Wissel's Saguaro Lawson's false cypress - ideal for skinny spaces Le jardinet

Mid-sized beach style dark wood floor dining room photo in Miami with white walls

Bernard Andre
Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, open cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, marble countertops and mosaic tile backsplash

Small backyard stone patio fountain photo in DC Metro with no cover

Foyer - mediterranean white floor foyer idea in Los Angeles with gray walls

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.”

Photography by Jimi Smith / "Jimi Smith Photography"
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard rectangular patio remodel in Dallas with a fire pit, decking and a pergola

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.”

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary partial sun side yard stone garden path in Dallas.

Located right off the Primary bedroom – this bathroom is located in the far corners of the house. It should be used as a retreat, to rejuvenate and recharge – exactly what our homeowners asked for. We came alongside our client – listening to the pain points and hearing the need and desire for a functional, calming retreat, a drastic change from the disjointed, previous space with exposed pipes from a previous renovation. We worked very closely through the design and materials selections phase, hand selecting the marble tile on the feature wall, sourcing luxe gold finishes and suggesting creative solutions (like the shower’s linear drain and the hidden niche on the inside of the shower’s knee wall). The Maax Tosca soaker tub is a main feature and our client's #1 request. Add the Toto Nexus bidet toilet and a custom double vanity with a countertop tower for added storage, this luxury retreat is a must for busy, working parents.

The mudroom runs alongside of the rear patio, linking the kitchen to the original coach house that was on the property. The coach house was converted into a garage and a home theater. The mudroom features ample, easily accessible storage to organize clutter before it has the chance to reach into the rest of the house. Likewise a stacked washer and dryer (which complement those in the main laundry room on the second floor) capture muddy uniforms and the like. Closed cabinets hold additional coat storage, brooms, and cleaning supplies. A frosted glass panel door can close off views to the mudroom from the kitchen.

The open kitchen is the family gathering space. The banquette fits perfect by the rear facing windows. Flooring is reclaimed and paired with the gray cabinetry and walls to give a soft modern approach alongside the vintage appeal of the subway tiled wall and school house lights.

a book shelf and transom window surround the entrance to the walk in pantry large enough for all kitchen needs
Small farmhouse kitchen pantry photo in Los Angeles with open cabinets, wood countertops and no island

Bathroom - coastal light wood floor bathroom idea in Orange County with a vessel sink

Photography: Stephani Buchman
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile bathroom remodel in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white walls and white countertops

Elegant laundry room photo in Los Angeles with blue walls

Ryann Ford
This is an example of a contemporary partial sun concrete paver landscaping in Austin with a fire pit.

This tired, unused San Francisco backyard was transformed into a modern, low-maintenance landscape with site-appropriate plantings enhanced by raised planting beds and a lead-free artificial lawn to replace the existing water-thirsty lawn. I created two separate "rooms" to break up the long narrow yard, and specified full range blue stone for the two small patio areas, connected by a curved pattern of rectangular pavers of the same natural stone. The raised concrete rectangular planting beds were incorporated to bring more movement and interest to the landscape along with gravel bed accents alongside. Some of the existing concrete remained, and was stained with a color to compliment the natural stone. These photos were taken over a three year period. Photos: © Landscape Designer, Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design.