Home renovations are not for the faint of heart – the chaos of construction, the constant stream of people in and out of your home, the time and so much money. But in the end, it can be totally worth the headache when you have a modern home design personalized to you. When Santa Barbara-based interior designer Jessica Risko Smith, founder of JRS Interior Design, was tasked with completely gutting a 1950s home in her area she paid close attention to the home’s architecture (which leaned traditional) and worked with the architect to design a modern home with cozy, natural materials true to her California-inspired aesthetic.
This Stylish Renovation Spotlights Modern Home Design
“The homeowners had a much more traditional style when we started to work together, and they were eager to try something a little different,” said Jessica. “It was fun to push them out of their comfort zone a bit and to see what made them feel excited.”
Some of the structural changes included an additional pantry space off the kitchen, and working in this new island. An extra bedroom created an interior courtyard feel at the back of the house. (The backyard also has a pool and fireplace for true outdoor living.)
Of course, not everyone has the budget to completely transform their home. But what inspires us about this renovation are the details, like bringing in handmade pottery made by their teen daughter, using fabrics and wallpapers (many from our fave Schumacher) in mindful ways, and design choices that connect the indoors with the outside.
“The goal was to achieve an indoor-outdoor connection with ample space to entertain, relax and enjoy time with friends and family,” said Jessica. Mission accomplished. “We gave things a bit more edge and embraced a more modern approach.” It’s hard to tell where the indoors and outdoors meet, thanks to dual counters and similar materials and textures used throughout.
“A great way to connect the indoors and outdoors is by incorporating a natural color palette with a cohesive sense of flow,” said Jessica. That meant bringing the exterior sandstone fireplace to the living room fireplace, for example.
Mmm…dreamy bedroom details. Jessica describes her style as California-inspired, elevated design with an edited restraint. Accents like art, fixtures, lighting, and a mix of textures create a rich overall design that feels visually interesting but not overpowering.
“We wanted to make everything in the home feel like it could be used everyday while also incorporating personal touches to the design,” said Jessica.
Personal details like their daughter’s pottery and handmade pottery from Emily Brown Ceramics (sourced via Dekor Living in Ojai, CA) complement the owner’s traditional wedding china. The dining table and bedroom chandelier above come from Matthew Fairbank Design. These cozy dining chairs are from Thomas Lavin. We love the range of neutral colors and tones that make the decor feel clean and luxe, not flat.
Schumacher Queen of Spain wallpaper is one of the more whimsical features in an otherwise sophisticated home. We never met a powder room wallpaper we didn’t like! It’s a great space to really stand out and not invest too much in a dramatic look.
