Name: Tracy & Rex
Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
Size: 3400 sq/ft
Years lived in: Own / 3+ years
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We are happy to share the home of Tracy, Rex and family. Their pretty Southbay home by the beach is comfortable in style and vibe. We love the pulled together neutral tones and stylish yet simple decor accents carried throughout the Cape-Cod style house. A big change for the family this year was renovating the kitchen. Inspired by a movie, Tracy opened up the space, created a functioning island, added appliances she had wanted and created french doors out to the large patio and bar (perfect for entertaining, bbqs and fun!) Check out more of Tracy's inspiration for her home after the jump.
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AT Survey:
My/Our style: I like to have pieces that are comfortable and inviting for my family, including our pets. I also like a few things that are a bit more modern or contemporary and I generally gravitate towards earthy/minimalist colors. There’s nothing worse to me than walking into a home and not wanting to sit on a single piece of furniture for more than 5 minutes. I also like to throw in a few beach elements, nothing too over the top, but enough to incorporate our surroundings (living by the beach). Plus I’ve also been in many houses where the kids’ stuff overran the house. I like to have areas for my two young kids to play but keep the rest of the house tidy.
Inspiration: When we decided to remodel our kitchen, I fell in love with the the house and kitchen from the movie “Something’s Gotta Give”. During my research I found that a lot of people felt the same way. My house is Cape Cod style and I felt that kitchen design would work well in my house. It was bright and open, which I desperately desired too. And it felt “beachy". I also loved the furniture and decor in the movie “The Holiday” (Cameron Diaz’ house). It was decorated with such a great mix of big comfy couches, minimalist colors (I’m huge into beige, white, brown and grey) and very clean lines. It was also very uncluttered, which I also love and strive for in my home, no easy feat with kids.
Favorite Element: I really love how my kitchen and the rest of the remodel turned out, the house feels almost new and it’s 20 years old! The space feels much more open now and I love how the family room and kitchen are the center of the house. I can see out to all of the backyard to watch the kids from the kitchen or family room. I also love how we have created an outdoor space that was once under utilized. It has more indoor elements to it (an outdoor kitchen island). We still have a few more things to do to make it even better (outdoor furniture, for one).
Biggest Challenge: At first it was figuring out what I wanted. It’s so overwhelming just starting out, I really just immersed myself in magazines and the internet. I watched my fair share of HGTV and went to open houses to get ideas. I researched for almost two years before we were ready to take the plunge and afford the remodel. We had a decent but by no means extravagant budget to work within, so it was more research to figure out how to do it without spending a fortune. We also had to work within the same footprint and design a layout around load-bearing walls & posts while still trying to open up the space as much as possible, without taking away cabinet or counter space. I will say, it was something to experience going through a remodel without a kitchen for 3 months and with 2 young kids and a few animals. Very glad it’s over!
What Friends Say: Friends like how I’ve decorated it and how comfortable and homey it feels. My friends who have seen the before-and-after are amazed at the transformation.
Biggest Embarrassment: Oh, there are still quite a few actually. Our home still, unfortunately, has quite a few 80’s elements to it - all of which are now confined to the upstairs. We have bad oak cabinets & fluorescent box lights still in both upstairs bathrooms…ick. That will be the next remodel attempt but we’re taking a break for a while. We would like to paint the house too.
Proudest DIY: Doing my kitchen. I found and picked out everything - every light fixture, knob and all the materials, including the base moldings. Plus I found all the right people to do it. By doing this research and work ourselves, it enabled us to stretch our dollars further. We didn't have to hire and pay someone to do all the legwork.
Biggest Indulgence: I would have to say the appliances. Some of the “lower” priced ones I looked at weren’t that much cheaper really, and they didn’t have the same cache for resale. Plus, I've always really wanted them so I made it work in our budget.
Best advice: To replace all of our hardwood floors. We originally were going to match the floor that was in there. Half the bottom level had 2” thin-planked oak floors, and the rest had this horrific white ceramic tile through the kitchen & down bath. To save money, we were going to just replace the tile by matching the existing wood, and then sand it all down to a darker color because the lighter oak was so dated. Once we started researching it with a floor specialist, we found that the old oak didn’t exist with exactly the same width or height, and was really ridiculously expensive. For not much more, we found we could replace the entire floor with more contemporary wider planks, which we really wanted anyway. It made the biggest difference and it really feels like a new house now.
Dream source: I do love domino magazine. They have really great resources and decorating ideas, even though some can be expensive. Sunset magazine has helpful kitchen articles. I covet a few things from DWR. They have some great investment pieces I would love to incorporate into my house one day.
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Resources:
Appliances:
- Sub-Zero fridge
- Viking range
- GE microwave
- Kitchenaid toaster-oven
Hardware:
- Cabinet pulls/kitchen: Home Expo
- Pulls/bathroom: Ikea
- Bathroom showerhead/faucet/fixtures: Restoration Hardware
- Kitchen faucet: hansgrohe; bathroom sink: duravit
Furniture:
- Crate and Barrel
- Room and Board
- West Elm
- Restoration Hardware
- Sometimes local stores.
- I keep it easy and I find they are generally affordable, and I like to look online. I don’t have the time to shop through stores very often.
Lighting:
- Pendant lights: Restoration Hardware
- Floor lamps: Crate &Barrel and West Elm
- Table lamp: Ikea
- Hall sconce: Lighting Universe
Rugs and Carpets:
- Family room: Expo
- Living room: I still need one!
Tiles and Stone:
- Bathroom floors/shower: limestone
- Shower floor: river rocks
- Kiitchen countertops: Caeserstone in concrete
Artwork:
- A slow process…we mostly have photography up (from various family members & friends)
- I bought a small drawing off Etsy, which is a great site and I would like to get more.
Flooring:
(Thanks, Tracy & Rex!)
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Photos by Rebecca Orlov
very nice and clean look..
what paint color did you use in the living room?
view tominJC's profile
Maybe I´m just jealous... but why does one (or four) need a living room AND a family room? To me it seems like having two huge living rooms. I guess I should be quiet, but... this just seems like a waste of place to me. Maybe it´s rude from me to say this. More humble homes just seem so much more "cool" to me than this. Also, the style is too strict and uninspiring to me. Sorry!
view jjanul's profile
You have a beautiful home. Thank you for sharing.
view DawnMarie04's profile
I am stealing your counter tops! I love them and think your entire home is very calming and pleasant.
view jlg's profile
I love it. Totally unpretentious and not trying to prove a darn thing. Understated and sturdy. Well done.
view medusa12120's profile
really nice contemporary home. not overly "designy" and feels lived in. "clean and easy" is what comes to mind.
view kimg924's profile
Its a bit contrived for me and feels like what might be a stylish custom home. But I do like the kitchen counter top.
All and all very American but better than most.
view LoriSF's profile
Overall very nice. I'd exchange living spaces and everything in it with you any day! (Though you'd definitely be getting the short end of the stick.)
Some of the walls seem a bit bare, though. A few more things on the wall would make it look a little less stiff/formal and a little more lived in. One example, the stairs are the first thing you see coming in...and just stairs. How about hanging a large piece of fun art (or of your kids) at the landing, so that's what guests see first? Or something.
view Mrs.Mack's profile
Large for sure but very nicely done. Maybe a bit staged for the photo shoot but I can see it being well lived in.
view Gallivant's profile
I really like the pendent lights from Restoration. Overall, a little on the generic side for my taste. Looks a bit like a showroom. Does look comfortable, though. Thanks for sharing!
view Claire K's profile
Love the house!
view zecknyc's profile
jjanul...you are jealous.
view zecknyc's profile
Too "model home" for my taste. The kids bedrooms were great, though.
view WendyJ's profile
Vanilla.
view miss_m's profile
i hope i'm not being snarky, but i really don't get why this home is on here. it's just a suburban home, with suburban furniture, and suburban colors. taupe on the walls....really? sorry; not getting anything but a catalogue vibe here.
view formosagirl's profile
Very Midwestern. Surely a good home to raise kids in.
view Skye's profile
Can anyone identify the exact, specific chair in the living room (the leather club chair & ottoman)? I realize it's similar to a hundred other brown leather club chairs, but I bought THAT CHAIR at a thrift store for $25 this summer and haven't been able to place it. It's exactly the same chair - down to the weird hump in the middle of the ottoman.
view brozek's profile
It's a lovely and relaxing home but I come here to see something more inspiring, something that I look at and think, "WOW..That's a great idea!". I really don't get that from this house. I see lots of Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware.
view tjsm's profile
Uh, pretty house, but when did apartment therapy become 3400 SF. I agree with formosagirl, this is more like looking at a catalogue than seeing anything inspiring and innovative for space ideas.
view alinia's profile
I like your kitchen counter top and the counter stools. If I could offer a suggestion, I would bring the colour of the stools into the tv room. Replacing the burgundy pillows with something in that green colour or a lampshade in that colour. Anything but that burgundy would look better.
view peachpie's profile
It looks beautiful, expensive and just a little bit soulless.
view seajenny's profile
Please put a 'back to original post' link with the slideshow...
view gryt's profile
Oy that's a lotta beige!!
You nailed the kitchen, so clean and bright. You've got good bones; the rooms are spacious, lots of light. Now it's time to head to some art shows, craft fairs, and Etsy to add some personality, some fun, and some color.
In the kitchen you picked lovely bar stools in a georgeous apple green, you might consider adding some royal blue or saphire blue as a second accent color. It would carry through nicely into the den.
The dining room looks like you'd read a will in there, way too serious. Get yourself some window treatments and some art on the walls pronto.
Overall, great job. Now have some fun.
view LIMOM's profile
does anyone know where the armless chairs are from in the living room (or sitting room). Im not sure which it is.
Thanks!
view jadepwinters's profile
It's very tasteful but looks like a cross between a Mitchell Gold and West Elm catalog. In other words, there is no individuality here....
view PaminBoston's profile
Pretty, tasteful and soothing, but I agree with formosagirl that this is not an "Apartment Therapy" home. Too large and conservative in style.
It's weird how these things work, isn't it. I'm about to move into my house and don't have any furniture, but boy do I have tons and tons of art.
If I were you, I'd get some art off eBay.
view firebird's profile
The first thing I thought was....where is the life in this house? I like the decor...don't get me wrong....gorgeous. But it lacks a lived in look. Where are the things for the walls??? You can have art/photos on the walls and have it tasteful, but bare is very cold.
view kambykitten's profile
Too vanilla for me too. It's nice and clean and the majority of people would consider it to be gorgeous, but it's not inspiring me in any way.
view Monica's profile
This home says everything you'll ever need to know about Manhattan Beach. Boring, bland, blah . . .
Agree w/ formosagirl - not an"AT" home.
view genxgirl's profile
Very nice (HUGE) house but this is too much of a cookie cutter home for me and.....quite uninspiring.
view sprgrl007's profile
One more thing... I can see you purchased a lot of your items from pretty expensive places (ie. PB, Crate, Resto). Have you ever heard of Craigslist or Garage Sales? What makes a lot the homes featured on AT is their individuality in style. I don't see that here at all.
view sprgrl007's profile
Does anyone know where that cool Halloween votive candle holder is from which is on the kitchen counter?
view foles's profile
Vanilla for me, not my taste but it does work and is very nice for maybe someone else. Too traditional.
view betseygirl's profile
I love the kitchen with the pop of green on the bar stools -- other than that I have to agree with many of the above posts...much too uniform and expected in the rest of the house..... hey and to those above... whoever said boring decor was the best place to raise your kids in???
view PrairieDawn's profile
Hi Tracy. I really like your teak floors. Could you please tell me the name of your hardwood floor specialist/installer? And any other pertinent details (i.e plank size, etc). I live in Los Angeles and I would like to undertake a similar project. Thanks in advance!
view Dezinegrrrl's profile
I'd love to know who makes the kitchen sink.
view Peacefully's profile
This seems like the EXACT OPPOSITE of what AT is about: urban living in apartments, living well in small spaces... etc. not suburban living in sprawling development with so much space the place looks bare and everything looks like a Pottery Barn catalogue...
I think this is what we derisively call a "mcMansion". At 3400 sf you could fit 5 or 6 (or more) apartments that are usually featured in these house tours.
Yes, the kitchen is great. The rest is beige and suburban. Isn't there another website for these homes? maybe mcmansiontherapy.com?
I'm sorry, I'm not usually mean in my comments but there is nothing wrong about this house except that it's on the wrong blog.
view ange_lune's profile
Wow, you must be really, really rich.
This is APARTMENT therapy. Not Manhattan-Beach-Mansion therapy.
:-/
view blonne's profile