Case Study: Bella Residence
The Bella Residence is a complete transformation of an early 2000s Tuscan home into a modern coastal retreat. Located in North County San Diego, this project involved a full redesign and remodel of approximately 9,000 square feet. The renovation timeline was about fourteen months from design through construction and included structural changes, material upgrades, and a complete rethinking of how the home functions for multi generational living.
Modern Coastal Full Home Remodel in North County San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe
Project Overview
The existing home was typical of the early Tuscan style with dark finishes, heavy arches, and a floor plan that separated almost every major space. The clients wanted a home that felt brighter, more modern, and more connected. They needed a floor plan that supported entertaining, extended family gatherings, and everyday flow between the kitchen, living room, and dining areas.
The original layout worked against these goals. The kitchen was enclosed and difficult to access, the circulation pattern made daily movement inefficient, and the formal rooms were rarely used. The challenge was to retain the beauty and scale of the home while changing its functionality entirely.
Kitchen Challenges and Space Planning
The kitchen presented the most significant challenge in the remodel. It had a peninsula and a small island that interrupted movement instead of supporting it. The only entry to the kitchen was through a pantry pass through, creating a bottleneck that set the tone for the entire first floor. The kitchen was also completely separated from the living and dining areas, limiting interaction during cooking or entertaining.
Solving this required a shift in how the core spaces communicated with one another. We removed the formal living room and reintroduced it as the new formal dining room. This created a beautiful and direct entry into the redesigned kitchen, eliminating the awkward pantry pass through and opening the entire first floor. With this move, the original dining room was repurposed into a game room and wine room which better reflects how the family actually uses their home.
Design and Materials
The goal was to transition from dated Tuscan finishes to a warm modern coastal palette. We used fumed white oak flooring throughout the home to create unity and warmth without the heaviness of the previous materials. Taj Mahal quartzite was selected for its natural movement and durability. Cabinetry was rebuilt with a lighter, more contemporary approach and storage was rethought to match the scale of the home.
Walls were refinished in softer coastal whites and lime washed tones to increase natural light reflection. Ironwork was replaced with slimmer, modern profiles that aligned with the updated aesthetic. Every material was chosen to create continuity and calm throughout the home, which is essential in a house of this size.
Structural Reorganization and Flow
Changing the function of the formal rooms allowed us to redesign the floor plan around how the family lives. The new dining room location gave the kitchen proper prominence and created a natural circulation path between the living room, kitchen, dining room, and entertaining areas. The game room and wine room now provide a flexible space for adults, teens, and guests without interrupting the kitchen or everyday living.
These changes supported the clients desire for multi generational living. Private zones remain intact, while the core common areas now feel connected and inviting.
Constraints and How They Were Resolved
The main constraints were the original layout and the heavy Tuscan aesthetic. The kitchen was structurally confined by the pantry pass through, so the redesign required reassigning entire rooms to create a better connection. The dark finishes and dated materials were replaced with natural textures and soft tones instead of simply painting everything white. This approach kept the sense of warmth but removed the heaviness of the past.
The scale of the home also required careful planning to maintain visual continuity. Consistent flooring, cabinetry profiles, lighting temperatures, and aligned sightlines unified the interior from one end of the house to the other.
Before and After Summary
Before the remodel the home felt dark and disconnected. The kitchen was isolated, the formal rooms were unused, and the circulation pattern made daily living feel confined.
After the remodel the home is open, bright, and modern. The kitchen has become the center of the home with direct access to dining and living areas. The floor plan now supports large gatherings, multi generational living, and an easy daily rhythm.
Ready To Chat
If you’re planning a full remodel and want a seamless, design-led experience from start to finish, Full-Service Design + Build is the right place to start.