favorite within the home,” she says. “Balancing openness with warmth was another challenge, particularly in the kitchen and great room, where high ceilings and expansive glazing could easily feel stark. Layering materials, texture, and lighting proved essential in keeping these spaces inviting and comfortable.”

Naturally, the clients were deeply engaged throughout the process, and Mia credits their openness and trust for the project’s success. “They were especially pleased with how cohesive and calm the home feels, and how effortlessly it supports both large gatherings and quieter, everyday moments,” she reflects. “The finished space feels personal, intentional, and deeply aligned with the way they live, which was always the goal.”

Take a tour in the slideshow to experience the home in full.

Sources include California Faucets plumbing fixtures, panel ready appliances by Fisher & Paykel, tile and stone from Ceramic Tile Center, lighting from In Common With, Accord Lighting, Blueprint Lighting, Allied Maker, Robert Gordon Interiors, and Pinch London, furniture by Muuto and Skovby sourced through DWR, accent chairs by Furniture Marolles, additional furniture from Four Hands, rugs from Loloi, accent pillows and bedding from Lulu & Georgia, and custom cabinetry throughout by Regan & Sons.

My husband and I both have busy schedules, and several years ago, when we moved into a new home, we realized we needed to approach things differently. Our bedroom needed to be a true sanctuary—a place to unwind and begin and end each day feeling calm. A coat of blue limewash paint and a certified organic mattress from Avocado Green Mattress were the first changes we made, and it quickly became one of my favorite rooms in our Altadena home. (You can see it here.)

Sadly, we lost our house in the Eaton Fire in early 2025 and have spent the last year moving from place to place as we wait to begin construction on our rebuild. We were finally able to settle into a long-term furnished rental in Los Angeles—perched in the hills, with birdsong just outside the bedroom window. It’s about as peaceful a setting as we could hope for after everything. With one exception: the mattress.

After several months of tossing and turning, we realized it was time for an upgrade—something that felt like ours, that could deliver a consistently good night’s sleep now and come with us when we eventually move back home.

We considered getting the same standard Avocado Green Mattress we had before—it had served us well—but after reading about the Grand Luxe, we decided to try something new.

The Grand Luxe is Avocado’s most elevated model, and it’s made locally in Los Angeles. It’s constructed with 17 layers of natural and organic materials—including silk, mohair, and Peruvian alpaca—and notably avoids polyurethane foams and horsehair. Structurally, it features up to 14,000 precision-tuned AvoSprings, individually tuned coils in a multi-layer system designed to balance softness and support. You can select Firm, Cushion Firm, or Medium—and add an optional pillowtop. We opted for the pillowtop in the Ultra Plush configuration, which combines breathable micro-coils with responsive Talalay latex for a softer feel that still has support underneath.

We’re both light sleepers, so one of the first things we noticed was how well it minimizes motion—there’s very little disturbance when one of us moves or gets out of bed. More broadly, it’s just comfortable in a way that feels consistent night to night. After about a week, even my Oura ring flagged a change, noting an improvement in my sleep score, with longer stretches of deep sleep and fewer disruptions.

As we begin to rebuild and refurnish our lives, my husband and I are also prioritizing brands that place sustainability at the core of what they do. Avocado is a Certified B Corp, balancing purpose with profit while maintaining social and environmental accountability across all operations. The company is also a member of 1% of the Planet, with each mattress purchase contributing to environmental causes, and is Climate Label Certified, tracking and measuring its greenhouse gas emissions since 2019. Their 2025 Impact Report just landed, and I’m really impressed and proud to support a company making such a meaningful impact.  

In a temporary space, this mattress has helped create a sense of home where we needed it most—a reminder that how a space feels matters just as much as how it looks.

From $8,499; avocadogreenmattress.com

This particular home was originally built in 1972, with a renovation in the early 1980s that left behind a collision of influences: stacked brick fireplaces, dated finishes, and an overlay that obscured any clear architectural direction. Fortunately, the mission tile roof remained, anchoring the home to its origins. “The homeowners, deeply drawn to Italy and old-world European design, chose to lean into that cue, allowing the Spanish influence to guide the home rather than compete with what had accumulated over time,” Paige explains. 

“A family of four lives here: Monique Pintarelli, Andrew Turse, and their two sons, Caleb and Tyler, along with Lucy, a chocolate lab who is very much a full-fledged fifth member of the household…and arguably the highest-ranking one,” Paige shares. “As designers, we inevitably become woven into the rhythm of a family’s daily life, if only for a time. There’s a closeness that develops, a sense of being invited into something deeply personal, and this project was no exception. We began working together in 2022, and over the course of three and a half years, there was a remarkable evolution, not just within the home, but within the family itself.”

During the course of the project, Monique’s rise into a senior executive role brought increased demands and pressure, while Andy’s steady, grounding presence anchored their home life. “That balance is reflected most clearly in their two boys, whose respect and admiration for both parents speaks volumes about the environment they’ve created,” Paige shares warmly. “Those outside pressures directly shaped the directive of the project: to create a true respite from the noise, a home that wraps its arms around you the moment you walk through the door. Andy is an avid cook (a chef, really), so the kitchen and family room needed to become the undeniable heart of the home.”

Paige’s design firm, Helena Studios, was brought in at the very beginning. “Our scope was comprehensive,” she notes, “from evaluating and reworking the floor plan (including removing walls and recapturing unused square footage within the existing envelope) to the final styling details. We collaborated closely with contractors, engineers, and the city through permitting, and were present for every phase of execution. Budget strategy was also a key component. The clients were refreshingly open and adventurous with color and design, while being thoughtful about where to invest and where to pull back.”

They retained much of the existing flooring and integrated several of their original furnishings, honoring what the family already loved while building something entirely new around it. 

The result is a refined Spanish-Californian aesthetic with transitional sensibilities. “We pulled in subtle Spanish Revival cues, but because the architecture itself isn’t strictly Revival, restraint was key,” the designer notes. “Layering in European and transitional influences allowed the home to feel balanced rather than thematic. It feels collected, grounded, and reflective of the people who live there.”

Helena Studios works in all types of design styles. “So, to us,” Paige shares, “the success of a project is when we feel that the final result is reflective of the client. This family is in love with their home, the gardens and the spaces that were created solely with them in mind. We couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Take a tour in the slideshow.

“When our clients purchased the house, much of its original character had been lost after years of use as a rental,” says interior designer Simone Smith. “What we love most about Westdale is the strength of its architectural fabric. Many homes in the neighborhood still retain a clear sense of arrival, proportion, and craftsmanship—qualities that are increasingly rare in newer developments. That context made restoring and reinterpreting this home’s original intent especially meaningful.”

Simone runs the popular design-build firm, Simone & Phil, alongside her partner, Philip McDonald. Their first project, renovating a 100-year-old home, showcased the couple’s passion for preserving historical details, earning recognition—and clients—within the local community.

That’s how they connected with homeowners Hillary and Ben, young parents of two who had a vision rooted in creating a home that could truly support daily life, particularly given the realities of Canadian winters, busy school schedules, and constant movement in and out of the house. “Storage, durability, and thoughtful circulation were non-negotiables,” Simone explains.

The focus was to improve circulation, storage, and daily function without compromising the character of the original Tudor home. Structurally, the couple’s goals were clear: rework the main floor to improve flow, renovate the second-floor bathroom for their growing family, and build a 20-foot-by-6-foot mudroom addition to properly contain coats, boots, backpacks, and sports gear. A tucked-away powder room was high on their list and is discreetly positioned at the end of the mudroom, allowing it to function effortlessly for both everyday use and entertaining.

But one room was of utmost importance. “The kitchen was the heart of the project and their top priority,” Simone recalls. “Hillary asked early on whether the existing kitchen felt too small for the scale of the home—and she was right to question it. They envisioned a modern English kitchen that felt architectural and timeless rather than trend-driven. To reinforce the home’s Tudor Revival roots, we introduced a Colonial-style window configuration with a traditional six-over-six grille pattern—a historically appropriate detail that quietly anchors the renovation in its original context.”

The designer admits that a key challenge was resisting the trend toward fully open-plan living. “Instead, we preserved key walls to maintain structure, intimacy, and architectural integrity,” she shares. “The clients were most surprised by how closely the final result matched the original vision. Once furnished, the home felt complete, lived-in, and ready for long-term family life.”

Take a tour in the slideshow. 

When the homeowners—a busy, dynamic family with two working parents, two young boys, and extended family members who frequently come to stay—first purchased the house, it reflected many characteristics of a traditional San Francisco build, including smaller closets and bathrooms, unusual angles, and a floor plan that didn’t allow the spaces to feel connected. “One of the primary goals of the renovation was to rethink the layout so it functioned more efficiently for their daily life and created a stronger sense of flow throughout the home,” Jennifer explains. “And with one parent traveling much of the time and the other working as a physician, the home needed to support a full and active household while also providing moments of calm and organization.” 

The clients came into the project with relatively few prescriptive requests, which allowed for a highly collaborative design process. “Their priorities were increasing storage, improving overall efficiency, and incorporating a wet room into the primary bathroom,” the designer recalls. “Beyond that, they trusted us to reimagine the floor plan in a way that would best support their family’s routines while creating a sense of cohesion and comfort throughout the home.”

They embarked on a full remodel and redesign of the home while carefully preserving the historic exterior and the classic architectural character of the property. “Inside, nearly everything was reimagined,” Jennifer says. “The project included new plumbing, lighting, HVAC, custom cabinetry, flooring, and fixtures throughout, creating a home that feels both refreshed and timeless while still honoring its original architecture.”

As with many projects that involve multiple collaborators, Jennifer admits there were moments of navigating differing design perspectives along the way. “Design can sometimes feel a bit like marriage counseling—balancing ideas, priorities, and aesthetics—but those conversations ultimately helped refine the vision,” she says. “In the end, we’re incredibly happy with where the project landed.”

The result is a study in easy living. “With two incredibly busy parents and two active young boys, it was important that the home felt effortless and comfortable to live in,” Jennifer tells us. “Nothing overly precious or fussy—everything is durable, easy to care for, and thoughtfully organized so that everything has its place. At the same time, we wanted the home to feel warm, cozy, and inviting. When I think about the word ‘home,’ comfort is one of the first things that comes to mind, and that idea guided nearly every design decision throughout the project.”

Take a tour in the slideshow.