This Colorful SoCal Home Reflects the Natural Beauty Right Outside Its Front Door
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The Inland Empire region of Southern California — also known as the IE — is full of small planned communities that sit just outside the hustle and bustle of busy urban centers. Residents are close enough to catch a concert in Los Angeles or ski the San Bernardino mountains. But back at home, things are quieter — and that’s the whole point.
“Every time I go on vacation, I’m happy to come home,” says Kyle Ortiz, a DIYer and content creator. “It’s just so pretty.”
Kyle’s cul-de-sac community is nestled in the foothills of the San Bernardino National Forest, which is literally in his backyard. The house he shares with his wife and their three children reflects the natural beauty all around them, with a warm color palette that mirrors the soft blues and russets of the nearby mountains, the lush green of their vegetation, and the dazzling white snow they can see on the peaks beyond. Kyle even painted a mountain mural in one of the kids’ rooms to honor their incredible views!
The family loves to drive into the mountains for a hike or to nearby Rancho Cucamonga for a night out. With an epic food hall, a bustling outdoor mall, and community events like outdoor concerts and farmers’ markets, Rancho Cucamonga is a perfect spot for date nights and family outings.
Back at home, Kyle’s design style is exuberant yet grounded: a SoCal-meets-Southwest sensibility that gives his “cookie cutter” house its distinct personality. Architectural details like picture molding and beadboard give blank walls depth and character, while table lamps and wall sconces impart a soft glow. And Kyle never misses an opportunity to add color.
From the purple walls of the piano room to the stunning jewel-green cabinets in the kitchen, Kyle opts for the kind of quietly colorful hues you might find in a desert sunset or forest hike. The rich wood tones, in everything from armchairs to the kitchen hutch, emphasize that earthy feel. So, of course, do the houseplants: Hung near windows in the kitchen and bedrooms and placed throughout the house accent tables and shelves, the greenery adds a lush, fresh shine to the space.
Kyle thinks of his home as being “collected over time”: It’s full of meaningful decor and personal mementos that create a sort of “home narrative” that’s specific to Kyle and his family. From the Southwest-inspired table lamp he rescued from his dentist’s office (really!) to the stone salad bowl that’s been in his wife’s family for three generations, the accents aren’t just about aesthetics: They’re tangible representations of home. It’s a cozy, convivial vibe that visitors get immediately. And there are a lot of visitors.
“The magic here is really when you look at the tight-knit community,” he says. “Everyone’s kids play together. There’s a text chain if you need to borrow a cup of flour or what have you.” That sense of community is reflected in Kyle’s home, too.
“Every time I have people over, they feel instantly welcomed and comfortable. I think that’s because I designed our home in a way that’s warm and inviting. It feels like it’s approachably designed — like it can probably get messy, and it’s not a big deal.”
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