Selena Michele Interiors crafted a dreamy backyard staycation alongside a stunning kitchen renovation in Carlsbad, turning everyday living into a serene escape. Designed during a time when travel felt out of reach, the project reimagined both the heart of the home and its surrounding landscape as a personal retreat—calm, modern, and deeply considered. Charlotte Lea’s imagery captures the soft curves, warm textures, and natural palette that define the space, setting the stage for endless summer evenings that flow effortlessly from indoors to out.
From Selena Michele Interiors…I wanted my kitchen to feel textural and layered, yet clean and modern. The design began with greige-colored cabinetry and tonal quartzite countertops, then I layered in warmth and patina with a vintage runner and wood shelves tucked into the corner. Moving the kitchen from its original spot allowed us to increase the size, and we chose a large column refrigerator and freezer with panel-ready fronts for a seamless, streamlined look. I specifically wanted the range under the window, it just felt a little more unexpected than placing the sink there.
One of the most unique features of this kitchen is the ceiling. I had really wanted to vault it, but once construction started, we realized the trusses running every two feet had to stay—unless we were ready for a full roof renovation, which we definitely weren’t. Since the busy trusses made raising the ceiling while keeping a clean look impossible, I decided to sandwich each beam between two pieces of wood, adding an interesting detail and allowing us to raise the ceiling by 14 inches. I embraced the extra texture by adding paneling between each beam, too. It was definitely a make it work moment but I really love the result.
One of my favorite details is the slightly curved stone surround on the hood, which echoes the curved backsplash with its round bullnose edge and the circular outlets. These soft curves help balance and warm an otherwise modern, clean-lined kitchen.
The backyard design was all about creating that vacation-at-home vibe. Just before COVID hit, we were planning to add a second story to our house, but once we realized we’d be spending more time at home, we shifted gears and decided to add a pool instead. That kicked off a full overhaul of both the front and backyards—and honestly, it was the best decision we ever made. I kept the finishes in a very limited color palette (when they asked what colors I wanted in the garden beds, I told them just white and green, haha) and styled the space with the same tight color scheme. Everything is shades of white and wood, with natural materials softening the look—from the woven light fixtures over the dining table to the sculptural dining chairs and vintage pots tucked in the corners. The scariest part was when they craned the fire pit in—it’s carved from a solid piece of granite and dangled over the house longer than I would’ve liked while they moved it into place. Like the rest of the yard’s design, it’s simple but so impactful.
Discover the talent behind the story… Interior Design & Styling: Selena Michele Interiors · Photography: Charlotte Lea Photography · Landscape Design & Build: Falling Waters Landscape
