Highland

This large custom home had a strong transitional character, but much of it felt dated by the time our clients purchased it. What began as a relatively simple update gradually expanded as more of the house was personalized, with the goal of making it feel more comfortable and current without losing the character that was already there. We introduced cleaner lighting and furnishings alongside transitional elements such as ironwork and wood beams, while large sliding windows and doors helped connect the main rooms to the pool and outdoor living area, where we also designed the furnishings and bar.

In the primary bedroom, texture did much of the work, from the wallpaper behind the headboard to the custom bedding and drapery, while the bathroom centers on a geometric marble floor with a quartz slab carrying similar movement into the shower.

The most specialized part of the house is the basement theater. Because sound mattered as much as appearance, we addressed acoustic performance inside the room and added soundproofing to reduce transfer to the living spaces above, then layered in acoustic wall and ceiling treatments, tiered seating, custom reclining chairs, and a fiber-optic ceiling. Even the entrance received its own treatment with a custom upholstered door and ceiling-lighting feature, giving the theater a distinct identity before you step inside.

Location: Ladera Ranch, CA

Spaces in This Project

Living Room
Dining Room
Kitchen
Bedroom
Bathroom
Laundry Room
Media Room

Living room with white seating, stone fireplace, and dark built-in cabinet

Living room with white sectional, stone fireplace, and patio doors

Living room with white sectional beside open kitchen

Living room with white seating, dark built-ins, and wood beams

Living room with white sectional and modern fireplace

White kitchen with dark island, wood beams, and bar stools

Kitchen island with white stools and black faucet

White kitchen with mosaic backsplash, range, and wood ceiling beams

Kitchen with dark island and white cabinetry beneath wood beams

Black kitchen faucet beside window and mosaic tile backsplash

Kitchen counter with deep sink and mosaic tile backsplash

Kitchen island with black range hood and wood ceiling beams

Butler's pantry with open bottle shelves and white cabinetry

Kitchen island with white stools and exposed wood beams

Round dining table with orchid and black-framed windows

Dining room with stone walls, crystal chandeliers, and white chairs

Dining table beneath crystal chandeliers and framed artwork

Primary bedroom with gray upholstered bed, dark wood beams, and fireplace

Primary bedroom with white upholstered bed and exposed beams

Primary bedroom seating area with gray sofas and wood beams

Primary bathroom with freestanding tub, white cabinetry, and patterned tile floor

Master bathroom with freestanding tub and black window

Freestanding tub against a black-framed window

Primary shower with marble slab walls and black fixtures

Primary bathroom vanity with white cabinetry and black fixtures

Freestanding tub beside black-framed window in primary bathroom

Bathroom with freestanding tub, glass shower, and patterned tile floor

Glass shower with white tile and black fixtures

Bathroom vanity with round mirror and dark blue cabinet

Bathroom with blue vanity, white tile shower, and black fixtures

Bathroom with white vanity, glass shower, and wood-look tile wall

Powder room vanity with round gold mirror and patterned wallcovering

Laundry room with navy cabinetry, patterned tile floor, and stacked appliances

Theater entry with tufted door beneath a sign

Home theater with black recliners and starry black ceiling

Home theater with rows of black recliners and wall sconces

Home theater side view with tiered black recliner seating

Covered patio with outdoor kitchen, fireplace, and seating

Covered patio seating with stone columns and pool view

Pool spa with white lounge chairs and hillside view

Covered patio with stone fireplace, television, and outdoor bar

Outdoor lounge chairs beside pool and hillside view