The couple who bought this house in 2020 had been looking for a fixer-upper. “They have a keen sense of style,” says interior designer Cathie Hong, knowing that they would put their stamp on whatever they bought. And what they bought was a 1961 ranch-style home in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose, California, that needed some updates, making it the ideal backdrop for their aesthetic goals.

“Her grandparents come from Trinidad and Tobago, and his grandparents are from Jamaica,” says Hong of the couple. “They love the midcentury style, modern and clean lines, and they wanted to blend that with their Caribbean roots.”

Before: Entry

After: Entry

Before: Kitchen

After: Kitchen and Dining

The structure of the home was kept virtually intact, with a few substantive changes. A wall between the kitchen and living room was opened up for better circulation, and an enclosed sunroom off the back was removed to create a direct connection between the house and yard. All the windows and doors were replaced with crisp, black-framed units that improve insulation while contrasting the white walls, and new skylights in the kitchen and living room bring in more natural light.

Before: Family Room

After: Family Room

“We wanted to create a home where everybody could have their own space, and a little bit of privacy, to be able to relax,” says Hong. To that end, the living room was set up as an adult enclave, complete with vinyl collection and bar. The adjacent family room, separated by a set of pocket doors, can be used by the kids.

In the backyard, once a field of bark chips with an old hut tub structure, is now a pool, cabana, bocce ball court, and dining area. The couple did all the landscaping themselves.

Before: Living Room

After: Living Room

The home’s new color scheme started with a piece of art long-loved by the couple: a vintage tourism poster for Trinidad and Tobago. “We used that poster as the launching point,” says Hong, who threaded its colors throughout the rooms. In the kitchen are custom blue-green cabinets and mustard dining chairs, and in the family room, a pink lounger. The powder room is wrapped in colorful wallpaper from the Portland, Oregon, brand Makelike.

“They knew what they wanted, and they enjoyed the idea of making a home their own by specializing it to their needs,” says Hong. “Every space is intentional.”

Before: Powder Room

After: Powder Room

Before: Main Bathroom

After: Main Bathroom

Before: Hall Bath

After: Hall Bath

Before: Backyard

After: Backyard

More from Cathie Hong Interiors:

A Cramped Eichler Kitchen Gets a $49K Refresh

Project Credits:

Builder: BlueCon

Interior Design: Cathie Hong Interiors / @cathiehonginteriors

Cabinetry: Reform CPH

Florist: Graceful Garland Co.

Photography: Margaret Austin Photography / @margaretaustin_photo

Appears In

Before & After: A Ranch-Style Home in San Jose Gets an Infusion of Caribbean Cool