A Bright Addition With Surprising Pops of Color Makes Room for a Young Family in Southern California
When interior designer Abbie Naber and her husband, Malik, purchased their single-level home in San Diego in 2015, they did so expecting to make improvements over time. The couple, then newlyweds, sprung for a TLC-ready residence in their ideal location, Cardiff—a "special little gem of a beach town," says Abbie—knowing it would take some imagination and elbow grease to make the dwelling their own. Two small renovations—and two kids—later, the family’s need for more space became omnipresent.
"My perspective is heavily weighted on art and finding those special individualistic touches to add to a space," says designer and homeowner Abbie Naber. "Sometimes it’s a statement piece of art that hangs on the wall. Other times, what shines might be the styling items we throw in at the end," she says of her creative process.
Treasuring their beachside community, Abbie and Malik weren’t interested in moving inland to acquire more space. Instead, they focused on expanding the home they already loved. While the initial renovations involved cosmetic updates, layout tweaks, and a modest expansion of the dining room, the couple decided this renovation would focus squarely on creating more usable space for the family of four. So, they built both up and out. A horizontal addition now holds a laundry room, powder room, and office, while a vertical addition adds a second level to the home and includes a primary bedroom suite and a second office.
The vertical addition carved out new space for a main bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in closet. A slatted wood wall anchors the bed, adding texture and warmth to the couple's bedroom oasis, which is decorated with neutral, earthy tones.
When making design decisions for the newly established spaces, the couple favored bright, neutral, and family-friendly finishes—nothing too delicate or fussy. Abbie was careful to make selections that would stand the test of time and "wouldn’t be read as too trendy," says the founder and principal designer at A. Naber Design. "I truly want to love the space in ten years."
"For our personal space, both my husband and I wanted a main bedroom and bathroom that felt like a retreat or an elevated hotel room," says Abbie.
Light hues and earthy textures predominate in the breezy main bedroom, as well as in Abbie’s serene office. "I was concerned about longevity and not tiring of color or pattern," says the interior designer.
Extending the home’s lower level made room for Abbie’s spacious new office. Clean and simple finishes provide a composed space where the interior designer can work and create.
"I wanted a neutral space for my office so that I wasn’t swayed or distracted when designing for clients," shares Abbie. "My plywood wall-to-wall desk is as clean of a slate as it gets."
"I couldn’t resist adding a wallpaper that I had been wanting to use for quite some time on my own wall, but I kept it black and white," says Abbie.
Keeping the larger spaces restrained and neutral allowed Abbie freedom to play with color in some of the smaller areas—including the new laundry room. The airy space features plywood cabinetry, white fixtures, terrazzo counters, and Dwell x Concrete Collaborative Strands Stringer tile on the floors. "I was drawn to the subtle, acacia-colored dashes," says Abbie of the patterned tiles. "I love that it is a simple spin on a classic hexagonal shape."
The terrazzo countertops, also from Concrete Collaborative, have specks of yellow that tie in harmoniously with the tone of the floors, despite their departure in pattern and scale. "To me, the laundry room feels fresh, approachable, and unfussy," says Abbie.
The laundry room provided the perfect opportunity for Abbie to experiment with color. "The mustard-dashed hexagon tile paired with the terrazzo countertops and plywood cabinetry creates a less industrial feel for a utility space," she shares.
The classic hexagonal form of the Dwell x Concrete Collaborative Stringer tile is modernized with a graphic, colorful accent. Seen here in acacia, the tile is also available in green, indigo, turquoise, and tan hues.
Varying shades of purple and green merge seamlessly in the striking powder room on the first floor. Purple veining in the marble vanity complements the olive tone of the floor tiles.
The second-floor office of Abbie’s husband, Malik, includes a rich-green accent wall, a decision that came later in the design process. "I felt good knowing we had green downstairs already selected," Abbie says. "Where I chose color, I knew there would be some repetition."
The additional space has given the couple and their kids, now five and two, much needed breathing room, enhancing the ease of their Southern California lifestyle. "California living is laid back and approachable," Abbie says. "I identify with young families who want a unique, thought-out space, but also a home that is livable and approachable for family life," she continues. "I think I can find that balance well."
For more information about the Dwell collection or to order samples, visit the Concrete Collaborative website. Specs and other style information can be found here.
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