California Coastal Project – A Whole Home Remodel in Mission Hills

There are few things more frustrating for homeowners than water damage—and unfortunately, that’s exactly what our wonderful clients faced. While enjoying the holidays in sunny California, they received the call no one wants: a frozen pipe had burst above their kitchen, causing extensive damage to the kitchen and dining room of their Mission Hills home. But instead of just replacing their kitchen, they chose to turn this unexpected disaster into a fresh start—and a chance to finally pursue the whole-home remodel they’d been dreaming about.

We’ve had the joy of working with these clients on several past projects—both in this home and their previous one—so picking up where we left off felt natural. She’s a true artist in every sense, from her pottery and painting to the vibrant garden she’s cultivated into a living work of art. He’s just as engaged in the process, personally involved in selections and design decisions every step of the way. They worked with Nina Schmidt to create their dream home and Joe Meagher and Andy Gower brought their dreams to life.

Although the remodel began under less-than-ideal circumstances, the result is something special. Their Mission Hills home is now a reflection of who they are—artful, thoughtful, and completely theirs.

Planning the Whole Home Update

With half the house down to the studs and the bedroom side not functioning well in its existing state, we had the opportunity to redesign the floor plan to truly fit our clients’ needs. We dug into their wants and needs to figure out what this Mission Hills whole home remodel would look like.

Kitchen Area Design Plans

One of the top priorities in the kitchen design was removing the distracting columns that broke up the space. By installing a large steel beam, we were able to open things up and completely reimagine the layout. With the structural work in place, we centered a spacious kitchen island along the sink wall and positioned a new full-range wall directly across from it—creating a beautiful, functional flow.

To make room for that new range wall, we reworked the layout of the adjacent spaces, relocating both the laundry and basement entrances to the sunroom. This opened the kitchen area even more and made circulation feel seamless.

We also took the opportunity to reimagine underused spaces. The former powder room was transformed into a generous walk-in pantry—adding valuable storage right off the kitchen. Meanwhile, the old pantry became a practical cubby space near the garage entrance, perfect for shoes, coats, and bags. It’s one of those small changes that make everyday life feel a lot more organized.

In the family room, we further vaulted the ceiling and added two skylights to bring in more natural light. By removing the outdated corner fireplace, we made room for large French sliding doors that open up to the backyard—blurring the lines between indoors and out and giving the entire space a lighter, airier feel.

Bedroom & Bathroom Design Plans

For the bedrooms, the first challenge we tackled was the awkward access to the far bedroom. To fix it, we borrowed a bit of square footage from the guest suite to create a proper hallway—one that now provides direct, intuitive access to both bedrooms. Where the original closet once stood, we added custom cabinetry to function as a linen closet that feels right at home in the new layout.

With the remaining guest suite space, we carved out a spacious walk-in closet and expanded the primary bathroom. The new walk-in closet, with separate entries, is shared between the two bedrooms, so each space still feels private and intentional.

In the second bedroom, we repurposed the two small reach-in closets, folding that square footage into the new shared walk-in closet. We also bumped out the bathroom by about a foot, using space from the old hallway linen closet to create a more private toilet area and room for a dedicated cosmetic table.

Beyond reconfiguring the layout to better meet their needs, we aimed to capture their style throughout the home. Their time in California had a profound influence on them, and they wanted to bring that Coastal California vibe into their space. This meant incorporating light colors in shades of blue and green, light-stained floors, and maximizing natural light to create a bright, airy atmosphere.

Whole House Remodel Before and After

Kitchen Before & After

The kitchen, dining room, and family room sustained significant water damage. By the time of our initial visit, the remediation team had already removed the cabinets, flooring, ceiling, and portions of the drywall. In the kitchen you can still see the support columns that used to be in the island.

Oh, hello gorgeous! The beautiful new kitchen perfectly captures the open, airy California vibe. Taller ceilings, paired with fresh white paint on both the ceiling and walls, create a bright and expansive atmosphere. The handmade Fireclay backsplash tiles add a touch of artisan craftsmanship, infusing the space with character and warmth. Centered above the island, two pendant lights provide a stylish focal point, while three library sconces are strategically placed above the open shelves and window, offering both task lighting and a decorative element.

The door to the right of the fridge leads directly to the garage, and what used to be a pantry space behind the fridge has been transformed into a functional and stylish cubby area. This nook is now the perfect spot for entering the home and conveniently storing shoes, coats, hats, bags, and more.

Dining Room and Family Room Before & After

The dining area, adjacent to the kitchen, featured a large floor-to-ceiling bay window. This space was completely demolished during remediation.

In the family room, a small wet bar was built into the paneling, opposite a corner fireplace and a modest built-in shelf. The vaulted ceiling with exposed beams added character to the room which we wanted to keep!

The dining area, anchored by a large bay window, had an underutilized alcove. Recognizing its potential, Nina transformed it into the built-in buffet our client had envisioned. The design is multifunctional, with open shelves above, ideal for displaying our client's pottery and artwork. Below, ample storage space accommodates dishes and linens. The expansive countertop serves as a convenient station for hosting guests.

We chose the same rift-cut white oak for the cabinetry, but opted for a frameless box with paneled doors to enhance the clean, modern aesthetic. The buffet is designed to float, adding a bit of a contemporary look. The bold, patterned countertop adds a striking contrast and makes a statement in this space.

With the columns in the kitchen removed, the space between the kitchen and family room is now completely open, creating a seamless flow between the two areas. We also removed the underutilized corner fireplace making room for stunning French sliding doors, enhancing both the indoor and outdoor experience. The wooden decorative beams in the family room add character and charm, and the addition of skylights highlights their beauty even more!

Laundry Room Before & After

While the room was a good size the cabinets didn’t capitalize on it. The washer and dryer wall had smaller upper cabinets and a large double bowl sink. Opposite that wall was a large floor to ceiling pantry that ate up the entire space with the doors open.

We extended creamy white cabinets to the ceiling, providing additional storage and included a brass rail for hangers. We couldn’t find the perfect rod system and ended up using a pot rail which works beautifully!

The new sink is a sleek stainless steel apron-front model and was a must in the laundry room as our clients make their coffee here. To complement the cabinets, we chose a warm quartz countertop and a striking laser printed limestone tile backsplash in a parasol pattern, creating a beautiful contrast in the space.

On the opposite wall, we installed two additional pantry cabinets, both featuring openings for storing laundry baskets. Adjacent to these, we added a bench with built-in shoe storage and hooks for coats.

Art Room Before & After

The sunroom had wonderful natural lighting with nearly two walls of windows and was the perfect place to create dedicated art space for our client. It just needed a little re-work to make that happen.

We updated the sunroom while preserving all the existing windows and the Dutch door (because it's a Dutch door!), allowing plenty of sunlight to pour in. To maintain design cohesion, we extended the same tile from the laundry room into the art room. We removed all the paneling to match the walls in the rest of the home, keeping with the California vibe and giving the room a clean, almost blank canvas feel. The trim and paint were kept in the same crisp white to provide a neutral backdrop

Front Entry Before & After

The home already had a sensational, large front door but the stone-looking tile gave it a dated feel rather than a warm welcome.

We kept the overall design simple, allowing the floor to be the standout feature. The existing entryway light fixture was reused, while a new sun-shaped light fixture was added for a touch of warmth and personality. The front door remained in place, but we refreshed it by painting the interior side to match the updated aesthetic.

In the entryway, Nina and our clients selected a decorative limestone tile collection that offered a variety of patterns. Inspired by the design possibilities, we created a unique "rug" pattern using the different tiles, eliminating the need for an actual rug. This tile work served as a beautiful connection point between the old flooring and the new, seamlessly tying the spaces together.

Living Room Before & After

The existing fireplace was ok, but our clients were ready to give it a wow factor.

To elevate the fireplace, we created a stunning mitered marble surround. We also installed an electric insert vs. the gas. After visiting the showroom, we selected a beautiful marble that required two full slabs to complete both the surround and the hearth.  Fresh wall paint and updated trim really completed the living room's transformation.

Powder Bathroom Before & After

Oof, the countertop was hard to look beyond in this space. If you do, you’ll notice the beautiful light fixtures and lead glass window. 

Now, some thoughtful design selections ensure this powder bath packs a punch with its reeded wood vanity, bold botanical wallpaper, and striking quartzite countertop. Brass accents and soft green trim add just the right mix of warmth and elegance, making this small space feel rich in texture and personality.

Bedrooms and Baths Before 

This area of the home would get a complete design overhaul. Prior to the remodel you could only access one of the bedrooms by walking through another one. Not exactly an ideal situation. The bedrooms also had disjointed reach in closets. The bathrooms had found their glory days a few decades earlier and our clients couldn't wait for them to be more functional.

Primary Suite After 

In the primary bedroom, we took out the pocket doors and walls totally opened up the space, letting natural light pour in. New windows added even more brightness, and we refinished the red oak floors throughout, weaving in new boards where needed. The soft matte stain ties it all together and plays perfectly with the refreshed bathroom.

The closet is accessible through pocket doors from each bedroom, providing seamless access. We collaborated with California Closets to design custom shelving and racks that perfectly accommodate both her and his belongings.

The hallway gave us enough space to create extra storage. Nina designed it as a linen closet but with the look and feel of a piece of furniture. The client favored a light blue color, which we incorporated into the cabinetry. Functionally, the space serves as more than just a linen closet—it’s designed to store bulkier items like bedding, suitcases, and coats. We included drawers for gloves, scarves, and other smaller accessories.

Directly across from the built-in linen sits the entry to the primary bedroom. Our client planned to place this stunning antique accent cabinet. We installed the awesome brass sconce at just the right height above it. 

 The new primary bathroom has dark pewter stained walnut vanities, blue glass backsplash tiles, marble-look porcelain floor tiles, and brushed nickel plumbing fixtures, with polished nickel light fixtures. Nina and our clients designed the bathroom with calming, soothing selections and we think they nailed that look. 

The new shower is positioned across from the tub and the window, with a half wall and a glass panel, along with a glass door that allows ample light to flow through. Despite the bathroom's narrow layout, the design successfully creates an open and spacious feel. The shower features a bench with a quartz top that matches the vanity countertops, as well as both a showerhead and a handheld shower on a slider for added convenience.

Guest Suite After

Let's just start by saying if I was invited to stay in this room as a guest I would never leave! The bedroom is so inviting with it's flooding of natural light. Our client fabulous finished it with mis-matched night tables and a four poster bed. We replaced the windows and French doors in this room, refinished the floors, and re-painted it.

THIS BATHROOM IS EVERYTHING! The gray vanity is more of a greige and looks beautiful against the brass fixtures. The large shower features a sophisticated mix of three different tiles - the lower tile, reminiscent of wainscoting, is elegantly separated from the upper tile by a sleek metal liner. A double niche, finished with both types of tiles, adds visual interest and functionality. 

Dreaming of making your home perfectly fit your lifestyle and aesthetic? Contact us to speak with one of our amazing designers and we'll help you get started.