A Reinvention So Personal, You Wouldn’t Even Know an Interior Designer Touched This California Home

When Julia Chasman first stepped into the Santa Monica home of her close friends, she imagined a simple update—some refreshed soft furnishings and new window treatments. But as any seasoned designer will admit, small projects often evolve into something much larger. Over three years, Chasman reimagined every living space on the ground floor of the family’s expansive California residence, crafting a transformation so seamless it’s hard to believe a designer was involved at all.

Brut Lamp

Geometric Brutalist lamp with textured industrial surfaces.

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Reimagining Without Renovation

The homeowners purchased their single-story house in 1987, then expanded it a decade later, nearly doubling its size by adding an upper floor to accommodate their growing family. By the time Chasman joined the project in 2022, the three children had moved out, and the couple wanted their home to better reflect their current lifestyle as empty nesters. Instead of tearing down walls or knocking out features, Chasman embraced a no-demolition approach, focusing on subtle but impactful changes.

What made the project especially rich was the couple’s remarkable art collection, which included vintage posters, classic photography, folk art, and whimsical hand-painted pieces. Jesse, the wife, is also a part-time artist who enlarges and hand-colors vintage photographs, adding a deeply personal touch throughout the home. These treasures formed the foundation for Chasman’s vision, allowing her to refresh the interiors while honoring the family’s passions and history.

Making the Entryway a Statement

The home’s entry hall once served merely as a passageway, with furniture pushed awkwardly against the walls. Chasman reshaped this space into a warm and inviting focal point that sets the tone for the rest of the house. The double-height staircase at the back wall commands attention, painted in a bold dark green that contrasts beautifully with the lighter green window trim. A large pendant light hangs gracefully in the stairwell, casting a soft glow over the area.

Strategically placed furniture, including a center table and a vintage console, creates a vignette that feels curated yet welcoming. The walls are painted in a soft white, making the vibrant art, books, and fresh flowers pop. This thoughtful layering connects the entryway to the adjoining dining and living rooms, making the space feel intentional and full of life.

Casablanca Throw

Oversized double knit throw with reversible pattern.

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A Living Room That Marries Comfort and Character

The living room is a study in contrasts, blending vintage charm with refreshed upholstery that injects personality into the space. French doors open to an English country garden, flooding the room with natural light and enhancing the mix of textures and colors. A green leather slipper chair trimmed in brass stands out alongside black rattan chairs, anchoring the airy room with darker accents.

Custom curtains feature a Michael Smith print that adds subtle pattern and color, while a matching valence frames the French doors elegantly. The walls showcase the homeowners’ art and photo collection, including a striking vintage French poster depicting whimsical mermaids. A rebuilt fireplace with custom moldings painted a crisp white creates a cozy gathering spot, flanked by brass sconces that echo the warm tones of the chandelier above.

Inviting Family Spaces with Thoughtful Details

The family room, adjacent to the kitchen, serves as the go-to spot for movie nights and casual relaxation. Instead of replacing sturdy existing pieces, Chasman opted to create custom slipcovers that breathe new life into the sectional, chairs, and ottomans. The palette of warm sandy tones and patterned fabrics is grounded by grasscloth wallpaper and a textured carpet, creating a cozy yet sophisticated backdrop.

Adding to the room’s charm is the homeowners’ collection of vintage international movie posters, which perfectly complement the room’s purpose. Roman shades soften the windows, blending function and style effortlessly. This layered, lived-in look embodies a space where comfort meets curated design.

Faux Fur Large Rug

Large faux fur rug with dense, velvety fibers.

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Bold Choices in Dining and Kitchen

The dining room makes a vibrant statement with a bold fruit-patterned wallpaper that echoes the garden’s bounty outside. Chasman replaced outdated lighting with a stunning white plaster chandelier and matching sconces, layering additional light sources with vintage cocktail lamps to create depth and warmth. The room balances formality and function, acting both as a place for meals and a transition to the kitchen and family room.

Natural light streams in through French doors on either side of the new larger fireplace mantel, which was expanded for a more dramatic effect. The walls’ lower half is painted a fresh green, tying back to the home’s rich palette and the verdant landscape beyond. Vintage furniture pieces, including the antique French dining table and hand-painted credenza, remain central but feel revitalized in this fresh setting.

The kitchen, initially slated to remain largely untouched, underwent subtle yet transformative enhancements. The green marble countertops were refinished to refresh surfaces that had aged over twenty years. One of the most significant changes was removing the counter seating along the butcher block island and trimming the overhang, which created enough space to add a cozy family breakfast nook. This new area invites casual meals and conversation, making the kitchen feel like a welcoming hub rather than just a workspace.