You Won’t Believe That a Family of 7 (with 5 Sons!) Lives in This Stunning Home

Take a look at this immaculate Danville, California, home with its calming and chic decor. Now, can you believe that a family of seven (with five sons) inhabit this space? Granted, I know that the photos we’re looking at are staged and styled for a photoshoot, but still… a pristine cream palette and children do not mix most of the time.

In this case, it does and that’s because the designer, Nicole Salceda of Eye for Pretty Design Studio renovated the home with a family-friendly strategy in mind. The family first reached out to Salceda about the renovation in 2018, but after a few delays (a new baby, mostly), they kicked off demo-ing in September 2020 and the project was completed in 2022. The home was originally 2,900 square feet, and the clients ended up adding a 1,200-square-foot addition, with the help of Eric Shephard Architects. Salceda says that every room and surface was touched in the remodel, and she even used furniture from her shop.

Jessica Brydson Photography

“When I first met the clients, we talked about adding on to their home and making it more conducive to their life as a growing family of seven,” she explains. “It was a pretty traditional home with small rooms that felt choppy. It definitely had good bones though and we knew we could open it up and improve the functionality of it. They wanted it light and bright with durable fabrics and materials for their five boys. Indoor-outdoor living was also important as we live in California and they wanted to take advantage of their beautiful backyard with pool and sport court.”

Jessica Brydson Photography

When it comes to designing for a big family, organization is key. “Including things like a walk-in pantry to store lots of snacks (growing boys are always eating!); a laundry room upstairs with a clothing bin pull-out for each boy; a large mudroom located just outside the garage with space for backpacks, shoes, and jackets; and a built-in desk area right off the kitchen help keep this family organized and work to maintain a calm environment,” Salceda says.

Jessica Brydson Photography

As you walk through the main areas of the space, you’ll see those organizational details mixed with aesthetically-pleasing features. The entry and living room area has a new iron staircase and flooring throughout. “We wanted to keep the living room a bit more elevated but still functional and family-friendly,” she adds.

Jessica Brydson Photography

The kitchen and dining area was a huge upgrade for this growing family—the original space was a small galley kitchen, but Salceda and team transformed it into a large open room. “A large island grounds the entire space in a deep charcoal/navy and a mix of painted white perimeter cabinets with white oak details pull the kitchen together,” she explains. “A folding window at the kitchen sink allows for easy indoor-outdoor entertaining and the gorgeous black range and curved plaster hood are a focal point.”

Jessica Brydson Photography

And of course, the family room had to be extra functional, too. “A comfortable sectional was a must and it needed to stand up to the daily wear-and-tear from five boys,” Salceda says. “Custom built-ins and a new modern fireplace creates a focal wall with character. A rug and accessories from Eye for Pretty At Home pull the room together.”

After a few hiccups, the clients now have a home that can grow with their family. “I’ve said it before but patience truly is a virtue especially when it comes to building a home or remodeling!” Salceda says. “During the process, our clients were really tested in terms of timelines and a move-in date but they took everything in stride and in the end, moved into a gorgeous home.”

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