Yorba Linda, CA is a beautiful area of Southern California with a blend of urban and rural feels. One benefit of living here, aside from the year-round temperate climate, is that many homes are on larger lots—allowing for plenty of space and a great yard. Design firm Kennedy Cole Interior Design was tasked with creating space for their client’s family to grow up, while upping the cozy factor. Though the house had great bones, it needed a refresh—think beige walls, dark woods, and dated finishes. The pair behind the retreat-like design, Lindsay Stokes Kennedy and Alexandra Cole, tell us more about the home, a project they call Foxfield.
First, we’d love to know a bit about your clients! How did you first connect with the family?
Our client and her husband had just purchased this home to enjoy with their two daughters and their beautiful dog. She reached out to us after having a discouraging experience with another firm whom they trusted to take on the project. Unfortunately, at the last minute, the project fell through. This was our client’s forever home, so the feeling, energy, and newfound positivity around the entire transformation was very important to them and was our first priority when we stepped in. Their home was their haven, so it was important to us to fulfill their design wishes and make sure that they could comfortably move in within a tight timeline. The home had wonderful bones, so it was crucial that we respected the character and energy of the home throughout the design process to ensure that every detail was considered with intentionality.
During the design process, we pride ourselves on getting to know our clients and it became clear that family was extremely important to them. It was crucial that we honored not only her immediate family (husband, daughters, and dog), but also her loved ones that are no longer with them, in the design.
As you began the design process, was there a specific “jumping off” point that you feel set the tone?
Our Foxfield project is a true testament to the power of fresh paint, and quality furnishings. The home has great bones, and overall, suited our client and their family of four, but many of the style choices felt outdated. New paint, updated flooring, and intentional furniture planning breathed new life into this home and made it a lovely space to raise a family.
Our intention with this project was to create a space that was comfortable and charming, with a touch of elegance.
You tell us more about design decisions in the slideshow, but we’re curious about timing. How long did the project take, and what did the client say when they saw the finished space?
The process was about 6 months start to finish. We really worked to prioritize our clients’ timeline and make the home beautiful and comfortable for them to move in.
Our client was so pleased with the finished space! She had a few months where nerves took over along the way, but in the end, loved that we considered their “preferences, tastes and current life stage, and created a home that is BEYOND beautiful, functional, and timeless!”