Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Exotic Laguna Beach Family Home
Colorful textiles and earthy, understated decor set off the ocean view at this Mediterranean hillside home in Southern California
Joe and Lisa Preston couldn't wait to move into this classic Spanish Mediterranean house in California, where a stunning view of Laguna Beach meshes beautifully with the old-world architecture and the owner's art collection. The plaster walls, vaulted beam ceilings, planked walnut doors and clay roof tiles are a good match for the incomparable ocean view from one of the town's best vantage points.
The couple worked with Ohara Davies-Gaetano of Bliss Design to incorporate a colorful and personal design that would grow with their kids' needs and display their collected global art and treasures. "The Prestons are very colorful people," says Davies-Gaetano. "They're also understated, down-to-earth and casual. They just wanted their house to be fabulous, and that was the underlying theme for the project."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Joe and Lisa Preston and their 3 young kids
Location: The hills of Laguna Beach, California
Size: 3,400 square feet on 3 levels; 4 bedrooms, 3 baths
That's interesting: An 18th-century turtle shell from France hangs above the mantel.
The couple worked with Ohara Davies-Gaetano of Bliss Design to incorporate a colorful and personal design that would grow with their kids' needs and display their collected global art and treasures. "The Prestons are very colorful people," says Davies-Gaetano. "They're also understated, down-to-earth and casual. They just wanted their house to be fabulous, and that was the underlying theme for the project."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Joe and Lisa Preston and their 3 young kids
Location: The hills of Laguna Beach, California
Size: 3,400 square feet on 3 levels; 4 bedrooms, 3 baths
That's interesting: An 18th-century turtle shell from France hangs above the mantel.
"We don't see a reason to lower our design standard for life with kids," says Joe. The couple believes that if they love the things in their home, their little ones can learn to respect that.
The velvet saffron-yellow sofa, chaise and ottoman were custom made and upholstered locally. The colorful throw pillows are covered with textiles collected during the couple's travels. The Tibetan hand-woven area rug is colored with vegetable dye for a natural gradation, and the antique lamps were purchased from the original owners of the home.
The velvet saffron-yellow sofa, chaise and ottoman were custom made and upholstered locally. The colorful throw pillows are covered with textiles collected during the couple's travels. The Tibetan hand-woven area rug is colored with vegetable dye for a natural gradation, and the antique lamps were purchased from the original owners of the home.
A cut and mounted piece of petrified wood is positioned in front of a spectacular abstract art piece by Paul Ecke. "It needed something textural that wouldn't take from the vignette," says Davies-Gaetano.
When asked his advice to other art collectors, Joe shares, "Our advice in art collection is never to buy a piece for decorative reasons. Buy what you love, and it will be a part of your life forever."
When asked his advice to other art collectors, Joe shares, "Our advice in art collection is never to buy a piece for decorative reasons. Buy what you love, and it will be a part of your life forever."
For additional seating with flexibility, Davies-Gaetano placed a matching chaise by the fireplace. This comfortable setup is part of what makes the living room Joe and Lisa's favorite room in the house. They wanted it to be formal and sophisticated, but also practical and playful. "Ohara brought that together with the vibrant colors and the spirit of our art, which represents a time and place in our lives," says Joe.
One of the last items added to the decor — and one of the biggest splurges — was the 18th-century turtle shell from France above the mantel. "The added tortoise shell and butterflies give the space an exotic feel. We love to travel, and it reminds us of French island living," says Joe.
One of the last items added to the decor — and one of the biggest splurges — was the 18th-century turtle shell from France above the mantel. "The added tortoise shell and butterflies give the space an exotic feel. We love to travel, and it reminds us of French island living," says Joe.
Real butterflies are mounted inside an antique wedding veil globe, set on an antique sculptor's pedestal from France.
The painting of a woman reflected in a pool is by California artist Eric Zener. It holds special meaning for Joe, who is an avid swimmer.
The painting of a woman reflected in a pool is by California artist Eric Zener. It holds special meaning for Joe, who is an avid swimmer.
Like the living room, the sophisticated dining room floats within the home's open floor plan without an anchor wall. The table and chandelier were also inherited from the previous homeowners. Upholstered chairs modeled after Italian antiques play up the home's old-world Mediterranean personality. A grass-green ceramic horse sits on a French antique oak chest that's used for storage.
Floor-to-ceiling windows flow from the dining room to the kitchen. Guests enter the home on the upper floor, where the living room, den, dining room, kitchen and master bedroom are located.
Floor-to-ceiling windows flow from the dining room to the kitchen. Guests enter the home on the upper floor, where the living room, den, dining room, kitchen and master bedroom are located.
The master bedroom is flanked by doors and windows on both sides of the bed. Pressed aluminum bedside tables from India and lamps made out of gypsum and acrylic help the space to feel light and airy.
Davies-Gaetano chose sea-foam linen window treatments and a graphic headboard to make an impact in the master bedroom's limited space. The headboard textile — designed in the Uzbekistani suzani style — is manufactured by Donghia.
The upstairs den is bathed in afternoon light. The preexisting 1950s drapes and the owners' vibrant artwork determined the orange and turquoise color palette. An African mask collection hangs next to the fireplace, and a blue Tibetan rug warms the floor.
The locally custom-made sofa is covered in wool, accompanied by a Baker reading chair and a Holly Hunt coffee table. The TV sits opposite the sofa.
The locally custom-made sofa is covered in wool, accompanied by a Baker reading chair and a Holly Hunt coffee table. The TV sits opposite the sofa.
The guest bedrooms on the lower level retained much of their original flair. The orange room's walls and window treatments are a playful take on the previous homeowner's affinity for the citrus color. "When the family moved in, their 5-year-old daughter said this is her castle in the sky," Davies-Gaetano says.
The secret garden patio downstairs is nestled into hedges with tiny pebbles that crunch underfoot. A visitor can easily imagine themselves in a timeless European garden. "What makes this home special is that you have different experiences as you go through. First, you don't see the ocean view until you enter the house. Then you go downstairs and have this completely new experience," Davies-Gaetano says.
An oversize ottoman with tray in the living room serves as a coffee table. The mother-of-pearl inlay matches the chair in the hallway between the living and dining room.
Leather armchairs: Holly Hunt