Coastal-inspired Laguna Beach house perched cliffside above Emerald Bay

White stucco coastal home exterior with wood gate and hedge

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HHA Architects and Pure Salt Interiors reimagined this coastal-inspired house as a laid-back family retreat, set into the cliff above Emerald Bay, an exclusive gated community along the coast in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California. The scope of his project entailed the renovation of the existing 3,230-square-foot house and site.

The design goals were to open up the plan to better connect the house’s entertaining spaces with each other and with the adjacent backyard and pool. The home includes new bedrooms and bathrooms, kitchen and entertaining spaces, new windows, exterior finishes, patios, a pool, and beautiful landscaping.

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE HHA Architects
CONSTRUCTION Milo Construction
INTERIOR DESIGN Pure Salt Interiors

Entryway mirror above woven console table and vintage rug

The challenge was to upgrade and modernize the existing house and site while maximizing the property’s potential. While limited to the existing height and footprint, the design reconfigures the interior from small, disjointed rooms into a single, open entertaining space with a wide, horizontal window wall and a new exterior patio.

Living Room with Vaulted Ceiling and Marble Fireplace

Living room fireplace with marble surround and built-in oak shelving

The vaulted ceiling of the main living space was expanded to maximize the available height under the existing roof structure. The main level of the house focuses inward – organizing around an interior courtyard that feels completely separate from the surrounding neighbors.

Vaulted living room with linen sectional and travertine coffee table

The heart of the home, the great room connects the living space to the kitchen and the kitchen to the outdoors. This open floor plan allows for easy movement between each zone, perfect for entertaining and casual family gathering.

Built-in oak shelving with curated books and decorative pottery

What We Love About This Home

This coastal-inspired house in Laguna Beach offers its inhabitants everyday comfort layered with resort-style ease, from the sage green kitchen to the sun-drenched pool patio. Sliding glass doors and covered porches let ocean air flow through nearly every room, blurring the line between indoors and out. Even the kids get their own retreat, with a scalloped bunk room and slide that makes bedtime feel like part of the fun.

Tell Us: What details in this home renovation project do you love most, and what would you change if this were your personal residence? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Check out a couple of other amazing home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign in the state of California: A small 1940s beach cottage gets a charming makeover in Laguna Beach and A captivating Laguna Beach house inspired by Mediterranean architecture.

Shearling armchair beside fireplace with styled oak built-in shelving

Travertine coffee table styled with coastal books and ceramic decor

Living room fireplace flanked by wood shelving under angled beams

Kitchen with Sage Green Cabinetry

Kitchen island with sage cabinetry and woven counter stools

Above: The kitchen cabinetry features a mix of natural woods and carefully selected paint on the back walls. The base cabinets are finished in a cool-toned green while the uppers are in a favorite creamy neutral. The contrast between the two is subtle yet dynamic, drawing the eye upward while adding a grounding interest to the space. The island is a natural white oak, featuring charming details in the legs.

Kitchen pass-through window with marble sink and bronze bridge faucet

Above: On the other side of the pass-through kitchen window, sits the outdoor kitchen and dining area. It offers the ideal spot for alfresco evenings and poolside meals.

Kitchen with striped roman shade and dual-tone green cabinetry

Above: The countertop is a Taj Mahal Quartzite in a honed finish. It carries from the island through the back-wall countertops and into the backsplash. An elevated design feature: the integrated sink. Crafted from the same material as the countertops, the sink integrates seamlessly.

Sage green lower cabinets with brass hardware and marble backsplash

Kitchen Dutch door opening to hedge-lined backyard patio

Dining Nook with Green Built-Ins

Green built-in dining nook with round table and leather chairs

Above: Both cozy and refined, the dining space blends a nook with a formal entertaining area. With an upholstered banquette and surrounding built-ins, the space is seamlessly tucked away, yet the oversized table allows for plenty of seating for entertaining. With plush accents and mixed materials in the hardware and lighting, this dining space is curated while offering comfort for gathering for hours at a time.

Teal accent wall with rattan sconce and floral throw pillow

Green dining banquette with woven pendant and leather chairs

Dining nook with woven pendant light beside curved staircase

Powder Room with Botanical Wallpaper

Fluted travertine sink framed by fern-print wallpaper in powder room

Travertine sink with botanical wallpaper and gold sconces

Serene Owner’s Bedroom Suite

Canopy bed with linen sofa in wood-beamed vaulted bedroom

Above: A unique feature of this home: two owners’ bedroom suites, one on the ground floor and one above. This more masculine space features sleek, organic lines, a paneled ceiling, and rich-toned linens, opening onto the backyard with views of the pool.

Canopy bed detail with pleated sconce and striped throw pillows

Sectional sofa with striped pillows beside bay window seat

Owner’s Bathroom with Marble and White Oak

Double vanity with marble top under speckled ceramic pendant lights

Above: The adjoining owner’s bath continues that masculine sensibility with striking marble in the shower and vanity. The materials pair beautifully with the natural white oak in the cabinetry.

Marble bathroom sink with brass wall-mounted faucet and fixtures

Girl’s Bunk Room with Slide

Built-in bunk beds with wood slide and bay window seat

Above: A little girl’s dream room, featuring bunk beds, a slide, and tons of precious accents that make this space feel sweet and playful. Designed to grow with her, this room blends whimsy and function with modular furnishings and timeless textiles.

White built-in bunk beds with scalloped trim and play table

Built-in bunk nook with bookshelf and children's play table

Wallpapered bathroom with scalloped rattan pendant and brass fixtures

Above: Even her private bathroom features sweet details like scalloped lighting, dainty wallpaper, and playful tile, perfect for a little girl to grow with through the years.

Tiled tub surround with brass hardware and linen towel

Upstairs Owner’s Suite with Wet Bar

Bed with wood headboard and pleated cone pendant sconce

Above: Upstairs, the second owner’s bedroom suite sits with sweeping views of Emerald Bay, an oasis perched at the top of the cliff. The room includes a built-in wet bar, attached bath, and private balcony. Designed for this young family’s flexible lifestyle, this upstairs suite is a complete living space that offers privacy and rest.

Rooftop Porch Swing with Hillside Views

White rope porch swing overlooking hillside coastal neighborhood view

Guest Bathroom with Floating Vessel Sink

Floating vessel sink with marble backsplash and black sconces

Vessel sink vanity with marble counter and black cabinet knobs

Guest Suite Bar and Desk Nook with Ocean Views

Corner window seat with marble bar counter and shelving

The second floor of this home boasts ocean views. It feels like a tucked-away coastal cottage, centered around the private backyard oasis. It was made for indoor/outdoor living.

Bar shelving styled with art, books and glassware display

Corner window nook with built-in desk and slipcovered chair

Marble countertop nook with wine glass and open coffee table book

Outdoor Dining Patio

Outdoor dining table set with woven chairs and citrus garnish

Backyard Pool and Covered Patio

Backyard pool with tiled patio and black-and-white shingled roof

Above: With its proximity to the coast, outdoor living and entertaining are essential to this home and the lifestyle of the family who lives here. The outdoor living spaces wrap around the property, with access from all angles.

Rear exterior with pool, covered patio and second-story balcony