Moody Hues

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Lindye Galloway uses dark, moody shades to transform a home in Corona Del Mar with serious views

A custom black steel entry door and massive blackened raked plaster wall by Applied Plaster give the contemporary structure, rustic edge. Photos by Mike Van Tassell.

“As a self-taught designer with over 15 years of creative experience, I pull from my California roots to curate spaces that have clean lines with organic touches, that allow me to stretch beyond to showcase my ever-evolving style,” says Lindye Galloway. “Grounded in neutral warmth, each project embodies what I believe is the core experience of home – the deepest realization of comfort, connection, and inspiration.”

Inspired by the Kimpton Saint George Hotel in Toronto, Lindye added texture to the massive fireplace wall in the living room by installing bluestone tile from top to bottom. Photos by Mike Van Tassell.
In the kitchen, two islands encased in leathered Vermont Black granite slabs compliment the dark stained wood cabinets to the countertop, and also allows for a sleek and seamless feel. Hovering over the kitchen island are three Allied Maker pendants.
Photos by Mike Van Tassell.

Inside this 4,400-square-foot home in Corona Del Mar, Galloway pushed her own limits with color by leaning into a more black that neutral palette. “The primary goal of the project was to blend our Lindye Galloway style with the client’s more moody and dark influence,” she recalls. “We wanted to blend the two styles to provide the client with his dream home while infusing our adopted trends and themes that we intermix into each home we design. Since this dark palette was not something our office had entirely done in the past, we found ways to integrate pops of color through artwork, rugs, and wallpaper while also creating strong visual moments like heavy veined slabs throughout.”

A Marc Phillips rug adds warmth in the dining room. Photos by Mike Van Tassell.
A bluestone tile from  AB Studio sets the tone in the powder room. The paint is from Portola Paint. Photos by Mike Van Tassell.

The home was recently renovated so Galloway and her team had to focus their transformative plan on subtle material changes and dramatic decor. “There were several details we were unable to include like moving walls, adding shower niches, and unique details on the headboard wall,” she says. “Since this was something out of our control, we had to roll with the punches and come up with different design details to implement while still remaining true to the LG signature style.” They achieved this by installing black plaster details on both exterior and interior walls, Vermont granite slabs, dark-stained cabinets and matte black steel hardware that evoke a modern edge not typically found in the coastal town decor.

Originally a home theater, Galloway turned the spaces into a bar area with a custom-designed pool table fabricated by Sean Woolsey for entertaining family and friends. The same Vermont Leather granite slab from the kitchen was installed on the bar counter for consistency. The faucet hardware is a dark nickel finish by Waterworks, while the matte black sink is Kohler allowing it to fade into the background of the marble slab. Photos by Mike Van Tassell.

Perhaps the most striking design decisions is the elongated raked plaster wall that runs from the interior to the exterior that pulls one inside while remaining connected to the outside.

In the primary bedroom, Galloway added the same dark wood paneling seen in other rooms of the house, along with Roman Clay walls for the headboard and the perpendicular wall. Installed in the ceiling are four Blackened Brass Allied Maker pendants with smoked gradient glass and a black leather strap detail on the blackened brass rod. Photos by Mike Van Tassell.
In the primary bathroom, a custom ebony-stained oak vanity features clean flat panels and unique interior drawer details topped by a thick Vermont Black granite slab. Plus, the black metal framed mirror on the right side of the vanity includes a small TV inside for the client to enjoy shows while getting ready. Photos by Mike Van Tassell.
The primary bathroom shower adds drama into the space with the black metal frame, Eclipse granite slab walls, and modern matte black plumbing elements. Photos by Mike Van Tassell.

Galloway reflects when sharing how her client felt when seeing his new home, “He loved the inclusion of the custom details that extended from the walls to the baseboards to the interior cabinetry to the furniture. We were able to deliver on his vision of wanting a ‘darkened’ home with nods to the harbor views that are right outside his window.”

The terrace is covered in furniture by Harbour Outdoor. Photos by Mike Van Tassell.