My Houzz: An Orange County Ranch Gets Into the Swing of Things
Golf course views and a mild climate feature in this 1960s ranch remodeled in midcentury modern style
Set on the 17th hole of a Southern California golf course, this home takes full advantage of its stunning surroundings and balmy climate. Ryan and Catherine Gale had different priorities for their new house but agreed that an open floor plan and midcentury style were musts. Previously a worn-out '60s ranch home, the remodeled version effectively combines vintage and modern styles in a clean and airy design.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Ryan and Catherine Gale, daughter Gianna and son Rowen
Location: Mesa Verde Golf Course, Costa Mesa, California
Size: 3,200 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms, large courtyard
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Ryan and Catherine Gale, daughter Gianna and son Rowen
Location: Mesa Verde Golf Course, Costa Mesa, California
Size: 3,200 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms, large courtyard
AFTER: The front of the home got a modern facelift with a creative concrete walkway, low maintenance and drought-tolerant native plants, and a wooden fence that plays on the low, lean look of a midcentury ranch home.
Although the back of the house opens to the golf course, the front offers plenty of privacy. This door opens to a walkway that leads to a central courtyard and the main front entry.
Although the back of the house opens to the golf course, the front offers plenty of privacy. This door opens to a walkway that leads to a central courtyard and the main front entry.
AFTER: Taking advantage of Southern California's mild weather, the family created an outdoor living room with a formal dining table and sectional. This courtyard now serves as the heart of the home, where the family enjoys eating and lounging next to the waterfall and built-in fireplace.
Dining table, chairs: Dune, Crate & Barrel; orange lanterns, Crate & Barrel
Dining table, chairs: Dune, Crate & Barrel; orange lanterns, Crate & Barrel
Catherine used the sectional's bright orange color as an accent color inside the home to tie the two spaces together.
Sectional: Ventura, Crate & Barrel; coffee table: Sanibel, Crate & Barrel; pillows: Crate & Barrel
Sectional: Ventura, Crate & Barrel; coffee table: Sanibel, Crate & Barrel; pillows: Crate & Barrel
Catherine confesses to having a black thumb, so she worked with landscape architect Andy De Young of Omni Design and the concrete experts at Robertson's to create a low-maintenance landscape. Their new outdoor space features detailed concretework, a large water feature, a fireplace and a small play area behind the fireplace for the kids.
AFTER: The entry walkway now has sloped ceilings complete with modern pendant lighting and a black powder-coated pivoting door. Catherine says, "We have always been obsessed with wide-open spaces, nano doors and the indoor-outdoor feel."
AFTER: Walking through the front door of the home, you notice the striking size of the great room. The large, open area is cleverly arranged into different living spaces: living room, dining room, kitchen, family room, office nook and a mini bar area. Exposed beams and lofted ceilings increase the volume of the space, while windows and doors on all sides bathe it in natural light.
Sofa, pillows: Crate & Barrel
Sofa, pillows: Crate & Barrel
Guests can enjoy the front courtyard or the bar while viewing the golf course.
Lights: George Kovac mini pendants, Lumens; countertops: Blizzard, Caesarstone
Lights: George Kovac mini pendants, Lumens; countertops: Blizzard, Caesarstone
The living room at the front of the great room uses the same burnt orange color from the outside sectional. The stacked wood detailing seen outdoors also repeats on this wall with a mounted television, bridging the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Sofa, pillows: Crate & Barrel
Sofa, pillows: Crate & Barrel
This white leather Eames lounge chair, the couple's latest splurge, is accented perfectly by a set of nesting tables, a modern glass sculpture and a view of the courtyard.
Nesting tables: wenge, Stua Eclipse, Design Within Reach, floor lamp: Machinist, Restoration Hardware
Nesting tables: wenge, Stua Eclipse, Design Within Reach, floor lamp: Machinist, Restoration Hardware
The contrast between the dark laminate cabinets and the elegant white bar stools catches the eye in the kitchen. The stools are a perfect addition to a kitchen island that serves as a workspace, a spot for hanging out with friends and a place for a casual meal.
Bar stools: Onda, Design Within Reach
Bar stools: Onda, Design Within Reach
With help from Andrew Cook from Omni Design, Catherine opted for light upper cabinets and dark lower cabinets, which house clever organizers to keep the kitchen neat and tidy. The white upper cabinets and clear glass backsplash tiles reflect incoming light and help the kitchen blend in rather than becoming a focal point.
Countertops: Blizzard, Caesarstone; backsplash: cultural brick in Frost, Voguebay; lamps: XOX Luau portable LED lamps, Design Within Reach
Countertops: Blizzard, Caesarstone; backsplash: cultural brick in Frost, Voguebay; lamps: XOX Luau portable LED lamps, Design Within Reach
Catherine prioritized functionality and organization in her new kitchen space. Rollout cupboards disappear into the wall to store dishes and neatly tuck away kitchen accessories.
This view from the kitchen shows the true height of the space. The feature wall behind the television helps accentuate the ceiling height and serves as a focal point in the room, making the TV look almost like a fireplace.
"Choosing lighting was a difficult task, as it's a huge factor in setting the mood and style in a space," says Catherine. The couple decided on midcentury-style pendant lights and chandeliers.
Pendant lights: Pele, Lumens; countertop: Blizzard, Caesarstone; light fixture: Meurice Rectangular Chandelier, Jonathan Adler; dining room table: Saarinen, Knoll; dining chairs: Eames Eiffel; side chairs, armchairs, Knoll; flooring: polished cement, Robertson's
"Choosing lighting was a difficult task, as it's a huge factor in setting the mood and style in a space," says Catherine. The couple decided on midcentury-style pendant lights and chandeliers.
Pendant lights: Pele, Lumens; countertop: Blizzard, Caesarstone; light fixture: Meurice Rectangular Chandelier, Jonathan Adler; dining room table: Saarinen, Knoll; dining chairs: Eames Eiffel; side chairs, armchairs, Knoll; flooring: polished cement, Robertson's
The couple used Fleetwood doors to execute their vision of a home that blurred the line between indoors and outdoors, with the exterior walls "disappearing." While the doors were one of the biggest expenses for the couple, they consider them well worth it.
Flooring: polished cement, Robertson's
Flooring: polished cement, Robertson's
An office nook neatly tucked in the corner of the family room provides a space for casual work at home. Glossy white pullout drawers beneath the TV provide ample storage to hide clutter.
Sofa: Case Study Vleg daybed, Modernica; ceramics: Jonathan Adler; desk chair: Crate & Barrel
Sofa: Case Study Vleg daybed, Modernica; ceramics: Jonathan Adler; desk chair: Crate & Barrel
The master bedroom was expanded during the renovation and now serves as a retreat for the busy parents. While the abundant light and white palette soothes, the intricate side tables and bold orange-lined bowls create visual interest and accent the space.
Bed: Wyatt, Room & Board; side table: Ginger Salt; Crate & Barrel; bowl: Jonathan Adler
Bed: Wyatt, Room & Board; side table: Ginger Salt; Crate & Barrel; bowl: Jonathan Adler
If the master bedroom is a retreat, the master bathroom is an oasis. Orange chevron-print hand towels bring cheer to the space, while an Eames Eiffel chair nods to midcentury style. A vanity area incorporated into the cabinetry design provides Catherine with a spot for getting ready in the morning.
Towels: Arcade, Jonathan Adler; sinks: Fox Collection, Koehler; faucet: Purist, Koehler
Towels: Arcade, Jonathan Adler; sinks: Fox Collection, Koehler; faucet: Purist, Koehler
AFTER: The rear of the home now opens to the golf course. The family enjoys their new outdoor fire pit, built-in barbecue, bar and seating area. Just beyond the patio, Ryan plans to install a putting green so he can practice his swing before he plays a game in his own backyard. For this golfer, it's hard to beat life on the 17th hole.
Bar stools: Flint, CB2; Dune sofa, lounge chairs, coffee table, nesting tables, pillows: Crate & Barrel
Bar stools: Flint, CB2; Dune sofa, lounge chairs, coffee table, nesting tables, pillows: Crate & Barrel
Catherine poses with son Rowen and daughter Gianna. She says their home is still a work in progress and that she is looking forward to their next project: designing a perfect miniature replica of their home as a playhouse for their kids.
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The redesigned great room checks off both of Catherine's design priorities: ample built-in storage to hide clutter and a clean, minimalistic look. Polished concrete floors, exposed beams and steel structural supports reflect the couple's shared love of a modern, airy aesthetic. The finishing touches echo midcentury design, complete with Jonathan Adler accessories and one of their favorite splurges — a Saarinen Tulip Table.
Bar stools: Onda, Design Within Reach; pendant lights: Pele, Lumens; light fixture: Meurice Rectangle Chandelier, Jonathan Adler; dining room table: Saarinen, Knoll; dining chairs: Eames Eiffel; side chairs, armchairs, Knoll; flooring: polished cement, Robertson's