Figtree St. Residence

San Diego, CA

The Figtree Residence is the perfect backyard Oasis. The client hoped to create a space that was both perfect for entertaining while preserving play area for their young family.

They were able to create a warm and inviting space that maximized their entertaining and play area. By extending an existing retaining wall, they created a BBQ and dining area with built-in bench seating and a view deck with a fire pit to take advantage of the views. Introducing natural stone into the bench and stair and a warm colored concrete created a holistic look that is clean and modern with a soft touch.

"We are so grateful for Kelley's expertise. She was warm, friendly and professional and provided us with multiple designs for our backyard project, making adaptations along the way. Our construction crew was equally amazed and grateful. We are thrilled with how everything turned out! She delivered the backyard paradise that we dreamed of."

- Figtree Client

Palm Springs Getaway

Palm Springs CA

The Palm Springs Getaway client came to Formation to transform a rundown home to a modern sleek retreat. There were great bones in the existing house, but the flow and finishes needed a lot of attention. The project removed several walls to create an open plan and a comfortable vacation home. This allowed for a more seamless connection to the backyard pool from the living areas.

The design included a casita with separate entry to maximize the potential value of the home. The client selected modern finishes with a few fun details to give the home a retro Palm Springs vibe, while allowing a clean palette for a home buyer to bring their own personality.

Corte de Chucena Residence

San Diego, CA

The Corte de Chucena client wanted to bring a refresh to their entire living area. To achieve this, they opened up their kitchen to their dining area and created a grand living space upon entry. They reconfigured and updated the kitchen, guest bathroom and master bath, as well as lighting and floors throughout.

In the kitchen and living area, the finishes took on a modern farmhouse vibe. While in the master bath, the style became more retro to blend with the existing shower tile to take on some of the existing character that was still loved.

49th St. Residence

San Diego, CA

This 1950s home was typical of its era and split into many different smaller spaces. The family wanted to open up the living area for a space that would function well, give them line of sight to their children, and eliminate unnecessary circulation. They removed the walls to the formal dining room and family room to create a large island and bar. This transformation created a light and airy space that kept the charm, but left them with modern amenities.

The client also made modifications to their master bathroom to create a true spa feel and a walk-in closet. Having limited space, they reworked the space to function as efficiently as possible. Neutral, light tones and floor to ceiling stone made the small space feel more grand.

Additionally, the client created a custom fence and gate to maximize the yard space. This included a deck off the master suite with built-in planters. This increased the curb appeal and functionality of the backyard.

Canyon Retreat

San Diego, CA

The Canyon Retreat client wanted to realize the potential in a yard that felt overgrown and closed in from the open space beyond. The goal was to maximize areas for gathering by creating various zones for entertaining, dining, play, etc. The design incorporated a continuous path of pavers that connected the various zones accentuating the size of the yard in a sleek and sophisticated way. Custom wooden bench seating at the fire pit has become a favorite spot for entertaining, while the al fresco dining takes advantage of the San Diego climate. A large 15’ sliding door was incorporated between the main living area and the yard to blend the indoors and outdoors and take full advantage of the canyon views. Additionally, the upgrade to glass fence opened up the view to the canyon from the yard, creating the tranquil sense of being among the trees.

Another goal was to set up the client for future work. While the ultimate outdoor kitchen was not in the budget for now, we created a future zone that fits seamlessly with the current design and is ready to go with utilities in place when the time comes for the next phase.  This project has given the client a transformed space to host friends and family for years to come.