Interior designer Kristen Fiore explains how she made a confined, old-fashioned California home feel bright and spacious enough for its very social residents.
Tell us about your design background:
When my kids were old enough to start going to school, I went back to school as well. I got my design degree in 2015, then opened Kristen Elizabeth Design that same year. My team and I have been growing and honing our craft ever since. Despite so many economic challenges, we still have a completely full client book.
What was the clients’ vision?
It’s funny—they weren’t entirely sure what they wanted. I vaguely knew the clients, a married couple, from various social circles within my town, and they reached out to me. They knew they needed a more functional space because they have three kids and a big dog, but they had a really hard time conceptualizing what to do. The clients were very open to taking risks with me and my team, which was nice.
Did they express any reservations or limitations?
They trusted us immensely, especially as they saw our work taking shape. While they initially hired us to improve the living spaces, we ultimately redesigned everything except for the kids’ bedrooms—they were teenagers, and one was leaving for college soon.
How did you get to know the clients’ tastes?
We have an extensive onboarding process. First, we interview the clients for a couple of hours to get to know them and their families. Then we go through an “inspiration and aesthetics” review to find out what they gravitate toward.
The husband’s tastes leaned more traditional than his wife’s, so he had several questions like “Is this going to be too modern?” and “Is this ‘us’?” We had to find a way to balance both of their preferences. What helped is that our team has a very collaborative approach at all times. Ultimately, they both absolutely loved the results.
What were your impressions of the house when you first saw it?
It was a completely traditional, dated, 1990s California tract home—the rooms were all isolated, and there was little character or flow to the space. The family is very social and frequently spends time in the common rooms together. They also entertain a lot. But everybody had to congregate in two rooms, which felt too small. While they had a beautiful living room, it just didn’t work for the family’s needs.
The kitchen was also terribly dysfunctional; there was cabinetry surrounding the perimeter, and it felt so enclosed. So we opened up the living areas into an L shape. The kitchen became the corner of the L with the family/music room in the front and the living room in the back. We then added huge custom pocket doors to separate the family room from the kitchen. That way, the clients could leave them open to create fluidity between all three spaces or close them off so they could host a party in the kitchen while people watched TV in the family room.
What would you say was your favorite transformation?
I loved opening up the kitchen to the living room and creating a double-island layout. The interior island acts as a dedicated workspace, and the peninsula island that divides the living and dining area from the kitchen creates a space for entertaining. When you walk in, it feels like that’s how the architecture should have been from the beginning.
We made a lot of functionally driven choices with the aesthetic in mind. For instance, even though the house didn’t have a proper dining room, we added a custom dining table next to the kitchen that fits perfectly in the space and makes it purposeful. Now every little space within the common area is useful daily.
I also love what we did in the kids’ bathroom. We removed the bathtub and installed a shower, which is more convenient for teenagers. For a standout feature, we added floor-to-ceiling patterned tiles.
Why did you decide on a primarily white aesthetic for the house?
We wanted to lighten it up. The entire house was adobe brown, dark, and dreary, and the windows had such heavy draperies on them. We stripped it all down to a blank canvas. When you walk in now, it feels so fresh and happy.
What design challenges did you face?
We were definitely mindful of all our choices because there was an investment level that the clients didn’t want to push through. For example, the Black Label sofas in the living spaces are stylish yet timeless, but they’re also surprisingly affordable. At the same time, we were smart about choosing some authentic, classic materials. One of our biggest investments was the quartzite for the countertops and fireplace. We felt strongly about installing genuine stone versus man-made quartz or porcelain because of how timeless it feels and performs. This longevity added value, so we didn’t scrimp on the material. We then determined where we could get away with saving, such as by using premade ceramic tile that looks handmade but costs less.
What are some lessons other homeowners can learn from this project?
Mainly, be open to stretching your design ideas or tastes. Trust the expertise of a professional, even if you may be a little uncomfortable in the beginning. With this project, the clients pushed themselves to go a few extra steps with us, and it paid off.
I would also say to put your money where it’s going to count the most in the long term. Classic materials are always timeless. Unlike a trendier material you might find yourself having to tear out in a few years, they never go out of style.
For more info, visit kristenelizabethdesign.com
Buying a home is a major milestone, and it’s one that deserves to be celebrated. One way to show your friends and family just how happy you are for them and their new adventure is to give them a thoughtful housewarming gift. To help you find the perfect present, here are a few ideas for commemorating their exciting journey of homeownership.
When it comes to housewarmings, you can’t go wrong with the gift of organization. As the new homeowners unpack, they may find themselves searching for the right place for their belongings. Any tub or basket from the Container Store can help them through this process, while a label maker like this one by Brother will make it easy to remember where each item ends up. If you’re not sure of their exact needs, a gift card is always a great choice since it will allow them to fill in the gaps as they work on settling into their new home.
If you’re a homeowner yourself, you likely know the importance of having a great set of tools on hand for decorating your rooms and performing regular maintenance. But a first-time homeowner might not realize this quite yet and relegate these items to the bottom of their shopping list. A tool set like this DEKO 126-piece kit, which even includes a cordless drill, has everything they’d need for tasks like putting together their furniture or fixing a leaky sink. It’s a thoughtful gift they will get a lot of use out of in the long run.
Being a homeowner does require a lot of work, but it’s also a ton of fun. Your loved ones will create memories in their home for years to come, so why not pick a gift that can help them get started? If they like playing games, one of these vintage-style bookshelf versions of classic board games from WS Game Company would be quite the hit. Each has a unique, eye-catching design and is compact, so it will look great on any shelf without taking up too much space. With options such as Monopoly, Sorry!, and Boggle, there’s something for everyone.
Summer weather continues to hang on, making now a wonderful time for new homeowners to get outside and enjoy their outdoor living spaces. Yard games like cornhole, ladder toss, and bocce are must-haves. They’re all fun to play with even just two people but are also perfect for any get-together your loved ones may have planned. As a bonus, this gift provides a great reason for them to invite you over and celebrate their new home with a friendly competition in their backyard.
While not everyone will want personalized goods scattered throughout their new home, certain items are perfect and practical for any homeowner. For instance, a custom return-address stamp, like this one on Etsy, is a small, unobtrusive item that will make filling out envelopes a breeze. It could especially come in handy if the homeowners will soon be sending out any invites or thank-you cards for other big life events.
For a truly unforgettable gift that may be hard to top, consider exploring the amazing selection of exterior home paintings and drawings on Etsy. Whether you choose an ink sketch, a hand-painted watercolor, or a digital painting, a custom piece will make a beautiful addition to any living space. It’s an incredibly thoughtful way to commemorate the entire homebuying process and is sure to hold meaning for your loved ones for years to come.
Nowadays, it seems like there’s a subscription service for everything, and many make for a perfect housewarming gift. For coffee lovers, there’s a three-, six-, or twelve-month gift plan from Bean Box that would allow your recipients to try some of the best coffee roasters in the country. Or opt for a subscription to Cheesemonger Box, which offers three different tiers of cheese boxes filled with the best American and European varieties. It’s a delicious treat that anyone (who isn’t lactose intolerant) will love getting to experience.
And last but most certainly not least, don’t forget about the pets! If your friends or family have any cats or dogs, consider a pet-centric gift from meowbox or PupJoy. Both have three- and six-month subscription boxes that are filled with a variety of treats and toys their four-legged friends will love.
Housewarming gifts are the perfect way to show your friends or family how excited you are for them in the next phase of their journey. With a thoughtful gift, they’ll know that you truly care about them and wish the best for them in their new home.
Download the Gift Tags PDF
There’s something about being surrounded by living things and being tasked with keeping them alive that gives people so much happiness and fulfillment. According to the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, just fifteen minutes of interacting with plants can reduce stress levels and lower blood pressure. So it’s no surprise that the demand for houseplants surged by 18 percent during the pandemic, and there’s no sign of this trend slowing. If you’re interested in jumping on the bandwagon, here are some tips for proper plant care and incorporating them into your home design.
Christopher Balogh, a plant scientist with a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology, shares what he loves about plants and offers some guidance on how to become the best plant parent you can be.
Why did you choose to study plants?
I first learned how to care for plants by watering, repotting, and generally tending to the ones in my parents’ house. I’ve been obsessed with them since I was a little kid, especially orchids. Their reproduction is really fascinating—they have so many diverse strategies for attracting pollinators.
What is your favorite houseplant?
My dwarf Meyer lemon tree. It’s three feet tall, and it just keeps making lemons. I have a set of grow lights in a room in my basement that I keep it under during colder months, and in summer, I move it outside into a sunny spot in my backyard.
What is the benefit of putting your plants outside in the summer?
Partly the heat, partly the sunlight, and partly the air movement. Air movement prevents certain diseases from settling on the leaves of the plant.
What are some good plants for beginners?
An easy one to grow is the ZZ plant. It’s very low-maintenance and really hard to kill. Indirect sun is best, though it grows surprisingly well under fluorescent lights. It tolerates neglect, too, as it only needs to be watered every two to three weeks. The cast-iron plant is another variety that is beginner friendly. It can handle indirect or even very little light, insects don’t like it, and it rarely gets diseased.
Asparagus ferns are also good for newbies. While not real ferns, these plants are pretty and hardy, though they like brighter light more than the other two I mentioned. Peace lilies are popular and perform well in medium to bright light; just be aware of the humidity because too much light without it can burn their leaves. And spider plants are very easy to grow and propagate.
What should you do if your plant is drooping?
That could mean you are overwatering it. Make sure the soil dries out somewhat before you water it again, and test the moisture level with your finger. And if the plant is in a pot without drainage, switch it to one with a hole; otherwise the water collects in the bottom and the roots are unable to get oxygen. I’ll fill a saucer with pebbles and put the potted plant on top of them, which lets water run out into the saucer. As a bonus, if it’s something that needs humidity, such as a peace lily, the water will evaporate and keep the humidity level a bit higher.
What do yellowing leaves mean?
If the yellow leaves are toward the bottom of the plant, that can indicate it’s overwatered or doesn’t have enough fertilizer. But if the soil does not feel oversaturated, your plant may just need better light.
What is a harmful myth you’d like to dispel?
Don’t spray dish detergent on your plants to deter bugs. That’s like spraying a bunch of sodium on them, and it can kill them.
Is it OK to water your plants with tap water?
Tap water often contains chlorine or chloramine, neither of which is very good for plants. If you want your houseplants to do well, you should leave tap water to sit out for two days before you use it to let the chlorine evaporate (though this will not help if your water contains chloramine) or just use distilled water. You can test your tap water with test strips from the local fish supply store; they sell ones for both chlorine and ammonia. Test for chlorine first, and if that’s positive, add some water conditioner that removes it. Then test the water for ammonia. If those results are positive, that means you have chloramine in your water.
What do plants need aside from water?
Plants need nutrients, the most common being potassium, nitrogen, and potash. Something like an air plant will pull these from dust in the air, and carnivorous plants get theirs from insects. But common houseplants need nutrients in their soil via water or mixed-in fertilizer.
Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with some easy plants to start with and know how to best care for them, you can use the following tips to transform your home into a plant oasis.
Prioritize care
Aesthetics are important, but you should always take your plants’ needs into account first. Place sun-loving plants on south-facing windowsills to ensure they get the day-long sun they need, and make sure to keep plants susceptible to burned leaves away from direct light.
Design with pots
Tailor your pot choices to your home’s style. Opt for neutral earth tones only to create a minimalist look, or select a wider range of colors and patterns to brighten your space.
Vary sizes
This strategy is similar to the one for outdoor landscaping. For a more organic tableau, group plants of various sizes and heights together or place them on surfaces of different heights, like on a stool, an end table, and the floor.
Mix leaf types
Plants come in so many different fun textures, shapes, and sheens. Use this variety to your advantage by playing with the juxtaposition to create visual interest.
Armed with these tips and tricks, you can join the ranks of people bringing nature indoors and learning to nurture their leafy babies. When plant care meets plant design, the result is a home that feels relaxing, rewarding, and bursting with happy fronds.
For now, your job is done. You’ve given your kids the wings to fly the coop and begin building their own lives. Whether they’ve left for college, moved to another state for a job, or are ready to marry and start a family, you have graduated to the empty-nester phase of life.
This next chapter can offer many opportunities, but it may also involve some difficult decisions, such as whether to downsize your family home. Although it can be hard to leave behind all those memories, it may also have a huge positive impact on your finances and lifestyle—and lead to an exciting new beginning.
According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, it’s estimated that by 2038, 10.1 million people will still be living independently into their eighties and nineties. If you aim to be one of them, downsizing can be a great way to cut back on your expenses, boost your funds, and bolster your retirement years. Here are the biggest financial factors to weigh when determining if this is the best solution for you.
Financial status
Whether your monthly expenses have continued to increase over the years or you’ve recently faced an unexpected major life event, such as divorce or the death of a spouse or partner, you may be feeling like your finances are a little tight. This can make now an opportune time to downsize. While it can be costly to move, selling your home for a smaller, less expensive place will likely lower your monthly mortgage payment and property taxes and reduce your homeowner’s insurance. This can, in the long run, increase your disposable income and help you save money.
Home equity
If you’ve owned your home for several years, you’ve likely accumulated substantial equity, particularly given the rise in home prices over the past few years. This can be a great reason to downsize, as the proceeds from the sale may be more than the cost of your new home, giving you some cash left over to add to your nest egg.
Home maintenance
The larger your current home, the more costly and dangerous the maintenance of it can be. For example, if you’re older and must climb on your roof to clean the gutters, you may be putting yourself at risk of a serious fall. Downsizing can cut back on these maintenance requirements, saving you both money and potential injury.
Aging out of the neighborhood or having longtime friends move away are often key reasons for downsizing. However, other factors, such as health complications or wanting to be closer to family, can influence when and where you want to downsize. Take the time to consider what type of lifestyle you want during your empty-nester years and what needs you may require down the line, then decide which type of downsizing is right for you. Though there are several options, below are two main ones that may provide exactly what you’re looking for.
Active adult communities
If you’re a recent empty nester, an active adult community populated primarily by other empty nesters like you could be an ideal solution. These planned communities are designed to offer a wide range of amenities and activities to help older residents maintain an active lifestyle. Social and cultural gatherings, golf, tennis, pickleball, and a well-appointed clubhouse and exercise center are some of the many perks you can generally expect. In addition, because the homes in these communities are usually maintenance-free, they’re perfect for a turnkey lifestyle.
Aging in place
In contrast, if your long-term goal is to remain in your home as you get older and receive in-home care, downsizing to a one-floor single-family home or condo may be your best choice. Unfortunately, surprisingly few homes are designed to accommodate physical independence, and most require some modification to make them more accessible, safe, and comfortable. So as you begin your home search, consider looking for one where you can reasonably integrate a universal design for your living space—wider doorways, stepless entryways, multilevel or adjustable counters, grab bars in bathrooms, and accessible drawers and cabinets, to name a few.
If you’ve decided to downsize, research your options to understand home prices and market trends and determine what you can afford. Whether you’re motivated by a lower cost of living, a desired change in lifestyle, or health challenges, be sure to contact your real estate agent to assist you in exploring all the possibilities.
