Project Warm Tide
One of my favorite parts of being an interior designer is getting to design for people you love.
Photographer: https://www.davidjsparks.com/
This kitchen reflects a warm tone with an apron front sink and terra cotta backsplash.
Not because they're easier clients. Usually they're not. It's because you know exactly how they live. You know which cabinet never closes quite right, which room everyone avoids, and which spaces have quietly become frustrating over the years.
Warm Tide was one of those projects.
My in-laws had lived in this home for years, and while a full second-story addition gave us the opportunity to add square footage, what excited me most was the chance to make the house work better for them.
The best example is probably the primary bathroom. Before the remodel, they barely used it. In fact, they had a running joke about using what they called the "hall bath" instead because it was simply more functional. For all practical purposes, the kids' bathroom had become their primary bathroom.
The obvious solution would have been to make the room dramatically larger. Instead, we increased the footprint by only about twenty-five percent and focused our energy on solving the layout. We were able to create a true double vanity, an oversized walk-in shower, and storage that actually supports the way they live. The custom white oak vanity was designed specifically around their daily routines, while framed medicine cabinets provide enough hidden storage to keep the countertops clear without sacrificing practicality.
The shower became one of my favorite moments in the entire house. We wrapped the bench in Taj Mahal quartzite, tucked the niche out of sight, and let the stone take center stage.
A crisp white oak vanity to balance the warmth of the custom Taj Mahal details on the counter tops and shower.
A New Coastal Kitchen
This home sits near the coast, and I think people often assume coastal design means bright white walls, bright white cabinets, and a lot of blue accents. While there's certainly a place for that, it wasn't the direction we wanted to take here. Instead, we leaned into warmth. White oak cabinetry, white oak flooring, natural stone, and a richly layered backsplash create a kitchen that feels welcoming from the moment you walk into it. It's warm without feeling heavy, and refined without feeling formal.
What keeps everything balanced is the polished nickel. We used it on the plumbing fixtures, cabinet hardware, and lighting throughout the space. Against all of the warmth from the wood tones, the polished nickel introduces just enough crispness to keep everything feeling fresh and current. That balance between warm and cool materials became a recurring theme throughout the home.
Warm white oak kitchen in a Costa Mesa remodel featuring custom cabinetry, Taj Mahal quartzite countertops, a warm tile backsplash, polished nickel fixtures, and layered natural textures.
The Kids’ Bathroom
Rather than trying to make it feel overly sophisticated, we embraced something a little more playful. Warmer finishes, layered textures, and materials that feel durable enough for real life while still feeling thoughtful and elevated. Not every room needs to be the star of the show. Sometimes a room's job is simply to make people feel welcome.
Custom kids' bathroom in a Costa Mesa remodel featuring a white oak vanity, quartzite countertop, polished nickel fixtures, checkerboard tile surround, and penny tile flooring. Designed by Nested Interior Design to feel warm, timeless, and family-friendly.
Looking back, that's probably what I love most about Warm Tide. The primary bathroom finally functions the way it always should have. The kitchen naturally pulls people together. The kids' bathroom is ready for bath toys, bedtime routines, and all of the little moments that happen in between.
Warm Tide is one of those projects, and getting to create it for people I love made it that much more meaningful.
Love, Erika Morris