This 1940s home is one of the oldest residences in Carlsbad, California—one of the original “Kelly homes” tucked within the coveted Kelly Ranch neighborhood. When a native Carlsbad couple purchased the property, they envisioned a renovation that would support modern living while preserving the history that made the house so special.
They turned to Julie Smith of Jula Cole Design, a boutique interior design studio based in Encinitas. “At first these repeat clients asked for advice on paint and flooring only,” she recalls. “A few days later, most of the home was ripped apart.” The scope quickly expanded as it became clear the house’s oddly shaped rooms and disjointed layout needed a more thoughtful, comprehensive transformation.
The entry sets the tone with an arched wooden double door steeped in character and history. “It is the kind that you know is rooted in history,” Julie notes. Rather than replace it, the team carefully preserved the original doors and used them as an anchor for the newly redesigned spaces. Soaring ceilings, exposed beams, and existing stonework further reinforce the home’s historic roots; the stone was over-grouted and limewashed to brighten the space while maintaining its aged texture. “The electrical was a bit of an odd placement in the entry so we designed a custom light fixture in order to work with the existing J-box locations,” Julie explains.
Elsewhere, the former office felt heavy and overly masculine, wrapped in dark wood paneling and dated millwork. Since the room would become a workspace for the woman of the home, Julie softened the atmosphere considerably. “This was to be an office for the woman of the home, so we painted the original wood cabinets, stripped some of the paneled wainscot details, and replaced them with some white wainscot trim which we painted in a few shades darker than the wall in a high gloss,” the designer notes. “This lightened up the space significantly. With the addition of some curved furniture to further feminize the space and a new cleaner fireplace surround, it was ready.”
The kitchen underwent one of the home’s most dramatic reinventions. Taken down to the studs and fully reconfigured, the new layout prioritizes flow, function, and entertaining. While the homeowners requested a white kitchen, Julie layered in darker accents—a custom metal hood by Metalust Designs, bronze fluted-glass bar panels, and rich walnut tones—to keep the space from feeling flat or sterile. A walnut dining island grounds the room, while a custom banquette breakfast nook creates an inviting place for gathering.
In the adjacent living spaces, comfort and sophistication go hand in hand. A dual-sided sofa subtly connects the living room to the kitchen, encouraging conversation and movement between the spaces. Meanwhile, the dining room delivers a dramatic focal point. “We commissioned a custom mural by our favorite artist, Cassandra Schramm, to bring a moodier feel,” Julie shares. “We also added a light fixture by designer Christiana Bertolucci, found on 1st Dibs.”
The home’s awkward original floor plan posed its greatest challenge in the bathrooms. Two strangely shaped powder rooms—once designated as “his” and “hers”—were consolidated into one more functional shared space. But the true showstopper is the reimagined primary bathroom and closet suite. “We kept one of the walk-in closets in the space and gave it to the man of the home and then opened the main bathroom adding square footage from the bedroom and bathroom next door to make a rockstar bathroom and closet,” she shares. “This is one of the most impressive spaces in the home. This required a new custom I-beam, but the original shaped windows stayed the same.” The once-cramped, awkward layout is now one of the property’s defining features.
The primary bedroom offers a serene retreat layered with tailored, contemporary details: a custom bed, a Thayer Coggin sofa, a Hammer & Spear coffee table, and sweeping blue drapery that frames the ocean view beyond. “This once dark dated room was instantly modernized,” Julie says. “It’s very clean and sophisticated without being fussy and ready to accept that insane ocean view.”
Now, one of the oldest houses in the city retains its historic charm while embracing modern updates, showcasing Julie’s thoughtful approach to honoring a home’s legacy while creating a fresh, livable interior.
