Southern California-based Uncommon Design Haus is a full-service residential design firm led by Kelsey Bigelow and Kaitlin Campbell. For this project in Dana Point, the pair reimagined a once-compartmentalized beach house in Capistrano Beach, transforming it into a moody, music-driven retreat with a distinctly editorial edge.

“What I love most about Dana Point is its effortless blend of coastal beauty and relaxed sophistication,” Kelsey says. Kaitlin adds, “Dana Point has this incredible sense of calm. There’s a quiet rhythm to life here that feels both grounding and restorative.”

Their client, a bachelor with two adult children, has lived in the home for many years. As his lifestyle evolved, he wanted the house to reflect a more refined, contemporary version of how he lives today—one that prioritizes openness, ease, and understated sophistication. A key priority was reimagining the main living areas, which previously felt overly compartmentalized and disconnected.

“He wanted to open up these spaces to create a more natural flow and a stronger sense of connection throughout the home,” the designers say, “transforming it into an inviting, comfortable environment for hosting family and friends.” Creating a cohesive gathering space that felt both elevated and effortless was also essential.

“The design evolved into a refined take on a midcentury modern bachelor pad, centered around a relaxed, music-driven lifestyle with dedicated spaces for record listening and lounging,” Kaitlin says. Although the project began as a remodel, it quickly evolved as the team uncovered the home’s full potential. “By rethinking the layout, removing walls, and opening up the floor plan, we were able to create a more fluid, connected environment that better supports both everyday living and entertaining,” Kelsey notes.

“I wanted clear cedar ceilings, no trim, and I fell in love with these midcentury pendants, but the ones I found were too small for the room,” says homeowner Richard Hart. To bring his vision to life, Uncommon Design Haus collaborated with Dana Creath to custom-design pendant lights that captured the same aesthetic as the fixtures he admired while being perfectly scaled for the space.

The designers say the most significant challenge was removing the load-bearing walls and vaulting the ceiling to achieve the desired sense of openness. “This required the installation of an approximately 29-foot steel I-beam—an impressive structural element that demanded careful planning and precision,” Kaitlin shares. “Coordinating the installation was no small feat, especially given the constraints of a narrow residential street, which necessitated the use of a large crane. In the end, however, the effort was well worth it. The resulting open-concept layout fully realized the client’s vision and transformed the way the home is experienced.”

From the initial meeting to move-in, the project spanned approximately 16 months—remarkably efficient for a full-scale remodel. “Every so often, a project aligns in just the right way,” Kelsey reflects. “With minimal construction delays and few product backorders, this was one of those rare instances where everything fell into place seamlessly.”

Take a tour of the home in the slideshow.