Gable and Grain
A study in modern lines and lasting warmth
Tucked into the heart of Corona del Mar's Flower Streets, this newly built modern farmhouse was my client's dream home and one of the most satisfying collaborations of my career. From the early phases of construction onward, I worked closely with Brandon Architects and Patterson Custom Homes, selecting every finish, fixture, appliance, paint color and material that would one day live inside the home.
The architecture gave me a lot to work with: tall ceilings, wide-plank oak floors, generous light and that uniquely Southern California way of dissolving the line between indoors and out. My client arrived with a clear picture of what she wanted, a modern farmhouse that felt warm and rooted but unmistakably contemporary. My job was to translate that picture into every material the house would wear.
The kitchen became the heart of the project. I specified custom cabinetry in warm whites, quartz countertops with the softest veining and a chevron backsplash that catches the light without demanding attention. The wide-plank floors bring something honest and slightly imperfect underfoot, the kind of texture that keeps a home feeling lived-in no matter how polished the rest of the palette becomes.
"The best new builds happen when the architect, the builder and the designer are working toward the same answer from day one. Choices made in conversation, not in isolation, are what make a home feel like one complete idea."
What I love about new construction is the chance to design from intention rather than reaction. Every choice here was made with one question in mind: will this still feel right in ten years? The answer lives in the details: the brushed brass hardware, the custom millwork and patios that feel like additional rooms rather than afterthoughts.
This home doesn't try to be trendy, and that's exactly why it will last.
