When we were approached to reimagine a 1980s home for a family who dreamed of a coastal-inspired retreat, we couldn’t wait to dive in.
The original 1,650 sq ft, 3-bedroom, 2-bath house had a tiny kitchen, a small living room, and a non–pass-through garage — all sitting on a stunning half-acre adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains Nature Preserve. With a family of five who often hosted streams of guests, an expansion that made sense for their lifestyle was essential. And with their love of the ocean, they wanted the design to feel both fresh and coastal at its core.
Working closely with the builder and a land engineer, our team expanded the home by an additional 1,200 sq ft and reshaped the flow for modern family living. We connected the previously detached-feeling garage to the home, relocated the laundry from the garage into an unused hallway, and reconfigured the original primary suite into a generous child’s room that doubles as a private guest suite with its own ensuite bathroom.
The main living areas were opened into a free-flowing, spacious entertaining hub. The kitchen saw the biggest transformation, now featuring two oversized single-basin sinks, a large storage-rich island, a dedicated coffee nook, and abundant seating. We also added a completely new primary suite retreat — a serene bedroom tucked away from the activity of the main living area, paired with a luxurious rain/stream shower and a spacious custom walk-in closet.
Our team also designed the full exterior and planting plan, transforming the half-acre lot into a tiered, functional outdoor environment. The upper terrace was reimagined with a lounge deck and hot tub to capture the sweeping preserve views, while the lower levels were shaped for play, dining, and relaxation — all infused with a coastal, natural palette to echo the home’s interior.
The family’s design desire was clear: clean, simple, and timeless. We incorporated natural wood floors, custom wood cabinetry, and finishes that will carry them beautifully for years. Furnishings and décor were selected to support the way they truly live, honoring their minimalist preferences and love of airy, coastal spaces.
The design phase took four months, construction six months, and furnishings an additional two — resulting in a warm, functional, and coastal-inspired home perfectly suited for this active family.
"Sophia is unbelievable. She brought my vision to life and made the entire process easy from start to finish. Incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and detail-oriented. Her design sense is top-tier—I couldn’t have done it without her. Highly recommend."
j. zavala
san antonio, tx
"While preparing for a remodel, we engaged Et Sal Interiors—and they were amazing every step of the way. They took the time to understand our vision, our unique needs as a senior care home, and our budget. Et Sal provided everything we needed to complete the remodel and beautifully decorate the home. Everyone who visits is blown away by how warm and inviting the space turned out. Our goal was to create a home where seniors could live with dignity and families would feel welcome and comfortable. Et Sal absolutely nailed it. We’ll definitely be using them again on our next project."
d. brodt
los angeles, ca
"We worked with Sophia on developing a color scheme for our home remodel. She was great to work with, listened to our desires, got a feel for what we like and don’t like, and took photos along the way. She helped us select colors and made suggestions of choices that we likely would not have considered on our own. We recommend her highly!"
s. kerper
camarillo, ca
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From concept to completion we help you with everything to design your new home. We collaborate with architects, general contractor, and subcontractor to ensure a seamless experience. No detail is left unplanned.
Whether planning a kitchen remodel to undertaking an entire house renovation, our turn-key interior design services ensures no aspect is left to chance. We understand the intricacies of the construction process to ensure your remodel stays, on goal, on time, and on budget.
For those who do not require construction but still want the help of an expert eye curating a cohesive home, this interior design service is for you. Whether you only require a few spaces or an entire house, our team will find the best furniture and home accessories then manage their delivery and installation.