This Mediterranean-Style Remodel Has All the Luxuries of a Hotel
Fine hotels are the stuff of dreams. They’re the places we go to relax, rejuvenate, and spoil ourselves. When Newport Beach, California, residents Rita and Michael Purcell decided to renovate their own house, they resolved to bring the same luxury home.
Enlisting the help of architect Steve Stand and Blackband Design, the homeowners brought a clear list of goals to the table. They asked for large, open spaces; room to entertain; a resort-like feel; dog-friendly spaces for their pups; a seamless flow between indoors and out; wheelchair accessibility for a family member; and an industrial kitchen.
The living room’s large sliding doors open onto a covered loggia, where views extend to the pool and beyond. The room exudes warmth and character thanks to the wide-plank oak floors and fine fabrics.
The covered loggia overlooking the pool and backyard is an area of the home that perfectly resembles a resort—ideal for relaxing and taking a little break from the realities of the day. Plush furniture makes curling up by the outdoor fireplace extra cozy.
Removing a wall and relocating the kitchen to the former dining area allowed for the living room and kitchen to work as one contiguous space. Square openings replaced curved ones for a more contemporary look. New wood flooring visually connects the long room, while perpendicular ceiling beams delineate spaces.
New kitchen finishes include crisp white walls, warm oak cabinets and floors, and blue-and-white tile accents. The mosaic tile on the island and range hood give the space a pop of individuality and fun.
By bumping out the rear of the house, the architect was able to create a new dining room perfectly befitting a rectangular table and the straight lines that define the new home. A contemporary light fixture hangs overhead, juxtaposing the traditional upholstered seating.
The designers injected color and playful designs into the kitchen through cabinets and tile. An oversize stainless-steel sink serves parties while a chalkboard-painted door offers a spot for household lists.
Storage and function meet in the large butler’s pantry. A long, shallow counter provides ample work space, while open drawers below hold pantry items. A rolling library ladder allows access to upper shelves, where the homeowner displays her cookbook collection.
By eliminating a wet bar and shifting walls, it allowed the designers to create a sculptural stairwell with sleek lines. Navy carpeting covers the wood risers, while a contemporary glass chandelier connects the home's two stories.
The designers changed the master bedroom’s arch into a squared-off opening to keep with the home’s cleaner lines. A new balcony brings open-air space to the second-floor suite.
Opposite the bed, a wall-mounted TV and built-in shelving replace a faux fireplace. Sliding glass doors instead of windows lead onto the new master balcony.
No longer down the hall from the bedroom, the new master bath is resplendent in detail. A soaking tub is situated to take in views of the pool. Luxury bathroom upgrades include custom cabinetry, a towel warmer, and marble countertops. Patterned tile creates interest on the floor while beams add architectural detail to the ceiling.
