We’re kicking off the week with part two of our #MGDxNellieGail project reveal! If you missed part one, head there for a closer look at the dreamy kitchen, walk-in pantry, and open concept dining room. In today’s post, we’ll be revealing (one of) our favorite spaces in this Laguna Hills remodel – The formal living room! We’ll also be sharing the bright millwork-wrapped entry and foliage-inspired powder bath. In short, it’s a reveal you don’t want to miss! Keep scrolling, and get your Pinterest boards ready!
Entry
When you walk into the home, you’re greeted by a bright entryway flooded with natural light and full of architectural details. The front door system – A 15 foot stain-grade white oak door and transom window – makes quite the first impression.

The entry features high ceilings, which we love, especially for a home of this size. They allow you to feel the volume of the home from the moment you step inside. Our team had to work with an existing roofline that had a lot of funky transitions, so making sure each space felt distinct but cohesive was the primary design challenge in this space. The resulting ceiling is wrapped in a natural pine material that we them had whitewashed for a warmer feel. We also used the same material in the outside overhangs to tie together the indoor and outdoor spaces.

There was also an existing curved staircase that we had to rework for the new design, and we love how it turned out. A custom carpet runner provides cushion underfoot, while beautifully detailed custom railings add a layer of charm to the staircase. The entire entryway is wrapped in two types of millwork, including white wainscoting on the stairs.
A statement wood console creates a landing zone as you enter the home, accentuated by a textured round mirror and pair of traditional wall sconces. Lastly, we used a pair of vintage crocks as planters to add that pop of greenery we love so much.
Living Room
Now, let’s head into the living room as we continue the tour of our Laguna Hills remodel project! Our client wanted this space to feel more like a formal living room and library, and they envisioned it as a space where they could entertain and have gatherings with friends and family. We set the tone with darker paint colors, feminine curved furniture, and lots of layered prints and textures. The resulting space is an extension of the more traditional home, but with a moodier and cozier cottage-esque feel.



The layout of the space was tricky with the curved staircase, existing fireplace, and large window on the front of the home. We updated the existing window and raised the roofline to create a window seat nook. Then, we added library built-in on the opposite wall where our clients could set their baby grand piano and keep all of their books.

We kept the existing fireplace, and just updated the facade with a beautiful stone slab and decorative mantel, painted in a dark charcoal hue. It ties in the charcoal library built-ins and creates a focal point for the cozy hangout space.

All of the books and many of the decorative objects displayed in the built-in are our clients’ family heirlooms and collectibles. We loved incorporating so many meaningful pieces throughout the home – They add a personal touch that just can’t be beat.

Powder Bath
The downstairs powder bath is a feminine and traditional, and was a chance for us to play with color. A white and green patterned wallpaper sets the tone for the space. We are just smitten with the scalloped foliage design! We opted for rich materials throughout, including marble mosaic flooring, a decorative backsplash, and custom vanity details.

A gilded scalloped mirror mimics the wallpaper pattern, and is the first thing you notice as you walk into the space. We tied in that warm brass tone with a gooseneck style wall faucet, a pair of wall sconces, and oval-shaped cabinet hardware. One of our favorite details in the space is the custom vanity with pattern-cut door fronts, painted in the prettiest soft green hue.

We hope you enjoyed part two of our #MGDxNellieGail reveal! If you missed it, head over to part one of this Laguna Hills remodel project reveal where we shared the kitchen and dining room spaces. Then, make sure you’re following along on Instagram to see more of these spaces, including behind-the-scenes footage from this project. To browse more home reveals, head to the projects section of our blog. You can also pop right over to our portfolio to see all of our past work! Thanks for following along!