House of Memories

Author:

A Carlsbad home by Savvy Interiors throws it back to eclectic aesthetic of the 1970s, while integrating modern functionality and design sensibilities

The open-plan kitchen, with its green BlueStar range and Sub-Z creates a focal point for the home. White oak cabinetry, rattan detailing and patterned tiles evoke a vintage charm. Photographs by Lauren Taylor Creative.

San Diego’s Savvy Interiors is known for both their beautiful work and for their sensitivity in preserving the character of a home. These traits drew the attention of the owners of this 4,000-square-foot, 1970s-era home in Carlsbad. “They found us on Houzz where we connected over our belief in the importance of preserving the elements that are related to maintaining the character of a home,” says Savvy Interiors’ principal Susan Wintersteen. “Our design philosophy revolves around creating spaces that resonate deeply with our clients, bringing warmth, nostalgia, and a sense of comfort into their homes.” This credo formed the foundation of the firm’s approach. 

Their work started with the floor plan. “The original design presented a few challenges,” Wintersteen says. To balance the couple’s desire for a layout that provided a sense of openness while also including pockets of comfort and retreat, she updated the home’s flow, including opening up the kitchen, a move that also maximized the home’s natural light. 

Recliners from American Leather straddle the line between the contemporary and vintage vibe that threads through this home. Photographs by Lauren Taylor Creative.

Merging the couple’s vintage-inspired aesthetic with modern day sensibility and functionality was key to making the home feel contemporary rather than gimmicky. “They were drawn to the idea of reinventing the space while paying homage to their past,” says Wintersteen. “They wanted to infuse each room with the joyful memories of their earlier years while ensuring the home catered to their lifestyle today.” With that goal in mind, the team focused on grounding the home in natural, organic materials, warm tones, textural elements and graphic, modern shapes. Against this calm, neutral backdrop, they layered in nostalgic touches like the pink plaid tile in an upstairs bathroom, the living room’s mint cabinetry, the teal woodwork in the primary powder room, the laundry room’s bright yellow cabinetry and the kitchen’s earthy tones. 

Sanderson’s Butterfly wallpaper, a mustard yellow cabinet and natural wood paneling turn up the feeling of whimsicality in a powder room. The mirror is from Crate & Barrel. Photographs by Lauren Taylor Creative.
Geometric floor files from Dal Tile offset the custom teal vanity with rattan inserts and the bold artwork, bringing the primary bathroom into the present day. Photographs by Lauren Taylor Creative.

“We decided to hold off on refacing the living room’s lava rock fireplace until we could see how it would integrate with the other elements we had in mind. In the end, we decided to keep the original fireplace,” says Wintersteen. Its throwback charm underlines the sweet sense of wistfulness that permeates this home.

Custom blush pink cabinets and gold hardware speaks to the era’s glitz and glamor.
Photographs by Lauren Taylor Creative.

The result is a space that feel playful yet luxurious, current rather than kitsch. “The client!s reaction was one of pure joy,” says Wintersteen. “They immediately felt a connection to the spaces, experiencing the comfort of nostalgia while appreciating the thoughtful details that speak to modern design sensibilities and a fresh, beautiful living environment.”

The expansive mural, Schumacher’s Forest Hills panel, is juxtaposed with a bed by Four Hands and side chests found at Noir furniture, setting a serene yet vibrant tone that nods to the clients’ nostalgia. Photographs by Lauren Taylor Creative.