A California modern home… in the heart of Chicago? This is a project we’ve been working hard on lately for a sweet couple that hails from San Diego, and we’re thrilled to make the big reveal today.

Make no mistake: We love sharing details of our projects with you on Instagram. Yet there’s so much more happening behind the scenes of each design that can’t be encapsulated into squares or Stories. That’s why we’re introducing a new series on the blog focused on project reveals, where we’ll share even more details behind some of our favorites to help inspire your next design project.

California Modern Home Renovation Details

The project we dubbed “Cali Girl Blue” was a gut renovation to a San Diego couple’s 4-bed, 3.5-bath single-family Lakeview home built in 1888. Modernizing the 133-year-old house while maintaining its integrity as a historic home was a challenge we were happy to take on.

5 Words

We ask all our clients to describe their style in this way ahead of starting a project. For Cali Girl Blue, those words were:

Classic, Clean, Coastal, Functional, Airy

Scope

We were tasked with design and build details for the entire first floor (entry, kitchen, butler’s pantry, living room, powder bath, mudroom and family room), plus the upstairs landing and primary bath upstairs.

Biggest Challenge

Moving from California to Chicago meant a wardrobe shift for the homeowners (hello, heavy coats and boots; goodbye, flip-flops) — and implored a home layout to match. They wanted to create an area off the back door that could serve as a collection area for winter accessories. But, they were concerned about having enough space to build out a mudroom without losing square footage in the kitchen.

To demonstrate how we could fit the kitchen, mudroom, family room and dining room all in the back of the house — and also add beams to the kitchen — we created a 3-D rendering, above. (This is a perk of working with an interior designer that can help make it easier to visualize your design!) Ultimately, we ended up swapping in darker flooring and lighter oak cabinetry, but it was enough to help the homeowners see how their space would all come together.

Favorite Details

We spent a lot of time on wall coverings to help create texture throughout the main level. That included adding grasscloth in the entry and bold patterned wallpaper on the ceiling of the butler’s pantry.

In the living room, we added built-in shelving with custom lighting above to spotlight the owners’ unique treasures and books. Then came shelf styling — one of our favorite finishing touches in a home renovation — and adding vintage chairs to carve out a cozy seating area.

Another important component of this renovation was the kitchen. The couple was looking for a seamless, clean kitchen design that would be a comfortable space to spend time in with family and friends, rather than an appliance zone. We granted their design wishes in this room by hiding the fridge and freezer behind panels. The hood above the stove became a focal point by framing, then covering in plastic and lime-washing the surface.

Dreaming up your perfect kitchen for 2022? Download our Insider’s Guide to Kitchen Design to help.

For the small powder room downstairs, we opted for earthy green walls and added a custom Carrera marble stone sink. This gave the room its own wow moment, despite being a tight space.

What the Clients Said

“I love [our] home and the joy it brings. Anytime I get complimented on the design, I always give credit to the CBD team. They navigated our build with grace and provided a clear focus for the home. I often found myself overwhelmed with options (from lighting and bathroom fixtures to tile selections) [and] they were always there to help. I also appreciated that the designs were a mix of high and low to fit my budget. They were transparent with costs, when to invest and where to save — which was very important to us.”

How Can We Help You?

We loved working with the owners of this California modern home to work through major renovations, millwork and cabinetry, all the way to furnishings, paint colors and wall coverings. Our interior design projects vary in scope, to be as overarching or detail-focused as you need. Contact us today to learn more about Centered By Design’s services and how we can help you design your dream home.