A Venice Beach House Stuck in the 2000s Goes Back to Its Laid-Back Coastal Roots
Goodbye concrete and stark white walls, hello warmth and texture.
Jessica Alexander
When this 1922 beach bungalow in Venice, California, was renovated in the early 2000s, the designers really leaned into the era’s trends: crisp white walls, dark-stained floors, and lots of concrete. It might have looked cool back then, but it definitely looked outdated now and out of place in its laid-back coastal surroundings.
Jessica Alexander
“Our goal was to bring the bungalow back to life with warmth, texture, and a relaxed, beachy ease—without losing its modern edge,” explains interior designer Shelby Kass. “The client’s art was a big source of inspiration as well and pushed us to really meld modern and beachy elements together.”
Jessica Alexander
Shelby says natural wood became the throughline in the design. The floors were stripped back to their original oak, wood paneling was added to some walls and ceilings, and slatted room dividers were used to define the downstairs areas while maintaining a seamless flow.
Jessica Alexander
The homeowner—a mother of two teenagers and chief legal office at a major talent agency—also loves to cook, so renovating the kitchen with function in mind was a big priority as well. The kitchen’s original small footprint was expanded a little bit into the adjacent living room so an island and stools could be placed for the family to gather.
Jessica Alexander
“Color and material do much of the storytelling throughout the home,” Shelby says. “A green quartzite kitchen and a fireplace hearth clad in blue cement tile subtly reference the nearby beach, while jewel-toned custom furnishings and the client’s extensive art collection bring personality and originality to each space.”
Jessica Alexander
The client had a deeply sentimental piece—an oversized vintage oak dining table—which was a nonnegotiable in the home. Shelby says it pushed the design in a more soulful, less modern direction that they really leaned into.
Jessica Alexander
“To keep the space feeling fresh, we designed custom fully upholstered pink linen dining chairs to add a playful contrast and avoid introducing any additional wood,” she adds. “Above, a massive sculptural chandelier by Cuff Studio was the perfect bridge between the rustic table and the more beachy and modern aesthetic we were after. The client fell in love with the light fixture and it became a major focal point.”
Jessica Alexander
Upstairs, Shelby and team designed the primary suite to be a restorative retreat for the hardworking mom. The pink palette is inspired but the Rosa marble mosaic floor in the primary bathroom.
Jessica Alexander
The homeowner couldn’t be happier with the newly renovated space and appreciates being pushed out of her comfort zone to take some design risks that really paid off.
Jessica Alexander
“The result is a home that feels layered, personal, and effortlessly livable—a space that honors its history while embracing color, comfort, and the easygoing spirit of Venice,” Shelby says.
