Homeowner Reclaims 20-Year-Old Dream Home with Full Design Freedom

Using the words ‘remodel’ or ‘renovation’ isn’t entirely accurate for this project, as both technically refer to the process of redesigning this home, but they don’t capture the essence of the…scaleRegarding this complete transformation. Every aspect was modified in some manner, every element was addressed, except for a few structural features. The designer was granted full freedom to re-imagine each room and every detail of the home.

Let’s go back ten or twenty years. The homeowner had constructed theMediterranean-style houseIn the late 1990s, but has not resided there for the last 20 years; it has been leased almost continuously since its construction. However, at some point, the owner, a dedicated Mahjong enthusiast in Los Angeles, decided to return to her Santa Monica residence, and a full renovation was planned to better align with her updated lifestyle and preferences.

Designer Christine Markatos Lowewas hired to transform every aspect of the house. She started by choosing custom marble mosaics and glass tiles for the kitchen and bathrooms, allowing the design to develop from that point onward.

“The client initially constructed this home with her first husband, but following his passing due to an illness, she chose to leave and rent it out for twenty years. For her and her family to come back, the house had to seem completely new,” says Christine.

We began working towards that with a complete renovation, working together withChoate Architects. We modified the room functions, removed a bedroom to establish a spacious main closet with an additional area for shoes and bags, and altered the rear of the house to connect with the outdoor areas.

The greatest difficulty was converting the heavy staircase design into something more delicate and open, with the exquisite metal railing we designed playing a key role in changing the entrance and staircase atmosphere to exactly that. There were also some symmetry problems that were fixed in the long entry hall to create a clear line of sight from the front to the back door.

“I was really drawn to the homeowner’s story, and I felt motivated to assist in developing a brand-new experience for my client and her family. I also really appreciated her personal style, so I knew we would enjoy working together. She likes color but was initially a little unsure about going for bold choices,” continues Christine.

As the project moved forward, she truly discovered her rhythm and had confidence in her decisions. We looked to her wardrobe for ideas and observed that she wears a lot ofjewel tones, and having the house embody those hues was the ideal decision.

We sourced a variety of materials from European suppliers likeDedar, Jim Thompson, and Claremont, which provided a vibrant array of colors and unique pairings. I believe the intensity of the colors functions effectively in Los Angeles, as it is balanced by the bright daylight. Each room became increasingly detailed, forming its own miniature treasure to explore.

The homeowner’s art collection served as a major source of inspiration for the renovation, with Christine incorporating it as the unifying element throughout the house. She says, “We tackled the entire project simultaneously, and I truly loved creating the color scheme and materials for each room while considering the flow between them. The artwork really helped to connect the separate narratives.”

The classic hand-painted Chinese calligraphy artworks are showcased in the foyer and the dining area, where they are positioned against the background ofFarrow & Ball’s Helleboruspaper that provides the ideal level of design while maintaining a calm appearance.

The original floor layout was the only aspect Christine was to maintain; all other elements had to be removed and replaced with more vibrancy and energy. “Before we began the renovation, the house was very outdated,” says Christine. “The client had rented it to someone who owned a lighting store, and it was filled with really ugly decorative lights when I first entered.”

The house began as a typical ’90s mix of traditional Mediterranean architecture, featuring limestone floors, outdated design elements, and thick plaster ceilings. Awful! It really needed a major update! Now the home is modern, refined, and stylish, similar to the client’s taste.

The only other key aspect was that the client wanted ‘the most beautiful Mahjong room’ in order to entertain her friends and hold events. Not surprisingly, this area became Christine’s favorite room to design.

If I were to pick a favorite room, it would undoubtedly be the Mahjong room, since it’s such an exceptional space and gives the feeling of being in a jewelry box,” she explains. “We created a custom shagreen Mahjong table and cozy chairs to match, along with tailored storage for the client’s extensive collection of Mahjong sets.

The kitchen, even though it’s a hardworking space designed for frequent use and entertaining, maintains the same fun, energizing color palette as the rest of the house.

The client enjoys hosting, so it was crucial that the kitchen be just as visually impressive as it is practical,” says Christine. “To improve the movement between areas and facilitate smooth entertaining, we removed one wall of the kitchen to link it with the neighboringfamily room. Ensuring a direct view from the island to the television was also important, enabling her to watch her favorite programs while preparing meals and to chat with her husband.

The area initially had very little natural light, so opening up one side enabled light to be brought in from the neighboring rooms. Installing additional windows in the ceiling also transformed the appearance of this previously dark and outdated room. The soothing, cool tones make the space feel bright and airy, yet the warm gold fixtures and fittings balance the clean whites, blues, and greens, ensuring the room doesn’t come across as too cold.

Skylights were incorporated into a new barrel ceiling to update the area and introduce natural light,” says Christine. “The custom geometric glass tile backsplash, combined with a elegant soft gray and white marble, maintains a serene and mostly monochrome appearance on the surfaces. This allowed the blue island cabinetry to stand out and serve as the main feature of the room. Every element in the kitchen is oversized—the island, the plaster hood, and the lanterns—but when you are inside the space, it feels harmonious and welcoming.

Upstairs, the master bedroomis a peaceful escape. The bright, cool colors seen throughout the rest of the house are still present here, but they have a soothing effect. You won’t encounter the intense bursts of raspberry pink in this area, so there’s no contrast; rather, the greens and blues form a rich, layered color scheme that feels almost neutral.

This residence is unrecognizable compared to the one the owner initially constructed 20 years ago. Christine has, as requested, modified every single detail, transforming a dull, outdated, and chaotic property into a home that radiates life.

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