When Andrea Howe and her family started searching for a house, nothing they found was what they were looking for. This house had one thing going for it though: “The decision of purchasing this one was the tree in the backyard,” says Andrea. Though they were thrilled to have the only backyard with a tree in the neighborhood, the house at purchase sported a very dark interior and low ceilings. But, thanks to Andrea’s vision and some help from professionals, they were able to create this gorgeous, light-filled home.

Andrea runs the lifestyle blog Howe We Live, which specializes in “real food, clean beauty and approachable style.” Considering wellness is such a cornerstone of her blog, it’s no surprise that her home’s renovation features lots of sunlight, high ceilings and airy, open spaces.

Andrea wanted to have a “grown up” look for this house, but also a casual home full of Californian vibes, nature, and sunshine. She achieved this atmosphere by getting rid of some walls and incorporating a lot of natural materials. The house today is the perfect combo of casual and sophisticated, and a place where the family can both entertain and relax.

Our Style: Transitional-relax but refined. We like our house to reflect our personality: casual with sophistication!

Inspiration: Travelling and hotels. A lot of ideas for the house were taken from a hotel in Santa Barbara that I really enjoyed staying in. I also could say Pinterest and some home design magazines.

Favorite Element: The kitchen island. It’s fantastic how big it is!

Biggest Challenge: What to hang on the walls! I really don’t know when it’s enough or when you need more.

What Friends Say: They love how open and bright it is.

Biggest Embarrassment: I don’t like that the joints of the tiles in the bathroom are white, they look dirty…they are not white anymore! I would have preferred gray or some color easier to maintain. But I can’t complain, I love my house!

Proudest DIY: I didn’t do it myself but it was our idea to have such a big island in the kitchen. And we love it!

Biggest Indulgence: The black and white tiles in the main bathroom. They were really expensive, but they were meant to be for my bathroom.

Best Advice: If you can, hire a designer. They guide you in the right direction and you are definitely going to save money.

Dream Sources: Serena & Lily, Caitlin Wilson and Rejuvenation.

LIVING ROOM
Sofa — Bella Furniture Home
Arm Chairs — Bella Furniture Home
Blue stools — Kravet
Coffee table — Serena & Lily
Book Shelves — World Market
Side Table — West Elm
White lamps — West Elm
Table with white lamps — Safavieh
Mirror — Serena & Lily
Piano stool— Target

KITCHEN
Kitchen stools — Cb2

FAMILY ROOM
Sofa — Bella Furniture Home
Coffee table — Dovetail Furniture Online
Wicker chair — Pottery Barn
Lamp — West Elm
TV cabinet — Redford House
Side table — West Elm

DINING ROOM
Table — World Market
Lamp — Ballard Designs

ENTRANCE
Bench — Pottery Barn
Shelf — Rejuvenation

BATHROOM
Wallpaper — Caitlin Wilson
Mirror — Restoration Hardware

BEDROOM
Headboard — Target
White Lamp — target
Decorative animals — Target
Planter — pbteen
Art on the wall — Target
Bed Side Tables — Target

MASTER BEDROOM
Bed lights — Pottery Barn
Bed Side Tables — Gabby Home
Ceiling fan — Rejuvenation
Bedding — Annie Selke
Wicker bench — Serena & Lily
Carpet — Serena & Lily
Bathroom
Mirrors — West Elm
Lights — Restoration Hardware

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