Inspired by Eichler Homes and modern designer Jeff Lewis, the couple designed the home themselves, with the help of architect Arlene Edjourian of AMK Studio.
The redesigned great room checks off both of Catherine's design priorities: ample built-in storage to hide clutter and a clean, minimalistic look. Polished concrete floors, exposed beams and steel structural supports reflect the couple's shared love of a modern, airy aesthetic. The finishing touches echo midcentury design, complete with Jonathan Adler accessories and one of their favorite splurges — a Saarinen Tulip Table.
Bar stools: Onda, Design Within Reach; pendant lights: Pele, Lumens; light fixture: Meurice Rectangle Chandelier, Jonathan Adler; dining room table: Saarinen, Knoll; dining chairs: Eames Eiffel; side chairs, armchairs, Knoll; flooring: polished cement, Robertson's
by Tara Bussema The redesigned great room checks off both of Catherine's design priorities: ample built-in storage to hide clutter and a clean, minimalistic look. Polished concrete floors, exposed beams and steel structural supports reflect the couple's shared love of a modern, airy aesthetic. The finishing touches echo midcentury design, complete with Jonathan Adler accessories and one of their favorite splurges — a Saarinen Tulip Table.
Bar stools: Onda, Design Within Reach; pendant lights: Pele, Lumens; light fixture: Meurice Rectangle Chandelier, Jonathan Adler; dining room table: Saarinen, Knoll; dining chairs: Eames Eiffel; side chairs, armchairs, Knoll; flooring: polished cement, Robertson's
BEFORE: The original facade of the home wasn't much to look at, but the new build stays true to its general footprint.
My Houzz: A Labor of Modern Love in Costa Mesa
AFTER: The front of the home got a modern facelift with a creative concrete walkway, low maintenance and drought-tolerant native plants, and a wooden fence that plays on the low, lean look of a midcentury ranch home.
Although the back of the house opens to the golf course, the front offers plenty of privacy. This door opens to a walkway that leads to a central courtyard and the main front entry.
by Tara Bussema
Although the back of the house opens to the golf course, the front offers plenty of privacy. This door opens to a walkway that leads to a central courtyard and the main front entry.
BEFORE: When the Gales walked into the front courtyard of the home for the first time, they knew they wanted it to become an outdoor living space.
My Houzz: A Labor of Modern Love in Costa Mesa
AFTER: Taking advantage of Southern California's mild weather, the family created an outdoor living room with a formal dining table and sectional. This courtyard now serves as the heart of the home, where the family enjoys eating and lounging next to the waterfall and built-in fireplace.
Dining table, chairs: Dune, Crate & Barrel; orange lanterns, Crate & Barrel
by Tara Bussema Dining table, chairs: Dune, Crate & Barrel; orange lanterns, Crate & Barrel
Catherine used the sectional's bright orange color as an accent color inside the home to tie the two spaces together.
Sectional: Ventura, Crate & Barrel; coffee table: Sanibel, Crate & Barrel; pillows: Crate & Barrel
by Tara Bussema Sectional: Ventura, Crate & Barrel; coffee table: Sanibel, Crate & Barrel; pillows: Crate & Barrel
Catherine confesses to having a black thumb, so she worked with landscape architect Andy De Young of Omni Design and the concrete experts at Robertson's to create a low-maintenance landscape. Their new outdoor space features detailed concretework, a large water feature, a fireplace and a small play area behind the fireplace for the kids.
by Tara Bussema
BEFORE: The entry walkway next to the courtyard had traditional French doors and stucco walls, and needed an update.
My Houzz: A Labor of Modern Love in Costa Mesa
AFTER: The entry walkway now has sloped ceilings complete with modern pendant lighting and a black powder-coated pivoting door. Catherine says, "We have always been obsessed with wide-open spaces, nano doors and the indoor-outdoor feel."
by Tara Bussema
BEFORE: The Gales removed all of the separating walls from the main gathering areas to create the open-concept feel.
My Houzz: A Labor of Modern Love in Costa Mesa
AFTER: Walking through the front door of the home, you notice the striking size of the great room. The large, open area is cleverly arranged into different living spaces: living room, dining room, kitchen, family room, office nook and a mini bar area. Exposed beams and lofted ceilings increase the volume of the space, while windows and doors on all sides bathe it in natural light.
Sofa, pillows: Crate & Barrel
by Tara Bussema Sofa, pillows: Crate & Barrel
Guests can enjoy the front courtyard or the bar while viewing the golf course.
Lights: George Kovac mini pendants, Lumens; countertops: Blizzard, Caesarstone
by Tara Bussema Lights: George Kovac mini pendants, Lumens; countertops: Blizzard, Caesarstone
The living room at the front of the great room uses the same burnt orange color from the outside sectional. The stacked wood detailing seen outdoors also repeats on this wall with a mounted television, bridging the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Sofa, pillows: Crate & Barrel
by Tara Bussema Sofa, pillows: Crate & Barrel
This white leather Eames lounge chair, the couple's latest splurge, is accented perfectly by a set of nesting tables, a modern glass sculpture and a view of the courtyard.
Nesting tables: wenge, Stua Eclipse, Design Within Reach, floor lamp: Machinist, Restoration Hardware
by Tara Bussema Nesting tables: wenge, Stua Eclipse, Design Within Reach, floor lamp: Machinist, Restoration Hardware
The contrast between the dark laminate cabinets and the elegant white bar stools catches the eye in the kitchen. The stools are a perfect addition to a kitchen island that serves as a workspace, a spot for hanging out with friends and a place for a casual meal.
Bar stools: Onda, Design Within Reach
by Tara Bussema Bar stools: Onda, Design Within Reach
With help from Andrew Cook from Omni Design, Catherine opted for light upper cabinets and dark lower cabinets, which house clever organizers to keep the kitchen neat and tidy. The white upper cabinets and clear glass backsplash tiles reflect incoming light and help the kitchen blend in rather than becoming a focal point.
Countertops: Blizzard, Caesarstone; backsplash: cultural brick in Frost, Voguebay; lamps: XOX Luau portable LED lamps, Design Within Reach
by Tara Bussema Countertops: Blizzard, Caesarstone; backsplash: cultural brick in Frost, Voguebay; lamps: XOX Luau portable LED lamps, Design Within Reach
Catherine prioritized functionality and organization in her new kitchen space. Rollout cupboards disappear into the wall to store dishes and neatly tuck away kitchen accessories.
by Tara Bussema
This view from the kitchen shows the true height of the space. The feature wall behind the television helps accentuate the ceiling height and serves as a focal point in the room, making the TV look almost like a fireplace.
"Choosing lighting was a difficult task, as it's a huge factor in setting the mood and style in a space," says Catherine. The couple decided on midcentury-style pendant lights and chandeliers.
Pendant lights: Pele, Lumens; countertop: Blizzard, Caesarstone; light fixture: Meurice Rectangular Chandelier, Jonathan Adler; dining room table: Saarinen, Knoll; dining chairs: Eames Eiffel; side chairs, armchairs, Knoll; flooring: polished cement, Robertson's
by Tara Bussema "Choosing lighting was a difficult task, as it's a huge factor in setting the mood and style in a space," says Catherine. The couple decided on midcentury-style pendant lights and chandeliers.
Pendant lights: Pele, Lumens; countertop: Blizzard, Caesarstone; light fixture: Meurice Rectangular Chandelier, Jonathan Adler; dining room table: Saarinen, Knoll; dining chairs: Eames Eiffel; side chairs, armchairs, Knoll; flooring: polished cement, Robertson's
The couple used Fleetwood doors to execute their vision of a home that blurred the line between indoors and outdoors, with the exterior walls "disappearing." While the doors were one of the biggest expenses for the couple, they consider them well worth it.
Nano doors: Fleetwood; flooring: polished cement, Robertson's
by Tara Bussema Nano doors: Fleetwood; flooring: polished cement, Robertson's
An office nook neatly tucked in the corner of the family room provides a space for casual work at home. Glossy white pullout drawers beneath the TV provide ample storage to hide clutter.
Sofa: Case Study Vleg daybed, Modernica; ceramics: Jonathan Adler; desk chair: Crate & Barrel
by Tara Bussema Sofa: Case Study Vleg daybed, Modernica; ceramics: Jonathan Adler; desk chair: Crate & Barrel
The master bedroom was expanded during the renovation and now serves as a retreat for the busy parents. While the abundant light and white palette soothes, the intricate side tables and bold orange-lined bowls create visual interest and accent the space.
Bed: Wyatt, Room & Board; side table: Ginger Salt; Crate & Barrel; bowl: Jonathan Adler
by Tara Bussema Bed: Wyatt, Room & Board; side table: Ginger Salt; Crate & Barrel; bowl: Jonathan Adler
If the master bedroom is a retreat, the master bathroom is an oasis. Orange chevron-print hand towels bring cheer to the space, while an Eames Eiffel chair nods to midcentury style. A vanity area incorporated into the cabinetry design provides Catherine with a spot for getting ready in the morning.
Towels: Arcade, Jonathan Adler; sinks: Fox Collection, Koehler; faucet: Purist, Koehler
by Tara Bussema Towels: Arcade, Jonathan Adler; sinks: Fox Collection, Koehler; faucet: Purist, Koehler
BEFORE: The original lackluster ranch hardly took advantage of the golf course view. Livable outdoor space was minimal and uninviting.
My Houzz: A Labor of Modern Love in Costa Mesa
AFTER: The rear of the home now opens to the golf course. The family enjoys their new outdoor fire pit, built-in barbecue, bar and seating area. Just beyond the patio, Ryan plans to install a putting green so he can practice his swing before he plays a game in his own backyard. For this golfer, it's hard to beat life on the 17th hole.
Bar stools: Flint, CB2; Dune sofa, lounge chairs, coffee table, nesting tables, pillows: Crate & Barrel
by Tara Bussema Bar stools: Flint, CB2; Dune sofa, lounge chairs, coffee table, nesting tables, pillows: Crate & Barrel
Catherine poses with son Rowen and daughter Gianna. She says their home is still a work in progress and that she is looking forward to their next project: designing a perfect miniature replica of their home as a playhouse for their kids.
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by Tara Bussema
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In /around 1965 my neighbors moved to a brand new house in Costa Mesa. It was the probably the start of my fascination with architecture, life style living and decorating. It had an open concept with the kitchen, dining, family area. There was an atrium and it seems every room opened or looked out to the atrium. My friends (aka the kids) all had built in desk/study areas in their rooms.
Several of my coworkers live in Costa Mesa and they all speak highly of the community and connection they feel with their neighbors.
P.S.: Angi, I live in Orange County and yes we do have style AND soul (and great weather)! Don't let reality TV fool you.
I'm happy to see such modernist style moving to Costa Mesa. There are becoming more modernists beyond Laguna Beach.
I am currently doing another remodel and am pouring over every detail in this remodel. The budget for this had to be astronomical. Changing the roofline is a key to transforming a ranch style to modernist, but also very expensive.
It's perfection! BRAVO to all involved!
Love the polished floors. I have polished concrete and they are not nearly as nice as these. Is that a skim coat over the original slab?
Even my 6 year old boy enjoyed the tour!
As for gratuitously nasty comments, it seems to be an epidemic on this website. Without fail, every article will generate snippy, seventh-grade attacks that have no substance or real content regarding design issues. Since most people commenting are women, I have become ashamed of my own gender'. Houzz really needs to start deleting the incredibly rude, immature, inappropriate comments which litter this site and poison its atmosphere.
Thanks! Arlene