Laguna Bound

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Chicago-based Kate Taylor Interiors establishes a West Coast dream home for her own family

In the living room, a custom plaster fireplace sits below a pair of sconces found on 1st Dibs. A pair of of blue chairs from Lawson-Fenning, upholstered in Loro Piana Interiors chunky navy linen, flank a vintage Rattan table from Forsythe. Photos by Michael Clifford.
In the far corner of the living room, a Noguchi floor lamp sits next to a Travertine dining table from Jayson Home and Garden.
Photos by Michael Clifford.

“We strive to create beautiful, comfortable, and functional interiors for each of our clients,” says Kate Taylor, founder and principal designer at Kate Taylor Interiors, a high-end, full-service, design company based in Chicago, working coast to coast. She applied her firm’s design intention when redesigning a second home in Laguna Beach for her family.

In the vibrant kitchen, the custom cabinetry was designed by Kate Taylor Interiors, LTD, the Calacatta Monet marble is from Ollin Stone and the green and white checkered floors are from Rustico Tile. Taylor accessorized with items from Nickey Kehoe
and finished the space with a pendant from Weplight. Photos by Michael Clifford.
The powder room is covered in limewash paint from Portola Paints, the sconces are from Urban Electric, Co., the vintage mirror was found at 1st Dibs and the plumbing is by Kalista. Photos by Michael Clifford.

The 3,200-square-foot mid-century coastal home sat on the market for some time, but Taylor had the vision to bring the structure up-to-date. “We had our eye on the Laguna Beach market for quite a while and worked with a wonderful local agent, Spencer Wall of The Wall Group,” she recalls. “We (my husband David and 7-year-old daughter Ruby) bought it as a second home, and partnered with my brother, Chris Taylor, to make the leap into the OC real estate market.”

In a guest bedroom, the checkered rug is from Forsythe, complemented by a patterned pillow from Nickey Kehoe.
Photos by Michael Clifford.
The adjacent bathroom features checkered bath tile from The Fine Line and Tiles of Ezra, a custom vanity cabinet designed by Kate Taylor Interiors, LTD and checkered bath towels from Nickey Kehoe. Photos by Michael Clifford.

Kate, David and Chris embarked on a gut renovation that took over a year and a half to complete. “Our goal was to think outside of the box aesthetically—while working within our budget—to create a comfortable, updated, bright and cheery home that gave SoCal beach vibes,” says Taylor. “We wanted this home to feel very different from our urban, Chicago apartment.”

One of the two primary guest suites features a canopy bed from Design Within Reach, a pendant light from Chairish
and a leather corner chair by France and Son. Photos by Michael Clifford.
This primary suite’s bathroom features sconces found on 1st Dibs and tile from The Fine Line. Photos by Michael Clifford.

They transformed an existing office and wine room into a second primary suite, to add more value and better use of space for guests. In the main living areas, the floor plan was fully expanded to create a more open kitchen. “In addition to the views, we appreciate the very open and inviting kitchen,” she says. “It is the hub of the home and could accommodate our families and guests easily and comfortably. We are thrilled with the result, it feels like a dream! Especially for a born and bred Midwesterner.”

The terrace features a dining table and chairs by RH under a yellow and white striped awning.
Photos by Michael Clifford.