A second home should be a carefree retreat where you focus on kicking back and living the good life — even if it's only for a weekend. For a California couple with two little girls, a Mediterranean-style home in Ojai would be a place to escape from their busy lives as TV and documentary producers. Designer Deborah Rhein, owner of the Los Angeles–based firm D.L. Rhein, came on board to help transform the property into a peaceful oasis and make the large house feel cozy and intimate. They began by repainting the yellow walls in a crisp white and revitalizing the concrete floors, which were perfect to handle the constant traffic in the home. The kitchen's upper cabinets were removed in favor of open shelving and Rhein added a handmade concrete tile backsplash behind the stove.
When it came to furnishings, the designer wanted to match Ojai's natural aesthetic by incorporating light wood pieces and a neutral palette. The couple's extensive travels also inspired many of the accent pieces, which bring in color and texture. The client had also recently purchased a new home in Pasadena, so Rhein utilized pieces from their old house that didn't quite work in the new residence for the Ojai space. The finished home looks as relaxing as it feels and the hardest part of visiting just might be having to leave to go back to the real world.
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