Max & Ciria's Home
Max and Ciria entrusted me with the complete transformation of their Santa Monica home during the height of COVID — a project I led from concept through construction as the central point of coordination and vision.
Managing the full design, engaging a draftsman to navigate City of Santa Monica approvals, and tendering the build to multiple contractors to secure the right fit, I acted as the linchpin from beginning to end.
BEFORE & AFTER
See the Transformations
Explore the before and after of each room in this project — the problems we inherited and the spaces that emerged.
The brief was clear: a simplistic, elevated California aesthetic. Rather than adding square footage, I reimagined the existing footprint — pitching the ceilings and reconfiguring a once dull, cramped layout into a home that feels spacious, light-filled, and effortlessly refined. The result is a calm, architectural interior that embodies understated California living while maximizing every inch of its original structure.
A Complete Santa Monica Home Transformation
Max and Ciria entrusted me with the complete transformation of their Santa Monica home during the height of COVID — a project I led from concept through construction as the central point of coordination between architects, engineers, and trades. This was full-service interior design in its most comprehensive form, requiring not just aesthetic vision but the project management skills to deliver a complex renovation during unprecedented circumstances.
The challenge was significant: manage a complex renovation during unprecedented supply chain disruptions while maintaining design integrity and client confidence. The solution required architectural intelligence, rigorous project management, and the kind of trusted client partnership that only comes from genuine alignment of values. When materials were delayed or alternatives needed to be sourced, decisions had to be made quickly without compromising the overall design intent.
Coordinating Complexity — Architecture, Engineering, and Design
As the central point of coordination, I managed the intersection of architectural vision, structural engineering requirements, and interior design ambition. Every decision — from structural modifications through finish selections and furniture procurement — was filtered through a unified design intent that ensured the finished home would feel cohesive rather than cobbled together.
This holistic approach meant that the home's architecture and interiors developed as one coherent expression rather than separate disciplines. Wall openings were sized to support specific furniture arrangements. Lighting plans were developed alongside the architectural drawings. Material palettes were established before construction began, ensuring consistency from shell to surface. This level of integration is what distinguishes a truly designed home from one that has been merely decorated.
The construction phase required daily coordination — reviewing progress, resolving conflicts between trades, ensuring specifications were followed precisely, and making real-time decisions that kept the project moving forward without sacrificing quality. This hands-on project management is an essential component of full-service interior design that many clients do not realize they need until they experience it.
Full-Service Design for Discerning Santa Monica Homeowners
Max and Ciria's project exemplifies the kind of full-service interior design that accomplished professionals seek — a single point of accountability who understands both the big picture and the smallest detail. They remained informed throughout but were never burdened with complexity. Status updates were clear, decisions were presented with professional recommendations, and the project moved forward with steady momentum.
The finished home reflects the specific qualities of Santa Monica living — generous natural light, connection to outdoor space, a relaxed sophistication that honours California's coastal character without becoming a cliché. Every room supports the rhythms of their daily life while offering the sensory richness that transforms a house into a home.
Managing the Complete Design Journey
From initial design concept through construction oversight, furnishing procurement, and final styling, this project demonstrates the value of working with a designer who can manage the complete journey — particularly during challenging circumstances when clarity and steadiness matter most. The ability to hold a design vision steady through months of construction, supply chain challenges, and the thousand small decisions that arise in any renovation is what separates full-service interior design from decoration.
This Santa Monica renovation stands as proof that complex residential projects can be delivered beautifully when managed by a designer with both creative vision and operational capability. The home Max and Ciria live in today reflects exactly what was promised in the initial design concept — realized without compromise and delivered with the professionalism that busy homeowners deserve.
Santa Monica, California · Interior Design by Bronwyn Poole