Venice home blends old charm with modern living

A Venice, California, home along the city’s canals now combines Mediterranean architecture with modern family living after a design refresh by SunSoulStyle Interiors.

The house, chosen for its waterfront setting, had an uneven interior where classic terracotta tile and detailed ironwork conflicted with newer, contemporary elements. Designer Christina Higham described the canals as a unique mix of serenity and creative energy. “You have this peaceful, water-facing retreat where life slows down, yet you’re just steps from the art, culture, and walkability of Abbot Kinney,” she said.

Balancing two aesthetics without a full rebuild

The clients wanted a home that felt refined and welcoming while remaining practical for everyday use. “We aimed for a cohesive look without a major structural overhaul,” Higham explained. The first phase focused on the downstairs living area, completed remotely from Higham’s Hawaii base. Later, the project expanded to include the upstairs bedrooms and custom storage solutions.

To ensure accuracy, Higham partnered with interior designer Jen MacBeth of California Casa, who had previously worked together on photoshoots. “Having an expert on-site improved the execution,” Higham said. They co-designed the upstairs, collaborating with MacBeth’s husband’s team at MacBeth Millwork to create solid oak closet doors, custom stair railings, and a Murphy-bed library for the office.

The designers didn’t favor one style over the other. Instead, they blended the home’s Mediterranean roots with modern functionality.

Higham said the project succeeded through gradual changes rather than a complete renovation. “The family wanted a home that felt luxurious but also relaxed and full of personality,” she noted. The result is a space that feels both timeless and personal.

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For families drawn to Venice’s canals, the challenge is often blending the neighborhood’s old-world charm with modern needs. This project shows that small adjustments—like furnishings, storage, and minor architectural tweaks—can meet contemporary demands. The home now reflects the family’s identity without forcing a choice between two styles.

Custom details that make the space work

The Murphy-bed library in the office demonstrates the project’s practical approach. It converts a single room into a guest bedroom while maintaining workspace flexibility, a solution tailored to the family’s needs. Upstairs, custom millwork maximizes storage in bedrooms, where built-in closets and under-bed drawers reduce clutter.

Materials helped unify the home’s contrasting elements. Solid oak, used for closet doors and stair railings, connects modern updates to the original Mediterranean structure.

The downstairs living area, where the refresh began, now serves as the home’s center. Seating is arranged to highlight canal views, creating a space that encourages relaxation.

Higham’s remote design process worked despite the hands-on nature of the project. “I visited once to assess the space, then managed the first phase entirely from a distance,” she said. This method allowed flexibility as the scope expanded to include the upstairs.

The canals remain the home’s defining feature. Residents wake to the sound of water against the dock, a quiet counterpoint to the activity on nearby Abbot Kinney Boulevard. The setting requires interiors as carefully considered as the neighborhood itself, and in this case, the designers delivered.