It’s hilltop location in San Clemente, California means this house has beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean—but the interiors might be more captivating than the coast. “It’s modern yet well-traveled,” says designer Shannon McLaren of PRAIRIE Interiors. “We balanced intricate paneling and molding with clean, contemporary lines to create a sophisticated yet inviting aesthetic.”
The homeowners are a family of five with three daughters, the youngest still in high school and having lived in the home for years, the family had a clear vision of what worked and what didn’t. “They have a deep love for travel and entertaining, which played a major role in shaping their remodel,” the designer explains. “A spacious, functional kitchen was their top priority—a place where family and friends could gather comfortably. The renovation transformed three separate rooms into an expansive kitchen, complete with a rotisserie, an oversized dining nook, a show-stopping bar, and a generously sized butler’s pantry outfitted with top-of-the-line appliances.”
It’s truly an entertainer’s kitchen. “Both clients are passionate about cooking and hosting, so we incorporated a La Cornue rotisserie and range, Waterworks plumbing fixtures, and Urban Electric lighting,” Shannon explains. “The bar was inspired by their travels; the high-gloss rosewood millwork with brass inlays sets a dramatic tone, while the blue onyx counter, inlaid and underlit, adds a striking touch. A custom antiqued mirror and Crystal Baccarat sconces complete the look.” To ensure there’s room to hang out, the dining nook features a vintage Italian chandelier and a vintage dining table from Nickey Kehoe, while the Calacatta Gold Rose Viola island is large enough to seat their family comfortably. Shannon adds, “And with their love for sushi nights in mind, it was customized to accommodate their chef’s prep needs. The butler’s pantry, which was once an underutilized guest room, now functions as a fully equipped prep kitchen with a sink, refrigerator, and two ovens.”
Beyond the kitchen, they added a second powder room, reimagined the sitting room and family room, and transformed a former storage-filled bonus room into a functional, beautifully designed space.
“This intimate sitting room is designed for relaxed entertaining,” Shannon tells us. “Two sets of glass French doors open to a beautiful courtyard on one side and the dining room on the other. The fireplace, a vintage piece imported from Italy, serves as the focal point.” They finished the room with Ananbo wallpaper, vintage Italian sconces, and Farrow & Ball Lime White paint in a high-gloss finish for the ceiling and trim. The sofa belonged to the family pre-renovation, while the vintage lounge chairs were sourced from Nickey Kehoe and an antique rug from Rug Resources in CDM grounds the space.
The family room is more casual, as it’s the family’s primary lounging space for watching television. The clients’ existing sofa was complemented by a vintage coffee table and lounge chairs from Obsolete, along with another vintage rug from Rug Resources.
The bonus room was previously used for storage but was the first room seen when entering through the front gate’s glass French doors. “To conceal clutter, we installed full-height cabinetry with arched details, with one section designed as a pull-out craft table and built-in wrapping station featuring dowels for ribbon and wrapping paper,” Shannon explains. The cabinetry, walls, and ceiling are all painted in Farrow & Ball Jitney, with Ashley Norton hardware.
Finally, the petite powder room is now a striking space with a floating pink onyx vanity, wainscoting, and matching floors. A custom backlit mirror creates the perfect setting for photos—an intentional design request from the clients for their daughters and guests. The brass pendant is from Obsolete.
Shannon says the project took approximately seven months. “The clients absolutely love the transformation,” she tells us. “One of the best compliments we’ve received is seeing photos of their rotisserie in action, surrounded by family and friends—it’s exactly how they envisioned using the space.”
