Technology brings people together in incredible ways, and this home tour is a testament to that. Leigh, of SALTHOUSE collective, connected with her client through social media and shortly thereafter brought her organic west coast style to the east coast. With lots of trust and technology, this home was built to bring natural textures and a neutral palette to this casual almost-California home. See the beautiful photos by Charlotte Lea Photography below.
From the designer… I’m West Coast based (in Carlsbad, CA) and my East Coast client found me via IG during the pandemic. We hit it off doing a small refurnishing on her then-home, so when she sold that home in order to embark on a ground-up new build so she asked me to lead the design remotely. We worked really seamlessly alongside a local architect and builder. After about a year of designing, building, and furnishing, I traveled to Wilmington to meet my client in person (for the first time!!), styled the home and photographed it with my photographer, Charlotte Lea.
The style of the home is Organic California Design. It’s overall neutral in color palette; the furnishings, cabinetry, and accent pieces have clean-modern lines; textured finishes are woven throughout in the form of planter baskets, woven trays, and lighting. I incorporated a variety of California-based artists as well including large Visual Contrast screen prints in the great room, wall hangings from AMA Fiber Art and Upton Home; as well as a number of small-batch handmade ceramic objects and vases.
What this serene and beautiful home lacks in color, it makes up in textural details – with objects that are interesting, a variety of plants, curated art, and rugs to bring the right amount of pattern and graphic interest.
Designing a home from the ground up remotely is a challenge, but my clients and I had an amazing flow of constant communication throughout the project. They were my eyes on the ground, helped make quick edits on the ground with various trades as needed, and really respected my design intention throughout the build. Oftentimes when cabinetry, tiles, wallpaper, and lighting are starting to go in, clients have an “oh my gosh is this going to look good” moment. But usually, I’m in the room physically with my clients and can talk them through the vision and they always love the result when it’s fully styled. With a remote client in a new build, I couldn’t see everything in real-time with them, but they trusted the design and my vision and are thrilled with the result.
I’m so grateful for such wonderful clients, the project was such a dream to work on. The pictures do it justice but in person, it’s just the most serene, calming, beautiful space. I had a hard time leaving!
Like what you see? Take a peek at the talent behind the story… Interior Design: SALTHOUSE collective · Photography: Charlotte Lea Photography · Architect: Channing Glover · Builder: Dennis Moeller Custom Homes
