This home was stuck in the early 2000’s, but lucky for her also in a great LA neighborhood, and it had been the dream of the homeowners from the day they bought it to give it the upgrades it deserved. But life and kids and work got in the way so the years passed and projects never moved forward. Client’s reached out to me for help in chipping away at the seemingly unsurmountable full home renovation project to do list.

We touched every surface of this house inside and out to make it the charming home reflected in these photos. Set in a coveted West Side Los Angeles neighborhood, we gutted this gal to the studs, vaulted the ceiling in the great room, added skylights for more natural light in the kitchen, installed all new custom doors and windows by Lowen and fit the kitchen and three bathrooms with custom cabinetry, natural stone, artisan tile and unlacquered brass fixtures throughout. Our focus was on making sure that this home felt timeless but still cool and modern, appropriate for real family living and had layers of classic finishes and intricate character that was specific to the homeowners aesthetic and habits. No stone left unturned and now she’s something to really be proud of. Cheers to that!

photos by Charlotte Lea

When a young successful couple bought their first home in Venice they were a little overwhelmed by what it would take to balance working from home and creating a home from scratch. They knew they wanted some laid back Tulum/Surfrider vibes but didn’t know how to translate it into reality, which is where I came in. Lots of pretty neutral texture, killer graphic art to keep things young and funky and a lot of entertaining space for their friends and family.

Photos by Charlotte Lea Photography

A Palos Verdes couple looking to relax into their golden years in style and comfort, reached out to me for help making their dated PV ranch style ocean view home into something a lot more functional and chic.

We updated their kitchen with custom cabinetry to double her storage capabilities, installed all new high end appliances to keep up with her incredible cooking, installed porcelain countertops for maximum beauty and durability.

We then reconfigured the floor plan to give her the spa master bath of her dreams as well as a walk in closet. Updated the guest bath to something waaay more inviting and pretty, added a powder room where a coat closet once stood, streamlined the laundry/pantry with more custom storage and work top space.

We updated flooring, lighting, paint and doors throughout. We added skylights for more natural light, gave the exterior a fresh coat of paint and added a pretty back patio. Lastly we rounded it out with furnishings to make this space fit for entertaining, cooking, meditating and all the other thrills of retirement. All in a days work, and couldn’t have been for more deserving people.

Photos by Shelby Bourne Photography

A rad family in Mar Vista needed help transforming their dark granny kitchen into a space that represented them and could accommodate their regularly scheduled tequila fueled block parties ; ).

I’ve never met a couple more in need or deserving of a kitchen upgrade in my career to date.

keeping the existing layout, we enlarged their island for more seating and prep space, we brought their cabinets up to the ceiling for more storage, we cleared their countertops of appliances and hid them in their own little garage. we turned their out of sight, out of mind laundry room into a fully functional utility room including a bar area, to spread the party out even further.

The ball kept rolling so we cleaned up and refreshed their adjacent guest bath into something a little more classic, that fit the era and style of their home and that people would actually want to use.

Overall, 10 out of a 10, I would move in with these people tomorrow if they’d have me. Such a pleasure, and what a pretty end product.

photos by tracy pacana

When a sweet California family scored an incredible Palisades Highlands home off market they had to thank their lucky stars and go all in, despite the horrifying disco bathrooms. Thats where I came in. Stripping back the layers of red and purple tile we chose clean, white, bright, classic and price conscious materials to make this home even more incredible.

photos by Ace Misiunas

A young family finally found their forever home in a pretty pocket neighborhood in West LA, it just needs a little love and about 1100 more square feet. Together we worked to build up and out, to maximize the lots foot print, blend her eclectic style with his sensibilities and both their love of entertaining, to create the perfect California family friendly abode.

photos by Charlotte Lea Photography

A sweet couple scored their dream house in Mar Vista but the kitchen, baths and laundry room needed some serious TLC. In the kitchen we flipped their island and added an entire full wall of custom cabinet storage and countertop work top space. We built in a pretty dining bench that has become the perfect WFH set up and neighborhood watch spot out their new dutch door. Our FAVORITE addition.

We transformed an ugly stacked laundry set up to a practical hallway laundry niche with storage. Gutted the primary bath and gave them a custom vanity and pretty new walk in shower with a sliding barn door for some space saving personality.

In the guest baths, we worked with whatever we could to stay in budget so swapped out floor tile, vanities, lighting and mirrors, added some pretty linen shower curtains and voila! We went from basic to boho beautiful and they couldn’t have been more lovely to work with. Their sweet boy Benny totally agrees.

photos by Charlotte Lea Photography

A family of four living in Topanga needed some help making the all important styling decisions to their perfectly neutral, clean slate of a tiny home. With the bigger items DIYed and set in place, I added layers of texture, comfort, cohesion and of course indigo to polish this 600 sq ft diamond in the canyon. Much needed organization, pillows, lighting, proper seating and some window treatments later and this space felt cozy but not cluttered, inviting, thoughtful and a true representation of the client’s creative minimalist persona.  

Photos by Natasha Lee

A young family needed help bringing their three story town home into the current decade. More importantly, transitioning it from young party starter home to a more practical, cheerful, family friendly space for the next stage of their lives.

Situated blocks from the ocean, we focused on adding in coastal light warm woods and textures, bright whites and durable fixtures and furnishings and of course, lots of upgraded storage solutions to make life a little more manageable.

We replaced all yellow bamboo floors with light oak LVP, slapped a fresh coat of paint on everything, semi custom storage in the entry, full custom cabinets in the kitchen, upgraded all their essential appliances, gave facelifts to three bathrooms, restaged and reorganized everything, all while they were on summer vacation. Phew. NBD

Now this family is settled and set to enjoy the next 20 years of their lives staring off into the Venice sunset.

Photos by Tracy Pacana

As part of the design team at Avantstay, an LA based vacation home rental company, I’ve been fortunate enough to get my hands on some really beautiful homes to design and instal. This one was no exception. Located in Cardiff by the Sea, its open floor plan and sprawling back patio lets the bright sunny skies and ocean air flow throughout its charming interiors. A perfect place to relax with friends and family over a quiet game of scrabble and a nice glass of rose. For more information on this home and how to make it your next weekend getaway, visit Avantstay

Photos by Dustin Walker