California dreaming

West Coast laid-back luxe was the brief for this 1950s house Melinda Mandell was just the person to realise the look

-  KAREN WILSON

WHAT WAS THE OVERALL GOAL?

The couple, who are from New York, loved the mid-century look of the architecture and wanted us to create an interior that was 'elevated and cool, but not unfriendly'. An overall goal was to make it feel lighter, more spacious and create furniture plans within the existing walls that had flow and functionality. With two large rescue dogs and a baby on the way, they wanted durable and easily cleanable fabrics.

WHAT WERE THEIR BIGGEST PRIORITIES?

The biggest concern was making the reception spaces work for both everyday life and entertaining. We had to solve functional problems (the dining layout was awkward and too small for their needs), as well as create visual flow, connection and harmony between spaces.