Before its renovation, a 180-degree ocean view was the undisputed star of this Corona del Mar dwelling. Today, it’s a toss-up between what first catches the eye as you step through the dramatic pivot door. Perhaps it’s the glamorous dining space at the left, topped with a jewelry-like three-tier chandelier. Or it may be the high-contrast kitchen at the right, rich with gold-veined marble and sleek brass accents. And then there’s the inviting, layered living area that lies straight ahead and (still) fronts an impressive sight line out to the Pacific.
That seaside proximity and the home’s open, family-friendly layout by architect Mark Teale are what drew the owners to this residence, which was built just under a decade ago. The interiors, however, were very much a tabula rasa. “There were a lot of shiny white plaster walls,” remembers the homeowner. “I love a modern aesthetic, but it was too cold.” Enter interior designers Rachel Morrison and Marina Morrison, who, in collaboration with principal designer Denise Morrison, shared their client’s assessment of the space. “There were glammy surfaces and excessive recessed lighting that did not feel intentionally placed; overall, the interior finishes just didn’t match the location and atmosphere of the home,” Rachel explains. Happily, she adds, their stylish and collaborative client was on board for a total reimagining. For this tech executive who, with her husband and teenage sons, had recently returned to Southern California after a stint in the Bay Area, the design trio were determined to conceive a home that would reflect her taste and personality. As they dived into the project, the brief became clear: Elevate everything.
The homeowner credits Denise for clarifying her vision during their initial meetings. “I could never have articulated it, but while looking at some photos of interiors that I liked, Denise immediately said, ‘You love contrast.’ ” And the interior design team zeroed in on their client’s love of warm, organic modernism—a look beloved by their firm—infused with moments of glamour. “We aligned really well stylistically,” says Marina.
Working with general contractor George Deverian, their plan called for transforming nearly every surface in the house. In came new floors, replastered walls, custom cabinetry, luxurious stonework and statement lighting. Rachel and Marina also introduced rift-sawn white oak paneling to some of the ceilings to add much-needed warmth. Another subtle but significant change? Cleaning up the ceiling planes and removing awkward soffits. To eliminate the bump outs on either fireplace, Deverian creatively rerouted some of the HVAC systems, which, Marina notes, “made all of the difference.”
Two other key priorities of the renovation were the spaces geared towards entertaining: the kitchen and a bar area on the home’s lower level. For the former, which their client envisioned as a showstopper, the designers leaned into her taste for contrast, pairing ebonized-oak cabinetry with swaths of gold-veined marble on the counters, backsplash and open shelving, and on the large island. “The glamour comes in from those metallic accents, the lighting and the hood, but the materials themselves are earthy and the wood finishes are warm,” explains Rachel. “There’s a push-pull balance between an organic modern feel and those touches of glam, which fits the vibe she was going for.” As for the existing bar space downstairs, it was enlarged and reworked to display the husband’s extensive tequila collection, complete with an elegant area suited for tastings.
The designers also created a new lighting scheme, which included thoughtfully rearranging and reducing the preexisting recessed lights. But more importantly, they filled the home with artistic, architectural fixtures. “Lighting as art really spoke to me,” the homeowner shares. The sculptural bespoke lights of the great room extending from floor to ceiling in one corner are an especially spectacular example. Furnishings, in turn, skew warm and textured, with a neutral palette accented with terra cotta, deep blues and dark greens. “There aren’t a ton of patterns; instead, textural changes make the furnishings lean more contemporary,” Marina points out.
The homeowner and her family love the results, but she admits that what surprised her the most was how much she enjoyed the design journey. “People talk about remodeling projects being a pain, but this process went so much better than I could have imagined,” she reflects. Happily, the feeling was mutual: “It’s just so much fun to design for someone who offered us a lot of creative freedom,” says Rachel with satisfaction. “She really trusted our vision and felt that we could execute it.”
