Create an ideabook for your next remodeling project!
Browse more than 1,000,000 photos from top designers and save your favorites
Houzz Tours
Top Ideabooks
Eclectic Homes
Top Ideabooks
- Wondrous Steampunk Style for a Massachusetts Victorian
- DIY Efforts Transform a South Philly Row House
- From Baseball Factory to Homey Loft in Toronto
- From Raw Space to Hip Home in a Converted Utah Garage
- Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen's Guesthouse Brims With Charm
- Travel Treasures Personalize a Denver Comedian's Home
My Houzz: California Hilltop Home Inspires Artistry
A desk made of airplane parts, a mirror sporting fluff ... unusual touches help turn a neglected house into a creative home and studio
Design is my passion. Before freelancing from my Southern California home, I was an art director for many years. When it comes to home decor, I love mixing vintage, worn pieces with modern clean lines bringing the right balance of comfort and style. Whether it's decorating, graphic design, photography, or repurposing a fun flea market find, I embrace every design challenge with enthusiasm and an opportunity to make something a little more beautiful.
Design is my passion. Before freelancing from my Southern California home,... More »
When jewelry designer Kate Mesta and publicist-designer Sondra Piorek first saw this 1970s house in Laguna Beach, California, it was a dilapidated mess. It sat on the market for months before Piorek and Mesta saw it and visualized all it could be.
After they emptied the house and did some rigorous cleaning and painting, the home began to return to its original beauty. No longer were the breathtaking Pacific Ocean views covered up by sheets, nor the floors covered with refuse. In came natural light, custom furniture and original art. At last, the home had owners who loved and appreciated it.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Sondra Piorek; Kate Mesta; Piorek's kids, Dylan and Makena; 3 dogs; 2 cats and a fish
Location: Bluebird Canyon, Laguna Beach, California
Size: 2,025 square feet; 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, separate design studio
That's interesting: In one of the kitchen floor saltillo tiles, a coyote paw print remains stamped into one of them.
After they emptied the house and did some rigorous cleaning and painting, the home began to return to its original beauty. No longer were the breathtaking Pacific Ocean views covered up by sheets, nor the floors covered with refuse. In came natural light, custom furniture and original art. At last, the home had owners who loved and appreciated it.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Sondra Piorek; Kate Mesta; Piorek's kids, Dylan and Makena; 3 dogs; 2 cats and a fish
Location: Bluebird Canyon, Laguna Beach, California
Size: 2,025 square feet; 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, separate design studio
That's interesting: In one of the kitchen floor saltillo tiles, a coyote paw print remains stamped into one of them.
|
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| A winding, narrow road leads to the hilltop home, above all the coastal and tourist activity below. It looks out onto Laguna's rolling hills from the end of a tranquil cul-de-sac surrounded by trees. |
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
The stairway to the front door is lined with potted plants and a hanging lantern. A small bistro set on the front porch is a perfect place for enjoying morning coffee.
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
A glass front door with simple stained glass allows the sun in. The same untreated wood on the exterior is used throughout the interior, too. The exterior wood has aged to a rustic gray-brown, while the interior remains a warm golden tone.
|
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Piorek pulled color into the decor with playful contemporary chairs she designed. A Nelson Ball Clock gives the wall retro character. |
|
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| The kitchen cabinetry is original to the house, as is this unique light fixture made of the same wood seen throughout the home. In the corner of the kitchen floor, a paw print remains stamped into one of the saltillo tiles. Apparently, a coyote walked across the tiles while they were laid out to dry in Mexico. Local architect and builder Jeffery T. Garner personally selected this tile, as it's considered good luck. |
|
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Beyond the kitchen sliding doors, a patio with extra seating around the perimeter embraces the canyon's beauty and the view of the Pacific Ocean. |
|
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| |
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Piorek and Mesta took advantage of the scenery by choosing not to install window coverings in the living room. "Even though we have so many windows, we have complete privacy, and no one can see in," Piorek says.
The two-sided fireplace can be enjoyed in the step-down cubby — the favorite spot in the whole house. "Anytime we have great news to share, we gather everyone in the cubby to tell them," Piorek says. "It's our special spot in the house. It's where we open our Christmas presents."
The tiles are the same style as those in the kitchen, helping to unify the rooms.
The two-sided fireplace can be enjoyed in the step-down cubby — the favorite spot in the whole house. "Anytime we have great news to share, we gather everyone in the cubby to tell them," Piorek says. "It's our special spot in the house. It's where we open our Christmas presents."
The tiles are the same style as those in the kitchen, helping to unify the rooms.
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
This original piece by local artist Carly Andrews used to hang in Piorek's Laguna Beach design store, Stylistic Intervention. She no longer owns the store, but Piorek hung on to some of the items, including this set of colorful handblown glasses.
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Built-in shelves display vases and keep books and magazines tucked away.
|
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| A bright blue door leads to another patio. The color breaks up the room's neutral tones and complements artwork on the opposite wall. |
|
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Surfing is possible just a few minutes away and is a huge part of the Southern California beach culture. Dylan's bedroom reflects his passions and the city he lives in. |
|
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| A wave-inspired painting and Star Wars collectibles fill a corner of Dylan's room. |
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
A fluffy blue mirror and a sofa add fun textures to Makena's room.
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Mesta's office features an artistic metal desk by a designer who builds unique furniture with parts from vintage airplanes. The piece fits right in with the postindustrial look the architect wanted. Exposed building materials like these cinderblock walls and a fireplace pipe upstairs are all intentional design elements.
|
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Mesta's office is on the third level of the home and is shared with Piorek's assistant. The bold orange desk reflects Piorek's energetic personality. The door opens to the backyard and a separate studio, where Mesta creates her jewelry designs. |
|
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Mesta enjoys time with her three rescued dogs outside her studio. |
|
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Here's a peek inside Mesta's workshop. Her embellished dog tag necklaces are popular with celebrity clients; her collection also includes embellished leather cuffs and pieces with embossed words. |
by Shelley Gardea
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Born and raised in Laguna Beach, Piorek loves the city and its community feel in the heart of busy Orange County. "I love the beautiful coastline," she says. "And l like knowing my kids are in a safe city where they can hop on a free trolley to get around town."
Stay tuned to this creative family, as they may be joining the reality-TV world soon.
Houzz call: Do you have an eclectic, colorful home? Share it with us!
Stay tuned to this creative family, as they may be joining the reality-TV world soon.
Houzz call: Do you have an eclectic, colorful home? Share it with us!
Ideabook updated on Aug. 28, 2012.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
First, I want to say "Thank you" to Kate Mesta, Sondra Piorek, and their kids for doing such a great job and loving the house. (The renters before these ladies, didn't take good care of it and it left a sour taste in my mouth---> you have definitely fixed that! Again, Thank you!). I can rest easy knowing there are people who love and care for the house the way it should be loved.
Secondly, I love hearing about the opening gifts in the "cubby"... we used to do that to, but we called it "the conversation pit". Haha. Soooooooo many memories there!!!
Anyway- super excited to come across this highlighted feature, and more excited to see how the ladies have decorated, the memories, the work and the love that is put into it. Great job.
I am also enjoying seeing what people have to say about the house, as my dad is the architect. It is (and was) a great home! Very cool. (I am a proud daughter).
*****Thanks houzz!!!!! :-)
*(BTW- your comment about the ocean views... My dad likes to say, "There is an ocean glimpse". Haha- small glimpse view, but still awesome)!
Animal Print Saltillo is very rare, accounting for less than .03% of all Saltillo produced. It is produced by accident. Since authentic Saltillo is produced by hand and outdoors occasionally an animal- coyote, dog, chicken, goat etc.- will walk across some tiles during the drying process of production. What is left behind is natures' accidental work of art. Many consider these unique tiles "good luck charms" because mother nature got involved in the tile making process.
The house was not built off site and reassembled... it was built on site. It had the potential to be built off site because of the way the layout is etc; but my dad, his friends, and workers built the house there on site.
~Thanks :-)
I miss the old neighborhood and your great family. Congrats on this project.
Marsha (used to live next door)