From Tuscan to Timeless: How a Design-Build Approach Transformed a Dated Luxury Home in San Diego

When homeowners reach out to Savvy Interiors, they’re rarely just asking for a new look. More often, they’re asking for clarity—about process, budget, timing, and how to move forward without managing a small army of contractors.

The Bella Residence, a 9,000-square-foot home in Rancho Santa Fe, is a powerful example of how a full-service design-build approach can transform not just the aesthetics of a home, but the way it functions for real life.

This project wasn’t about chasing trends. It was about solving real problems: an outdated floor plan, disconnected living spaces, and a home that no longer supported multi-generational living. Here’s how a design-build process made that transformation possible.

The Challenge: A Large Home That No Longer Worked

Built in the early 2000s, the Bella Residence reflected the Tuscan style popular at the time—dark finishes, heavy architectural detailing, and a highly segmented layout. While the home had beautiful scale, it felt closed off and inefficient for modern living.

The homeowners wanted:

• A brighter, more connected interior

• A kitchen that functioned as the heart of the home

• Spaces that supported entertaining and extended family gatherings

• A layout that worked for multi-generational living

What they didn’t want was the burden of managing designers, contractors, engineers, and vendors separately—or the risk that comes with fragmented decision-making.

Why Design-Build Was the Right Solution

For a remodel of this size and complexity, a traditional design + contractor setup would have introduced unnecessary risk. Structural changes, room reassignments, and material coordination needed to happen in lockstep.

As a licensed design-build firm in San Diego, Savvy Interiors handled:

• Design development and space planning

• Construction documentation and budgeting

• Structural reconfiguration

• Material sourcing and procurement

• Construction management and execution

Because design and construction were led by one team, decisions were evaluated holistically—balancing aesthetics, feasibility, and long-term functionality from the start.

Reworking the Floor Plan to Match Real Life

One of the biggest obstacles was the original layout. Nearly every major space was separated, and the kitchen—arguably the most important room in a modern home—was difficult to access and disconnected from the rest of the house.

Rather than updating finishes and keeping the same footprint, the design-build team rethought how the home actually needed to function:

• The formal living room was removed and reintroduced as the new formal dining room, creating a direct and welcoming entry into the kitchen

• The original dining room was transformed into a game room and wine room, aligning the home with how the family truly lives and entertains

• Circulation paths were redesigned so movement between the kitchen, living, and dining areas felt intuitive and effortless

These changes required architectural planning, construction expertise, and design vision working together—something the design-build model supports seamlessly.

Solving the Kitchen Bottleneck

The kitchen presented the most complex design challenge. Its original peninsula, undersized island, and pantry pass-through created congestion and limited access.

Because Savvy Interiors manages both design and construction, the solution addressed the root of the problem—not just the symptoms:

• Entry points were reconfigured to eliminate bottlenecks

• The kitchen footprint was redesigned to support multiple users

• Storage was rebuilt to match the scale of the home

• The kitchen became the true center of daily life and entertaining

This level of coordination is where a full-service design-build firm delivers the most value.

Material Strategy: Modern, Coastal, and Cohesive

Rather than simply lightening the home, the design-build team focused on material continuity, which is critical in large-scale remodels.

Key decisions included:

• Fumed white oak flooring throughout to unify the home

• Taj Mahal quartzite for durability and natural movement

• Lighter cabinetry profiles that still felt substantial

• Softer wall finishes to enhance natural light

• Slimmed-down ironwork aligned with a modern coastal aesthetic

Every material was selected for longevity, maintenance, and visual flow—not just appearance.

Supporting Multi-Generational Living

With nearly 9,000 square feet, the goal was balance: connection without chaos, and privacy without isolation.

The redesigned layout created:

• Clear separation between private and shared zones

• Flexible spaces for teens, adults, and guests

• Connected common areas that encourage gathering without congestion

This is especially important in luxury remodels, where scale can easily work against comfort if not carefully planned.

What Homeowners Often Underestimate in Large Remodels

One of the most common misconceptions homeowners have is that finishes and square footage are the most complex parts of a remodel. In reality, coordination is the hardest part.

Aligning design decisions with structural feasibility, budgets, material lead times, and construction sequencing is where many remodels encounter delays and cost overruns—especially when designers and contractors operate separately.

A design-build model removes that friction by keeping planning, pricing, and execution aligned under one team. For large or complex homes, this coordination is often the difference between a smooth experience and a stressful one.

Timeline, Scale, and Execution

The Bella Residence renovation spanned approximately fourteen months from design through construction—a realistic timeline for a project involving structural changes, full material replacement, and a complete interior reorganization.

Because Savvy Interiors managed the entire process, the homeowners benefited from:

• Accurate budgeting from the start

• Fewer change orders

• Coordinated scheduling

• Clear communication at every phase

This is the core advantage of working with a design-build firm that handles everything.

Key Takeaways for Homeowners Considering Design-Build

Rather than focusing on “before and after,” the biggest lessons from this project apply to any homeowner planning a full remodel:

• Layout matters more than finishes

• Kitchens should be designed for movement, not just aesthetics

• Formal spaces should earn their square footage

• Material continuity is essential in large homes

• One unified team dramatically reduces risk

When design and construction are aligned from the start, the end result feels intentional—not overworked.

Considering a Full Home Remodel?

Savvy Interiors specializes in full-service design-build projects in San Diego that balance thoughtful design with disciplined execution. If you’re planning a major renovation or new build and want a team that manages every detail—from concept to construction—we’d love to explore whether design-build is the right fit for your home.

Based in Solana Beach | Design-Driven General Contractor | Specializing in Whole Home Remodels