Did Christina Hall shade her estranged husband, Josh Hall, in the latest episode of “ Christina on the Coast?” Amid the news of her split, one particular comment stands out.
In the appropriately titled episode “Starting From Scratch,” she and her design project manager, James Bender, shop for bathtubs for their latest clients. Christina says the tub will need to fit two because the homeowners, Stefan and Mari Ann, plan to soak in the tub together.
Christina explains that couples who “like each other” sit in the tub together but hints at marital problems when she says, “Me? I’d just be in here alone.”
It’s not clear when this episode was filmed, but it is clear cracks in the marriage were forming. It’s also notable that Josh didn’t appear in this episode.
Without Josh in the picture, there was ample time for Christina to focus on her clients. That proved beneficial, as her clients’ home in San Clemente, CA, needed a lot of work.
The home sits near the coast and has a beautiful view of a golf course—but the interior is dated and odd.
To complicate matters, the couple have different styles, with Mari Ann preferring neutral tones and Stefan desiring a more eclectic look. Christina assures them she can blend their styles.
She needs to go $40,000 over the $200,000 budget to get the project done, but the result is amazing.
Read on to find out how Christina combines the two different styles and makes a home more functional.
See things in a different light
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=Sometimes, a couple can be in complete agreement about a design choice and then, also together, backtrack on that decision.
When Christina first shows them a sample for the quartz kitchen countertops, both Stefan and Mari Ann love her pick. However, when the slabs are installed, the couple complain the result looks too gray.
Christina heads to the house to check out the kitchen and decides that the quartz, which does have gray undertones, looks different because of the uncharacteristically gloomy weather.
“It’s never this gray here, it’s (a) dreary day, there’s no lighting, we still have all the cardboard on the floor,” the designer says. “When you have all these lights on and you have the sunlight, I feel like this is going to look a lot lighter than it looks now.”
She assures her clients the counters will look great and suggests putting up a Zellige backsplash to get a better feel for the space.
If Stefan and Mari Ann still don’t like the outcome, Christina offers to pay to replace the backsplash.
However, when the homeowners return to see the counters and the backsplash, on a sunny day, they love them both. They’re elegant materials that look beautiful together.
This is a solid reminder that homeowners should look at their design choices in the space in different lights. Natural light and weather can make a big difference in how finishes look.
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Compromise by mixing materials
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When it comes to combining styles, sometimes the easiest way is to use a clever mix of materials.
Christina decides to represent both her clients’ styles by using two different tiles on the kitchen backsplash. She recommends a light Zellige clay tile for the majority of the backsplash then presents a bold terra-cotta tile to install behind the stove.
“That’s going to give it the European influence,” she says.
The two tiles look great together, and both Mari Ann and Stefan love the combination. Blending the two styles was smart, and neither partner had to compromise.
Choose which features to highlight or hide
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One item Mari Ann and Stefan agree on is the need to raise the ceilings in the kitchen and dining space.
Christina’s team opens up the ceilings so they match the vaulted ceiling in the living room. However, some of the beams are structural and can’t be removed.
Christina suggests wrapping them in a wood veneer to help them blend in with the space.
“As opposed to making them pop,” she says, “we just make them subtly flow by doing a veneer, a wood veneer that matches the cabinets.”
Her clients like the idea, noting attention will instead focus on the chandelier. It’s a prime example of design choices being less about what you see and more about what you don’t see.
Blend styles using shape and color
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In the living room, Christina’s clients are anxious to do away with the oversized fireplace. Christina suggests a taller, thinner facade with a built-in bench, as well as a soft gray micro-cement finish on the new fireplace.
“This is a wall coating that goes on just like plaster,” she explains. “It’s durable, it gives an interesting texture, and it’s just gorgeous.”
Overall, the color is neutral for Mari Ann and the style is old-world for Stefan.
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Use decor to add personality
When Christina shows the homeowners her proposed kitchen design, Mari Ann loves the look but Stefan isn’t so sure. He says the wood tones and neutral colors are too “matchy-matchy.”
Christina insists this design will work for both Mari Ann’s neutral tastes and Stefan’s more eclectic style: The subtle design will complement the couple’s bold decor.
“I know you’re very well-traveled and you’ve probably collected a lot of stuff throughout your travels,” Christina says. “So that’s how we can really bring back in your own style so it still feels like your home.”
On reveal day, the home is filled with dark furniture, grounding the design and complementing the light finishes. Stefan is sure to bring in more colorful touches over time, and they won’t have to compete with the neutral space.
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