California's Pacific Coast owes its cool, cosmopolitan vibe to the melting pot of culture and creativity that exists there, and the world of design is no exception. When the owners of this home wanted to renovate the kitchen and bathrooms, the design team updated them with contemporary finishes while respecting the Craftsman-style spaces, and the results are very impressive.
Surrounded by the picturesque charm of La Mesa's historic district, this property, first built in 1922 and once owned by La Mesa's first police chief, stands as a testament to the area's rich architectural heritage. I am. The 1,288 square foot three-bedroom home has been modernized by local studio Blythe Interiors, who revived the heart of the home through a redesign of the kitchen and main bathroom. Crisp blue cabinetry, zellige tiles, and artisanal oak shelving create a cool, contemporary space.
“The goal of this project was to modernize the space while optimizing functionality,” explains Jennifer Verut, founder and CEO of Bryce Interiors. “For the kitchen, the client wanted a better workspace for cooking and a place to store their large coffee and tea collection. The client loves to cook, so we wanted more than just extra storage space. The kitchen footprint needed to be reevaluated and thought to make smarter use of space. For the main bathroom, the client wanted to make the most of a small footprint and add a European/mid-century aesthetic. I was thinking.”
We sat down with Jennifer to find out exactly how she and her team brought to life their vision of a beautiful modern home that embodies everything we love about the crisp California coastal style.
The kitchen before renovation
(Image provided by Blythe Interiors)
Before Jennifer and the team at Bryce Interiors worked their magic, the kitchen felt dark and cavernous. The black cabinets and mosaic tile backsplash made the space appear smaller than it actually was, and the floor plan wasn't organized enough considering the owner's love of cooking.
Recognizing that potential, the design team created a meticulous transformation that not only improves functionality, but celebrates the homeowner's passion for cooking. The main goal was to rethink the kitchen footprint to create a smarter layout while maximizing storage space.
Today, the left wall of the kitchen is lined with deep blue diamond cabinetry, flanked by a black ILVE oven with dynamic vintage charm and a white Ferguson farmhouse sink, paying homage to the historic space. while offering a fresh approach. In contrast, the white quartz countertop and textured ivory tile all-over backsplash brighten the space with a light, clean finish.
Kitchen after renovation
(Image provided by Blythe Interiors)
The smoky blue kitchen cabinets stand out, especially when contrasted with the bright white of the quartz countertops. This color pairs very well with the brass hardware and conveys a sophisticated and moody atmosphere while being much more dynamic compared to the previous black cabinets.
“Blue cabinets bring the pop of personality this Craftsman kitchen needs,” says Jennifer. “The deep blue also brought a sense of warmth, in contrast to the cool, bleak feel of the previous black cabinets. This luxurious hue also acts as a bold focal point in the kitchen, with lightweight We paired it with the countertop and backsplash to provide a luxurious contrast.”
Jennifer and her team love how rich colors create a grounded feeling in a space. “We wanted to embrace the inherent charm of a Craftsman-style home while also incorporating midcentury elements, so we added a splash of personality to the blue that ties both aesthetics together,” she added. “Blue cabinets are certainly temporary, but in our opinion, they are timeless. Blue is a popular choice because it is a versatile color that can complement a variety of design styles. I We've used blue cabinetry in everything from modern to traditional to coastal.”
Cafe bar before renovation
(Image provided by Blythe Interiors)
Before the renovation, unorganized shelves replaced the coffee bar, and the clutter was far from beautiful. Jennifer recognized the need for better kitchen storage and decided to remodel this entire corner with built-in cabinetry. Now it's almost unrecognizable.
The new space offers an elegant atmosphere with ample space for customers' coffee collections, with oak floating shelves offering a blend of practicality and style while allowing the space to open up vertically. A golden spotlight sconce on the wall above brings a cozy coffee house feel to the coffee corner and doubles as practical task lighting.
“Task lighting is very important when it comes to design,” says Jennifer. “From an aesthetic standpoint, this is a great way to bring in additional visual interest and another fun design element. For example, this brass fixture compliments the cabinet hardware beautifully.” Practical side After all, who wants to wander into the kitchen in the morning to pour themselves a cup of coffee only to have the overhead light suddenly turn on? Task lighting is exactly what it sounds like: lighting that focuses on specific needs. ”
(Image provided by Blythe Interiors)
If you are debating open shelving in your home kitchen, this space will be a real case for it. “Wall-mounted cabinets provide a lot of storage and organization, but they take up a lot of visual space and are hard on the eyes, making the space feel smaller,” Jennifer explains. Open shelving, on the other hand, is visually minimal and offers a more airy option that can make a space feel larger. Since open shelves take up much less storage space, you can get the best of both worlds by implementing lower cabinets and upper floating shelves.
(Image provided by Blythe Interiors)
The previous design's dingy bathroom felt dark and boring. “The bathroom used outdated materials and featured large wood-paneled walls, which just didn't fit the client's design sensibilities,” Jennifer explains. “We have a small space, so we wanted to come up with a solution to make the most of the room. We ended up moving the vanity to the left wall and adding a wall-hung toilet.”
Today, the main bathroom exudes timeless tranquility through elements of mid-century and European style. Dark blue tiles create continuity with the kitchen cabinets and create a sense of flow, while the walls are clad in light beige tiles for a calming coastal feel.
(Image provided by Blythe Interiors)
Although these two distinct spaces (bathroom and kitchen) are not adjacent, they feel coherent and integrated with a clear sense of flow. “Rooms in your home should feel connected and there should be a common thread throughout every space,” says Jennifer. “While each room can certainly boast its own unique look, selecting simple elements like accent colors and materials and incorporating them into every space creates a visually cohesive, visually appealing look. can also create a beautiful environment. Good flow contributes to the overall comfort of the home and promotes a sense of unity and harmony.”
To make the most of the modest space, the design team orchestrated layout changes, moving the vanity to the left wall and installing a space-saving wall-hung toilet. This strategic redesign not only increases floor space, but also contributes to creating a visually open and calming atmosphere, with plenty of natural light streaming in through the numerous slim horizontal windows. The result is a rejuvenating spa bathroom that is not only functional, but imbued with a touch of sophistication.
Feeling inspired? If you're planning a quick kitchen or bathroom makeover, use these stylish spaces as a starting point.
Let's take a look
“The Hague Blue”, Farrow & Ball
price: $150
amount: 1 gallon
price: $182.99
Finish: aged oak
