Today, I’m excited to share another inspiring home tour with you. This one is special because it’s designed by my friend, Kate Lester! Maybe you know her? I met Kate on a design trip seven years ago and we became fast friends (we even got tattoos together by the end of it… true story). She’s one of those people who exudes fun energy, has a magnetic personality, and is just a highly creative person. She’s one of the coolest people I know, and I think you definitely get a sense of her charisma and creativity in this home tour… her aesthetic is modern, intentional, eclectic, and anything but boring! I admire how she layers color, pattern, and curates vintage pieces to tell an interesting story. Click through to tour a beautifully updated Cape Cod style home in Palos Verdes.
I’ve also included an extensive Q&A with Kate, where she chats about her design process, inspiration, and the challenges behind this particular project… it’s definitely my favorite part of the blog post. I hope you enjoy!
Design & Styling: Kate Lester | Photography: Amy Bartlam Photography
Before we dive in, be sure to follow Kate on Instagram, as well as Amy– who beautifully captured this project. Her interior photography is nothing short of captivating! They both do stunning work and are worthy of a browse, bookmark, and follow! Onto the tour…
Kitchen & Breakfast Nook
Kate’s clients, the homeowners, hired her to redesign their hillside home in Southern California. They liked the Cape Code architecture of their house, but the aesthetic didn’t match their personal style- and it felt dated. Their goal was to stay true to the architecture, but enlisted Kate to insert their personal style in a tasteful way. Kate called this project a “face lift”… think paint, tile, wall coverings, cabinetry, fixtures, styling, etc… and that happens to be where she shines.
Kate’s goal was to create an elevated, comfortable, and livable space for the couple, that stayed true to the Cape Cod architecture. The kitchen features beautiful putty colored inset cabinetry with a thick stone countertop, sconces with woven shades, patterned window treatments, and natural monochromatic tile that subtly recedes into the background- providing the perfect textural backdrop for the kitchen vignette.
She also incorporated a large contrasting island with waterfall stone edges, built-in cabinetry, and probably the most beautiful breakfast nook I’ve ever seen! It sits beneath an oversized pendant that hangs in the center of a curved bank of windows with breathtaking views, overlooking the valley.
The custom banquette anchors three dining chairs around a heavy wood table. The simplicity and complementing textures in this space feel intentional and elevated in the best way.
Living Room
Moving into the living room, Kate designed a gorgeous, modern cast fireplace that serves as a focal point in this space. It’s flanked by two built-ins, each expertly styled with treasures.
However, the vignette that steals the show is a floor-to-ceiling wall of windows with impeccable Palos Verdes views. I love that she chose to forgo window treatments, allowing the vista to speak for itself!
Powder Room
The powder bath is made up of a vintage-looking patterned wallpaper, a modern vanity, and simple fixtures that incorporate warm oak wood tones. The designer in me loves when you open the door to a small space- like a closet or powder bath, to reveal a surprising design… this one does exactly that. This playful powder room has character.
Dining Room
Many elements throughout this home stand out to me, but the green contrast trim is at the top of my list. Paired alongside reeded glass doors, a built-in bar, and a dining table that comfortably seats eight, this spacious room is the perfect backdrop for sharing meals and conversation.
It’s fun to see a close up of the dinnerware and stoneware from Kate’s shop. They definitely add warmth, dimension, and contrast to the tablescape.
Primary Suite
Moving into the primary suite, I’m very into the furniture pairings, palette, and patterns Kate mixes so perfectly. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t point out that gorgeous hand turned canopy bed. It’s stunning!
Adjacent to the bed, the canopy frames a wall of built-ins and storage. Again, we notice the sage green contrast trim and millwork being repeated for a beautiful thread of cohesion.
The perfect symmetry seen in the en suite is what design dreams are made of. Centered beneath the window sits a beautiful BainUltra soaking tub, with a vintage chair and patterned rug. Not pictured, there is a walk-in shower and wall of built-ins, anchored by a wall-to-wall vanity. Kate definitely nailed the serene and peaceful aesthetic in this space, while keeping things interesting.
Laundry Room
The laundry room feels like another surprising space in this home… with cornflower blue cabinets, terrazzo countertops, and a fun patterned roman shade. I appreciate the ample counter space for folding or organizing.
Guest Spaces
Throughout the home you’ll also discover additional guest bedrooms, bathrooms, and even a lounge for unwinding and relaxing.
The above wallpaper might just be my favorite in the tour… aside from my preferred color palette, it has a timeless feel. Kate mixed finishes in this bath for a designerly aesthetic- polished nickel plumbing fixtures, white plaster sconces, and a gilded antique mirror round out the vignette.
The lounge feels like a relaxed living space, where you can snuggle into the oversized sectional and really get cozy. It’s the best of both worlds- form and function. Paired with an upholstered ottoman, this room has an inviting and casual appeal.
I have one bathroom left to share with you, and the soft neutral paint colors are sheer perfection.
Wine Cellar
That’s right… your eyes aren’t deceiving you- this home even boasts a room dedicated to an impressive wine collection. With its barreled ceiling and flagstone floor, we’ve uncovered yet another surprising space tucked into this charming Cape Cod.
Q&A with Kate Lester
Do I have to pick just ONE? If so I would say the formal living room. I don’t know if it’s the curved window with showstopping views or the juxtaposition of the linear fireplace against the traditional styling but I just think it feels so welcoming, and timeless and chic.
Some of the more basic challenges were designing the curved spaces. It’s important to us that we maximize layouts and make each space welcoming and usable- so designing around curves always makes that a bit more challenging. We were lucky that our clients purchased this home because they loved and appreciated the classic Cape Cod design, so keeping in this aesthetic wasn’t too difficult, but we did try to push boundaries in some areas, trying to lean away from an overtly coastal “theme” and instead lean in to a more curated, sophisticated aesthetic. I always say that I think coastal inspired design can be a feeling, and doesn’t need to be quite so literal.
I think interesting design is all about the mix! It’s fairly easy to follow a traditional style ethos when designing a classic style like “cape cod” – but it’s much more interesting to inject a bit of the unexpected to counterbalance the traditional elements. I really wanted this home to feel collected over time, so mixing a modern moment was intentional to keep things from feeling too heavy or expected.
When mixing color, plan your palette ahead of time. When we design a house we pull the paint palette and make sure it’s all grounded in the same way. Want to mix blue, green and gray but keep it feeling cohesive? Select colors grounded in the same way. I like steer away from pastels, and instead use more “dusty” hues because they always seem to feel more classic and sophisticated. When mixing patterns, be careful with type and scale. A small floral looks great with a plaid and a pinstripe because the scale is different on all three and they can be layered very effortlessly.
YESSSSSS duh. (more on that at the end of the post)
We have the vintage reproduction rug line with Jaipur Living which is so dear to me because I love the accessible price point, durability, and the fact that it’s a nod to my love of true vintage carpets.
Best-seller: https://katelesterhome.com/products/kate-lester-jaipur-zenora-rug
We just launched a curated art-print collection with our friends at Visual Contrast, and it’s been so incredible to give people access to really interesting and unique pieces of art, all under $100!
Best-Seller: https://katelesterhome.com/products/point-vicente
Design is about the look and feel but also the overall atmosphere- and that includes the scent! That’s why I developed my own line of candles, soap and lotion. I love the idea of small-batch signature scents, and I wanted that to be reflected in this line.
Best- Seller: https://katelesterhome.com/products/no-5-candle-15oz
I can attest to Kate’s amazing candle line… No.5 is my personal pick! She sent me one and I’ve restocked a couple times since.
The tattoos? They’re fun! Kate and I were on a designer’s retreat with Zephyr and decided two days into knowing one another we were going to get tattoos we’d been thinking of. Of course (because we’re polite), we invited the entire crew, but it ended up being just the two of us. We marched down a street in San Francisco, found a shop that was open (it was all very spontaneous), and I ended up with a crescent moon. I’ll let Kate share more about hers (which was far more special and sentimental than mine), but I do recall her telling the artist, “Don’t take any creative liberties- this isn’t your Arch Digest cover” to which I burst out laughing. What a trip!
Related
If you’re interested in browsing more home tours or posts covering interior design inspiration, I’ll link some of my favorites for you below… and I’ve got more in the works!
- Home Tour: Charleston House by Bria Hammel
- Home Tour : Sycamore House by Josh Young
- Home Tour : Mill Road by W Design Collective
- Home Tour : Varick Apartment by Hayley Bridget Interiors
- The Best Interior Design Books for Timeless Home Inspiration
- Home Tour : Central London Townhouse
- Home Tour : Aldourie Castle
- What It’s Like to Work With An Interior Designer
- My Favorite Interior Design Books
I hope you enjoyed a peek into this beautiful Mirada home! What were some of your favorite vignettes or takeaways? Any standout design moments? I’d love to hear what features or rooms felt most inspiring to you. Thank you to Kate for the fun interview and for allowing me to feature this one! Be sure to check out her online shop, Kate Lester Home! She curates the most beautiful and interesting pieces. Feel free to send me more inspiring designers or homes you’d like me to feature. I keep a running list of these to share with you!
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