My Houzz: Patterns at Play in a Scotts Valley Home
A simple California tract house gets a personalized, layered look, with every last design detail thoughtfully considered
Design lover, contributing home tour photographer/writer for Houzz, blogger at www.o-live-design.com
Design lover, contributing home tour photographer/writer for Houzz, blogger... More »
When Stacey Costello and her husband, Brian, decided to upgrade from their small bungalow, they found a simple tract house that was the perfect canvas for adapting to their lifestyle. "It was size at first sight," says Stacey. "The inside was like a mansion to us. It was a basic tract home, but we knew we could do everything to make it our own."
They worked together to remodel and personalize almost every aspect of their home since then — including all the surfaces, the lighting, the flooring and the facade. Now their home is a unique and beautiful addition to their neighborhood and a real reflection of their family.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stacey and Brian Costello, son Patrick and dogs Ruby and Coco
Location: Scotts Valley, California
Size: 2,400 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, office
They worked together to remodel and personalize almost every aspect of their home since then — including all the surfaces, the lighting, the flooring and the facade. Now their home is a unique and beautiful addition to their neighborhood and a real reflection of their family.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stacey and Brian Costello, son Patrick and dogs Ruby and Coco
Location: Scotts Valley, California
Size: 2,400 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, office
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by Shannon Malone
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| "I stuck to three to four colors to keep it calm and simple," Stacey says. "I mainly use greens, whites, creams and chocolates." She loves how the neutral tones and white walls set the scene for her decor, art and furniture. The majority of paint throughout the home is custom-mixed Benjamin Moore. Leather chair: Crate & Barrel |
by Shannon Malone
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Stacey is an interior designer, so her house often ends up being a design laboratory to test potential ideas for her clients — she always has more custom throw pillows than necessary. She rearranges them often and plays with different color combinations, fabrics and patterns.
The coffee table is a family heirloom dining room table that was cut down by her grandfather.
Sofas: Restoration Hardware; ceiling light: antique mercury glass
The coffee table is a family heirloom dining room table that was cut down by her grandfather.
Sofas: Restoration Hardware; ceiling light: antique mercury glass
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by Shannon Malone
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| The kitchen "was such a labor of love. I just love being in here," she says. The couple changed every detail in this space: floors, cabinets, lighting, appliances and window treatments. The color of the backsplash tile was custom made by Sonoma Tilemakers. |
by Shannon Malone
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This is where her family gathers and hangs out most often. "I'm big on eating every meal together as a family," she says.
Although she loves her cabinets, Stacey plans to eventually repaint them white.
Light fixture: Urban Electric
Although she loves her cabinets, Stacey plans to eventually repaint them white.
Light fixture: Urban Electric
by Shannon Malone
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A bold purple wall color and an artful display of framed Manolo Blahnik shoe prints make for a dramatic statement in the downstairs powder room. Stacey also designed the shower curtains using two graphic fabrics.
Paint color: Bonne Nuit, Benjamin Moore
Paint color: Bonne Nuit, Benjamin Moore
by Shannon Malone
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The formal living room doubles as a dining and entertaining space, and is home to Stacey's collection of serving pieces and collectibles. She had this hutch custom built for the space.
Stacey refinished and handpainted the dining table, adding custom slip covers for the chairs. For a better transition into the living room seating area, she uses a backless bench as seating.
Stacey refinished and handpainted the dining table, adding custom slip covers for the chairs. For a better transition into the living room seating area, she uses a backless bench as seating.
by Shannon Malone
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Stacey immediately fell in love with this set of antique French patio chairs at a shop in Mill Valley, California. After returning home, she could not stop thinking about the set, so she called the shop in hopes of buying it, only to find out it had been sold.
As luck would have it, it was her husband who bought the chairs and was planning to give them to her as a gift. "Brian knew I would call the shop asking for them, and made sure the employee didn't tell me he had purchased them," Stacey says.
Floor light: Saffron and Genevieve
As luck would have it, it was her husband who bought the chairs and was planning to give them to her as a gift. "Brian knew I would call the shop asking for them, and made sure the employee didn't tell me he had purchased them," Stacey says.
Floor light: Saffron and Genevieve
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by Shannon Malone
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| Stacey loves the collected, layered look. She's inspired by a very feminine and somewhat French aesthetic, and by designers such as Mary McDonald, Jan Showers, Charlotte Moss and Susan Kasler. This faux fireplace in the living room was passed down to Stacey from her grandmother. It was added here specifically to display the mirror. Coffee table: Craigslist |
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by Shannon Malone
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| The living room sofa is a custom upholstered piece by Lee Industries, decorated with throw pillows designed by Stacey. In the formal living room and the family room, antique shutters found at a shop in Los Gatos, California, add architectural interest. |
by Shannon Malone
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Custom carpet lining on the stairs gives the family dogs more traction on the floors.
This chair on the staircase is a reupholstered family heirloom. Stacey's dad built the shelving unit, and it's now home to a collection of antiques.
Artwork: Cary Nowell
This chair on the staircase is a reupholstered family heirloom. Stacey's dad built the shelving unit, and it's now home to a collection of antiques.
Artwork: Cary Nowell
by Shannon Malone
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Stacey transformed the upstairs landing into a workspace for her design business. The office area is covered with personal sources of inspiration and original artwork.
by Shannon Malone
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This dresser on the staircase landing was Stacey's first antique purchase. She bought it for $99 when she was 16, and it has moved with her to each new home.
by Shannon Malone
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Stacey's workspace leads to one of the bedrooms, which acts as an additional work area for her arts and crafts.
by Shannon Malone
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"My son, Patrick, wanted his room to be a 'gentleman's room," Stacey says. Keeping this in mind, she designed with darker brown and gray hues, aiming for a more sophisticated but still youthful aesthetic.
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by Shannon Malone
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| Stacey chose a dark blue hue for Patrick's upstairs bathroom, giving the space a more masculine feel. She designed custom-made curtains, added collected decor and changed out the mirror. Paint: Newburyport Blue, Benjamin Moore |
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by Shannon Malone
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| Stacey chose neutral hues and a unisex decor for the master bedroom. The bed is made of pine with a custom glaze and a custom-designed canopy. She had the small tufted bench made for their dogs to enjoy. |
by Shannon Malone
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The couple gutted the master bathroom, increasing the tub size and the shower space. They installed custom cabinets and tile, and a built-in medicine cabinet disguised as a wall mirror.
Tile: Sonoma Tilemakers; stool: Wisteria
Tile: Sonoma Tilemakers; stool: Wisteria
by Shannon Malone
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Stacey brought her decorating technique to her garden, too. "I layered all of the plants and decor to give it more privacy," she says.
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by Shannon Malone
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| Brian wanted the exterior of the home to have a look that was similar to what he saw growing up on the East Coast. The couple added shingled siding, larger columns, a custom door and an overhang above the garage door. |
by Shannon Malone
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The Costellos' two dogs, Ruby and Coco (here with Stacey) are a big part of the family and give a warm welcome to all of their visitors.
Houzz call: Do you live in a collected, personalized home? Share it with us!
Houzz call: Do you live in a collected, personalized home? Share it with us!
Comments
Dirt Digger I love all things modern and contemporary, so this is not my style at all...having said that, I was blown away by this home! Absolutely breathtaking...every single detail! Thanks so much for the tour!
10 months ago · Like
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Lanie Brown I love the stories about the antique patio chairs and the dresser on the landing. These treasures make a home personal and special.
10 months ago · Like
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krissyb92603 Love her taste in dogs! I have a Berner of my own! :D
10 months ago · Like
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SPACIFY INC, Article are absolutely amazing! Absolutely fantastic! ideas!!
10 months ago · Like
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smoore The pics in the article prove that some people are just born with great taste! Love everything about this home. Thanks for sharing.
10 months ago · Like
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tarabillie Extraordinary Home. So easy to tip the balance towards over the top excess with a layered look especially if its not the easier to do layered bohemian or shabby chic. Amazingly and gracefully balanced. Wish I could do it with so much control.
10 months ago · Like
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morgana44 Beautiful.
10 months ago · Like
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arabad111 less is more; rotate all your beautiful pieces -looks too museum like
10 months ago · Like
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annibiza too many things, too crowdy no coherence really
10 months ago · Like
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kandy smith I was a little overwhelmed by all the stuff in every nook and cranny.
10 months ago · Like
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mrsben Definitely a labour of love and talent!
10 months ago · Like
appytrails I love the style and the feeling of the home... but it also feels like it would be more inviting with one third less "stuff" in each room. Perhaps the photos don't give a true representation of the depth, and it is visually more spacious between all the pieces in person.
10 months ago · Like
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davesmac Perfection!
10 months ago · Like
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Ayanna King I would love to see more and get any advice on the hallway office - doing one in my home within the next few weeks. Any recommendations?
10 months ago · Like
hetherfether are there any surfaces that aren't covered with 'stuff'? to use the dining room table you have to move 4 large items! how much time does she spend dusting? i agree....eliminate some of the clutter and it feels pretty cozy. would hate to see this place after the next big earthquake....
10 months ago · Like
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k8mwa Too "shabby" for my taste, but it doesn't look like a tract home. Nice job.
10 months ago · Like
bkdale Nice home, nice collection of "STUFF"but, way over the top with "STUFF". Needs a little editing. I love "STUFF" but, when I get over the top, it all makes me dizzy and confused. Nice home used as a gift shop.
10 months ago · Like
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gillianne Enjoyed the personal commentary, like the understated hues, but overall, found these spaces overdecorated and busy--more cluttered than curated. That said, however, what I think is, of course, irrelevant. She has lovingly created a space that reflects her taste and clearly savors it. That's what decorating a home should be about.
10 months ago · Like
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marmarmish Beautiful style. Especially loved the living room. Too busy for my taste tho, I'd pare it down a bit....
10 months ago · Like
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patscats2 I love the style and colors and patterns, but for me its way too "collected." I call that overdone clutter. Your eye can't enjoy everything because it's just too much. With some editing it would be perfect.
10 months ago · Like
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Rosalie Katzman_Wieldt I LOve this house. what a talented couple!
10 months ago · Like
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layarn Very nice, Stacey. It is fun seeing Scott's Valley represented in such a lovely way.
10 months ago · Like
Mykonos Panormos Villas Did a great job on a tract house and love the story about your husband. The only downside is it felt crowded and too many zebra rugs and geometric prints, they all looked wonderful but maybe too many repeated?
10 months ago · Like
onorio I love the kitchen and master bath, but I don't know why you would want to repaint the kitchen cabinets.
10 months ago · Like
yogapaws I covet her dogs- wish I had a yard & space for one of my own... oh and there is a lot of decorating I like also.
10 months ago · Like
mewses Love Scott Valley. Used to live in Mt. Shasta. Miss the area. At any rate It's a lovely home but way too much clutter and fluff. This is ranch country and this home looks like it should be in the burbs somewhere in the midwest.
10 months ago · Like
russroxrocks I really like it for the most part. It is a bit crowded and its all neutral colors, but I realize the house is for them and not me, so if they love it, awesome!
10 months ago · Like
lolakitchenera The house looks lived in, used and enjoyed by its owners. I don't particularly like however the fact that it has a little of everything. I don't know which one to look at and I am lost in the process of appreciating the house. But then again, maybe that is the style that they want to which they have been very successful. Congratulations on your wonderful home.
10 months ago · Like
Whitney F I second DirtDigger's comments. This is not my style; I lean toward a simpler aesthetic. That being said, I am so impressed with this designer's/owner's skill at composing beautiful and detailed spaces. I think what she has done is comparable to a painter working in oils, layering and layering color and texture until a final gorgeous work is achieved. Really a beautiful home. Question: Does she glue objects onto the coffee tables? With two big dogs, one swipe of a waggly tail would clear off all the well-placed objets d'art!!
10 months ago · Like
geo55 Such a cozy, interesting home! A place I'd love to visit and enjoy seeing something pretty at every turn.
10 months ago · Like
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elleblue Beautiful, simply beautiful and welcoming. What a great use of the landing!
10 months ago · Like
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Deb Kapteyn It's a good thing the house was big! There is barely enough room to walk between all the furniture. Just the pictures make me feel claustrophobic...
10 months ago · Like
monroe51 love this house so much.....everything in it is beautiful..i just want to go in and cuddle up anywhere and read a book.just walk barefoot in everyroom.you could go anywhere in this house and feel cozy!!!!!!!!!!!
10 months ago · Like
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debraney I absolutely adore the office on the landing. What a perfect command central! I agree with those who said, don't touch the kitchen cabinets. They are gorgeous as is. I too would probably edit some of the "stuff" if it were my house, but it's not mine, and it definitely showcases the owners' styles and collections beautifully. I think my favorite thing is the wide range of neutral colors they used (and I'm one who loves color, but this felt so rich and textured.) Overall, one of my favorite articles on Houzz, ever.
10 months ago · Like
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fredericklc Beautiful home. I love it!
10 months ago · Like
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kimmyaldrich Love it! My taste...comfort with touches of glamour!
9 months ago · Like
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River City Tile Company I LOVE all the 'stuff'! What better way to be greeted at the end of a long day but by a home that showcases all the things you love? Editing your home is a great way to de-clutter and make space for the things you really truly adore. How could you possibly begin to edit such a lovely collection?! I enjoyed every nook and cranny.
4 months ago · Like
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cloelo There are some nice pieces here, but it feels overwhelming and a bit on the verge of clutter.
3 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Feb. 15, 2013.
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