A fortuitous drop off at day camp led to a very special client—and, soon enough, a burgeoning friendship—for designer Tara Cain. “I met the client at my daughter’s day camp bus drop off five years ago,” recalls Tara. “A few years later, when their house came on the market, I was asked to consult with them on the purchase of it. They were looking for advice on whether or not the home they were considering buying was something that could be turned into something that reflected them.”
Tara saw the potential in the home and was happy to consult and collaborate with her clients on a shared vision for what this Tudor-style home could be. “They hired me for the job and our working relationship quickly turned into a long-lasting friendship,” says Tara. Tara worked closely with the couple to make sure that this remodel was a success at every turn. The project mission: turn this newly-built Tudor-style home into a modern living space that reflects the family’s style–all while incorporating as much of the existing high-quality finishes as possible.
The design vision is defined
Tara set to work on turning the Tudor-style home into a personality-filled space for the family. “Our goal was to take the great bones of this newly built Tudor and make it reflective of who this family is and how they live,” Tara explains. Tara did so by working with her clients on selecting custom furnishings, unique decor pieces and a color palette that resonated with the family. She was able to meld the design elements of the traditional Tudor with the look and feel of a more contemporary home.
The transformation from Tudor to contemporary coastal
The overall aesthetic is inspired by the coastal vibe of Californian homes. Think open floor plans, lots of natural light, hardwood floors, exposed beams, large glass statements, and soft, neutral tones with occasional breaks of blues and greens. “The client has fond childhood memories of visiting her grandparents’ vacation home in Southern California, so it was important that we incorporated that vibe into her home,” shares Tara.
Thankfully, the house itself arrived with some highlights: “Really great bones, high-quality materials, excellent craftsmanship, existing character [and] a great floor plan.” This was definitely a positive but with it came other hurdles. Tara had to figure out a way to use some of the existing elements but meld them into a fresh, new design concept. The existing finishes were “were high quality and newly installed,” Tara points out. So she was faced with making tough decisions on which light fixtures, tile, and other features to replace.
In the end, Tara accomplished what she set out to do by drawing on an array of inspirations and what Tara calls a “balance of warmth and restraint.”
One of the extra special design ideas was to incorporate cherished family treasures, like the client’s grandmother's vintage dining chairs, which she repaired and accented with custom sheepskin cushions. The result? A family domain designed for comfort without sacrificing style. “These clients are our ideal clients,” reflects Tara. “They have great taste, they have high trust in our services, they are decisive and have an understanding of what it takes to do things the right way.”
Become one of Tara’s clients. Learn more about her approach to design here.
