Situated in southwestern Los Angeles County, Manhattan Beach is the epitome of laid-back California vibes—and the native designer who embodies that vibe through her style so well is Melissa Marie Interiors. I had the pleasure of meeting Melissa last fall at the HAVEN Workshop and was instantly in awe of her vibrant energy. It’s the kind of energy that translates through to each of her designs, and today’s Modern Spanish abode is no exception. The weeks leading up to meeting Melissa at the workshop, I spotted a behind the scenes of her and our friend, Ryan Garvin, shooting this space and today I’m honored that we get to share the beautiful results with you all. Scroll for the full tour and a mini-interview!
Can you tell us a bit about this project and your client’s needs?
This project began as a remodel for a builder. A lot of the design was based on what the builder wanted or envisioned for the home. Then, about halfway through the project, we had a buyer come in who purchased the property. We made a few minor changes to fit their needs and design aesthetics, but the feel of the home stayed the same.
Can you tell us a bit about the style of this design?
The overall feel of the home is a Modern Spanish feel and we incorporated transitional and rustic elements to make it feel warm and welcoming. I love designing homes with clean lines but using lots of natural materials. We combined bright white walls, dark wood floors, heavy fabrics, and lots of jute rugs to give it texture.
There are so many beautiful tile moments in this home! Do you have any advice for incorporating patterned tile into a design without it feeling overpowering?
We had so much fun playing with tile in this home! Our client, who really loved the look of the tile, wasn’t afraid of color. We kept most of the tiles in the main living areas, master bath, and powder bath neutral, and had a little more fun with color and pattern in the kids’ bathrooms.
Do you have a favorite moment in this home?
I’d have to say the formal living room. This room really combined all the elements we were trying to accomplish when designing this home, and I love how it came together.
