The view terrace is the signature space of the house. First seen from the entry, the terrace steps down to wind-protected fire-bowl, surrounded by tall glass walls. Plantings in bowl make for a terrific area to relax. House appearance described as California modern, California Coastal, or California Contemporary, San Francisco modern, Bay Area or South Bay residential design, with Sustainability and green design.

Transitional dark wood floor great room photo in San Francisco with gray walls

Garden travels: Mt. Lemmon marigold in Southern California
This is an example of a southwestern landscaping in Phoenix.

Designed By: Richard Bustos Photos By: Jeri Koegel Ron and Kathy Chaisson have lived in many homes throughout Orange County, including three homes on the Balboa Peninsula and one at Pelican Crest. But when the “kind of retired” couple, as they describe their current status, decided to finally build their ultimate dream house in the flower streets of Corona del Mar, they opted not to skimp on the amenities. “We wanted this house to have the features of a resort,” says Ron. “So we designed it to have a pool on the roof, five patios, a spa, a gym, water walls in the courtyard, fire-pits and steam showers.” To bring that five-star level of luxury to their newly constructed home, the couple enlisted Orange County’s top talent, including our very own rock star design consultant Richard Bustos, who worked alongside interior designer Trish Steel and Patterson Custom Homes as well as Brandon Architects. Together the team created a 4,500 square-foot, five-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bathroom contemporary house where R&R get top billing in almost every room. Two stories tall and with lots of open spaces, it manages to feel spacious despite its narrow location. And from its third floor patio, it boasts panoramic ocean views. “Overall we wanted this to be contemporary, but we also wanted it to feel warm,” says Ron. Key to creating that look was Richard, who selected the primary pieces from our extensive portfolio of top-quality furnishings. Richard also focused on clean lines and neutral colors to achieve the couple’s modern aesthetic, while allowing both the home’s gorgeous views and Kathy’s art to take center stage. As for that mahogany-lined elevator? “It’s a requirement,” states Ron. “With three levels, and lots of entertaining, we need that elevator for keeping the bar stocked up at the cabana, and for our big barbecue parties.” He adds, “my wife wears high heels a lot of the time, so riding the elevator instead of taking the stairs makes life that much better for her.”

Living room - large contemporary open concept light wood floor, beige floor and vaulted ceiling living room idea in Portland with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace

Inspiration for a mediterranean bathroom remodel in Santa Barbara

Dean J. Birinyi Photography
Mid-sized transitional master brown floor and medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in San Francisco with blue walls

Living room - large modern formal and open concept concrete floor and beige floor living room idea in Los Angeles with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

Jason Varney
Example of a transitional dining room design in Philadelphia with beige walls

aerial perspective at hillside site
Inspiration for a mid-sized 1960s multicolored split-level wood exterior home remodel in Orange County with a mixed material roof and a white roof

"Transitional" -- what exactly does this term mean? Especially, when describing interior design. Transitional style design, usually means that you have characteristics of both modern and traditional in your space. You kind of fall in that even middle ground between both styles. For this dining room, our client was just that. However, she wasn't aware of it. She was trying to pair multiple traditional elements together, but it left her feeling unhappy. The space was feeling dark, filled with heavy furniture and nothing was popping or even uplifting. She knew she liked to mix patterns and textures, but was also unsure of how to achieve that. As I looked around her home, I realized that their art collection definitely leaned more on the modern and colorful side of the spectrum. This was a big indicator to me, she wasn't fully traditional at all, she was more transitional! That was my que, and we got to work and this is the result. Native House Photography

Amoura Productions Sallie Elliott, Allied ASID
Inspiration for a contemporary concrete floor indoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court remodel in Omaha

Michael Alan Kaskel
Example of an eclectic enclosed dark wood floor family room design in Chicago with a bar and blue walls

Carolina Mariana
Transitional master bedroom photo in Chicago with multicolored walls

This historic 1840’s Gothic Revival home perched on the harbor, presented an array of challenges: they included a narrow-restricted lot cozy to the neighboring properties, a sensitive coastal location, and a structure desperately in need of major renovations. The renovation concept respected the historic notion of individual rooms and connecting hallways, yet wanted to take better advantage of water views. The solution was an expansion of windows on the water siding of the house, and a small addition that incorporates an open kitchen/family room concept, the street face of the home was historically preserved. The interior of the home has been completely refreshed, bringing in a combined reflection of art and family history with modern fanciful choices. Adds testament to the successful renovation, the master bathroom has been described as “full of rainbows” in the morning.

Example of a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Kimberly Gavin
Inspiration for a rustic l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Denver with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, paneled appliances, an island and gray countertops

Example of a small transitional vinyl floor and gray floor multiuse home gym design in Toronto with gray walls

Mid-sized elegant formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in Chicago with gray walls, no fireplace and no tv