Photo: Margot Hartford © 2014 Houzz Design: Natural Flow Interiors http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/25418674/list/My-Houzz--Casual--Organic-Elegance-in-California

family room, modern, home office

Regis Vogt

Marcel Page marcelpagephotography.com

Stephani Buchman

This adorable beach cottage is in the heart of the village of La Jolla in San Diego. The goals were to brighten up the space and be the perfect beach get-away for the client whose permanent residence is in Arizona. Some of the ways we achieved the goals was to place an extra high custom board and batten in the great room and by refinishing the kitchen cabinets (which were in excellent shape) white. We created interest through extreme proportions and contrast. Though there are a lot of white elements, they are all offset by a smaller portion of very dark elements. We also played with texture and pattern through wallpaper, natural reclaimed wood elements and rugs. This was all kept in balance by using a simplified color palate minimal layering. I am so grateful for this client as they were extremely trusting and open to ideas. To see what the space looked like before the remodel you can go to the gallery page of the website www.cmnaturaldesigns.com Photography by: Chipper Hatter

Sam Oberter Photography

Photo: Chris Snook © 2014 Houzz

Paul Craig ©Paul Craig 2014 All Rights Reserved. Architect: Charles Barclay Architects

Douglas Gibb

Photo: Louise de Miranda © 2013 Houzz

Adamik and Churney provided for a dividing wall to separate the kitchen from the living area, a decision that expanded possibilities in terms of how to best layout the space. At merely five-feet tall, the partition maintains the open-air feeling of the space, yet is ample enough to accommodate the entertainment center. In order to unify the Living and Dining areas, Adamik chose a large-scale seagrass rug. It is latex-padded, making it not only comfortable under foot, but also an improvement in terms of sound dampening. "I layered an indigo blue Pakistani Gabbeh over the seagrass to define the living room," the designer explains. The layering of various textures and materials adds to the room's understated depth. Rug: Pakistani Gabbeh, Weisshouse; Tufted Poufs: Cisco Brothers Adrienne DeRosa Photography

3rd Uncle design James Tse Photography

Cabinetry and fireplace at great room Photography by Ross Van Pelt Original building and interiors were designed by Jose Garcia.

Sarah Greenman © 2013 Houzz

Level Two: In the master bedroom, a king-size bed covered in bronze leather is flanked by coral table lamps. The barrel ceiling is finished in cherry wood. Photograph © Darren Edwards, San Diego