The owners of this airy and bright condo in Venice Beach, close to the canals and boardwalk, considered looking for a new home when Danielle helped them decide to stay. Having lived for over thirty years in a home that had not been updated, the kids now grown, the couple loved their neighborhood and were delighted by the idea of transformation and modernization instead of relocation. The collaboration with Danielle to do the interior design as well as the decorating of the ground floor, including the kitchen, powder room, living and dining rooms, gave this appealing condo a welcome reprieve. The upstairs will be redone at a later date.

With a large art collection, the challenge was to create the perfect backdrop to showcase the works of art and to avoid competing patterns and colors. Determining that the original décor was a touch too busy and the color scheme a bit too bright, Danielle softened the color palette to allow the artwork to stand out. She replaced the wall-to-wall carpet with warm walnut flooring imbued with a color variation that reflects light differently throughout the ground floor. The use of contemporary details, materials and furnishings contributes the refinement and streamlining that the home needed.

Beginning with the kitchen, Danielle replaced the clutter of hanging pots and pans with a minimalist, elegant Tom Dixon pendant lamp, and created large cabinet drawers for storage. Dark solid wood Shinnoki panels were installed on the upper cabinets and quartz was used for the countertops and backsplash. The couple, who love to cook, wanted a butcher-block island for more surface space, so Danielle chose end-grain maple to complement the dominating walnut tones.

The dining room required some toning down to give it an informal yet modern feel. This was accomplished with a simple brass chandelier from Park Studio LA, a walnut table from Room and Board and cozy chairs from HD Buttercup. The homeowners love the level of comfort and lightness in their refurbished condo and are thrilled that they stayed!

The walnut in the kitchen is carried over into the powder room paneling.  A combination of vertical stagger 2” x 6”ceramic tiles and wallpaper in muted colors adds a clean and fresh brightness to the otherwise small room. The vanity is set high to accommodate the home’s rather tall inhabitants.

Before…