A Coastside Makeover

I’m thrilled to share the home of my longtime friend, (and customer) Marianne. Marianne resides in the lovely city of Woodside, in Northern California. She and her husband Mike recently purchased a complete “fixer-upper” in the beautiful coastal city of Laguna Beach in Southern California. This is a second home for them.

This is a wonderful example of how you can decorate your home by letting your personal taste and style guide the way. Marianne did the makeover all by herself (with some help of contractors, of course), but without hiring a decorator.

Marianne’s house was built in 1960 and has a "jaw-dropping" view of the ocean from her deck and courtyard. Okay, I'm a bit jealous...

'BEFORE' photo of the livingroom with knock-off laminate flooring...

Another 'BEFORE' livingroom shot...

'AFTER' photo of the livingroom

Marianne wanted to create a color palette based on bringing the 'ocean view' into the house. The brown/espresso colors for the sand, and pops of blue for the sea. 'Sisal Stitch' berber carpeting replaced knock-off laminate flooring. Most accessories in the home are brass, gold gilt, aqua blues, tortoise & Capiz shell.

The interior/exterior "Coffee Kiss" wall paint was from the "Manor Hall Collection" by Pittsburgh Paints. The trim; Benjamin Moore Paints "White Dove."

This vintage ship painting and palm tree torchiere lamp are from Paris Hotel Boutique...

A vintage seascape oil painting from FrenchBlue & Co...

Marianne loves the 'Hollywood Regency' look and found this fabulous c. 1960's cabinet on eBay. Perfect for her So Cal 1960's house!

Marianne added some of her favorite accessories, including a pair of brass swans and a vintage blue glass vase. She plans on putting a large flat screen TV above it.

I adore this Mid Century sofa. Marianne loves the Moroccan look and this Regency piece makes a great statement! Simple, yet sleek!

A leopard rug adds a nice touch to the sisal; a fun 1960's brass rotating glass top coffee table; a pair of brass barrels function as stools or decorative accents...

The dining room has a glass top table with a fabulous vintage Asian gold leaf screen. A centerpiece of fun vintage brass accessories...

Marianne recently purchased these faux bamboo mirrors from Paris Hotel Boutique. Marianne loves them in this spot because they reflect the ocean view through the dining room windows. So exciting to see things I've sold in someone's home. Thanks Mare!

Another great find...a vintage glazed ceramic faux bamboo lantern...

This fireplace needs some TLC...

'BEFORE' photo of the kitchen. Since the project had to be designed, purchased and shipped long distance, everything was based on measurements and memory...

'AFTER' photo of the kitchen. All new cabinetry, counters, appliances and flooring...

I believe this was the refrigerator...

Aha! Now look how lovely!

'BEFORE' photo of the bedroom. Looks a bit dull, doesn't it?

'AFTER' photo of the bedroom. Sticking with Marianne's espresso theme... instead of playing it safe as many do, she adds a pair of vintage aqua lamps on top of a pair of black vintage style nightstands to give the room a pop of unexpected color.

A wonderful Mid Century Dorothy Draper chest and a Regency style chair...

LOVE these chairs!

'BEFORE' photo of the guest bedroom...my, it's a bit tired looking...

and 'AFTER'...some swanky palm leaf bedding with Art Deco furniture...

Marianne and Mike's home is still a work in progress. I think they have done a fabulous job in creating a comfortable beach home that reflects their taste and favorite objects. That's really what decorating is all about, isn't it?

Thanks Marianne and Mike for sharing your lovely home with all of us!

A sunset view from Marianne and Mike's coastside home...