It’s an exciting day here at MGD as we share our latest project launch with you all! Our #MGDxNellieGail project is a beautiful family home full of the most meaningful details. Overall, it has a more traditional style brought on by the millwork and general finishes throughout. Each space is more special than the last, so come along as we reveal it all!
This project was a full-scale Laguna Hills remodel that we started with our clients back in 2019. They’re an adorable family of five with roots in hospitality, so a home designed for entertaining and large gatherings was important to them. As their family grows, they brought on our team to help them build their forever home in Laguna Hills, California. Today on the blog, we’re revealing the dreamy Nellie Gail kitchen, walk-in pantry, and cottage-inspired dining room. Keep scrolling, and let’s dive in!
Kitchen
First up is the kitchen. It’s a bright and feminine design that feels extra special with lots of custom details and unexpected decorative elements. The original space (before our full-scale kitchen remodel) was pretty tight and didn’t make sense for our clients’ lifestyle. Because they love to entertain and spend time in the kitchen as a family, it was important to them that we incorporate two islands into the design – One for working and food prep, and one for seating.
With a classic color palette, we opted for rich and decorative elements to set the overall kitchen design apart. The custom decorative hood above the range is the showcase of the space, further accented with a hand-painted terracotta tile backsplash. Around the rest of the kitchen, we chose a cleaner zellige tile backsplash to allow the rest of the design elements to shine. The countertops are a beautiful bright iceberg honed marble. Our team designed a decorative slab detail to add an extra special touch that felt different from the standard slab countertop design.
Another one of our favorite functional elements in this kitchen remodel is the full bifold window behind the kitchen sink. It opens out to an outdoor countertop to allow for easy indoor-outdoor entertaining.
On the working island, we added a built-in walnut butcher block. We love the functionality and warmth it adds to the design. Since the downstairs layout didn’t allow for a separate dining room, we added a built-in hutch painted in a greige accent color to the kitchen cabinetry. Our clients have lots of heirloom antique glassware that they use for entertaining and special occasions. The glass cabinet doors allow for them to be on prime display.
The custom details on the cabinetry make this space feel completely tailored from head to toe kick. Last but not least, a built-in desk is the perfect place for jotting down recipe notes or sending out a quick email while cooking dinner.
Pantry
If there’s one thing that all families with young kids need it’s more storage, especially in the kitchen. Off the Nellie Gail kitchen between the two islands sits a fully functional butler’s pantry. A custom door with reeded panels separates it from the kitchen and allows for the space to be closed off when needed. Inside, the pantry is wrapped in beautiful millwork (our love language!), painted in the same accent color as the kitchen islands.
Apart from the kid-friendly open shelving and easy organization, the concrete tile floors might just be our favorite part of this space. You’ll see this same material used later in a few other spaces throughout the home, so stay tuned as we continue through the rest of this project launch over the coming weeks!
Dining Room
The dining room is an extension between the kitchen and family room. With nothing architectural designating it as a separate zone, we wanted to make sure it had its own moment to shine. A beautiful brass chandelier was just the thing this dining room needed, while still allowing for a true open concept feel across the three spaces.
Our client’s primary request in the dining space was a large table to host holiday entertaining. This long pine table ties in the ceiling millwork in the entry and living room. We love the charm the turned legs add. Custom scalloped curved end chairs play off the English cottage feel in the space, and the metal black chairs add contrast. As a bonus, the metal material is kid-friendly and easy to keep clean, which is a win-win for this young family!
We hope you love these spaces as much as we do! The Nellie Gail kitchen is hard to beat. It’s full of so many special details and design elements that make our hearts happy. Coming up next, we’ll be sharing the bright entry, formal living room, and sweet powder bath. The fun is far from over! Make sure you’re following along on Instagram to see more from each of the spaces we’ve revealed so far. Then, come back next week to see part two of our newest project reveal. Thanks so much for following along!